Would Gandalf ever discipline Hobbits? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gothbogg the Ripper · 11-07-2008, 05:37 PM

Would Gandalf ever physically assault a Hobbit?
Yes. He probably would. The man has a horrible temper. Sure, this is outshined by his sage advice and bravery but he doesn't suffer fools gladly.
I can easily imagine a scenario in which he may get carried away. He acts from the heart, not his head.

Aaron · 11-08-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gothbogg the Ripper

Would Gandalf ever physically assault a Hobbit?
Yes. He probably would. The man has a horrible temper. Sure, this is outshined by his sage advice and bravery but he doesn't suffer fools gladly.
I can easily imagine a scenario in which he may get carried away. He acts from the heart, not his head.

What world are you living in? Gandalf doesn't really get carried away, he's the embodiment of veiled power. He had many times in which he could have gone totally nutso and yet he retains his composure throughout a great deal of the books.
So no, he wouldn't ever beat up a Hobbit. Probaby because he never thought himself massively superior to them.

Legolas · 11-16-2008, 12:29 PM

Moving this over to 'Novices & Newcomers' - seems like a question anyone can respond to, and there's no real textual evidence that can be provided.

Unless that chapter was removed from my copies.

Rumil · 11-20-2008, 05:15 PM

Weeellll,

I'm tempted to say yes (more or less)...

It's shown that Gandalf did 'discipline' hobbits as he made Pippin sit the first watch in Moria as a punishment for foolishness. This does not mean physical chastisement however.

Would Gandalf beat a hobbit black and blue with a stout stick (staff)

out of anger? Of course not, he's not that sort of a Maia.

Is there a possible (but unlikely) situation where Gandalf would physically discipline a hobbit? Naturally speculation but...

-A slap on the hand to a hobbit child or 'tween filching fireworks or trying to pick up Glamdring could be possible, more for the child's safety than anything else. Before the days of PC-ness such a thing would likely pass without comment. If I remember in the film G twists Merry and Pippins' ears a bit when he catches them at the fireworks and this seems unremarkable, but technically counts!

I guess that hobbits would use some mild corporal punishment on their children, but if such 'formal' punishment was deserved, then it would be the parents' responsibility, not Gandalf's.

Nerwen · 11-20-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumil

Weeellll,

I'm tempted to say yes (more or less)...

It's shown that Gandalf did 'discipline' hobbits as he made Pippin sit the first watch in Moria as a punishment for foolishness. This does not mean physical chastisement however.

Would Gandalf beat a hobbit black and blue with a stout stick (staff)

out of anger? Of course not, he's not that sort of a Maia.

But that is the actual question asked in the first post– very specific: "So would Gandalf ever beat a hobbit in the event of sheer anger and frustration?" (my italics).

An act motivated purely by anger is not "discipline" by definition, unless you're using the word as a euphemism. So the thread title and the explanation in the first post are in contradiction.

Elmo · 11-21-2008, 07:30 PM

The hobbits were small not children. A common mistake to make, I believe Boromir and Denethor made the same. Why not ask the question would he have beaten Boromir or Gimli or even Aragorn as they were adults as well. Would Gandalf have picked on the hobbits just because they were small?

Kitanna · 11-21-2008, 11:26 PM

No, never. Gandalf would never let his anger get so out of control. EVER.

Morthoron · 11-22-2008, 06:12 AM

If ever a Hobbit Gandalf struck,
That would be news to me.
So many characters pressed their luck,
Like ol' Butterbur in Bree,
Or silly Pippin in Moria's mine --
He certainly deserved a beating.
Yet Gandalf merely spoke his mind --
violence being self-defeating.
With Gollum he was very rough,
But always, Gandalf did restrain.
And so with this topic I've had enough,
The question was inane.

Andsigil · 11-22-2008, 12:02 PM

I'm sorry, I'm just really surprised that this question is still being debated at all.

How about some ideas for other threads:

Would Gandalf prefer Dorwinion wine over Bree ale?

If Gandalf had found Tuor's axe instead of Glamdring, would he have used it?

If Sauron had challenged Gandalf to an arm wrestling match to decide the fate of Middle Earth, would Gandalf had taken the challenge? What if it was a riddle contest, instead?

12-01-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morthoron

If ever a Hobbit Gandalf struck,
That would be news to me.
So many characters pressed their luck,
Like ol' Butterbur in Bree,
Or silly Pippin in Moria's mine --
He certainly deserved a beating.
Yet Gandalf merely spoke his mind --
violence being self-defeating.
With Gollum he was very rough,
But always, Gandalf did restrain.
And so with this topic I've had enough,
The question was inane.

We are not talking about Hobbits being bludgeoned to death by Gandalf's staff, just a clip on the ear or two, and words to that affect. Tolkein clearly saw Gandalf as a means of disciplining Hobbits where required. Your riddle and though process above reminds me a lot of Gollum, by the way.

11-07-2008, 05:37 PM	#1
Gothbogg the Ripper Wight Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southend,U.K Posts: 113	Would Gandalf ever physically assault a Hobbit? Yes. He probably would. The man has a horrible temper. Sure, this is outshined by his sage advice and bravery but he doesn't suffer fools gladly. I can easily imagine a scenario in which he may get carried away. He acts from the heart, not his head. __________________ Thanks for abandoning me for three years guys. I really enjoyed being a total outcast.

11-16-2008, 12:29 PM	#3
Legolas A Northern Soul Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Valinor Posts: 1,847	Moving this over to 'Novices & Newcomers' - seems like a question anyone can respond to, and there's no real textual evidence that can be provided. Unless that chapter was removed from my copies. __________________ ...take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art.

11-20-2008, 05:15 PM	#4
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	Smack my hobbit up Weeellll, I'm tempted to say yes (more or less)... It's shown that Gandalf did 'discipline' hobbits as he made Pippin sit the first watch in Moria as a punishment for foolishness. This does not mean physical chastisement however. Would Gandalf beat a hobbit black and blue with a stout stick (staff) out of anger? Of course not, he's not that sort of a Maia. Is there a possible (but unlikely) situation where Gandalf would physically discipline a hobbit? Naturally speculation but... -A slap on the hand to a hobbit child or 'tween filching fireworks or trying to pick up Glamdring could be possible, more for the child's safety than anything else. Before the days of PC-ness such a thing would likely pass without comment. If I remember in the film G twists Merry and Pippins' ears a bit when he catches them at the fireworks and this seems unremarkable, but technically counts! I guess that hobbits would use some mild corporal punishment on their children, but if such 'formal' punishment was deserved, then it would be the parents' responsibility, not Gandalf's. __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

11-21-2008, 07:30 PM	#6
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 633	The hobbits were small not children. A common mistake to make, I believe Boromir and Denethor made the same. Why not ask the question would he have beaten Boromir or Gimli or even Aragorn as they were adults as well. Would Gandalf have picked on the hobbits just because they were small? __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

11-21-2008, 11:26 PM	#7
Kitanna Child of the West Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Watching President Fillmore ride a unicorn Posts: 2,132	No, never. Gandalf would never let his anger get so out of control. EVER. __________________ "Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." - Mark Twain

11-22-2008, 06:12 AM	#8
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,515	If ever a Hobbit Gandalf struck, That would be news to me. So many characters pressed their luck, Like ol' Butterbur in Bree, Or silly Pippin in Moria's mine -- He certainly deserved a beating. Yet Gandalf merely spoke his mind -- violence being self-defeating. With Gollum he was very rough, But always, Gandalf did restrain. And so with this topic I've had enough, The question was inane. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.

11-22-2008, 12:02 PM	#9
Andsigil Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Deepest Forges of Ered Luin Posts: 733	I'm sorry, I'm just really surprised that this question is still being debated at all. How about some ideas for other threads: Would Gandalf prefer Dorwinion wine over Bree ale? If Gandalf had found Tuor's axe instead of Glamdring, would he have used it? If Sauron had challenged Gandalf to an arm wrestling match to decide the fate of Middle Earth, would Gandalf had taken the challenge? What if it was a riddle contest, instead? __________________ Even as fog continues to lie in the valleys, so does ancient sin cling to the low places, the depression in the world consciousness.