Hobbit2 - Chapter 12 - Inside Information

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

This is definitely my favourite chapter in the Hobbit, the whole conversation between Smaug and Bilbo is pure gold. Together with the information provided by the narrator, it gives a brilliant insight to the malice and cunning of Smaug. I think that that very conversation is the reason that Smaug is my favourite Tolkien villain, though there are many worthy candidates.

Another thing I have always loved is the magic of Middle-Earth. I love that it is ever present, though often in quite subtle ways and that it takes many forms. In this particular chapter I always focus on “the spell of the dragon”, exactly what it is or how it works is not said. However it does give you an feeling, that even if Smaug cannot conjure up a jar of jam or a thunderstorm, he clearly posses latent magic.

I have however always been bothered with the dwarves lack of planning, I simply cannot get it to make sense, not from any perspective. They have clearly talked about this amongst themselves for quite a while, and they have had meetings with capacities like Elrond and Gandalf and yet they have no plan for dealing with the dragon.... I can understand that Dragons are no ordinary foe and it is hard to make a battle plan before you have an idea of your foe’s strengths and weaknesses, but surely you make a provisional plan. It just seemed exceptionally stupid, just like their choice not to bring any proper weapons with them on their quest.


Neither do I truly understand why Bilbo is on the quest... Why did they need a burglar? Bilbo himself establishes that the treasure is much too large for him to steal piece by piece, and they clearly did not hire him to murder the dragon. What was his purpose, to be a scout of sorts?

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Tolkien's dragons are perhaps his most splendidly, deliciously evil characters; and Smaug might be the best of them, a mixture of wit and menace which blends the best of Glaurung and Chrysophylax.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Rune Son of Bjarne

Neither do I truly understand why Bilbo is on the quest... Why did they need a burglar? Bilbo himself establishes that the treasure is much too large for him to steal piece by piece, and they clearly did not hire him to murder the dragon. What was his purpose, to be a scout of sorts?

I think Bilbo's main purpose was to open the secret door. However, the Dwarves do much exploitation along the way. "You have to earn your share..." Also, Smaug does not know Hobbit smell - which is a big point in this chapter.


I have to say that this is my favourite chapter in the book too. It's witty, it's funny, its full of danger, and I love Bilbo. I agree that we learn a lot about Smaug and dragons in general, but that's not the reason I like the chapter so much. I love the battle of wit between Bilbo and Smaug and that's that.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I think Bilbo's main purpose was to open the secret door. However, the Dwarves do much exploitation along the way. "You have to earn your share..." Also, Smaug does not know Hobbit smell - which is a big point in this chapter.

I am not claiming that Bilbo is not an asset to the dwarves, it is well established that they wouldn't have made it to Erebor without him. Smaug is definitely pussled by the smell of Hobbit (and taste?), but surely this was not the reason Bilbo was brought along? Maybe it was part of Gandalf's reason for choosing Bilbo, but I doubt that Thorin looked that far ahead.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Rune Son of Bjarne

I am not claiming that Bilbo is not an asset to the dwarves, it is well established that they wouldn't have made it to Erebor without him. Smaug is definitely pussled by the smell of Hobbit (and taste?), but surely this was not the reason Bilbo was brought along? Maybe it was part of Gandalf's reason for choosing Bilbo, but I doubt that Thorin looked that far ahead.

If I remember the UT correctly, Gandalf tells Thorin that the latter would get no help from him unless he took Bilbo along. So the Dwarves did not really have a choice.