John Ronald Reuel Tolkien: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The hobbits from "The Lord of the Rings" are the most famous characters in the epic novel by the English prose writer Tolkien. Until now, this book remains one of the most famous in the fantasy genre.

The epic "The Lord of the Rings"

The hobbits from "The Lord of the Rings" after the release of the novels became one of the most popular characters not only in literature, but also in cinema. All of them were invented by the famous English writer John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.

Interestingly, it was originally one novel called "The Lord of the Rings". But because of its volume, the publishers insisted that the work be divided into three parts: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. In trilogy format, these works are published today.

According to numerous polls, The Lord of the Rings remains one of the most popular books of the 20th century. It was translated into several dozen languages, it was filmed more than once, computer and board games dedicated to the plot were created. There was even a separate role-playing movement, thousands of Tolkinists around the world began to dress up in their favorite characters andact out classic scenes.

The Hobbit

It should be noted that Tolkien gained popularity thanks to another of his works. This is the story "The Hobbit, or There and Back Again". She was released in 1937, and has since been considered a classic of children's literature.

At the center of the story is a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who goes on an exciting and dangerous journey with the dwarves and the wizard Gandalf. They go to the Lonely Mountain to find the cherished treasures of the dwarves, which the dragon Smaug has captured and aggressively guards.

It is well known that when working on the story "The Hobbit, or There and Back Again" Tolkien turned to the plots of Scandinavian mythology, as well as to the Old English poem "Beowulf". At the same time, many literary scholars believe that the experience gained by the author during the First World War greatly affected the narrative.

Features of the work

One of the main features of this work is the opposition of ancient and modern standards of behavior, which are constantly found on the pages of the story. For example, in the style of speech of characters. Baggins has many traits that are inherent in Tolkien's modern man. As a result, against the backdrop of the ancient world that surrounds it, it looks like an obvious anachronism.

The author constantly raises the question of the relationship between a person of modern culture and those around him here and now, as well as with ancient heroes.

The advantage of this work is that the main character of the book is constantly evolving. Passing through various trials, he embarks on the path of self-knowledge. In the finale, a conflict arises over treasures. At this time, the serious problem of such well-known human feelings as greed, craving for material values, the possibility of overcoming this is touched upon.

"The Hobbit" is the first work that describes the world of Middle-earth. Readers and critics responded very favorably to the book, so the publishers began to ask Tolkien to write a sequel to The Hobbit. In the trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" the reader met again with his favorite characters. But if The Hobbit was intended for children, then this work was intended for an adult audience.

The Lord of the Rings novel

Formally, this novel is tied to the story "The Hobbit", in fact, is its continuation. The hobbits in "The Lord of the Rings" are all the same as in the first epoch-making work of the author. At the same time, Bilbo Baggins himself is no longer at the center of the story. He retires, bequeathing a magic ring to his nephew named Frodo. It has a unique property - it makes any creature invisible.

The books "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" are best read in this order, then the reader will not be surprised by the appearance of a wizard already familiar to him from an earlier story. Gandalf tells Frodo that he got a uniqueThe Ring of Omnipotence, which was once created by Sauron, the dark ruler of these places. It is he who is considered their enemy by all the free peoples of Mordor.

Sauron specially created it to subjugate all other magic rings. Surprisingly, this piece of jewelry has a will of its own. It can extend the life of its wearer by enslaving them in the process, as well as causing an irresistible desire to possess this ring.

Sauron was defeated many years ago, but with the help of the Ring of Omnipotence he is able to regain his lost power. There is only one way to destroy it - throw it into the volcano where it was forged.

Friends hit the road

Frodo embarks on such a perilous journey. Along with him are his faithful comrades. The names of the hobbits from The Lord of the Rings are now known to all Tolkien fans. This is Merry, Pippin and Sam.

First, Frodo finds himself in the country of the elves, then with the help of a forest wizard he gets to Bree, where he meets with the ranger Aragorn. Friends are pursued everywhere by the servants of Sauron, who are trying in every possible way to interfere with their mission. The Hobbits from The Lord of the Rings heroically resist this.

Sam

It is necessary to dwell separately on all Frodo's comrades who went with him on the road. One of them is Sam or Samwise Gamgee. In The Lord of the Rings, he is one of the key characters.

He is a typical main character protagonist. It is believed that the prototype for its creation wassoldiers of the British army who participated in the First World War. Tolkien himself also visited the battlefields.

In The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Sam works as a gardener for Frodo. He goes on a campaign to help permanently destroy the Ring of Omnipotence, received by Frodo from his uncle.

It is interesting that Tolkien himself repeatedly called Sam the main character of the novel, although many considered him Frodo. But still, most of the journey is described precisely from his face. At the same time, Sam is one of the creators of the famous Scarlet Book. As conceived by the writer, she plays a decisive role in the history of the entire Middle-earth.

Merry

The hobbit Merry's full name is Meriadoc Brandybuck. Approximately two years before the events described in the novel, he accidentally witnessed the phenomenal abilities that Frodo has when he puts on the ring.

By nature, he is extremely cautious, but at the same time very enterprising. Therefore, often on the pages of the novel he gives practical advice to Frodo, helps him avoid all sorts of dangers and still realize his plan.

Pippin

Finally, the last hobbit who accompanies Frodo is named Pippin. His full name is Peregrine Took.

He belongs to the famous and noble Took family, one of Frodo's closest friends. Member of the Fellowship of the Ring.

At Gandalf's urging, he was even included among the Keepers when Meriadoc and Peregrine were captured by orcs sent by Saruman. Desperately defended the hobbits from opponents brave Boromir,eldest son of Gondor. This battle was his last, he died. Peregrine escaped only by a miracle.

All these adventures of fantasy heroes, invented by the Englishman Tolkien in the middle of the 20th century, are still in demand. In the early 2000s, American director Peter Jackson filmed a trilogy in which he thoroughly outlined the plot of the adventures of Frodo and his friends.

The films were called "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King".