Thorin's Trust In Bilbo: A Question Of Faith

In J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit', Bilbo Baggins is chosen by Gandalf to accompany Thorin and his company of dwarves on their expedition to reclaim their treasure from Smaug the dragon. Thorin, the leader of the dwarves, initially wanted to take an army of dwarves to slay Smaug, but Gandalf counselled against this, advising that a smaller, stealthier party would be more successful. Gandalf believed that Bilbo, who had a natural silence to his step and an adventurous spirit, was the ideal person to join the expedition as their burglar. Although Thorin may not have initially had faith in Bilbo, he eventually nominates him to enter Smaug's lair and steal a cup, which enrages Smaug and sets off a chain of events that helps the dwarves reclaim their treasure.

Thorin's lack of faith in Bilbo is evident when he leaves the planning to Bilbo

Thorin's lack of faith in Bilbo is further highlighted by the fact that he does not seem to expect much from Bilbo and is content to let him take the lead. This is evident in the way that Thorin and the other dwarves follow Bilbo down towards Smaug's chamber, even though they are unsure of what to do next. They are essentially leaving the fate of their mission in Bilbo's hands, which shows a lack of faith in their own abilities and a reliance on Bilbo to save them.

Additionally, when the company first arrives at the mountain, it is Bilbo who is nominated by Thorin to enter Smaug's lair and snoop around. This is despite the fact that Bilbo is a small and unassuming hobbit who is likely to be no match for a powerful and terrifying dragon like Smaug. By sending Bilbo into danger while the dwarves remain safe, Thorin is demonstrating his lack of faith in Bilbo's ability to succeed.

Furthermore, when Bilbo returns from his encounter with Smaug, it is noted that the dwarves marvel over the golden cup that he has stolen. This reaction implies that they did not expect Bilbo to be successful in his mission and that they are surprised by his bravery and resourcefulness. Their lack of faith in Bilbo is evident in the way that they seem to doubt his abilities and question his role in the company.

Finally, it is worth noting that Gandalf, the wise wizard who chose Bilbo to accompany Thorin, seems to have more faith in Bilbo than Thorin does. Gandalf recognises that Bilbo has qualities that the others do not see and believes that he will be crucial to the success of their mission. He even goes so far as to say that the others may "live to thank" him for choosing Bilbo. This suggests that Gandalf has a stronger belief in Bilbo's abilities than Thorin, who continues to underestimate and doubt the hobbit.

Bilbo's hobbit qualities make him a good choice for the journey

Bilbo Baggins was chosen by Gandalf to accompany Thorin and his company on their journey to reclaim Erebor. Bilbo's qualities as a hobbit made him a good choice for the journey. Firstly, hobbits are known for their nimbleness and ability to move silently and vanish quickly, which would be useful for stealth during the mission. Secondly, Bilbo came from a family of adventurous hobbits with elven-like features, suggesting he may have had some elven blood, and hobbits were generally friendly with elves. This could have been advantageous for the journey, as elves and dwarves did not get along. Additionally, Bilbo's mother was Belladonna Took, and the Tooks were richer and more adventurous than the Bagginses. This indicated that Bilbo may have had a bolder and less respectable disposition compared to other hobbits.

Moreover, Gandalf believed that Bilbo had qualities that even he did not know about. He sensed that Bilbo was the right person for the job and trusted his instincts. Bilbo's eagerness, bright eyes, and love of tales about the world outside the Shire intrigued Gandalf. The wizard felt that Bilbo was bolder than other hobbits and would be a good addition to the company.

Furthermore, Bilbo's hobbit qualities, such as their natural quietness and small stature, made him a better fit for the company of dwarves than a full-sized man or elf. He was also a relative of the Tooks, who were known to be adventurous, which aligned with the nature of the journey. Overall, Bilbo's hobbit qualities, combined with his unique personality traits, made him a good choice for the journey with Thorin and his company.

Gandalf's intuition about Bilbo's potential is proven right

Gandalf's intuition is proven right when Bilbo successfully sneaks into Smaug's lair and steals a golden cup, and later, when he outwits the dragon by answering his questions in riddles. Bilbo's cleverness and bravery are also demonstrated when he steals the Arkenstone and a mithril coat from Smaug's treasure, and when he helps the dwarves escape the mountain by finding the secret door.

Gandalf's belief in Bilbo's potential is also shown to be correct in *The Lord of the Rings*, when Bilbo gives up the One Ring of his own volition, and when he is one of the few hobbits to fight in the Battle of Bywater.

Bilbo's Took heritage makes him a suitable candidate

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit of the Shire in the Third Age, born on September 22, TA 2890 (around September 12-14 in the Gregorian calendar). He is the protagonist of J. R. R. Tolkien's 1937 novel 'The Hobbit' and a supporting character in 'The Lord of the Rings'. Bilbo is the son of Bungo Baggins and Belladonna Took, making him a descendant of the Took family.

The Tooks are known for their adventurous spirit, which sets them apart from the more respectable and sedentary Baggins family. Bilbo's Took heritage is one of the reasons why he is chosen by the wizard Gandalf to aid Thorin Oakenshield and his company of Dwarves in reclaiming their ancestral home, the Lonely Mountain, from the dragon Smaug. Gandalf recognises that Bilbo's adventurous Took side makes him a suitable candidate for the quest, despite his initial objections and comfortable lifestyle in the Shire.

Bilbo's Took heritage becomes evident during the journey as he grows in courage and resourcefulness. He proves his worth as a "burglar" by successfully infiltrating Smaug's lair and obtaining valuable information about the dragon's weak spot. Bilbo's adventurous spirit and cunning make him a valuable asset to Thorin and his company, even though Thorin may not always show faith in him.

Bilbo's skills are crucial in the face of Smaug's threat

Bilbo's encounter with Smaug is a test of his wit and courage. Despite his fear, he manages to outsmart Smaug by answering his questions with riddles and flattery, and he discovers the dragon's weak spot. Bilbo's ability to think on his feet is crucial, as Smaug is quick to anger and violence.

Bilbo's role in the company is so important that they turn to him for leadership when Smaug attacks. He makes the crucial decision to move the group to the safety of the tunnel, where they are protected from Smaug's wrath.

Bilbo's skills as a burglar and his quick thinking are vital to the company's survival in the face of Smaug's threat. His bravery and intelligence make him a true hero of the story.

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