Bilbo Baggins
The protagonist. He starts as a timid homebody and ends as the company's most effective member. His arc is the book's central story. Watch how his decisions get harder and more independent as the quest goes on.
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See who matters in The Hobbit, then write from it.
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Characters
Come here when you need to sort out who matters, what they want, and where they actually help your argument in The Hobbit.
Contents
Characters
Who matters and what they help you prove.
Gandalf
The wizard who sets the whole quest in motion. He solves problems the company can't handle, then disappears at key moments to force Bilbo to grow. He's less a character than a plot mechanism in this book, but a necessary one.
Thorin Oakenshield
The dwarf king and leader of the company. He's proud, determined, and genuinely heroic in battle. He's also stubborn and gets consumed by dragon-sickness near the end. His death is the book's emotional low point.
Gollum
A creature who lives alone underground with the ring. His riddle game with Bilbo is one of the book's best scenes. He's pitiable and dangerous at the same time, and his connection to the ring matters far more in The Lord of the Rings.
Smaug
The dragon who occupies the Lonely Mountain. He's vain, intelligent, and dangerous. Bilbo outsmarts him in conversation but can't kill him. Smaug's death comes from outside the main company, which is part of Tolkien's point about how quests actually end.
Bard
The man of Lake-town who kills Smaug. He's grim, practical, and connected to the old kings of Dale. He becomes one of the leaders in the standoff over the treasure and represents the human cost of the dwarves' quest.
Elrond
The elf lord of Rivendell. He helps the company read the map and provides a safe resting place. He's wise and hospitable but plays a small role in the main action.
Beorn
A shapeshifter who can become a bear. He's suspicious of strangers but helps the company after Gandalf wins him over. He shows up again at the Battle of Five Armies and turns the tide.
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This guide is built from the original text to help you get oriented fast. It is designed for recall, paper planning, and getting unstuck, but it is still a paraphrased guide, not a substitute for the reading itself. Double-check anything important before you turn in formal work.