Examples Of Greed In The Hobbit

Scarlett Kramer
Mrs. Raynor
English 10 Honors
18 January 2023
The Downfall of the Selfish Connection with others is seen as the opposite of addiction, for reliance on unhealthy substances tears at the bonds between people. Characters in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, which includes a diverse cast of creatures set in a magical land called Middle-earth, act similarly as they succumb to their desire for ancestral treasure and in doing so, destroy relationships. As Tolkien illustrates the destructive qualities of greed, both alone and in groups, he proves that cooperation counteracts materialistic deeds. Tokien introduces the characters Smaug and Thorin to prove that, in their similarities, greed will only lead to destruction. Such selfishness

For instance, Smaug spreads his selfish mistrust to Bilbo: “Now a nasty suspicion began to grow in his mind—had the dwarves forgotten this important point too, or were they just laughing in their sleeves at him all the time?” (244). Violence is not the only way Smaug’s rapacity presents itself. Rather, he spreads it like a plague to others such as Bilbo. Bilbo is not naturally prone to greed like other creatures of Middle-earth, and his trust in the dwarves never leads him to doubt receiving his fair share of the treasure. However, a creature so wrought with dragon-sickness such as Smaug pushes Bilbo into doubting his friends. In future conversations with the dwarves, Bilbo even voices his concerns to them, proving that his relationships take a toll due to Smaug’s interference. Additionally, after Thorin’s bold announcement that he will not allow his treasure to grace the killer of Smaug, the dwarves are torn between allegiance to Thorin and freedom from the mountain: “. . . but indeed most of them seemed to share his mind—except perhaps old fat Bombur and Fili and Kili. Bilbo, of course, disapproved of the whole turn of affairs” (288). Even those who share Thorin’s passion for regaining their homeland cannot align completely with his decision. Though he thinly cloaks his choice with his belief that this decision will benefit the dwarves, covetousness clearly underlies choosing not to share his riches with those

Bilbo proves this as he entrusts the Arkenstone to the Lake-men and elves: “‘This is the Arkenstone of Thrain,’ said Bilbo, ‘the Heart of the Mountain; and it is also the heart of Thorin. He values it above a river of gold. I give it to you. It will aid you in your bargaining ’” (294). Though Bilbo’s first acquisition of the Arkenstone is due to his own greedy curiosity, his use of it defies the act. Bilbo fights against Thorin’s blindness by placing his trust in Bard, hoping that the agreement may resolve the feud between Thorin and the Lake-men, along with the avarice driven elves. Therefore, such an act of cooperation directly combats Thorin’s disaffiliation with the Lake-men and elves. The whole exchange is just in time, for soon after, goblins rampage through Middle-earth to seize their share of the treasure. The three armies, once near war with each other, pause because “the Goblins were the foes of all, and at their coming all other quarrels were forgotten” (304). Here, cooperation between the three armies is in direct contrast to their former greed. Though the Lake-men do deserve a share of the riches as recompense for Bard’s slaying of the dragon, the elves’ reasons have no such basis. Driven by the acquisitiveness of the Elvenking, the elves seek to recover the treasure they believe the dwarves have stolen long ago. Regardless, neither the dwarves’, nor the elves' reason for desiring possession