R. Tolkien's Definition Of Evil In 'The Hobbit'

The Similarities in Evil Characters J.R.R Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit, makes many statements about what the definition of evil is to him, specifically shown through the characters Smaug and Gollum. Both Gollum and Smaug abuse their powers and are very greedy. Because they are greedy and abuse their power they have been defined as evil. Tolkien's definition of evil, displayed in both characters Smaug and Gollum, is the willingness abuse power and harm others to in some way benefit from their pain. First of all, the definition of evil is usually associated with the abuse of power or greed. Both Gollum and Smaug had power and were greedy, Gollum with his ring and Smaug with his treasure and powers as a dragon. Having power and riches does not make one evil but when that person abuses

For example, when Gollum found the ring he abused its power and became heinous. “Only a few hours ago he had worn it, and caught a small goblin-imp. How it squeaked” (Tolkien 81). Gollum used the ring to kill the goblin-imp, half for hunger and half for amusement. Gollum used the power of the ring for his own person gain. We also see this abuse of power with Smaug; “Girion Lord of Dale is dead, and I have eaten his people like a wolf among sheep” (Tolkien 226). Smaug is talking to Bilbo about how that he knows Bilbo is not alone, that he is just an accomplice. Bilbo is not willing to extradite his companion so he talks about how they might be their for revenge and Smaug is outraged. He believes no one could get revenge on him, for he was to great and powerful. Many could say that the reason Smaug and Gollum are so evil is because they have all this power and it took control of them but that is not always the case. Evil has to come from the roots of the person himself. If he sees it okay to act in