The Corrupting Influence Of Dragon Sickness In The Hobbit

J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy fiction novel, The Hobbit, is set in Middle Earth and is about the protagonist hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who joins a wizard named Gandalf and the company of Thorin Oakenshield on an adventure to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon, Smaug. This adventure exposes Thorin to the corrupting influence of “dragon sickness,” an illness caused by an excessive desire for treasure. This can be seen when Thorin refused to share his treasure with the people of Esgaroth and willingly let go of his companion for the Arkenstone, which is a magnificent jewel discovered beneath the Lonely Mountain. However, at the end of the adventure, Thorin recognized the dangers of his greed and sought reconciliation with those he had wronged.

In Chapter 15, Bard attempts to calmly reason with Thorin and asks for a portion of the treasure Smaug had stolen. He argues that they had helped him and his friends through their distress, and in return, they had only brought destruction to Esgaroth by waking the dragon. However, Thorin was unsympathetic and stated that no one had a right to the treasure that belonged to him and his people. He promised to repay Esgaroth for their assistance in due time but refused to give anything if forced. “To the treasure of my people, no man has a claim, because Smaug, who stole it from us, also robbed him of life or home. But nothing will we give, not even a loaf’s worth, under the threat of force.” (Tolkien., 1937, pg. 219) This shows Thorin’s greed, as he justified his actions by insisting that he would repay them, but not under force. He said he did not owe anyone anything since the gold belonged to him and his people. This further shows his sense of entitlement and possessiveness over the treasure, contributing to his

At the beginning of The Hobbit, it symbolizes family and ancestry to the dwarves, but as the story continues, it begins to symbolize the greed of Thorin and his willingness to do anything for the jewel. When Bilbo Baggins discovered the Arkenstone in Chapter 13, inside the Lonely Mountain, he decided to hide it because he knew Thorin had an obsession with it, was eager to find it, and thought of it as his fair share of the treasure he rightfully deserved. Bilbo, attempting to establish peace and prevent war, decided to sneak out of the Mountain at night using his ring, which turned him invisible, and handed his share, the stolen Arkenstone, to Bard to aid them in their bargaining. When Thorin found out that Bard had the Arkenstone in his possession, he was filled with fury, calling them thieves and saying that he would not pay to get something that was rightfully his back. Bilbo then goes on to admit to Thorin that he was the one who gave the Arkenstone to Bard and was enraged. Thorin called him a traitor, got violent by shaking him, and blamed Gandalf for advocating for Bilbo and bringing him along on the adventure. “Never again will I have dealings with any wizard or his friends. What have you to say, you descendant of rats?” (1937, p.227). This quote demonstrates Thorin’s greed and shows that he values the gem more than his