The Hobbit Summary: Plot, Characters and Ending
The Hobbit follows Bilbo Baggins, a comfortable hobbit who is talked by the wizard Gandalf into joining thirteen dwarves on a quest to win back their treasure from the dragon Smaug. Along the way he finds a magic ring, discovers his own courage and helps prevent a war.
It is the prequel to The Lord of the Rings, and the ring Bilbo finds becomes the center of that story.
| Character | Who they are |
|---|---|
| Bilbo Baggins | Hobbit hired as the company's burglar |
| Gandalf | Wizard who organizes the quest |
| Thorin Oakenshield | Proud leader of the dwarves |
| Smaug | Dragon sleeping on the treasure of the Lonely Mountain |
| Gollum | Creature who loses the ring to Bilbo |
| Bard | Archer from Lake-town |
| Beorn | Man who can turn into a bear |
| Elrond | Elf ruler of Rivendell |
How does the adventure begin?
Gandalf marks Bilbo's door, and thirteen dwarves arrive for tea, led by Thorin, heir of the King under the Mountain. Smaug took their home, Erebor, and its gold long ago. They need a burglar, and Bilbo, despite himself, sets off with them the next morning without a pocket handkerchief.
↑ Back to the topWhat dangers do they face early on?
Three trolls capture the dwarves, and Gandalf tricks them into arguing until dawn turns them to stone. At Rivendell, Elrond reads moon-letters on their map revealing a secret door. In the Misty Mountains goblins seize them. Separated in the tunnels, Bilbo finds a ring on the ground and meets Gollum, who challenges him to a riddle game. Bilbo wins by asking what he has in his pocket. The ring makes him invisible, and he escapes. Eagles rescue the company from goblins and wolves, and the shape-changer Beorn shelters them.
↑ Back to the topWhat happens in Mirkwood?
Gandalf leaves on other business. In the dark forest of Mirkwood, giant spiders capture the dwarves, and Bilbo, invisible, rescues them with his sword, which he names Sting. Then the Wood-elves imprison them. Bilbo frees them by packing them into empty barrels and floating them down the river to Lake-town, where the people welcome Thorin.
↑ Back to the topWhat happens at the mountain?
On the last light of Durin's Day they find the secret door. Bilbo creeps down to the sleeping dragon, steals a cup and later talks with Smaug, noticing a bare patch in his jeweled armor. Angered, Smaug flies off and attacks Lake-town. A thrush tells Bard of the weak spot, and Bard kills the dragon with his black arrow.
↑ Back to the topWhat is the Battle of Five Armies?
The dwarves claim the treasure, and Thorin is gripped by greed, searching obsessively for the Arkenstone, a priceless jewel Bilbo has secretly pocketed. Men of the lake and the Elvenking's army arrive to claim a share. To avoid war, Bilbo gives the Arkenstone to Bard as a bargaining piece, and Thorin casts him out. Then goblins and wolves attack, and dwarves, elves and men unite against them. The eagles and Beorn turn the battle.
↑ Back to the topHow does The Hobbit end?
Thorin is mortally wounded and makes peace with Bilbo before he dies. His nephews Fili and Kili also fall. Bilbo accepts only a small share of treasure and travels home with Gandalf. He arrives to find his belongings being auctioned, since everyone thought he was dead. He settles back into Bag End, writes his memoirs and keeps the ring.
↑ Back to the topMore about The Hobbit
This summary reveals the whole plot, including the ending.