Examples Of Greed In The Hobbit

Did you know that J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Hobbit with the intention of making it like a "fairy story"? J.R.R. Tolkien's book "The Hobbit" chronicles the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, who is persuaded by the wizard Gandalf to go with a band of dwarves under the leadership of Thorin Oakenshield in order to recover their loot from Smaug. Trolls, goblins, giants, spiders, and other perils are encountered by Bilbo and the dwarves on their journey. Additionally, Bilbo finds a magical ring that grants him the ability to become invisible. When the gang finally comes across Smaug, he has left the dwarves in Erebor and is attacking Lake Town when he is killed by Bard, a local. In the end, Bilbo employs his cunning and valor to help slay the dragon and restore his throne.
First Tolkien uses character development to develop the theme of greed and pride. At the start of the story, we are introduced to the main villain of the story Smaug. Tolkien describes Smaug as a dragon who has cruel attributes. “There was a most specially greedy, strong and wicked worm called Smaug.”(Tolkien 26). Tolkien describes Smaug as a greedy strong dragon.

Bilbo puts on his magic ring and purposely sneaks into the shelter of the Lake Men and Elves. He takes off the ring to get caught because he wants to talk to Bard. Bilbo threatens the guards who find him, even though he is outnumbered and overpowered.“But if you wish ever to get back to your woods from this cold cheerless place,” he answered shivering, “you will take me along quick to a fire, where I can dry—and then you will let me speak to your chiefs as quick as may be”(Tolkien 215). Bilbo’s pride is revealed when he purposely unveils himself to Elvish soldiers. Bilbo also threatens the soldiers demanding to be taken to a fire and to speak to a