Exploring Tolkien

145. Is the Arkenstone a Silmaril? – The Hobbit #30

Listen Later

Smaug is gone, so the Bilbo and the dwarves… just sit there?!  For a couple of days they do–and eventually they reach the treasures.  Bilbo, though, makes a choice to REALLY become the burglar when he sees the Arkenstone.

We explore:

  • The deep lore connection between the Arkenstone and the Silmarils.
  • Bilbo’s big “burglar” moment—what are the moral implications of his decision to pocket the Arkenstone?
  • How getting a glimpse of treasure suddenly fills the dwarves with unexpected courage (or maybe just classic dwarvish greed).
  • Why Tolkien’s details about mithril, ancient armor, enchanted harps, and precious gems make Middle Earth feel so real.
  • All the little moments and missed opportunities in Peter Jackson’s movie adaptation—what did the films completely mess up in this part of the story?

    • In our extended episode (available for our members), we dive deeper into:

    • Was the Arkenstone ever meant to be a Silmaril? We look deeper into Tolkien’s drafts and unique connections between Fëanors gems and the Dwarves greatest gem.

      • If you’d like to hear the extended conversation and join upcoming live chats, become a member today (free for the first month)!

      🔗 Episode Links

      The History of The Hobbit
      The Annotated Hobbit
      Join our Discord Community (for free)
      Get the Extended Podcast
      Become a Patreon Member

      🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast

      Get the Extended Podcast
      Become a Patreon Member
      Subscribe on Apple
      Subscribe on Spotify

      🔍 If You Like Tolkien

      The History of The Hobbit
      The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook)
      The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book)
      The Silmarillion
      The Children of Hurin
      The Atlas of Middle-earth
      Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store
      Exploring TolkienBy TheOneRing.com
      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7

      4.7

      35 ratings

      More shows like Exploring Tolkien

      View all
      VINCE by Cumulus Podcast Network | VINCE

      VINCE

      62,624 Listeners

      The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe by The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

      The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

      41,168 Listeners

      Breakpoint by Colson Center

      Breakpoint

      3,078 Listeners

      The Prancing Pony Podcast by The Prancing Pony Podcast

      The Prancing Pony Podcast

      2,045 Listeners

      The World and Everything In It by WORLD Radio

      The World and Everything In It

      7,120 Listeners

      Undaunted.Life: A Man's Podcast by Kyle Thompson by Undaunted.Life

      Undaunted.Life: A Man's Podcast by Kyle Thompson

      1,751 Listeners

      The Alisa Childers Podcast by Alisa Childers

      The Alisa Childers Podcast

      5,379 Listeners

      Chicks on The Right Show w Mock and Daisy by Chicks On The Right - Radio America

      Chicks on The Right Show w Mock and Daisy

      2,009 Listeners

      Office Ladies by Audacy & Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey

      Office Ladies

      85,644 Listeners

      The Megyn Kelly Show by SiriusXM

      The Megyn Kelly Show

      40,293 Listeners

      Morning Wire by The Daily Wire

      Morning Wire

      26,626 Listeners

      The King's Hall by Brian Sauvé & Eric Conn

      The King's Hall

      1,178 Listeners

      The Tucker Carlson Show by Tucker Carlson Network

      The Tucker Carlson Show

      16,920 Listeners

      Chesterton's Gateway by Ethan Nicolle and Michael Grumbine

      Chesterton's Gateway

      52 Listeners

      The Nerve with Maureen Callahan by MK Media

      The Nerve with Maureen Callahan

      2,832 Listeners