Exploring Tolkien

148. Bilbo Doubles Down on Burglary – The Hobbit #33

Listen Later

We look at Chapter 16 of The Hobbit, where Bilbo makes his most controversial choice-—handing the Arkenstone over to Bard and the Elvenking. Is Bilbo a traitor to the dwarves, or the only one thinking clearly as war looms? Or maybe he just wants to get home!

We also explore:

  • Did you know this chapter originally had a different title?
  • Why EXACTLY did Bilbo give up the Arkenstone (and his part of the Treasure)?
  • The morality of giving away the Arkenstone: is it just, betrayl, or is there a greater good?
  • Gandalf’s ability to say enough to encourage and hope, but not let them off the hook for their involvement.

    • In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about:

    • The most satisfying way to read The Hobbit: as it’s own non-Middle-earth story, as a LOTR prequel, or somewhere in the middle?
    • How annoyed Jonathan is when fans force The Hobbit into precise MIddle-earth lore.

      • 🔗 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
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6

      4.6

      36 ratings

      More shows like Exploring Tolkien

      View all
      The Tom Woods Show by Tom Woods

      The Tom Woods Show

      3,373 Listeners

      The Andrew Klavan Show by The Daily Wire

      The Andrew Klavan Show

      22,715 Listeners

      The Ancients by History Hit

      The Ancients

      3,320 Listeners

      Gone Medieval by History Hit

      Gone Medieval

      1,894 Listeners

      Morning Wire by The Daily Wire

      Morning Wire

      26,680 Listeners

      Chesterton's Gateway by Ethan Nicolle and Michael Grumbine

      Chesterton's Gateway

      52 Listeners