The History of Hobbits

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[@MichaelScheele]

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - Thorin Oakenshield

[@bacul165]

I was just about to comment with these words

[@davidponseigo8811]

Not a truer statement has ever been said.

[@Stevenchefjones]

😢❤

[@DrummerJay74]

One is a lover of people and creativity and the other is a lover of money. We need money but to what extent?

[@TheForeignGamer]

Growing up is thinking you wish to be an Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, perhaps even a Gandalf, but eventually realizing all you really want is to be a Hobbit. Just reveling and enjoying the simple pleasures of life, as well as some peace & quiet, like we all deserve to have as people. And, of course - sharing in the love of good, tilled earth.

[@Lyndonmaman]

Man, all those adventures sound tiring. *_lights pipe_* is it time for elevensies yet?

[@jacob4920]

@@Lyndonmaman And people wonder why Hobbits are seen by some as stereotypes of "pot heads." lol

[@Lyndonmaman]

@@jacob4920 No way. Hobbits are waaaaay too industrious and hardworking to be stoners.

[@jacob4920]

@@Lyndonmaman I'm not saying I agree with them. It's just I can see why they think that, what with the whole "smoking special tobaccy from pipes, and eating absurd amounts of food," every day. Only a Hobbit, after all, could conceive of a "Second Breakfast."

[@Lyndonmaman]

@@jacob4920 Brunch. That is all.

[@davidioanhedges]

“J.R.R. Tolkien has become a sort of mountain, appearing in all subsequent fantasy in the way that Mt. Fuji appears so often in Japanese prints. Sometimes it’s big and up close. Sometimes it’s a shape on the horizon. Sometimes it’s not there at all, which means that the artist either has made a deliberate decision against the mountain, which is interesting in itself, or is in fact standing on Mt. Fuji.” ― Terry Pratchett

[@macarotto]

GNU Terry Pratchett

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

I love this. Terry Pratchett knows what’s up!

[@jacob4920]

Tolkien's work absolutely has shaped modern fantasy into the standard that we know of, instinctively, today. Before Tolkien wrote his books, fantasy was a far different animal, and much simpler, in a lot of ways. Ways more stringently based upon our real world. Elves were treated as Hobbits. Small, clever, but not terribly important. It was Tolkien that turned Elves into the quasi-Angelic beings that we know them as in modern fantasy. Truly a force to be reckoned with, even on individual levels! Orcs did not exist in fantasy fiction prior to Tolkien (Goblins did, but Goblins were not the force that Orcs eventually became as baddies). Dragons existed, but they were simply fire-belching monsters, and not the intelligent uber-beings that Dragons like SMAUG were depicted as, in "The Hobbit." There are other examples of Tolkien starting the modern fantasy tropes that we know of, but I don't want to go on forever here. Tolkien absolutely reshaped Fantasy Fiction in the 20th Century! He turned it into a force to be reckoned with, by setting a brand new standard for the modern world.

[@dromankass8655]

An Extract from the Discworld Novel ‘Witches Aboard’ by Terry Pratchett, which rather proves your point. It takes place when the three witches; Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat are traveling on a small boat on the secret dwarven underground river passages far beneath the Ramtop Mountains . . . Above the noise of the river and the occasional drip of water from the ceiling they could all hear, now, the steady slosh-slosh of another craft heading towards them. ‘Someone’s following us!’ hissed Magrat. Two pale glows appeared at the edge of the lamplight. Eventually they turned out to be the eyes of a small grey creature, vaguely froglike, paddling towards them on a log. It reached the boat. Long clammy fingers grabbed the side and a lugubrious face rose level with Nanny Ogg’s. ‘’ullo,’ it said. ‘It’sss my birrrthday.’ All three of them stared at it for a while. Then Granny Weatherwax picked up an oar and hit it firmly over the head. There was a splash, and a distant cursing. ‘Horrible little bugger,’ said Granny, as they rowed on. ‘Looked like a troublemaker to me.’ ‘Yeah,’ said Nanny Ogg. ‘It’s the slimy ones you have to watch out for.’ ‘I wonder what he wanted?’ said Magrat.

[@smeeself]

That man! 🫡

[@antoniodeodilonbrito7643]

Rest In Peace, Ian Holm 😢 You’ll forever be our Bilbo Baggins ❤

[@simonmorris4226]

In the BBC radio adaptation he voiced Frodo!

[@antoniodeodilonbrito7643]

@@simonmorris4226 That is great! I didn’t know that. What a curious turn of events! 😄

[@1th_to_comment.]

NOOOOOOOOOO

[@andrewmurray1084]

It's marvelously ironic to think that it was Sauron's own malignantly oppressive usurpation of the original proto-halfling homelands on the Anduin that inadvertently brought the blessed realm of the Shire into being, that first kindled the noble simplicity of the hobbit's whole way of life, & unwittingly fostered those most wholesome & humble of heroes who would ultimately sow his final defeat...

[@GBfanatic15]

things really coming full circle

[@resurgam_b7]

It's curious that when Sauron set up his fortress in Mirkwood, he unknowingly did so at the doorstep of a race that a few thousand years later, he would desperately scour the world for and eventually fall to.

[@judywright4241]

It’s reassuring that such evil was so ignorant of the innocence that just loved the green earth. I read ‘Lord of the Rings’ because of chemo for Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Each treatment was five to six hours once a month and a book I’d put aside ‘for the right time.’ That became the very definition of losing myself from reality, and the treasure of Middle Earth. I fell so in love with the story and the characters and how many preyed upon my mind. The Shire never lost the magical hold❤️💕

[@MeanGene1983]

Friendships. Family. And doing the right thing regardless. This brings me hope.

[@iainballas]

So funny to think that the basis for all the modern fantasy games I play (dungeons and dragons chief among them) started with "In a hole in the ground, there lived a Hobbit." Sure elves, orcs, goblins, and whatnot existed in many different fables. But the way Tolkien mashed it together really set the stage for our modern fantasy settings. It amuses me greatly to know that back then, his contemporaries considered Tolkien's stories as childish, low-brain-cell drivel, citing his purple prose as disguising a lack of imagination.

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

Writers conceited enough to call themselves "serious" writers still look down on Tolkien. They won't even read his work, or indeed *any* fantasy, claiming to already know about it and everything in it. Ill-informed snobs !

[@duewhat9815]

Tolkien was an artist, he simply shined through story telling and lore creation. The people who criticize art, regardless of it's form, through the lens of anything other than imagination or creativity cannot (or perhaps choose not to) understand the value in it.

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

@@duewhat9815 Tolkien was a far better writer than the literary snobs will admit, though I suspect their "hate" stems from professional jealousy and that his books have sold a hundred times more copies than anything they're ever likely to write. Likewise, they won't read Terry Pratchett because his books are "fantasy", while in fact he wrote satire set in an imaginary world because that was the best way to get his message across without preaching. I find it laughable that writers who have sold millions of books are dismissed as worthless simply because of their chosen genre, and by wannabees who'd give their eye teeth for a fraction of the sales.

[@duewhat9815]

@@Kevin-mx1vi Perhaps some jealousy but I think that it comes with the nature of art as well as the culture and time that the art was formed in...I'm honestly not too informed about Tolkien personally but there are many examples of all types of art style that, in the time created ruined peoples reputation as an artist but many years later are considered masterpieces. Typically these opinions were formed around what the wealth at the time thought because until extremely recently the only people artists could make a living from was from who had the wealth to take personal interest in art.

[@colinleat8309]

Well said! I've been playing D&D and been a Tolkien fan for 35 years, I couldn't agree more. 🤘😁🖖🇨🇦

[@dlxmarks]

However this sad note from _Unfinished Tales_ always stays with me: "The much later dwindling [physical size] of hobbits must be due to to a change in their state and way of life; they became a fugitive and secret people, driven as Men, the Big Folk, became more and more numerous, usurping the more fertile and habitable lands, to refuge in forest or wilderness: a wandering and poor folk, forgetful of their arts and living a precarious life absorbed in search for food and fearful of being seen."

[@sarahbabcock8188]

Sounds like they eventually turn into Borrowers.

[@JacktheRah]

I would like to think that that rather applies to the Hobbits when they lived near Mirkwood. Before they moved to the Shire.

[@StacieMMeier]

While this was likely true for many, we know that some did join Human society, we know this because the families passed down the Red Book, and made copies, it is from one of these Hobbits that the book (The original was destroyed, but many copies were made of it) was translated into what we know now. There is a suggestion that some of the Hobbits merged in with the Humans and that is why Humans in our world are shorter than in the 3rd age. And I think, the unfinished tales are suggesting why they left Mirkwood, not in the 7th age.

[@c.antoniojohnson7114]

​@@StacieMMeierMakes sense, some people do resemble Hobbits.

[@dawnezone8491]

There were also some hobbits that made their way onto ships, keeping hidden, that sailed out of the Grey Havens port. Those ships made their way to Hobbiton, NZ. Where they flourish ♥

[@annajacob7981]

Robert, thank you. Your extraordinary interpretations of the greatest volume of books ever written truly amaze me. Again, thank you.

[@nautifella]

I truly believe that one of the best jobs in the entirety of western culture was that of a _second unit horseman_ for the _Hobbit_ and _LoR_ trilogies. Traipsing around New Zealand on horseback with nothing more to do than ride through some of the most magnificent geography on the planet.

[@jacob4920]

It helps that roughly 90% of New Zealand is basically unsettled (especially the southern island), because nobody really wants to live there. Nature truly has been allowed to continue uninterrupted in that land for quite an impressively long time. And it may always be that way (at least until somebody there discovers oil, lol)

[@flamencoprof]

Dammit! I have always suspected my lack of horsemanship may have been why, being a Tolkien fan since the Sixties, although I signed up with an agency as soon as I heard Jackson was filming here, as I had long hair and a beard, all I ever got was a day filming a Bank TV ad as a pioneer extra.

[@rebeccaorman1823]

And someone paid you to do it too. Don't forget that part. While you're rubbing it in.

[@USERNAMEfieldempty]

Proudfoots!

[@HamuelTheGrey]

Proudfeet!

[@davidtatro7457]

Proudfeet, indeed. Kudos to the comment above.

[@yanipheonu]

*puts bare feet on table*

[@wtfsalommy3250]

Proudfeets!!!!!

[@wtfsalommy3250]

​@@yanipheonu/smokes pipe

[@UPTAUT]

This channel is like a hobbit hole for me to crawl into at the end of the day. ❤

[@bacul165]

"... and that means comfort"

[@orrointhewise3913]

Hmmm interesting how the events of the lotr was started by a hobbit and ended by one as well Also just realized the difference in Saurons ideology is made apparent in the physical world of middle earth, the Shire is literally on the other side from Mordor. Truly fascinating to think of these little guys. But I want to know who first came up with second breakfast and thank them haha

[@mokeish]

He was friends with the old Took, centuries before Bilbo, by the time Bilbo was born Gandalf had already spent several centuries visiting and educating young Shirelings, I thinks.

[@marieroberts5664]

Gandalf was indeed a good friend of and to the Old Took, even gifting him a pair of magic diamond studs for his suspenders, which would fasten and unfasten as ordered without manual manipulation. But although Gandalf knew of Hobbits for centuries before, the Old Took was Bilbo's grandfather, and Bilbo knew him well.

[@jasonrhome710]

In regards to the humility of Hobbits, I always like the "Samwise, The Strong!" segment in the Rankin|Bass adaptation (don't recall how it went in the book, I'm overdue a reread of the series). Him coming back to "a small bit of earth for one small gardener is all I need..." after the visions of leading armies and transforming Mordor into a lush paradise is just great.

[@jacobburt1523]

As I recall the Ring tried to tempt Sam by saying he could turn all Mordor into his own private flower garden. Sam simply rejected it on the principle of it being too much work for one hobbit to maintain a garden that big.

[@joshuakarr-BibleMan]

3:45 I bet Gandalf would have investigated Mirkwood much sooner if had known how inept Radagast had become. I'm guessing he trusted the brown wizard to attend to Greenwood, and trusted poorly on this account.

[@andrewness]

Was The Shire un-developed? In terms of the period it evokes from our own history, the Shire appears far closer to our own, and not very far removed at all from Tolkien's days. The Shire is modelled after rural England, (or at least an idealised version thereof) with much that would not have been out of place in a pre-industrial revolution village setting, or even the country of Tolkien's own youth. The rest of Middle Earth is in a more obviously medieval mode, or even earlier. I think it is no accident that the tale began somewhere so almost-familiar.

[@JacktheRah]

Rest of Middle Earth seems comparable to the High or Late Middle Ages up to Modernity (Isengart) while the Shire and the Hobbits seem to live in the Early Middle Ages. To put it into perspective: The rest of Middle Earth seems to be somewhat similar to the 13th, 14th or 15th century and the Hobbits seem to live more like in the 9th or 10th century. Though that comparison of course only works to some degree and I'm just some bloke on the internet who likes stories (historic or fictional) and I'm no expert either. :)

[@bigdaddydons6241]

To me it's almost as if the Hobbits live in their own sort of time. Their lifestyle could be seen hundreds of years ago, or exactly the same today. They're sort of timeless

[@Limubi1]

I have no memory of that quote from Gandalf to Pippin. How fascinating.

[@Pfhorrest]

In the Ainulindale, there are two times after Eru's first theme (for three altogether) where, as the Ainur sing and Melkor tries to pull focus to himself to the discord of the song as a whole, Eru himself introduces a new theme to the song, and pulls it all back together again. When I first read this, I interpreted the three themes as the three ages of the world, with the new additions by Eru as interventions by him in the history of the world. The intervention in the Second Age I took to be the Akallabeth, the violent and obvious one. But the intervention in the Third Age, to quote TolkienGateway's description of it, "began quietly amid the confusion of the Second Theme, and sounded like the rippling of soft and sweet notes...". I took this to be Eru's intervention into the world to create Hobbits, quietly, soft and sweet, yet the key to the resolution of the history of the Third Age. TolkienGateway however reports that "The Children [of Illuvatar, i.e. Elves and Men] were sung into being by Ilúvatar during the Third Theme", though without citing that claim; but if it's true, then I guess my interpretation above is not, though that interpretation that the whole of the history since the creation of even Elves was only in the Third Theme of the Music then means that the First and Second Themes were entirely the ancient, ancient prehistory of Arda, like, the period before the First War, and the Spring of Arda, punctuated respectively by the building and destruction of the Lamps.

[@bluesbest1]

I like your interpretation better. For example, in the First Age, the Trees were destroyed, but the Sun and Moon were placed in the sky in response.

[@Pfhorrest]

Thanks! Although the Sun and the Moon were not the direct intervention of Eru, but the work of the Valar, placing fruits of the fallen Trees in the sky. Eru himself only very rarely intervenes in the history of the world, such as in giving life to the Dwarves, creating the Elves and Men entirely, Bending the World at the end of the Second Age, and such.

[@frankvandorp2059]

I like this interpretation. On fan sites it's often stated that hobbits are just a race of men, which I honestly find boring and anticlimactic, it would take away almost everything that makes them special. I think it would fit with Tolkien's way of thinking to have hobbits be a separate creation by Iluvatar, something even the wisest of beings, like the Valar, were not aware of. It's a common theme of Tolkien's work that the wise are being blindsided and surprised by events, because even they could not foresee the strange twists of fate. Which is one of the themes where you can see Tolkien's own religious views, as God's plan being inscrutable and not understood by even the wisest of people is a core element of that whole belief system.

[@bob_btw6751]

I only found your channel a couple of weeks ago and subscribed rather quickly as I first began with the Hobbit back in 1963. You have done amazing research in detail, which I admire. Last night you fascinated me with the Elvish Economy. And today, this. You, yourself, must be a rather interesting person, to put so much intent and persistance into your channel. At a guess, you probably speak Elvish too. Thank you, from an old Tolkien reader.

[@Seegster77]

I can tell you have some appreciation for Lord of the Rings Online, Robert. Wish my comp still worked. First thing I’d do is set up a pipeweed farm in Lotro Shire again. 😂

[@simonmorris4226]

Longbottom!

[@Swiftbow]

You can farm in LotRO now? Man... I may need to reinstall that game sometime. I haven't played since the Rohirrim expansion. It was great fun... but I got busier, lol.

[@toncek9981]

He started with Bilbo? That's kinda weird though. In the Hobbit it seems like the Gandalf was influencing and encouraging whole bunch of hobbits - obviously there's his friendship with the Old Took but Bilbo also mentions young hobbits that left Shire for adventures in distant lands and voyages on seas being encouraged to do so by Gandalf. Like, I know that the Hobbit is basically a fairytale set in Tolkien's world and it's supposed to be Bilbo's own take on his story but still. Even Sam in the Two Towers recalls stories of hobbit adventurers that went far into southern lands and saw mumaks, so I kinda think that Gandalf choosing hobbits and sending them on some quest isn't really unique to Bilbo and Frodo...

[@judywright4241]

Great point!🤔

[@JacktheRah]

Good point. Maybe both is true though. Maybe some Hobbits were more adventurous and decided to head out in the world. Just because it's common for the Hobbits to stay where they are it doesn't mean all Hobbits are the same. I'd like to believe that Gandalf met a Hobbit out on their travels some day who perhaps shared some food or drink or pipeweed with him and that's what got him onto the Hobbits as a people in the first place.

[@JacktheRah]

Honestly I just love the Hobbits. They're special people. Not to be pitied or to be admired but to be respected. And I love that. I love how they're the only race that essentially came to be through evolution rather than creation yet they're arguably the most important people in the history of Middle Earth given that it were Hobbits who destroyed the ring. They came to be by chance, they were essentially selected by chance yet they've become part of Eru's plan. They're simple people who are known for loving the good things in life like food, dance, drink and (pipe) weed and I love that about them. They don't resist the ring because they're dumb but because they don't strive for power. They have no need for power because they're happy with simple things.

[@stingerjohnny9951]

I always assumed Hobbits were Tolkien’s version of gnomes, so learning about them was really interesting!

[@Swiftbow]

Well, he actually referred to the Noldor Elves (that is, Galadriel and Elrond's people) as Gnomes in his earlier notes. I think he changed it because that would definitely have confused people.

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

I'm reading Lord of the Rings books again and in the Fellowship of the Ring Gandalf says something interesting about Hobbits, he said that before their lived other creatures in the Shire before the Hobbits.

[@Swiftbow]

Men lived in the Shire before the Hobbits. The population was wiped out slowly over years of raids from Angmar and also (possibly especially) the great plague. When the Hobbits arrived, the land was vacant, but still owned by the King in Arthedain. Two Fallohide brothers (the leaders of the Hobbit pioneers) purchased a land grant from him. (Or possibly it was just granted, I can't recall.) The original borders were later expanded twice... east of the Brandywine to the Old Forest, and then (in the 4th Age) west to the Tower Hills.

[@dylanwalser3138]

Wow, I’ve been subbed for a while. Watched every LoTR video you’ve done, but your outro on this one was by far and away the best I’ve ever heard you do. Much respect 👌🏽

[@LivTarot]

Thank you for all of your LOTR videos. I’m a big fan of your work. I’m also a Literature professor. Can you do a video explaining why Bilbo and Frodo were lifelong bachelors? Why was romantic love never important to them? Thanks for all you do! ❤

[@Zjonaaa]

Never even thought about this! But it is peculiar...

[@littleshopofsongs3481]

... they probably knew deep in their heart that they where born to travel. In heart aswell as on the earth. Beeing related to a woman would causes her pain. True Gentleman rather live alone than hurting a ladys heart.

[@LivTarot]

@@littleshopofsongs3481 Compared to how long they lived, their travels were a very short part of their lives.

[@fordp69]

In both cases they took on the ring shortly after they were "of age", and I think the Ring ruled out romance. It isn't like Smeagol had a wife ;-)

[@LivTarot]

@@fordp69 It was 13 months. Why let the ring ruin the rest of your life and bar you from love even after it was destroyed (Frodo)? Bilbo was a true adventurer at heart. Frodo was not.

[@pathwinder14]

Thank you for your videos. Could you please make a video parallelling the timelines of Gandalf and Gollum? Gandalf would have no doubt heard of Smeagol being driven out of his own village (for murder amongst hobbits was/is exceedingly rare). Why did Gandalf not investigate such an event? Perhaps Gollum could have been saved?

[@annajacob7981]

Thanks!

[@hermanthegerman1391]

Maaan I love your Videos they are so nerdy and calm keep it up :)

[@Out_of_My_Head]

After looking things up I found what I remembered: Gandalf knew the Tools or was associated with the Took family including Bilbo’s mother Belladonna Took, and he took the Old Took - Bilbo's grandfather - on an adventure. Also, the Brandywine River was originally called Baranduin.

[@nikosmanarolis9962]

I've honestly never clicked faster on a youtube video

[@r0bw00d]

OK.

[@FloppsEB]

well-reasoned, insightful, and lovingly-put - thank you for this and for all your deep dives, they please me no end and add enormously to the great tract of human imagination. happy hobbit day (early)

[@csKiosk]

I literally love your voice. It is perfect, storytelling voice I actually add to playlist to fall asleep to.

[@jenniedarling3710]

Me too I listen to this playlist to send me off to sleep.

[@bimegge]

Okay i read one of the books and searched up something about bilbo. That was one week ago this week I’ve watched over 50 of these types of videos of the lotr universe. So now my nostalgic re read of the hobbit has turned all my video recommendations on KZbin lotr!!!!

[@spaceman2207]

Your videos are the best !

[@theharper1]

The main problem that I have with Hobbits is their apparent proclivity. Sam had many children, as apparently did many Hobbit families. How then did their numbers not result in rapid growth of Hobbit communities? How did Hobbit communities stay at that idyllic small village level where basic technology and production methods were adequate? They were also long lived, which would put even more constraints on a rapidly growing population with little apparent change in size of communities.

[@sneedfeed3179]

Sauron made them infertile I guess 😂

[@pcardinal42]

Love your videos and can't wait for the next one

[@ericcasagrande]

This is quite an awesome video, and gives both an interesting and entertaining explanation of Hobbits. Just subbed your channel.

[@andrewmoore8635]

Outstanding, thank you.

[@vgrof2315]

Thank you. Well done! 😊😊

[@andrewthomas891]

another awesome video. thank you

[@DavidCodyPeppers.]

What great content. Thanks for the smile. 🕊️

[@chadbailey3623]

Well said, Robert!

[@DarkVeghetta]

The older I get, the more I appreciate The Shire's role, not just in Middle Earth, but in our reality as well.

[@Mr.Maryland_]

Great commentary.

[@flyboy152]

Note that Aragorn’s decree that none could enter the Shire only applied to Men, he had no say over what Elves or Dwarves did.

[@MikeVDrumming]

Fantastic!

[@katherinestives940]

Even seeing this video, it still leaves a question in me of who created the Hobbits? Uru Illuvetar mentions men and elves, and Aule crafted the dwarves, but no mention is made of the hobbits. So were they made at the same time as Men? Are they some mutant off-shoot of humans? If so, how? And if Uru Illuvetar *did* make them, why *didn't* Sauron know about them? Even with fuzzy memories, I find it hard to believe that he forgot about an entire race created in the beginning of time.

[@edbeals1793]

I dearly wish to be a reasonably well to do hobbit, cozy at home with my garden green and my larder well stocked.

[@theviking363]

Very good

[@DaJinx1]

So are Stoor Hobbits good swimmers compared to the other types of hobbits?

[@thedragondemands5186]

real hobbits can't swim

[@simonmorris4226]

They’re good with boats so presumably they can swim as well just in case of trouble!

[@micahp.4356]

TOLKIEN!

[@TigerofRobare]

I have always maintained that the Rankin-Bass Return of the King is the best adaptation of any Tolkein work, simply because of the song "Less Can Be More", which summarizes everything I think he was trying to say.

[@danielturner6551]

Wellington airport appearance 😎 how blessed I am to have a lotr themed airport

[@damianritchie4979]

Does anyone know if the region of Arthedain is an inspiration for G.R.R Martin’s character Ser Arther Dayne? I just find them two closely named for coincidence.

[@jetsilveravenger]

I think it actually is a coincidence in this case, given that Arthur Dayne is mostly based on the Marvel comics character Dane Whitman, the Black Knight. Then again I suppose it could be where the first name "Arthur" comes from. But since there's the much more obvious parallel of the legendary King Arthur, who also wielded a special/magic sword, that's what I'd go with for that.

[@Mitharan23]

I feel like this video needed to be titled "Concerning Hobbits"

[@paulsarnik8506]

Ya bloody Deep Geek! 😮. 🤓😎✌🏻🇬🇧

[@outlawquelshingdixienothin8893]

The size of the shire that you say 120x150 miles is somewhat similar to Northern Ireland, obviously it’s based on rural England and fits better. But life back in Tolkien’s day in Northern Ireland fits it perfectly. People lived in the same conditions for centuries, little changing from medieval times until industrialisation, post ww1 and 2

[@angusmcphail7031]

So if Hobbits are related to Men, does that mean all the short humans just decided to leave town and stop wearing shoes?

[@yasi1890]

Well, i am small and like being barefoot... Sign me up!

[@kylenetherwood8734]

I'd be surprised if Tolkein only included one case of evolution

[@JacktheRah]

@@yasi1890 I'm tall and like being barefoot. Can I come with? 😄

[@yasi1890]

@@JacktheRah sure 😃! Maybe wear a helmet (Gandalf knows what i'm talking about)...

[@benlap1977]

What I'd like to know is how exactly, by what mechanics, the one ring is so powerful.

[@MatthewOstergren]

I was put off by most of "The Rings of Power" but I did really enjoy their depiction of Hobbits in that one.

[@Augustjaz]

I always appreciate your Videos!! Thank you! How accurately is The History of Hobbits reflected The Rings of Power?

[@Alexs.2599]

Totally inaccurate. The ROP is way off the mark with everything.

[@loyaltyisroyalty5616]

I wanted to get into reading these. Is there a book order I should go with? TIA!

[@DrFranklynAnderson]

Hobbits: the Hufflepuff race. I say that as both a compliment to them _and_ Hufflepuff house.

[@kalashnicovcosis]

In my opinion, we should, as a race, aspire to be hobbits. The world would be a better place for it. I have no doubt in my mind, that Tolkien wrote a lot of social commentary into his works. They are not mere fairy tales, but a philosophical vision of the potential good in man. Unfortunately we have, as a race, gone the way of Melkor. Wich saddens me greatly. And I believe that the hope in his writings is sorely missed in our societies. We are ruled by Suarons, Denethors and Saurumans. When we should find the strength to see and act with the kindness of Gandalfs, Elronds and Samvise Gamgees.

[@KlaxontheImpailr]

I want to see a retelling of Lord of the Rings set during the stone age, with neanderthals and denisovans.

[@laser8389]

Where did you find the quote of Gandalf choosing Bilbo to prepare for the war?

[@sunrisesparkle6363]

1:51 Well of course, Shire is in much based on the area Tolkien grew up in as a child.

[@robertcombs9148]

Hey dude, I thouroughly enjoy your videos. That is all

[@Pierluigi_Di_Lorenzo]

They come from the island Flores in Indonesia.

[@brushe8025]

Found by a couple of Aussie scientists. Who were ridiculed when they first made the discovery.

[@funkaforfan]

I sometimes wonder if the one ring is a metaphor for money. In many of Tolkiens descriptions it seems like it.

[@dansharp2860]

It's more a metaphor for machines vs nature and they way mechinised warfare was being introduced in WW1. The One is basically tanks and bombs.

[@JacktheRah]

There are many interpretations of what the ring stands for. I don't think that yours is any worse. A very popular one is that the ring is a metaphor for death. I personally like to believe that the Ring stands for power (maybe among other things). Power to control, power to destroy. But power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, as seen with Gollum most notably physically and mentally and also seen with Frodo and Bilbo to a lesser degree (and as seen with Boromir who in a moment of weakness betrays his friends when he has a glimpse at power). Furthermore there is meaning behind it that absolute power needs to be destroyed and especially by these people who are the least powerful. Conquering death is just the ultimate form of having power. But it is shown to us what that means, cheating death, controlling death and what it does to you. This mirrors Tolkien's beliefs about power as he wrote that no man should have power over another, proposing a system where nobody can order anyone around (anarchism). So the ring being the metaphor for power and control seems like a fitting one to me. And I think your interpretation of it being about money fits into this neatly. Because what is money if not a symbol for power?

[@JacktheRah]

@@dansharp2860 Yes but not exclusively. There's a reason why there are so many interpretations. A very popular one is about death which would fit in with your interpretation of mechanised warfare. As I said in another comment I personally like the interpretation of it being about power and I think that this fits most interpretations. Because it's not that machines are bad per se it's about how they're used, to dominate nature to exercise power over it.

[@dansharp2860]

@@JacktheRah True. I probably should have pointed that out that what I said was only one of the more popular opinions of what it is supposed to represent. Ultimately it's up to the reader as what they see as evil. For Tolkien it was the loss of the green England of his youth to smoke stacks and seeing the new weapons of war in WW1 but we are long past that time and have our own evils, money not the least of them.

[@upthebracket26]

The hobbits became known as the wombles of wimbledon common.

[@Mr.Patrick_Hung]

I miss the Wombles. As a little boy, I read those books. These days with the environment being an important issue, I wonder what happened to them. They should be brought back.

[@MarcRitzMD]

The hobbits probably love in Bulgaria, often confused for gypsies

[@NIGHTPHANTOM666]

Proudfeet!

[@R0geR0sv0ld]

Fan theory with a long-ish explanation. Hobbits were not of the Song of Creation and are not Children of Illuvatar - Elves, Men and Dwarves are the only Children ever listed. This implies they were not created by the Song. No maia or vala made them. They simple appeared. I suggest they were shaped or altered from the Chilrden of Illuvatar. In a fashion akin to the corruptions of elves into orcs and ents into trolls, the Hobbits were shaped from men, elves and dwarves. The descriptions of the three branches of hobbits - to my ear - sound suspiciously close to three differeing sources. Where Morgoth tormented and perverted the Children, Hobbits were gently shaped over the millennia by love, acceptance, and constant care. Last, I suggest they were shaped by extended proximity to Tom Bombadil. We know Tom once traveled over all the land (Fangorn knows him) yet now withdrawn into a tiny land of his own choosing. We know Tom chose to be near (and enter) the Shire. He admires Farmer Maggot. His songs and love of the Land are faintly echoed in Hobbits lifestyle. Tom acts as a buffer between the Barrow-Downs and the Hobbits. And, though real dangers exist in his domain, Tom allows Life to flourish. If you accept that Bombadil is formed from the harmonics of the Great Discord (as are Ungoliant & the Nameless Things), it follows Tom would shape a simple , hardy and staunch set of beings from those who would resonant with his call - Elves, Dwarves and Men choosing to set aside war, violence, and lust to pursue a humble life. This would be a byproduct of the Song. Tom would simply do this in the same way Ungoliant hungered. This is my belief. Bombadil gently and lovingly formed Hobbits out of the best of the Children of Illuvatar by living an example of life close to the earth..

[@dromankass8655]

Hmm, the northern kingdom of Arthedain, the name sounds very close to the GOT character Arthur Dayne, Sword of the Morning, wielder of Dawn. . . I'm sure GRRM's choice of that name is not an accident, but a nod to Tolkien's works.

[@SHARKVADERS]

I D G !!!!!

[@paulsarnik8506]

So, in or around 1050 of the SA SOMEHOW, Sauron returned! 😮. 🤓😎✌🏻🇬🇧

[@paulsarnik8506]

Sorry TA 🤷🏼‍♂️🙄

[@garrettw4951]

What are some of the best video games to play about the lord of the rings? The pictures he used that are clearly from gameplay have me wanting to play them. If anyone can help I’d be super grateful.

[@8salociN0]

Is it possible that Gandalf took part on the hobbits leaving the Anduin Region and going west where they would be hidden for thousand of years? Maybe he had sensed the peril comming from the mirkwood and the importance of that folk to the fate of the world.

[@istari0]

I don't recall off the top of my head where Tolkien wrote this but he did say that Hobbits existed in the Elder Days, meaning the 1st Age. They may well have existed as long as their bigger cousins, Men have.

[@JacktheRah]

I like to believe that. I know this is going to sound controversial but I like how the Rings of Power show made the Hobbits exist long before they were known to exist but they just were super good at hiding and minding their own business. It seems to be in the spirit of what Tolkien had in mind for the Hobbits. So I like the idea that they evolved from Men in the First Age already but just decided to hide from everyone for a few thousand years. They just minded their own business.

[@Alexs.2599]

Well in that Atlas of Middle Earth book it indicates that the Hobbits had resided in the Vales of the Anduin river valley since the First Age. So if that is completely confirmed than the Hobbits are an off Shoot branch of the 'Big Folk' Mortal Men. So they must have awoken in Hildorien as well.

[@IMSwimmer19]

I've been wondering for a while: what were the Istari up to during the Angmar Wars?

[@Swiftbow]

I'd have to double-check, but I don't think they'd arrived in Middle-Earth yet.

[@Lyndonmaman]

"Concerning...... Hobbits! Well now. Where to begin?"

[@gerrimilner9448]

pity kindness and compasion to others, are riches beond price when your dieing. then you will be surrounded with those who love you back, so as not to take that last breath alone. i have seen this a handfull of times, they are precious moments

[@theMightywooosh]

Cute picture!

[@michaelsmyth3935]

The desire and seeking of wants rather than needs...

[@nophdcoyote3635]

In the tower of Cirith Ungol, Sam decided that they should probably have a sandwich before they escaped the Dreadful place. After the klaxon had gone off mind you, and a dark Rider inbound for sure!

[@mordorobsidian]

What's that Gollum display at 4:37 from?

[@MrJimheeren]

The airport at Wellington

[@Dlstufguy2]

So in no way is this possible based on everything. However, Hobbits show signs of island dwarfism. My theory is that they were the native inhabitants of Numinor. I think the Numinorians brought them over and that's why the rangers feel they need to protect them.

[@craigvisions]

Can you please do a video on the Witch King powers in relation to Gandalf. In the movies, The Witch King breaks Gandalfs staff. Was the witch king stronger than Gandalf?

[@Swiftbow]

In the book, they faced off at the gate of Minas Tirith. But they never actually fought, nor was Gandalf's staff broken. Gandalf does say the line about some foes against which he has not been tested and the Witch King indicated that, at least, HE thought he could take Gandalf. That's about all I've got on the matter.

[@captainwarcraft8677]

Also most hobbits yes act like humans except for they are not violent. The only exception is for hobbits like sam, frodo, Pippin and mary

[@maineoutdoorsman677]

Hobbits live here in maine ,we don't want power or strength over others ,

[@TheInselaffen]

Does anyone know anyone who has ever been to Rutland?

[@theMightywooosh]

First from USA!

[@differous01]

The Hobbits of legend were non-magical, lacking anything like Melian's Web, Lorien's timelessness or the Leprechaun's security at Rainbow's End, but this doesn't mean they Never learned how white light can be broken.

[@Loreweavver]

I have an unpopular opinion. Tolkien lays out that the hobbits seemed to have evolved from humans but I suggest the opposite. I find the little people being one of the first races but their history forgotten to fit in well with their seclusive nature. More unpopular opinion is that I believe the first goblins/orcs of sauron to have been twisted forms of hobbits leading to their seclusion. Sauron appears in what would be murkwood and goblins start showing up in numbers as the hobbits move west. The hobbits are often mistaken for goblins or orcs and we see how Gollum had been changed by the power of the ring. To be fair I know this is speculation and probably not intended. The exodus of the hobbits is more akin to the steppe people fleeing the hunnic horde.

[@Muhahahahaz]

Perhaps the hobbits were the friendships we made along the way… 🤔

[@JWBurghart]

Get my In Deep Geek fix today!