Why gandalf choose bilbo

Bilbo simply had the qualities that Gandalf was looking for. He was the best candidate. So in a way, yes, the fact that Hobbits aren't easily corrupted, regardless of the ring, their simplicity and goodness is also one of the reasons why Bilbo was picked. A Hobbit was needed. It's just because Gandalf is wise, this is one example of where he makes a truly wise decision that's not easy to explain. Looking back I think that the oneof the reasons Gandalf wanted the go on this quest was to look for the ring.

He knows that hobbits aren't easily corrupted by the ring. And because he had a relationship with bilbo he asked him. Killing Smaug was only a reason he used to convince the dwarves to go on the quest, but the main reason for going was to find the ring. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group.

Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. The Hobbit: Why did Gandalf insist that Bilbo go with the dwarves? Ask Question. Asked 9 years, 4 months ago.

Active 4 years, 8 months ago. Viewed 35k times. Improve this question. Mithical Plutor - I don't think it's a duplicate - this question asks about Biblo, whereas that question asks about Gandalf — The Fallen. That question explicitly includes Bilbo in the question. The linked question did indeed answer mine. I accepted SSummers answer, since it quotes the relevant passage from the book itself.

Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. There is no explicit answer, but in the Hobbit, the following passage occurs: "Of course there is a mark," said Gandalf. Improve this answer. The Fallen The Fallen Also its said that Hobbits are good at sneaking and hiding — Cover Bilbo, a hobbit who never left the Shire until he met the dwarves and was an altogether respectable hobbit until he met the dwarves walked with a natural silence that the dwarves couldn't match when they tried.

But why Bilbo instead of some other thief with actual experience? Because Bilbo asked him to go or at least Gandalf believed so! Well, that doesn't really explain why Gandalf was so determined that Bilbo go with the dwarfs.

If he simply wanted to send him off to an adventure, he surely could have found other journeys for Bilbo to make. Unless I misread the quote Bilbo asks for Gandalf's pardon not to go on some idealistic crusade Gandalf believed that Bilbo wanted to go. Gandalf was looking for someone to go with the dwarves. And maybe Gandalf was tired of looking for someone to go with the dwarves?

He said he had been keeoing track of Bilbo who was always so inquisitive for a hobbit. Bilbo always wanted know about distant lands and other people and wanted to travel. Gandalf then stated he made a mistake in that he hadnt kept track of Bilbo in several years and that Bilbo had gotten soft.

Also he talk about how furious that Thorin was with "sticking" him with Bilbo. He thought Gandalf didnt take his claim to reclaim the Kingdom under the Mountain seriously.

Gandalfd stated he warned thorin that "you came to me looking for help" and that he felt that if Biblo went things would work out but if he didnt go then Thorin would fail. He also stated that during Bilbos party that Bilbo nearly spoiled the whole thing that Thorin ws really angry and the only thing to save the day was Gandalf remembering the key and the Map he had gotten off a Dwarf he didnt know who it was until that very moment.

He said that saved the day. Just a tiny correction to William A's summary. Along with The Quest for Erebor, there are several other interesting descriptions of some of the back story behind LOTR, like accounts of the disaster at the Gladden Fields , background on the Rohirrim , the hunt for the Ring and the battle of the Fords of Isen. And then there is more cool stuff from the First and Second Ages as well. It is obvious to me now why Gandalf felt that Bilbo would be vital to the mission.

Just a tiny correction to baragund 's memory. Click to expand I stand corrected. Gandalf probably knew more about hobbits than hobbits do themselves, and certainly knew that they had great resiliency and strength when need drove them to it. I don't remember where the exact quote is, but I believe I remember Gandalf remarking that even the fattest hobbit had a hidden strength.

Perhaps Gandalf knew that Bilbo was himself remarkable in this respect, and we see later on that the Ring has a surprisingly weak hold on him. Also, recall that Gandalf was in fact, a Maia , and could understand many hidden things. Ithrynluin seeker of solace. Ithy, the 'surprisingly' weak hold of the ring is shown where Bilbo was able to keep the Ring for fifty-some years and not be consumed by it.

Also, Bilbo was the only person to voluntarily pass the Ring on to someone else. Still, perhaps 'comparitively' might have been a better choice of words than 'surprisingly'. I see what you mean, though Bilbo was hard put to it to give up his ring. The circumstances were different, to put it plainly. For example, there was no Maia around to assist Gollum and Isildur.

Ithrynluin said:. I certainly wouldn't say the Ring had even a generally weak hold on Bilbo , let alone a surprisingly weak hold! I think the Hobbits as a race were less prone to fall to the lures of the ring, simply because they had less to 'offer' in the sense of native power since those with greater power could make use of the ring's abilities more fully.

I simply think that Bilbo was special, that Gandalf sensed it, and that this was all part of Eru's plan, though I'm sure he gave them much 'space for breathing' i. IThe circumstances were different, to put it plainly. Well, didn't Gandalf sort of threaten Bilbo when the hobbit was having second thoughts about leaving the ring behind? That certainly 'made it easier' for Bilbo to give up the Ring. Bilbo was after all only a little halfling and Gandalf a Maia.

Isildur was a great lord in his own right, noone could boss him around. Am I making sense at all? I've barely given much thought to the notion myself. There is a seed of courage hidden often deeply, it is true in the heart of the fattest and most timid hobbit, wailing for some final and desperate danger to make it grow. Frodo was neither very fat nor very timid; indeed, though he did not know it, Bilbo and Gandalf had thought him the best hobbit in the Shire. He thought he had come to the end of his adventure, and a terrible end, but the thought hardened him.

He found himself stiffening, as if for a final spring; he no longer felt limp like a helpless prey. Richard New Member. Gandalf had some knowledge of the character of hobbits during the Fell Winter when the hobbits were put to the test. You must log in or register to reply here. Similar threads C. Gandalf never explicitly said why he had chosen poor Bilbo to join him and the dwarves in their expedition.

Being wise and proud he did not liked to explain his reasons to anyone. For very good reasons. You asked me to find the fourteenth man for your expedition, and I chose Mr. Just let any one say I chose the wrong man or the wrong house and you can stop at thirteen and have all the bad luck you like, or go back to digging coal. I have chosen Mr. Baggins and that ought to be enough for all of you. If I say that he is a Burglar, a Burglar he is.

There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea about himself. You may possibly all live to thank me yet. Now Bilbo, my boy, fetch a lamp, and let's have a little light at this. Comment by: Augustus Bartran You have a great site, the best I have seen, regarding The Late Great Tolkien, and wish to make a commentary, if you'll have it, on your essay concerning Gandalf's choice of Bilbo to accompany Thorin.

The current contribution is good in it's own right, but I feel it doesn't address the issue as fully as it might. Thorin's quest for the Lonely Mountain plays but a smaller part in Gandalf's much broader reckoning. Sauron named in The Hobbit only as The Necromancer had taken residence in Mirkwood, and Gandalf feared that he good put Smaug to evil purposes abroad.

The Dragon Sauron might use with terrible effect. Often I [Gandalf] said to myself: 'I must find some means of dealing with Smaug But he knew the dwarves alone would fall in this feat.