Sage-Tips

Would Bilbo have been a better ring bearer?

No, Bilbo would not have been a good Ring-bearer on the Quest to Mount Doom. Even back in The Hobbit, he used the Ring for some selfless reasons and some selfish ones, and also grew proud of the reputation the Ring brought him.

Is Bilbo the only one to willingly give up the Ring?

Of those who ever wore it, only Samwise Gamgee, Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins and Tom Bombadil gave it up willingly. “Bearing” the Ring does not seem to be synonymous with merely touching or carrying it, since Gandalf refused to bear the Ring but was willing to handle it for a few seconds in Bag End.

How was Bilbo able to give up the Ring so easily?

Bilbo was in possession of the Ring for many years but only gave it up near the end of his personal journey, when he would not be in need of it. All Gandalf needed to do was give the suggestion to Bilbo that he should give up the Ring, and he was able to do it because the Ring had already made the decision.

Why did Bilbo not destroy the Ring?

That knowing would alter how Frodo would use the ring – whether he willed it or not. Additionally, Bilbo never sought to DESTROY the ring, thus the Ring had no reason to protect itself from Bilbo and therefore had less of a grip on him.

Is Bilbo the strongest Hobbit?

Bilbo Baggins isn’t your everyday Hobbit. He’s one of few Hobbits to venture that far from the Shire, and he is more powerful than he seems. He’s intelligent and quite sneaky, and he’s able to survive even after encountering beings like Gollum and Smaug. However, in terms of sheer power, he’s not the strongest.

Did the Ring affect Bilbo?

Sauron tortured and interrogated him, learning that the Ring had been found and was held by one “Baggins” in the land of “Shire”. The Ring began to strain Bilbo, leaving him feeling “stretched-out and thin”, so he decided to leave the Shire, intending to pass the Ring to his adopted heir Frodo Baggins.

Why does Bilbo still want the Ring?

After all Gollum’s mental state is about as twisted as his physical appearance. Bilbo wanted the Ring back because its corrupting nature had left him desiring it, just as Gollum desired the Ring and Isildur before him.

How did Frodo destroy the ring?

With the help of his companions and an Elf-lord, Glorfindel, Frodo is able to evade the Nazgûl and reach Rivendell. Nearly overcome by his wound, he is healed over time by Elrond. The Council of Elrond meets in Rivendell and resolves to destroy the Ring by casting it into Mount Doom in Mordor, the realm of Sauron.

Should Bilbo have given up the ring?

Bilbo has already given up the Ring, leaving it to Frodo, of his own free will (with some assistance from Gandalf). To give it back to him and expect him to give it up again would be a bad thing for Bilbo’s mind.

What did Gandalf say to Bilbo when he saw him?

Boromir looked in surprise at Bilbo, but the laughter died on his lips when he saw that all the others regarded the old hobbit with grave respect. Only Glóin smiled, but his smile came from old memories. ‘Of course, my dear Bilbo,’ said Gandalf. ‘If you had really started this affair, you might be expected to finish it.

How old is Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings?

Apart from that, and perhaps above anything else, Bilbo, at 128 years of age, is just plain too old for such an undertaking. Frodo is a full 78 years his junior when he leaves the Shire with the Ring.

How did Gandalf figure out what the ring of Gandalf was?

Essentially, it took Gandalf a while to figure out what it was. During Bilbo’s birthday party was the first sign he had that it was some kind of a ring of some power. He went through a fair bit of logic to figure out what it really was, first concluding it wasn’t a dwarf, elf, or human ring.