A respectable hobbit, thirteen dwarves, and a dragon's hoard worth dying for.
Who drives the story
A well-to-do hobbit of Bag End in Hobbiton, hired as the expedition's 'burglar' more by Gandalf's scheming than his own courage.
The wizard who marks Bilbo's door and engineers the whole adventure, saving the company from trolls and goblins with flashes, mimicry, and foresight.
Heir of Thror and leader of the thirteen dwarves, determined to reclaim Erebor and its treasure, including the Arkenstone.
The dragon who drove Thror from the Lonely Mountain and sits on the hoards of dwarves and men alike.
A skin-changer who is sometimes a huge black bear, hosting the company and warning them to stay on the path in Mirkwood.
The lord of Rivendell who reads the moon-letters on Thror's map, revealing the secret door's conditions, and identifies Glamdring and Orcrist as elvish blades of Gondolin.
Ruler of the wood-elves who imprisons Thorin for refusing to explain the dwarves' business.
Also in the story
A wretched creature living on an island in a cold lake beneath the mountains, who trades riddles with Bilbo while planning to eat him. His 'birthday present'—the invisibility ring—ends up in Bilbo's pocket, and he loses it.
The man of Lake-town who learns from the thrush of the bare patch on Smaug's breast and kills the dragon with his black arrow.
The old raven who brings news of Smaug's death and counsels Thorin.
How they are connected
A well-to-do hobbit of Bag End in Hobbiton, hired as the expedition's 'burglar' more by Gandalf's scheming than his own courage.
A wretched creature living on an island in a cold lake beneath the mountains, who trades riddles with Bilbo while planning to eat him.
The man of Lake-town who learns from the thrush of the bare patch on Smaug's breast and kills the dragon with his black arrow.
The ElvenkingThorin Oakenshield
Ruler of the wood-elves who imprisons Thorin for refusing to explain the dwarves' business.
The old raven who brings news of Smaug's death and counsels Thorin.
The old raven who brings news of Smaug's death and counsels Thorin.
Go deeper
Comfort versus adventure · Greed for treasure · Smallness as strength · Luck and providence
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
Open the summary