Gandalf travels to Dol Guldur, the abandoned Elvish fortress, and meets Thrain (Thorin's father), gets the map and the key, and makes a vital discovery: that the Necromancer is really Sauron. [27] Gandalf was portrayed by Vesa Vierikko in the Finnish television miniseries Hobitit (1993).[28]. [T 11], Returning to the Shire, Gandalf confirms his suspicions by throwing the Ring into Frodo's hearth-fire and reading the writing that appears on the Ring's surface. The deck contains lots of one shot cards, which I added to test them out. Tolkien derived the name Gandalf from Gandálfr, a dwarf in the Völuspá's Dvergatal, a list of dwarf-names. He was also closely associated with two other Valar: Irmo, in whose gardens he lived, and Nienna, the patron of mercy, who gave him tutelage. In the end, the Balrog is defeated and cast down onto the mountainside. The Anduin flowed through a broad valley to the east of the Misty Mountains, placing the Carrock nearly 200 miles away from the Lonely Mountain: a far longer distance than the Eagles were willing to fly simply to repay a favor. Saruman was chosen instead, as the most knowledgeable about Sauron's work in the Second Age. Gandalf's decision to join this quest was expressed in the movie, though only slightly. At that moment, it is Middle Earth's most powerful creature, and its friendship with Sauron would prove costly for the Middle Earth. false. This question originally appeared on Quora. In English literature, Nelson notes, Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur has the wizard Merlin teaching and directing Arthur to begin his journeys. Gandalf rescues Bilbo and the dwarves by killing the Great Goblin and finding a way to distract the rest. Night falls and they hear wild wolves, the Wargs, howling. Gandalf himself says, "Many are my names in many countries. Could be streamlined if they get replaced with core mechanics cards. [6] An additional influence may have been Väinämöinen, an old and wise demigod and the central character in Finnish folklore and the national epic Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot. [9] Gandalf is also the name of a Norse sea-king in Henrik Ibsen's second play, The Burial Mound. [T 1] Yet the Elf Círdan who met him on arrival nevertheless considered him "the greatest spirit and the wisest" and gave him the Elven Ring of Power called Narya, the Ring of Fire, containing a "red" stone for his aid and comfort. Bilbo frees the Dwarves, they escape in barrels down the river Gandalf and the Dwarves drop in on Bilbo unexpectedly and his adventure begins. false. Gandalf. I do not believe that Sauron wants the dwarves to enter The Lonely Mountain at all but he is somewhat indisposed at Mirkwood during this time more of which will hopefully be shown in the final Hobbit film. Gandalf leads the company out, while they are pursued by goblins, killing several along the way. The Dwarves are on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and its … 5. "Of course there is a mark," said Gandalf. [T 25] Gandalf then leads the Eagles to rescue Frodo and Sam from the erupting mountain. Gandalf had for some time foreseen the coming war with Sauron, and knew that the North was especially vulnerable. Gandalf therefore attempts to nullify the threat of Smaug by influencing Thorin to lead a company of dwarves to reclaim the lonely mountain. 7. Together with Prince Imrahil, Gandalf lead the defenders during the siege of the city. 10. [T 35][T 36], In a 1946 letter, Tolkien stated that he thought of Gandalf as an "Odinic wanderer". When the forces of Mordor break the main gate, Gandalf alone on Shadowfax confronts the Lord of the Nazgûl. Anyhow, the cards: Gandalf & Co. Gandalf. [T 1] He was one of the Maiar of Valinor, specifically, of the people of the Vala Manwë; and was said to be the wisest of the Maiar. In the movie version, why are we supposed to like Bilbo? [T 11], In Rivendell, Gandalf helps Elrond drive off the Nazgûl pursuing Frodo and plays a great part in the following council as the only person who knows the full history of the Ring. They are hunted by goblins and wargs (giant wolves). This wasn't about getting the Dwarves their gold back, it was about eliminating threats to Middle Earth. Remembering that he had once known an adventurous Hobbit on his travels in the Shire, Gandalf decided to add Bilbo to their company because he knew that stealth and cunning were preferable to force. The dwarves were grumbling, and Gandalf was saying that they could not possibly go on with their journey leaving Mr. Baggins in the hands of the goblins, without trying to find out if he was alive or dead, and without trying to rescue him. Gandalf then assumes Saruman's place as head of both. [T 4][T 1], Gandalf returned to Dol Guldur "at great peril" and learned that the Necromancer was indeed Sauron returned. The party is hunted by Goblins and Wargs. If Gandalf died on the seventh day of his rising, Tolkien could be saying that Gandalf became a new creation on seventh day. He breaks Wormtongue's hold over Théoden, and convinces the king to join in the fight against Sauron. In Moria, they discover that the dwarf colony established there earlier by Balin has been annihilated by orcs. He noted that in both The Fellowship of the Ring and The Hobbit, Tolkien presents Gandalf in these terms. [T 32] But the decision to use Old Norse names came to have far-reaching consequences in the composition of The Lord of the Rings; in 1942, Tolkien decided that the work was to be a purported translation from the fictional language of Westron, and in the English translation Old Norse names were taken to represent names in the language of Dale. Anyhow, the cards: Gandalf & Co. Gandalf. The dwarves are highly impressed, and Bilbo’s reputation as a burglar goes up considerably in their eyes. However, Olórin was terrified of Sauron, which Eru explained he had to go to rid his fear of the dark lord. The Lake Men drank wine . [T 15] After an unsuccessful attempt to cross Mount Caradhras in winter due to harsh conditions, they cross under the mountains through the Mines of Moria, though only Gimli the Dwarf is enthusiastic about that route. Gandalf is a protagonist in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Carpenter said that Tolkien recalled buying the postcard during his holiday in Switzerland in 1911. "We have not the Ring. The Battle of Five Armies helps get rid of the Orcs and the Goblins and the Wargs too. [T 21] Gandalf breaks Saruman's staff and expels him from the White Council and the Order of Wizards. Thorin Oakenshield. Lives with animals that's are his servants. true or false. During the events of The Hobbit, the threat of the 'Necromancer' in Mirkwood, is ominous. Gandalf leaves a letter to Frodo (urging his immediate departure) with Barliman Butterbur at an inn in Bree, and heads towards Isengard. Along with the other Maiar who entered into the world as the five Wizards, he took on the specific form of an aged old man as a sign of his humility. They bury the gold for safekeeping and continue to travel east. Gandalf basically keeps Beorn talking in order to put Beorn at ease. Q: Why Does Gandalf Leave Bilbo and the Dwarves in The Hobbit? Gandalf's decision to join this quest was expressed in the movie, though only slightly. In a parley before the battle, Gandalf and the other leaders of the West meet the Sauron's chief Lieutenant who shows them Frodo's mithril shirt and other items from the Hobbits' equipment. He is a wizard, one of the Istari order, and the leader and mentor of the Fellowship of the Ring. [5] It shows a white-bearded man in a large hat and cloak seated among boulders in a mountain forest. The name "Gandolf" occurs as a character in William Morris' 1896 fantasy novel The Well at the World's End, along with the horse "Silverfax", adapted by Tolkien as Gandalf's horse "Shadowfax". For, my lords, it may well prove that we ourselves shall perish utterly in a black battle far from the living lands; so that even if, Academy Award nomination, both for best supporting actor, Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings, "The Origin of Gandalf and Josef Madlener". [34] Empire named Gandalf, as portrayed by McKellen, the 30th greatest film character of all time. The Dwarves are a case quite apart. CH.7- Physical description of Beorn. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. Gandalf? [44] Gandalf is a main character in the video game Lego Dimensions and is voiced by Tom Kane. During the siege in Dale, Gandalf and Bilbo stay together and fight the Orcs. [T 23], Gandalf arrives in time to help put in order the defences of Minas Tirith. Why do the dwarves begin to doubt Gandalf’s choice of Bilbo as their ‘burglar’? This wasn't about getting the Dwarves their gold back, it was about eliminating threats to Middle Earth. No, the journey doesn't end here. When Gandalf and Bilbo have finished talking, Bilbo goes inside in a huff, and Gandalf scratches "a queer sign on the hobbit's beautiful green front door." Gandalf pursues the Balrog through the tunnels for eight days until they climb to the peak of Zirakzigil. As one of the Maiar he is an immortal spirit, but being in a physical body on Middle-earth, he can be killed in battle, as he is by the Balrog from Moria. Reply. Gandalf sees more incisively than others, a fact that can make his motivations inscrutable to his comrades—his perspective is too vast and too informed by his long life as a wizard for lesser beings to truly understand. Strategy. Gandalf along with the dwarves and Bilbo climb tall pine trees to escape the Wargs. But we must at all costs keep his Eye from his true peril... We must call out his hidden strength, so that he shall empty his land... We must make ourselves the bait, though his jaws should close on us... We must walk open-eyed into that trap, with courage, but small hope for ourselves. Gandalf thought Bilbo, an unlikely choice, to be a suitable companion to Thorin and his Dwarves for a number of reasons. There is also a nod to the Sacrament of Baptism embedded in this seventh day concept, because Gandalf passes through the cold waters of death and the lake before rising, ultimately,to new life. Gandalf was a shrewd fella. Gandalf (and many others) regarded Bilbo and Frodo as the best hobbits in whole Middle-earth. [12] Gandalf, in this setting, is thus a representation in English (anglicised from Old Norse) of the name the Dwarves of Erebor had given to Olórin in the language they used "externally" in their daily affairs, while Tharkûn is the (untranslated) name, presumably of the same meaning, that the Dwarves gave him in their native Khuzdul language. Gandalf never explicitly said why he had chosen poor Bilbo to join him and the dwarves in their expedition. William Squire voiced Gandalf in the animated film The Lord of the Rings (1978) directed by Ralph Bakshi. He had been throwing his voice to mislead the dwarves and to keep the trolls arguing until morning. Stage 6, tests, allies, and enemies, is an indispensable part of the hero’s journey. This reinforces Gandalf's growing suspicion that Bilbo's ring is the One Ring. Essentially the tests, Bilbo encounters lots of tests that make him a great hero. As the Balrog falls, it wraps its whip around Gandalf's legs, dragging him over the edge. [16], Nelson writes that there is equally historical precedent for wicked guides, such as Edmund Spenser's "evil palmers" in The Faerie Queene, and suggests that Gollum functions as an evil guide, contrasted with Gandalf, in Lord of the Rings. Halfdan Fights Gandalf and Sigtryg) in Snorri Sturluson, "Tolkien and Iceland: The Philology of Envy", J.R.R. However their friendship wit… Morris' book, inspired by Norse myth, is set in a pseudo-medieval landscape; it deeply influenced Tolkien. He also persuades Elrond to let Frodo's cousins Merry and Pippin join the Fellowship. Wormtongue makes an attempt to kill Gandalf or Saruman with the palantír of Orthanc, but misses both. (91) Gandalf was the Hero type and could be expected to go rescue Bilbo. He was chosen by Eru to go to Middle-earth and serve as protector of the Realm. How does Bilbo feel when he discovers the dwarves are gone? Gandalf and Bilbo free the dwarves. "I put it there myself. However, Kreeft and Jean Chausse have identified reflections of the figure of Jesus Christ in three protagonists of The Lord of the Rings: Gandalf, Frodo and Aragorn. [T 7] Gandalf then persuades Beorn to house and provision the company for the trip through Mirkwood. Gandalf's Fireworks -Gandalf launches a sparkling dragon into the air, which homes in on the targeted enemy units and explodes in their midst, dealing heavy damage and knocking them down. The next morning, they load their ponies. [T 1], In Valinor, Gandalf was called Olórin. "Halfdan the Black Saga (Ch. He was associated with light and fire, much like his peer Varda.? See what? Gandalf questions Gollum, threatening him with fire when he proves unwilling to speak. CH.7- Explain Gandalf's cleverness when approaching Beorn. The Great Goblin ambushes them on a bridge, but Gandalf slays him, causing the bridge to break under the Great Goblin's weight. Could be streamlined if they get replaced with core mechanics cards. Gandalf was a shrewd fella. His presence is resented by Denethor, the Steward of Gondor; but when his son Faramir is gravely wounded in battle, Denethor sinks into despair and madness. [T 19] Gandalf then sets off to gather Erkenbrand of the Westfold and his warriors to assist Théoden in the coming battle with Saruman. The Hobbit (book, movies and creative franchise). [16], Nelson notes the similarity between this and Thorin's statement in The Hobbit:[16], We shall soon .. start on our long journey, a journey from which some of us, or perhaps all of us (except our friend and counsellor, the ingenious wizard Gandalf) may never return. Saruman, the chief Wizard, learned of the gift and resented it. Merry he could be, and kindly to the young and simple, yet quick at times to sharp speech and the rebuking of folly; but he was not proud, and sought neither power nor praise ... Mostly he journeyed tirelessly on foot, leaning on a staff, and so he was called among Men of the North Gandalf 'the Elf of the Wand'. [T 4][T 1], "The Quest of Erebor" in Unfinished Tales elaborates upon the story behind The Hobbit. true or false. Mithrandir[a] among the Elves, Tharkûn to the Dwarves, Olórin I was in my youth in the West that is forgotten, in the South Incánus, in the North Gandalf; to the East I go not. This would later pose a problem as the Dwarves, Gandalf, and Bilbo would later have to pass through and were attacked by all sorts of nasty foes. The Goblins chases after them for a while until Thorin and Gandalf turn, with their swords and kill some of the Goblins. [40], Charles Picard portrayed Gandalf in the 1999 stage production of The Two Towers at Chicago's Lifeline Theatre. need textual evidence. [1] In Old Norse, the name means staff-elf. [16], Nelson gives as examples of the guide figure the Cumaean Sibyl who assisted Aeneas on his journey through the underworld in Virgil's tale The Aeneid, and then Virgil himself in Dante's Inferno, directing, encouraging, and physically assisting Dante as he travels through hell. Mithrandir is a name in Sindarin meaning "the Grey Pilgrim" or "the Grey Wanderer". [T 29], Tolkien's biographer Humphrey Carpenter relates that Tolkien owned a postcard entitled Der Berggeist ("the mountain spirit"), which he labelled "the origin of Gandalf". The Eagles drop the Dwarves off on top of the Carrock, a large rock in the middle of the River Anduin. Beorn served mead (not surprising for someone who was sometimes a bear). She cites Michael W. Maher, S.J. Gandalf rejects Mordor's terms of surrender, and the forces of the West faced the full might of Sauron's armies, until the Ring was destroyed in Mount Doom. First, he had observed that Bilbo took more of an interest in the world at large than was usual for Hobbits, and was thus more likely to be adventurous. Strategy. He plays his part in uniting the Men of Lake Town and the Dwarves, who eventually succeed in getting Smaug killed. He's literally basing Gandalf on Tolkien. For most of his manifestation as a wizard, Gandalf's cloak is grey, hence the names Gandalf the Grey, and Greyhame. 1/3/2014 05:13:33 am. Gandalf", "TheOneRing.net™ | Events | World Events | The Two Towers at Chicago's Lifeline Theatre", "Precious News! On this adventure, Gandalf had red wine and mead . Ian McKellen portrayed Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings film series (2001–2003), directed by Peter Jackson, after Sean Connery and Patrick Stewart both turned down the role. Gandalf faces the Balrog to enable the others to escape. However, characters who speak Elvish still refer to him as Mithrandir. [T 16], At the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, they encounter "Durin's Bane", a fearsome Balrog from ancient times. [T 11], As explained in The Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf spends the years between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings traveling Middle-earth in search of information on Sauron's resurgence and Bilbo Baggins's mysterious ring, spurred particularly by Bilbo's initial misleading story of how he had obtained it as a "present" from Gollum. He boards the Ringbearers' ship in the Grey Havens and sets sail to return across the sea to the Undying Lands; with him are his friends Frodo, Bilbo, Galadriel, and Elrond, and his horse Shadowfax. So, Tolkien would recognize himself in Ian's performance. There is also a nod to the Sacrament of Baptism embedded in this seventh day concept, because Gandalf passes through the cold waters of death and the lake before rising, ultimately,to new life. And Thorin, at least in the book, understands this. He is sent back to Middle-earth to complete his mission, now as Gandalf the White and leader of the Istari. He learns at Bree that the Hobbits have fallen in with Aragorn. [7], Throughout the early drafts, and through to the first edition of The Hobbit, Bladorthin/Gandalf is described as being a "little old man", distinct from a dwarf, but not of the full human stature that would later be described in The Lord of the Rings. [8] The Old Norse name Gandalfr incorporates the words gandr meaning "wand", "staff" or (especially in compounds) "magic" and álfr "elf". (Thorin's grandfather had been the king of the Lonely Mountain when Smaug came and took it.) Bilbo used to be an ordinary hobbit who lives in a hobbit hole, but after going on an adventure with the dwarves and Gandalf brought out the adventurous side in him. Bilbo learns that while Gandalf was away from his quest with the dwarves, the wizard was driving the mysterious Necromancer from his home near Mirkwood; thus, the forest and much of … But at this time, Saruman himself began actively seeking the Ring near the Gladden Fields where Isildur had been killed. I disassembled it, because a teammate started playing dwarfs. Tolkien Encyclopedia, discusses Gandalf's death and reappearance in Christian terms. [3], Gandalf meets with Bilbo in the opening of The Hobbit. He was right. [2], Each Wizard is distinguished by the colour of his cloak. He wasn't interested in the Dwarves' redemption, or anything else. At times in The Lord of the Rings, other characters address Gandalf by insulting nicknames: Stormcrow, Láthspell ("Ill-news" in Old English), and "Grey Fool". In The Hobbit, the protagonist Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit in comfortable middle age, is hired as a "burglar", despite his initial objections, by the wizard Gandalf and 13 Dwarves led by their king in exile, Thorin Oakenshield. We watched some BBC interviews with him—there's a few interviews with Tolkien—and Ian based his performance on an impersonation of Tolkien. During this period, he befriends Aragorn and first becomes suspicious of Saruman. Because of this, Balin decided that after the Battle of the Five Armies, he would return to Moria to try and re-colonize it in the name of the Dwarves. The Battle of Five Armies ensues when hosts of goblins and wargs attack all three parties. Gandalf then rides hard for the Shire, but does not reach it until Frodo has already set out. The Hobbit is selected by the wizard Gandalf to help Thorin and his party of Dwarves to reclaim their ancestral home and treasure, which has been taken over by the dragon Smaug. Gandalf was originally Olórin, one of the Five Istari (or Wizards as they were called in Middle-earth. In this chapter ... Tolkien’s Dwarves. Huge, skin changer, black hair, intimidating . Bilbo, the dwarves, and Gandalf are almost killed by the goblins and Wargs, but the Lord of the Eagles and his guards help them escape. Pippin retrieves the palantír, but Gandalf quickly takes it, passing it to Aragorn. Both in 1965 and 1971 Tolkien again refers to Gandalf as an angelic being. Today is National Voter Registration Day! The following year the White Council was summoned, and Gandalf urged that Sauron be driven out. We made it easy for you to exercise your right to vote! Eventually Gandalf is rescued by Gwaihir the Eagle. Gandalf hid the ring well, and it was not widely known until he left with the other ring-bearers at the end of the Third Age that he, and not Círdan, was the holder of the third of the Elven-rings. When it is decided that the Ring has to be destroyed, Gandalf volunteers to accompany Frodo—now the Ring-bearer—in his quest. 9. Appearances Books. [T 27] He accompanies the Hobbits back to the borders of the Shire, before leaving to visit Tom Bombadil. Tolkien Encyclopedia: Scholarship and Critical Assessment, "The Presence of Christ in The Lord of the Rings", "Christian Typologies in The Lord of the Rings", "Mind's Eye The Lord of the Rings (1979)", "The Lord of the Rings BBC Adaptation (1981)", "Tolkienin taruista on tehty tv-sarja: Hobitien ilme syntyi jo Ryhmäteatterin Suomenlinnan tulkinnassa", "New York Con Reports, Pictures and Video", "Peter Jackson, 'The Hobbit' Director, On Returning To Middle-Earth & The Polarizing 48 FPS Format", "Sir Ian McKellen to reprise role of Gandalf in new one-man show", "Acting Awards, Honours, and Appointments", "The 74th Academy Awards (2002) Nominees and Winners", "The 100 Greatest Movie Characters: 30. Gandalf, Bilbo, and the dwarves slide down a stony slope, making more headway on their journey. "[19][20][21], In the BBC Radio dramatizations, Gandalf has been voiced by Norman Shelley in The Lord of the Rings (1955–1956),[24] Heron Carvic in The Hobbit (1968), Bernard Mayes in The Lord of the Rings (1979),[25] and Sir Michael Hordern in The Lord of the Rings (1981). The name is taken from the same source as all the other Dwarf names (save Balin) in The Hobbit: the "Catalogue of Dwarves" in the Völuspá. Question: _____ Question: _____ Chapter 2: Roast Mutton 1. He was the only son of Bungo Baggins and Belladonna Took.In Hobbiton, Bungo Baggins constructed a spacious and luxurious Hobbit-hole for Belladonna, which they named Bag End. Knowing that Frodo and his companions will be heading for Rivendell, Gandalf makes his own way there. Jerry. Thorin's company. "Of course there is a mark," said Gandalf. Gandalf stood in the middle of the span, leaning on the staff in his left hand, but in his other hand, "This, then, is my counsel," [said Gandalf.] It tells of a chance meeting between Gandalf and Thorin Oakenshield, a Dwarf-king in exile, in the inn of the Prancing Pony in Bree. As a wizard and the bearer of a Ring of Power, Gandalf has great power, but works mostly by encouraging and persuading. Tolkien explicitly links Gandalf to the element fire later in the same essay:[T 1], Warm and eager was his spirit (and it was enhanced by the ring Narya), for he was the Enemy of Sauron, opposing the fire that devours and wastes with the fire that kindles, and succours in wanhope and distress; but his joy, and his swift wrath, were veiled in garments grey as ash, so that only those that knew him well glimpsed the flame that was within.