Bilbo Baggins

Before his adventures, Bilbo was considered a very prim and respectable Hobbit for his polite disposition and aversion to anything out of the ordinary. He had strict culinary and hygienic principles, being often less than thrilled with the rough conditions of travel at first. But, being the son of Bungo Baggins and Belladonna Took, Bilbo had blood from two important Hobbit families, the Bagginses and the Tooks. Because of his adventurous "Tookish side" (which sometimes conflicted with his stay-at-home "Baggins side"), Baggins was rather restless and "strange" for a Hobbit. After his return from Erebor, he was regarded much less fondly than before by his fellow Hobbits, but paid them no mind. Though considering himself happily retired from adventures, he often left his home for many days to meet with old friends and strangers, including Dwarves.

Bilbo was noteworthy as the first ring-bearer in the history of Middle-earth to give up the One Ring voluntarily; he surrendered the ring to Frodo Baggins at Gandalf's request.

Early life

Bilbo Baggins was born on September 22 by Shire Reckoning, in the year Third Age 2890 of the Third Age, the son of Bungo Baggins and Belladonna Took. He was a grandson of the Old Took.

During his youth, Bilbo attended several parties during which he loved to listen to Gandalf's stories about Dragons, Goblins and princesses and was impressed by the Wizard's fireworks. Bilbo also saw the Fell Winter, and was the last hobbit by the End of the Third Age to remember it. His role in the Winter is unknown. After the death of his parents, respectively in Third Age 2926 and Third Age 2934, he inherited Bag End. In the eyes of his neighbours, he originally seemed just like his father, a solid, sensible, unadventurous and respectable hobbit. But when becoming older he started to become "strange" and often left his home for many days to meet with strangers, including Dwarves.

Eventually, Gandalf came to believe that Bilbo was the ideal person for an important task he had at hand, for Bilbo was both small-sized and adventurous. Gandalf came to the Shire to visit him in Third Age 2941 but he had disappeared again because of Elven new year.

Quest of Erebor

Gandalf managed to address him on a morning, while he sat outside his hobbit-hole. He reluctantly asked Gandalf for tea next day. Indeed Gandalf came back, bringing thirteen Dwarves with him. First came Dwalin, followed by Balin, next were Fíli and Kíli, then Dori, Nori, Ori, Óin and Glóin, and at last Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Thorin and Gandalf. The Dwarves remained in Bag End for supper and afterwards sang a song about the Sack of Erebor and explained the reasons for their unannounced coming: the Dwarves were planning a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain (and its sizable hoard) from the Dragon Smaug; or, failing this, to at least recover a sizable amount of treasure from the dragon. Gandalf had volunteered Bilbo to be the company's burglar in order to accomplish these goals. Even with the Dwarves' protests and Bilbo's feeble objections, Gandalf convinced Thorin that Bilbo was the right person. Thus the Hobbit became the fourteenth member of the Company which left the Shire in Third Age 2941. Bilbo's initial task was to steal as much treasure from Smaug's hoard as possible, as well as recover lost family heirlooms. However, Gandalf's foreboding shows that he instinctively knew that Bilbo's presence would be essential in bringing about Smaug's death and restoring the Kingdom under the Mountain.

Across Eriador

The next day, after assembling at the Green Dragon, the company's journey to the Lonely Mountain began. Thorin and company travelled through the Lone-lands along high hills and beside castles. After approximately one month, Gandalf disappeared. Oín and Gloín failed to make a fire during a rainy night, and Balin spotted a fire in the distance, which was rare in those regions, and sent Bilbo to investigate.

Bilbo saw three Trolls when he approached the campfire. He tried to steal one of the Trolls' money purses but was discovered and captured by William, one of the trolls. He escaped the trolls but was helpless to prevent all the dwarves from being captured when they came looking for him. Gandalf, however, came in the nick of time and saved them all by imitating the Trolls' voices. This led to an argument between the Trolls, who argued until dawn, when the sun turned the Trolls to stone. Upon discovery of a troll cave, Gandalf and Thorin took two fine elvish swords from the Trolls' treasure. Bilbo discovered a small elvish blade, no longer than a small knife in size. He kept it with him for the rest of his adventure, wearing it inside his breeches.

In June they came to Rivendell. During their visit Bilbo met Elrond, and became enchanted with the Elves. On midsummer eve Elrond inspected the swords of Thorin and Gandalf, and looked at Thrór's Map. Elrond explained that the swords were forged in Gondolin and were named Orcrist and Glamdring. When inspecting the map Elrond found Moon letters that spoke of the back door of Erebor, which read:

Over the Misty Mountains

The next day the company left Rivendell and found, with Elrond's advice, the correct way over the Misty Mountains, the High Pass. During a stormy night, the company took shelter in a dry cave. When everybody was sleeping, Goblins appeared and took their ponies to Goblin-town. At this moment Bilbo woke up and after seeing that the ponies had disappeared, yelled. Goblins swarmed the cave and captured Bilbo and the dwarves. But thanks to Bilbo's yell, Gandalf awakened in time and avoided capture. Bilbo and the dwarves were brought before the Great Goblin. When he saw Thorin's sword, Orcrist, he was enraged and wanted to kill Thorin and his companions. But Gandalf came in time to save them and killed the Great Goblin. While escaping, Bilbo was carried by Dori. But when a goblin attacked Dori, he dropped Bilbo.

When Bilbo's consciousness returned he picked up a strange golden ring. After wandering through the dark passages he came to the lake of Gollum. Gollum, desiring to eat the hobbit but not willing to face his blade, engaged in a riddle contest. If Bilbo won, according to the predetermined rules, Gollum would lead him to safety. If Gollum won, Bilbo would allow himself to be eaten. As Bilbo saw no other way to escape, he agreed with Gollum's proposal.

Bilbo won the contest by accident, wondering out loud as he fingered the ring he had picked up, "What have I got in my pocket?" Gollum mistook this for a question, and Bilbo decided to stick to it. Gollum lost, but went back to his little island to take the ring Bilbo had picked up (as it was a magic ring) to turn himself invisible and kill the hobbit anyway. But of course the ring was not there, and Gollum, enraged, suddenly guessed that Bilbo had it. He chased Bilbo, but Bilbo unwittingly used the ring and escaped his notice. Gollum led Bilbo to the eastern door of the goblin-tunnels, through which Bilbo departed in safety. Soon after leaving the caves Bilbo found his companions and used the Ring to slip past Balin, the look-out. Balin was very impressed that he hadn't noticed Bilbo and his reputation among the dwarves increased. Bilbo told Gandalf and the dwarves about his encounter with Gollum and his escape, but he said nothing of the ring. Thus he rejoined his fellow adventurers.

The company had not journeyed long when they heard the howl of a Warg. On Gandalf's order they climbed in a group of trees. Bilbo, however, was not able to climb in one of the trees:

With the help of Dori, Bilbo managed to climb in one of the trees. Immediately thereafter, hundreds of Wargs arrived. Gandalf kept them at bay with pyrotechnical pinecones, but eventually goblins came and set the trees on fire. Even Gandalf had begun to despair when the Eagles of Gwaihir came to rescue them, taking Bilbo last. The Eagles brought them first to a wide shelf of rock on the mountain-side, where they spent the night, and then to the Carrock. Bilbo did not enjoy his experience being carried by his rescuers, apparently suffering from a fear of heights.

Across Wilderland

From the Carrock they came to Beorn's Hall. Gandalf took only Bilbo at first, but with a story introduced the dwarves in pairs of two, convincing Beorn to invite them for dinner. Bilbo slept uneasily, fearing to be killed by Beorn, while the company spent the night in Beorn's hall. They remained in Beorn's hall, while Beorn had disappeared, for the next two days. On the third day of their stay Beorn returned and gave them mounts, bows, and stocks. He also provided them with council for their coming journey. They departed Beorn's house and travelled three days before they arrived at the edge of Mirkwood. Bilbo alone (and perhaps Gandalf) noticed that a bear still followed them. At the edge of Mirkwood they returned the ponies, and Gandalf said farewell to Bilbo and the Dwarves. Bilbo was saddened by Gandalf's parting.

After many days' journey the company came to the Enchanted River. Bilbo noted that there was a boat at the other shore. Fíli threw an iron hook to grapple the boat and pulled it across the river toward them. The company crossed the river in pairs. While crossing the river, Bombur fell in. They rescued him, but he was asleep because of the river's magic and had to be carried on a litter. Eventually, the dwarves started to give up hope and sent Bilbo to climb a tree midway through the wood. Bilbo declared he could see only trees, not realising they were at the bottom of a bowl formation. Giving up hope, the company noticed campfires of the feasting Wood-elves and, despite the warnings of Beorn and Gandalf, they left the road to contact the elves. However, whenever the company tried to contact them, they extinguished the fires, leaving a complete darkness in the forest, and disappeared suddenly. Thrice the dwarves tried to contact the Elves but all of their attempts failed. After their third attempt Bilbo lost his companions.

Later, a spider attacked Bilbo, who had fallen asleep. Bilbo woke up in time to defend himself with his little blade. He named his blade Sting after his first kill. Bilbo discovered that his companions had been captured by the spiders and stowed in their webs. Calling the spiders' names, he lured them away (with his ring) and came back to rescue the Dwarves. When the spiders returned, the dwarves fought them in a long battle. Eventually, the company won with no serious injuries, but found out that Thorin was missing. Unknown to Bilbo and the other Dwarves, he had been captured by the Wood-elves whose feasts they had interrupted. Shortly after the fight with the spiders the remaining members of the company were also captured and brought before Thranduil, king of Mirkwood. Bilbo, with his ring, escaped notice and thus capture. He followed the elves into the Elvenking's Halls, where the dwarves refused to tell their errand to Thranduil and were locked up.

Later, exploring the elven halls with the aid of his magic ring, Bilbo discovered that Thorin was also captured by Thranduil and devised a plan for the dwarves to escape. One day, Galion (Thranduil's butler) and the head of the guard, were drunk, and Bilbo was able to steal the keys. He freed the Dwarves from their cells and packed them in barrels. His plan worked, with the dwarves being packed and launched into the Forest River. Poor Bilbo was forced to cling to the barrels, invisible, and grew cold and wet.

Upon reaching the Long Lake, Bilbo, with the aid of Thorin, Fili and Kili, searched for the barrels with Dwarves and freed them. They then went to Lake-town, where they received a warm welcome. The Master of Lake-town invited Thorin and his companions to the feast he'd organised. Despite the feigned hospitality of the Master of Lake-town and his people Bilbo had an awful cold and could hardly say anything during the banquet. The company stayed two weeks in Lake-town. They were given new ponies and provisions for many days, and they were brought, by boat, to the northern tip of the Long Lake.

Encounter with the Dragon

On their way again, the party came to the Lonely Mountain when autumn waned. Thorin sent Balin, Fíli, Kíli and Bilbo to spy the Front Gate. Bilbo saw smoke coming out of the front gate, which made the party assume that Smaug was still alive. They returned to their camp and at Bilbo's suggestion they started to search for the Back Door at the western slopes of the Lonely Mountain. Eventually, the company discovered the back door. But none of them were able to open it, and Bilbo sat for days on the doorstep, thinking. Soon the dwarves began to grumble about the hobbit, but Bilbo finally solved the riddle of the thrush knocking at the last light of Durin's Day:

The dwarves found that he was right, and with the key managed to open the passage. Bilbo was, of course, elected to enter the passage first, taking only Balin with him. Soon Balin halted, but Bilbo went on, finding Smaug's lair and stealing a single jewelled cup before returning. While the Dwarves passed the retrieved treasure to each other and praised Bilbo for his deed, they heard the mountain rumbling. Bilbo had done ill in this, Smaug had awoken and was raged when he missed his cup. Smaug ravaged the mountain and the dwarves were forced to hide in the tunnel, though they lost their ponies. Despite their grumbling, the dwarves had begun to rely on Bilbo's advice for their course of action, and agreed to wait. Bilbo soon decided, however, to return and try and find a weakness in Smaug. Slipping on his ring, he approached the dragon's hoard.

Gandalf had indeed done well in choosing Bilbo, for the old worm did not recognise Bilbo's scent, neither could see him, and was puzzled. Nevertheless he sensed the hobbit's presence, and challenged him. Knowing that it would be unwise to reveal his true name or stay quiet, Bilbo replied with a series of riddles, which no dragon can resist puzzling out. Bilbo gave himself a series of names such as "Ringwinner" and "Luckwearer", referring to his adventures on the way to the Mountain. Becoming pleased with his riddling, one of the names Bilbo conferred upon himself was "Barrel-rider", and flattered the dragon:

This confrontation did not last especially long, for Bilbo tricked Smaug into showing his underside. Bilbo then saw the gap in the dragon's hard scales, an unprotected place. Bilbo, upon seeing this, cracked a joke and hastily departed, and for this was nearly burned to death. All the same, he escaped and recovered, and told the dwarves what he had learned. This indirectly aided the company, for a thrush overheard, and this would prove beneficial in the end.

Death of Smaug

As darkness fell, Bilbo urged the dwarves to close the door for fear of Smaug's vengeance. Reluctantly, but at last, they gave in. Just as the door closed, Smaug ravaged the side of the mountain, blocking up the door and destroying the doorstep. However, by mentioning the word "Barrel-rider", Bilbo had led Smaug to believe that the company had been aided by the people of Laketown. Thus, Smaug wreaked his vengeance on Laketown. Smaug destroyed the town, but one company of archers, led by Bard, resisted the dragon. When his last arrow, the black arrow, remained, a thrush, who had overheard Bilbo talking about the unprotected patch of Smaug's skin, fluttered around Bard's shoulder. The Thrush passed his knowledge on to Bard who, armed with the knowledge, shot Smaug dead. Smaug fell onto the town, which was devastated by the dragon's attack, but Bard survived and swam to the shores of the lake. There, Bard, an heir of Girion of Dale, was proclaimed by the people to be king of restored Dale. Bard summoned Thranduil to help rebuild Laketown and Dale in return for part of the treasure. The armies of Mirkwood and Lake-town joined together and marched to the Lonely Mountain to take their share of the treasure.

Meanwhile, in the Lonely Mountain, Bilbo and the dwarves decided to inspect the hoard while Smaug was away. During this time Bilbo stumbled across a gigantic and beautiful gem. Recalling an earlier conversation, Bilbo realised that it was the famous Arkenstone, but felt strangely reluctant to give it up. Instead, he put it in his pocket and continued on. After a song and gathering of treasure, Thorin gave Bilbo a beautiful coat of mithril as the first reward for his services. Thorin led the party to the front gate, and then Balin led them to the guardroom, where they sheltered.

After Bilbo and his companions awoke the next morning they found that many birds, including the aforementioned Trush, assembled at the Lonely Mountain. Although the Thrush tried to say something to the company, none of them could understand him. Therefore the Thrush summoned the raven Roäc, who was able to speak Westron. Roäc told Bilbo and the dwarves about the events in Lake-town and told Thorin about the approaching armies. He counselled them to make peace with Bard and Thranduil, though it cost them dearly in gold. Thorin rejected this advice and announced that he would not share the treasure with anyone. Then, Thorin sent Roäc as a messenger to his cousin Dáin, lord of the Iron Hills, to request aid. The next days they made preparations and blocked the gate with a wall, while they received news from the ravens.

The Battle of Five Armies and return journey

When Bard and Thranduil came to the Front gate, Thorin harshly responded in polite words to Bard. Bard's reasoning did little for the stubborn King under the Mountain and Thorin rejected Bard's proposal to share the treasure. Bilbo feared war, and to prevent this gave the Arkenstone into the hands of Bard for negotiation. With the praise of Bard, Thranduil, and Gandalf he returned, only to be rejected and cast away for his deed by Thorin. But Bilbo was successful in that Thorin was willing to negotiate, and war was prevented temporarily.

And yet war did come. Dáin II Ironfoot, at the summons of Thorin, came from the Iron Hills with an army of Dwarves. Bard refused to let the dwarves enter the mountain, which would mean a long and almost certainly unsuccessful siege. But just as battle was about to be joined, Gandalf called them all to be wary of the new coming danger - the alliance of Wargs and Goblins against them. Dáin, Bard, and Thranduil took council together, and decided upon a strategy of defending the slopes of the Lonely Mountain. Then the enemy came. Thus was the Battle of Five Armies fought.

During the battle Bilbo stood with Thranduil and Gandalf on Ravenhill. As the battle went against the Men, Dwarves, and Elves, Bilbo reflected gloomily on the ingloriousness of war and the bitterness of the end. But then the Eagles of Gwaihir came, and Beorn too, and the battle was won. But Bilbo did not see this result, for a falling stone knocked him out. Invisible as he was, his bruised body was not discovered until the next day. Bilbo then bade farewell to the mortally wounded Thorin and his other friends.

The victors divided the treasure and Bard took Bilbo's fourteenth share of the gold and silver in return for the Arkenstone. Bilbo, despite having forfeited his share, was offered a rich reward but refused to take more than two small chests of gold and silver. When Bilbo and Gandalf bid farewell to Thranduil Bilbo gave him a necklace of silver and pearls. Thranduil gave the hobbit the title "Elf-friend" and then he returned with Gandalf to the Shire. There he discovered that he was believed dead, and an auction was going on of his house and possessions. He bought back his own things, and settled once more peacefully into Bag End.

Years between

Bilbo lived on in health and comfort. He was considered somewhat of an oddity, because of his unexplained wealth and his travelling nature and also because he stopped growing old at 50, these of course having their explanation in his previous adventure.

Occasionally he received strange visitors; dwarves or Gandalf, or he often left the Shire for journeys from time to time. Other hobbits looked at him with amazement and suspicion, but his generous and kind nature put him high in the regard of those who knew him best especially the poorest and less significant hobbits.

Although he had no close friends, he maintained visiting relations with his relatives (except the Sackville-Bagginses) and especially favored young Frodo Baggins, his cousin from both the side of his father and mother; and with whom they shared same birthday. Frodo was an orphan living in Brandy Hall, crowded with "queer" Bucklander relatives, until Third Age 2989 when Bilbo adopted Frodo as his heir, and raised him in Bag End. Together they celebrated lively their common birthdays and Bilbo was notorious for his (inevitable) after-dinner speeches, reciting boring poetry and, after drinking, allusions to his absurd adventures. The two went often out for long walks along the lanes of the Water-valley and talked about adventure; they were often seen by Wandering Companies of Elves (although the hobbits did not see them). When they returned home Bilbo often told Frodo that the Road is like a big dangerous river and all porches are its "springs" and all paths are its "tributaries".

Most of his time was spent reading, writing his memoirs, which only Frodo was allowed to read, writing poetry, translating Elvish and avoiding his nasty relatives. Young Sam Gamgee started helping his father tending the garden, whom Bilbo taught reading and writing and also some poetry and lore, such as The Fall of Gil-galad (which Sam wrongly believed Bilbo composed himself).

Around , Bilbo was outside one day when he saw the Sackville-Bagginses; in order to avoid the meeting, he became invisible until he entered his field. He never knew that this was witnessed by young Meriadoc Brandybuck, who in his curiosity also entered the field and saw Bilbo reappearing and putting the Ring in his pocket. At some point he even peeked into Bilbo's diary but never shared this knowledge.

Despite his health and youthfulness, Bilbo himself began to feel stretched and thin. As time passed and he used his magic ring (and perhaps because of Sauron's growing power), his mind was preoccupied with it, often worrying if it is safe and checking on it; once he tried locking it somewhere but he couldn't relax if it wasn't in his pocket, and wanted to use it more often. Sometimes he felt it like "an eye" watching on him.

Bilbo's Farewell Party

At last, in September of Third Age 3001, Bilbo threw a grand party for his 111th birthday (which happened to be shared with Frodo) that was long prepared and Bilbo became the favourite matter of gossip for the region. During this party he gave a speech, did a vanishing act with his ring and sneaked to Bag End. He only took with him a book that he was composing, his sword Sting, his mithril coat, and a dark green hood and cloak which had been given to him by Thorin years before. He attempted to leave the Ring for Frodo, along with Bag End and the rest of his possessions, but had an internal struggle; he left it only thanks to the urging of Gandalf, and Bilbo was the first ringbearer to give up the One Ring in this way. Three Dwarven companions were working on his farewell gifts, and left for the east with them.

On his way to the east he passed through Woody End and said farewell to Gildor and other Elves at their encampment above Woodhall. The next year he visited Rivendell and became a guest of Elrond and apparently he met Gildor once more again around there.

End of the Third Age

He lived a very pleasant life of retirement in Rivendell: eating, sleeping, writing poetry, and working on his memoir, There and Back Again and wrote a book called Translations from the Elvish.

When Frodo came to Rivendell seventeen years later, they reunited in the Hall of Fire. While alone, Bilbo mentioned his old ring to Frodo, wishing to see it, but Frodo refused and a shadow fell upon the two. Bilbo briefly turned into a fleshy figure, though he quickly apologized. Shortly afterwards Bilbo finishes composing (with Aragorn; whom he calls the Dúnadan) the Eärendillinwë.

Bilbo attended the Council of Elrond, offering to take the Ring to Mount Doom. Nevertheless, this task fell to the younger Frodo, and in farewell Bilbo gave him Sting and his old mithril coat, both of which served Frodo well in the struggles to come.

The War of the Ring was fought far from where Bilbo dwelt, but successfully, and in the end Frodo returned home. Because of the Ring's destruction, that prolonged his life, Bilbo started ageing again; as Arwen told to Frodo later, Bilbo started looking ancient according to his kind.

Passage west

Two years later, however, Bilbo as a former ringbearer accompanied Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, and certain Elves to the Grey Havens, there to take ship for the West, on 29 September, Third Age 3021. He had already celebrated his 131st birthday, becoming the oldest Hobbit in the history of Middle-earth. As a mortal, he died in the West.

While sailing west, Bilbo composed a last poem looking back on Middle-earth in farewell.

Already an eccentric during his life in Hobbiton, the disappearance of the "Mad Baggins" was a long-lasting discussion around the Shire. Many speculated that he got mad and seeking adventures he found his death in a river or pool, with Gandalf being responsible for not letting him settle down. Meanwhile Frodo, knowing that he is alive and well somewhere, continued to honor Bilbo's birthday along with his, every year. Bilbo thus was one of the many legendary hobbits that were incited by Gandalf to seek adventures; and other hobbit figures of traditions (such as his uncles Hildifons and Isengar or Basso Boffin) that were taken by the 'wandering-madness', either lost for ever, or returning to remain eccentric and uncommunicable.

Many years after his second "disappearance" he became a fireside-story for hobbit-children, a legendary figure who used to vanish magically and reappear with bags of treasure.

Sam Gamgee named his tenth child Bilbo after his hero.

The keepers of the Red Book who copied and translated it were unwilling to make alterations to Bilbo's own text, out of respect for the hero of old, and stuck close to it and its faults. But other later copiers of the Book, based on other notes, wrote the true account on the finding of the Ring, resulting to the two differing versions of the story.

Literary work

• A walking-song (poem set on an old tune)
• The Riddle of Strider
• Bilbo's will
• There and Back Again
• Translations from the Elvish
• — The Fall of Gil-galad
• Errantry
• The Man in the Moon Stayed Up Too Late
• Eärendillinwë (with Aragorn)

Within the legendarium, "Bilbo" represents a translation of the original Hobbitish Bilba.

John D. Rateliff has suggested that the name Bilbo is very likely a name invented by Tolkien, a "short, simple, made-up name appropriate for a hero of a children's book or light-hearted fantasy story".

It has also been noted by Paula Marmor that bilbo is a kind of Spanish sword deriving its name from Bilbao. The element bil ("sword") is found in some Germanic names (such as Bilihar).

According to the Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary, a dictionary of Old English, the element bil refers to either a farming or military blade, significant in that it must have two edges. The element bó, equivalent to bá, means both.

• Barrel-rider, given by himself during his conversation with Smaug, used also by the dragon.
• Bilba Labingi, the original Hobbitish name for "Bilbo Baggins".
• Burglar, given by Gandalf, which he wrote in Bilbo's door.
• Child of the Kindly West, given by Thorin II Oakenshield.
• Clue-finder, given by himself during his conversation with Smaug.
• Elf-friend, given by Thranduil.
• Luckwearer, given by himself during his conversation with Smaug.
• Mad Baggins, first given by Rorimac Brandybuck after Bilbo disappeared suddenly from his Birthday Party. It later became the name of a favourite character of legend who would vanish with a bang and a flash, only to reappear with bags of jewels and gold.
• Mr. Lucky Number, given by Smaug.
• Bilbo the Magnificent, given by Thranduil.
• Ring-bearer, for his bearing of the One Ring.
• Ringwinner, given by himself during his conversation with Smaug.
• Stinging Fly, given by himself during his conversation with Smaug.
• Thief, from Gollum after Bilbo stole the One Ring. Smaug also used it after he stole a cup.
• Web-cutter, given by himself during his conversation with Smaug.

Films

1967: The Hobbit (1967 film):

Many characters are omitted, and Bilbo takes over the roles of several. He causes the "Groans" (substitutes for the trolls) to quarrel, and he kills the dragon Slag with the Arkenstone. At the end, he marries the princess of Dale.

1971: Sagan om Ringen (1971 film):

Bilbo hosts an 111th birthday party at The Shire. He dines with Gandalf, Frodo, Sam and Merry. During the party, he dissapears, using The One Ring. The Narrator then recounts that Bilbo gifted Frodo the Ring as a birthday present. Later, in Rivendell, Bilbo tells of his journey and discovery of the One Ring. Bilbo tells that he discovered the curious properties of the Ring and begun to understand that it was The One. On the morning following the Council of Elrond, Bilbo gifts Frodo his sword, Sting, and his Mithril-coat, noting that it is strong enough even to deflect the knives of The Black Riders, despite its light weight. After Frodo puts it on, Bilbo remarks that he looks like a true Hobbit. Before the Fellowship of the Ring departed, Frodo and Bilbo huddle in a cloak on the stairs to conserve heat. As the Fellowship departs, Bilbo wishes them good luck.

1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):

Orson Bean was the voice of Bilbo.

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

Norman Bird was the voice of Bilbo, and Billy Barty the body double. Although Bilbo returned to physical aging after giving up the ring, when we see Bilbo again in Rivendell, he has not physically aged.

1980: The Return of the King (1980 film):

Orson Bean reprised his role as Bilbo. He lives in Rivendell, and listens to the tale of Frodo of the Nine Fingers. Some archive footage from Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit is also shown at the start of the film.

1985: The Fairytale Adventures of Mr. Baggins, the Hobbit (1985 film):

Mikhail Danilov played Bilbo.

2001-03: The Lord of the Rings (film series):

Bilbo is played by Ian Holm, who also played Frodo Baggins in the radio series 20 years earlier. Although the book states that he didn't visibly age after finding the Ring, Holm portrays Bilbo as older than he should look. In his brief appearance in the Prologue showing the finding of the Ring, he is disguised to look younger.

2012-14: The Hobbit (film series):

Ian Holm reprised his role as an older Bilbo, whilst the younger Bilbo was portrayed by Martin Freeman. A description of Bilbo in The Hobbit films was released by the studio:

Radio series

1955: The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series):

The voice of Bilbo is provided by Felix Felton.

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

Bilbo is portrayed by Paul Daneman, and several times, when he introduces himself, he spells out his last name ("B-A-GG-I-N-S").

1979: The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series):

The voice of Bilbo is provided by Ray Reinhardt.

1979: The Hobbit (1979 radio series):

The voice of Bilbo is provided by Ray Reinhardt.

1980: Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series):

Bilbo is played by Horst Bollman.

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

Bilbo is portrayed by John Le Mesurier.

1989: Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series):

The voice of Bilbo Baggins is provided by Peter Bzdúch.

1992: Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series):

Bilbo is played by Klaus Herm.

2001-2003: Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series):

The voice of Bilbo Baggins is provided by Marián Labuda. Though Bilbo appears as a character in the same scenes he does in the novel's narrative, his primary role is that of an omniscient, overarching narrator of the entire series. This is portrayed as Bilbo reading from and commenting on the War of the Ring while writing new chapters in the Red Book of Westmarch. There is a slightly metafictional or postmodern tone to Bilbo's narration, as he occasionally breaks the fourth wall and addresses his nephew Frodo (and sometimes other characters from the Fellowship) directly, with Frodo or the other characters sometimes equally breaking the fourth wall and briefly responding to Bilbo. Until his journey to the Grey Havens at the end of the story, Bilbo spends almost its entirety in Rivendell (from where he narrates and writes the Red Book and notes for it). The prologue about hobbits and the events of his 111th birthday are briefly summarized by Bilbo at the start of the first episode and then the action shifts towards Frodo and Gandalf, and then to Frodo and his three hobbit companions.

Video games

1982: The Hobbit (1982 video game):

Bilbo Baggins is the main character of the game. Together with his companion, Thorin, he travels to the Lonely Mountain. There they plunder Smaug's lair.

1990: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I (1990 video game):

Bilbo Baggins first appear in the introduction of the game, in which Bilbo's Farewell Party appears.

Bilbo makes a second appeareance in Rivendell, where he can be found in the bedrooms. He asks the player about the Ring and gives him Sting and a Mithril mail.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

The first time that the game references to Bilbo is during the introduction, when Gandalf mentions that Bilbo won the Ring from Gollum. He also makes an appearance in Rivendell, after the Council of Elrond. When Frodo comes to say goodbye he gives him Sting and his mithril shirt. He is voiced by Jim Piddock.

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

Bilbo is the main protagonist and the titular playable character of the game. The story of The Hobbit is adapted rather faithfully, but many additional side-adventures for Bilbo are present, involving him killing multiple enemies. He performs several quests in the Shire before reaching Green Dragon, saves an elf named Lianna in Troll cave, rescues a Dwarf named Balfor from Goblin-Town, uncovers a treachery among men of Lake-Town and helps Dwarves restore ancient working of Erebor, among other things. He is portrayed with red hair and is voiced by Michael Beattie.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Bilbo is a non-playable character, who resides at the Last Homely House in Rivendell. The player can find him at the Hall of Fire, chatting with Lindir. Among other things, he sends the players to Goblin-town with a task to verify several directions and turns in the place, which he had forgotten, but requires for the book he is writing.

2010: The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest:

Bilbo appears in Rivendell.

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:

Bilbo is present in Rivendell, where players can discuss with him various topics at different stages of the story.

1. Esta ficha se ha importado inicialmente de TolkienGateway.net el día 21/05/2026.