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{{dwarves infobox
{{dwarves infobox
| image=[[File:Angelo Montanini - Bifur.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:Andy Smith - Bifur.jpg|250px]]
| name=Bifur
| name=Bifur
| pronun=
| othernames=
| othernames=
| life=Late [[Third Age]]
| titles=
| realm=[[Thorin's Halls]], [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]
| position=
| location=[[Thorin's Halls]]<br/>[[Lonely Mountain]]
| affiliation=[[Thorin and Company]]
| language=[[Khuzdul]] and [[Westron]]
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=
| parentage=
| lineage=  
| siblings=
| hood=Yellow
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=Yellow hood
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
}}
'''Bifur''' most likely lived in the [[Blue Mountains]] with [[Thorin]] after the loss of [[Thráin II]].<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>  Bifur was one of the thirteen [[Dwarves]] of [[Thorin and Company|Thorin's company]] who journeyed to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] to challenge the [[Dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]].  After the death of Smaug, Bifur lived at the Lonely Mountain.<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|II1}}</ref>
'''Bifur''' most likely lived in the [[Blue Mountains]] with [[Thorin]] after the loss of [[Thráin|Thráin II]].<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>  Bifur was one of the thirteen [[Dwarves]] of [[Thorin and Company|Thorin's company]] who journeyed to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] to challenge the [[Dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]].  After the death of Smaug, Bifur lived at the Lonely Mountain.<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|II1}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Bifur's parentage is unknown; the only familial connections mentioned are that the brothers [[Bombur]] and [[Bofur]]<ref name="Flies">{{H|Flies}}</ref> are his cousins.<ref name="Inside">{{H|Inside}}</ref> He was not of Durin's line although he was descended from Dwarves of [[Moria]].<ref name="Durin"/> His birth year is also unknown.  However, from [[Bilbo Baggins]]' account of the quest to Erebor it is known that the brothers [[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]] were the youngest of the thirteen "by some fifty years"<ref name="Hill">{{H|Hill}}</ref> and that after Thorin had been captured, [[Balin]] was "the eldest left".<ref>{{H|Barrels}}</ref>  Since Fíli was born in {{TA|2859}} and Balin was born in {{TA|2763|n}},<ref name="Durin"/> this would put Bifur's birth between {{TA|2809|n}} and {{TA|2763|n}}, and he would have been between 132 and 178 years old during the quest to Erebor.
Bifur was descended from Dwarves of [[Moria]] but himself was not of Durin's line.<ref name="Durin"/> He was cousin<ref name="Inside">{{H|Inside}}</ref>   of the brothers [[Bombur]] and [[Bofur]].<ref name="Flies">{{H|Flies}}</ref>
 
Bifur was older than [[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]] (b. {{TA|2859}}<ref name="Durin"/>) at least "by some fifty years"<ref name="Hill">{{H|Hill}}</ref> but younger than [[Balin]] (b. {{TA|2763|n}}<ref name="Durin"/>).<ref>{{H|Barrels}}; Balin was "the eldest left" after Thorin's capture.</ref>  Bifur was born anytime between {{TA|2763|n}} and 2809, and he would have been between 132 and 178 years old when he joined King [[Thorin]]'s operation to reclaim [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]].


===The Quest of Erebor===
===The Quest of Erebor===
Line 30: Line 51:


===Later life===
===Later life===
By {{TA|3019}} Bifur was living in Erebor, as [[Glóin]] told [[Frodo Baggins]] at [[Rivendell]].<ref name="Meetings"/>
By {{TA|3018}} Bifur was living in Erebor, as [[Glóin]] told [[Frodo Baggins]] at [[Rivendell]].<ref name="Meetings"/>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Line 46: Line 67:


==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:New Line Cinema - Bifur 2.png|200px|thumb|[[William Kircher]] as Bifur in [[The Hobbit films|The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]].]]
<gallery>
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Bifur.png|Bifur in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (film series) - Bifur.jpg|Bifur in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]
File:Lord of the Rings Online - Bifur.jpg|Bifur in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''</gallery>


===Films===
'''1966: [[The Hobbit (1966 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1966 film)]]:'''
'''1966: [[The Hobbit (1966 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1966 film)]]:'''
:Bifur is omitted. [[Thorin Oakenshield]] only travels with an unnamed guard and the princess of Dale.<ref name="Deitch">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UBnVL1Y2src|articlename=The Hobbit.mp4|dated=5 January 2012|website=YouTube|accessed=10 January 2012}}</ref>
:Bifur is omitted. [[Thorin|Thorin Oakenshield]] only travels with an unnamed guard and the princess of Dale.<ref name="Deitch">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UBnVL1Y2src|articlename=The Hobbit.mp4|dated=5 January 2012|website=YouTube|accessed=10 January 2012}}</ref>
 
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:No actor is specified for the role of Bifur. If he does speak, it is only ever in unison with the rest of the Dwarves.


'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:Bifur is played by [[William Kircher]].<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150168211921558|articlename=Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit|dated=20-March-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> A description of Bifur in ''The Hobbit'' films was released by the studio:
:{{Blockquote|Born in the West, Bifur has the rusting remains of an Orc axe embedded in his forehead, which has rendered him inarticulate and occasionally feisty! He communicates only with grunts and hand gestures. Unlike most of the others in The Company of Dwarves, Bifur is not related to Thorin, nor is he of noble lineage, but rather is descended from miners and smithies – simple folk with simple tastes.|[[Warner Bros.]]<ref name="HobbitApp">{{webcite|author=[[Warner Bros.]]|articleurl=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hobbit-movies/id545808528|articlename=Hobbit Movies|dated=7-September-2012|website=[http://itunes.apple.com/ Apple iPhone/iPad App]|accessed=19-September-2012}}</ref>}}
===Radio series===
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:Bifur is played by [[Brian Haines]].
:Bifur is played by [[Brian Haines]].
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:No actor is specified for the role of Bifur.


'''1979: [[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
'''1979: [[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:No actor is specified for the role of Bifur.
:No actor is specified for the role of Bifur.


===Games===
'''1982: [[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (1982 video game)]]:'''
'''1982: [[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (1982 video game)]]:'''
:Bifur is omitted; Thorin is the only companion of the player, [[Bilbo Baggins]].<ref>''[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=ZXComputing/Issue8304/Pages/ZXComputing830400076.jpg ZX Computing]'', 8304 (April/May 1983), p. 76, accessed [[24 April|April 24]] [[2011]]</ref>
:Bifur is omitted; Thorin is the only companion of the player, [[Bilbo Baggins]].<ref>''[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=ZXComputing/Issue8304/Pages/ZXComputing830400076.jpg ZX Computing]'', 8304 (April/May 1983), p. 76, accessed [[24 April|April 24]] [[2011]]</ref>
'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)]]'':'''
'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:No actor is credited for the role of Bifur.
:No actor is credited for the role of Bifur.
'''2012-3: [[The Hobbit films|''The Hobbit'' films]]:'''
:Bifur will be played by [[William Kircher]].<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150168211921558|articlename=Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit|dated=20-March-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref>
:Bifur's character and backstory has been somewhat changed. He was badly wounded by a blow to the head from an Orc-axe. The axehead was so deeply embedded in his skull that any attempt to remove it would have killed him; therefore the rusting piece of metal protrudes from his forehead to this day.  Tis grievous injury has let Bifur with some brain damage, leaving him unable to speak any language other than Khuzdul. Thus he must communicate with non-Dwarves using hand-signs.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Warner Bros.]]|articleurl=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hobbit-movies/id545808528|articlename=Hobbit Movies|dated=7-September-2012|website=[http://itunes.apple.com/ Apple iPhone/iPad App]|accessed=9-September-2012}}</ref>


{{References}}
{{References}}
{{Thorin and Company}}
{{Thorin and Company}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Bifur]]
[[de:Bifur]]
[[fi:Bifur]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:nains:3a:bifur]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:nains:3a:bifur]]
[[fi:Bifur]]

Revision as of 17:49, 22 July 2015

Bifur
Dwarf
Andy Smith - Bifur.jpg
Biographical Information
LocationThorin's Halls
Lonely Mountain
AffiliationThorin and Company
LanguageKhuzdul and Westron
Physical Description
GenderMale
ClothingYellow hood
GalleryImages of Bifur

Bifur most likely lived in the Blue Mountains with Thorin after the loss of Thráin II.[1] Bifur was one of the thirteen Dwarves of Thorin's company who journeyed to Erebor to challenge the dragon Smaug. After the death of Smaug, Bifur lived at the Lonely Mountain.[2]

History

Bifur was descended from Dwarves of Moria but himself was not of Durin's line.[1] He was cousin[3] of the brothers Bombur and Bofur.[4]

Bifur was older than Fíli and Kíli (b. T.A. 2859[1]) at least "by some fifty years"[5] but younger than Balin (b. 2763[1]).[6] Bifur was born anytime between 2763 and 2809, and he would have been between 132 and 178 years old when he joined King Thorin's operation to reclaim Erebor.

The Quest of Erebor

In T.A. 2941, Bifur was one of the four Dwarves in the fifth group to arrive at Bag End, wearing a yellow hood. He asked for raspberry jam and apple-tart. During the evening when Thorin called for music, Bifur (along with Bofur) played a clarinet.[7]

In the wolves' glade Bifur shared a pine tree with Bofur, Bombur, and Thorin.[8]

When Gandalf was telling the story of the company's adventures to Beorn, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur were the last of the Dwarves to show up.[9]

After the barrel ride down the River Running both Bifur and Bofur came out fairly dry and not very knocked about, but they lay down and refused to do anything.[10]

On the doorstep on the side of the Lonely Mountain, when Thorin commented that the next day was the beginning of the last week of autumn, Bifur pointedly added, "And winter comes after autumn".[11]

Bifur fought in and survived the Battle of Five Armies. He was given his share of the treasure by Dáin Ironfoot, and made his home in Erebor.[12]

Later life

By T.A. 3018 Bifur was living in Erebor, as Glóin told Frodo Baggins at Rivendell.[2]

Etymology

The name of Bívurr originates in the Dvergatal. It is of Old Frisian origin, meaning "Beaver" or, by extension, "Hard Worker".[13]

Other versions of the legendarium

In one of the earliest manuscript fragments of The Hobbit, Bifur and Bofur went into the hall and came back with their walking sticks, which they turned into clarinets.[14] In the published text the two Dwarves came back from the hall with clarinets that they had left with their walking sticks.[7] John Rateliff (author of The History of The Hobbit) said that in the earliest phase Tolkien had added fairy tale touches of Dwarven magic to emphasize the uncanny, other-worldly nature of the Dwarves as opposed to Bilbo.[15]

Originally, when Bombur needed propping up in Mirkwood after being cut from the spiders' webbing, it was his cousins Bifur and Bofur who provided support.[16] In the published story this was changed to Bombur's cousin Bifur and brother Bofur.[4] Also, in the earlier version, when Smaug first came out and the Dwarves in the valley had to be hauled up to the Back Door, Bifur cried out to save Bombur and Bofur, who were both his brothers.[17] In the published text Bifur cried out for his two cousins.[3]

In Tolkien's unfinished 1960 rewrite of The Hobbit, Bifur, Bofur and Bombur were Thorin's attendants.[18] John D. Rateliff assumes this made them either courtiers or honor-guard.[19]

Notes

In the earliest partial manuscript of The Hobbit more of the dialog later assigned to a few of the Dwarves is more evenly distributed. In the opinion of John Rateliff (author of The History of The Hobbit) this streamlining strengthened the story through simplification, but at the cost of relegating some of the Dwarves to obscurity since they barely speak at all. Bifur is one of these "silenced" members of the company.[20]

Portrayal in adaptations

Films

1966: The Hobbit (1966 film):

Bifur is omitted. Thorin Oakenshield only travels with an unnamed guard and the princess of Dale.[21]

1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):

No actor is specified for the role of Bifur. If he does speak, it is only ever in unison with the rest of the Dwarves.

2012-14: The Hobbit (film series):

Bifur is played by William Kircher.[22] A description of Bifur in The Hobbit films was released by the studio:

Born in the West, Bifur has the rusting remains of an Orc axe embedded in his forehead, which has rendered him inarticulate and occasionally feisty! He communicates only with grunts and hand gestures. Unlike most of the others in The Company of Dwarves, Bifur is not related to Thorin, nor is he of noble lineage, but rather is descended from miners and smithies – simple folk with simple tastes.
Warner Bros.[23]

Radio series

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

Bifur is played by Brian Haines.

1979: The Hobbit (1979 radio series):

No actor is specified for the role of Bifur.

Games

1982: The Hobbit (1982 video game):

Bifur is omitted; Thorin is the only companion of the player, Bilbo Baggins.[24]

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

No actor is credited for the role of Bifur.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"
  3. 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Inside Information"
  4. 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Flies and Spiders"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Over Hill and Under Hill"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Barrels Out of Bond"; Balin was "the eldest left" after Thorin's capture.
  7. 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Queer Lodgings"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "A Warm Welcome"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "On the Doorstep"
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Return Journey"
  13. Chester Nathan Gould, "Dwarf-Names: A Study in Old Icelandic Religion", published in Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, Vol 44 (1929), issue #4, pp. 939-967
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Mr. Baggins, The First Phase, "The Bladorthin Typescript", p. 36
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Mr. Baggins, The First Phase, "The Bladorthin Typescript", (iii) Dwarven Magic, p. 54
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Mr. Baggins, The Second Phase, "Mirkwood", p. 313
  17. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Mr. Baggins, The Second Phase, "Conversations with Smaug"
  18. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Return to Bag-End, "The Fifth Phase", "A Well-Planned Party", p. 774
  19. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Return to Bag-End, "The Fifth Phase", "Arrival in Rivendell", note 32
  20. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Mr. Baggins, The First Phase, "The Pryftan Fragment", (i) The Lost Opening, p. 14
  21. "The Hobbit.mp4" dated 5 January 2012, YouTube (accessed 10 January 2012)
  22. Peter Jackson, "Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit" dated 20 March 2011, Facebook (accessed 23 December 2011)
  23. Warner Bros., "Hobbit Movies" dated 7 September 2012, Apple iPhone/iPad App (accessed 19 September 2012)
  24. ZX Computing, 8304 (April/May 1983), p. 76, accessed April 24 2011
Members of Thorin and Company
Thorin · Balin · Dwalin · Fíli · Kíli · Dori · Nori · Ori · Óin · Glóin · Bifur · Bofur · Bombur · Gandalf · Bilbo Baggins