Smaug: Difference between revisions

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{{Sources}}
{{Dragon infobox
{{Dragon infobox
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Conversation with Smaug.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Conversation with Smaug.jpg|250px]]
| name=Smaug
| name=Smaug
| othernames=Smaug the Golden<ref name=AppA3>{{App|A3}}</ref>
| othernames=Smaug the Golden<ref name=AppA3>{{App|A3}}</ref>
Lord Smaug the Impenetrable<ref name=HInsider>{{H|13}}</ref>
| realm=[[Erebor]]<ref name=AppA3/>
| realm=[[Erebor]]<ref name=AppA3/>
| hoard=Treasure of [[Thrór]], including the [[Arkenstone]].<ref name=AppA3/>
| hoard=Treasure of [[Thrór]], including the [[Arkenstone]].<ref name=AppA3/>
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==History==
==History==
===Sack of Erebor===
===Sack of Erebor===
When Smaug attacked in 2770, he destroyed the town of [[Dale]] before entering the [[Lonely Mountain]] and slaying all the dwarves he encountered and burning all the towns with massive fires. After securing the mountain, he blocked all but two entrances: the main gate and a secret postern gate known only to the [[King under the Mountain|King Under the Mountain]] and his son [[Thrain II]]. Unknown to Smaug, the dwarf king [[Thrór]] and his son [[Thrain II]] had escaped through the secret postern gate, and others were not in the mountain when Smaug attacked. Following the attack, Thrór abdicated and gave the key to the postern gate to his son [[Thráin II]]. Smaug would remain in control of the Lonely Mountain for 170 years, turning the area surrounding the mountain into what became known as the [[Desolation of the Dragon]].
In {{TA|2770}} Smaug first appeared in the history of [[Middle-earth]] when he flew south "like a hurricane coming from the North" and attacked Erebor and the adjacent lands. He first landed upon the mountain before going down the slopes and setting the woods on fire. When the dwarves came running out of the front gate Smaug killed them all. Smaug then turned his attention to the men of [[Dale]] and killed most of their warriors. Returning to the mountain, he crawled into the front gate and left no Dwarf left alive. Only [[Thrór]], [[King under the Mountain]], and his son [[Thráin II]] managed to escape the dragon using the secret side-door. Thrór later gave the key to the secret door and [[Thrór's Map|a map]] of the Lonely Mountain to Thráin . Smaug claimed the treasure for himself and laid there upon a bed of gold. He would occasionally leave the mountain to carry away people and continue the destruction of Dale. The area surrounding the mountain became known as the [[Desolation of the Dragon]].<ref>{{H|1}}; {{App|A3}}</ref>


===The Quest for Erebor===
===The Quest for Erebor===
In [[Third Age 2850|T.A. 2850]], [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]], while spying upon the [[Necromancer]] of [[Dol Guldur]], obtained the key and map to the secret postern gate from Thrain, who had become a prisoner there after being captured in [[Third Age 2845|2845]]. Having discovered that the Necromancer was actually [[Sauron]], Gandalf realized that Smaug would be a valuable ally to the Dark Lord. Gandalf therefore sought a way to destroy Smaug and re-establish the Kingdom Under the Mountain to reduce Sauron's power in the north.<ref name=UTErebor>{{UT|9}}</ref>
In {{TA|2850}}, [[Gandalf]], whilst spying on the [[Necromancer]] in [[Dol Guldur]],  
found a Dwarf imprisoned. Near death, the dwarf gave Gandalf a key and a map. Unbeknownst to Gandalf at the time this dwarf was Thráin, King of Durin's Folk, who had been captured by the Necromancer in {{TA|2845}}. Having discovered that the Necromancer was indeed [[Sauron]], Gandalf was very concerned that Sauron could use Smaug to a devastating effect. It is for this reason that Gandalf sought a plan to neutralise the threat of Smaug and limit the potential power of Sauron in the north of Middle-earth. By chance in {{TA|2941}}, Gandalf met [[Thorin II Oakenshield|Thorin Oakenshield]] in [[Bree]] (although another source states that they met when Thorin overtook but started to talk to Gandalf on the road<ref name=UTErebor>{{UT|9}}</ref>). They discussed their desire to destroy Smaug and retake the Lonely Mountain. They later met in [[Thorin's Halls]] in the [[Blue Mountains]] to develop a plan. Gandalf wanted Thorin to take the [[hobbit]] [[Bilbo Baggins]] with him on an adventure to retake Erebor; this took considerable persuasion. <ref>{{UT|9}}; {{App|A3}}; {{App|B2}}</ref>


Gandalf recruited Thráin's only living son and heir to his throne, [[Thorin Oakenshield]], to reclaim the mountain. In 2940, at the home of [[Bilbo Baggins]], he presented Thorin with the map and key, and accompanied them on part of their quest. The party reached the mountain in 2941, and they sent Bilbo in through the secret door to investigate. Bilbo stole a small but heavy cup from the dragon's vast hoard of treasure which he used as a bed to sleep on, sending Smaug into a killing frenzy.
Later in {{TA|2941}}, at the home of [[Bilbo Baggins]], Gandalf presented Thorin with the map and key, and accompanied them on part of their quest.<ref>{{H|1}}</ref> The party reached the mountain later that year on [[Durin's Day]], and they sent Bilbo in through the secret door to investigate. Bilbo stole a small but heavy cup from the dragon's vast hoard of treasure which he used as a bed to sleep on, enraging Smaug beyond measure.<ref>{{H|11}}; {{H|12}}</ref>


Smaug scoured the mountainside for the intruder, but was unable to find the secret door. Bilbo visited the dragon's lair again when Smaug returned and discovered Smaug's only vulnerability (a patch on his left breast unprotected by treasure that was otherwise embedded all over his underside) through riddling talk. Smaug left his lair again and smashed the mountainside with strikes of his tail, trapping [[Thorin and Company]] inside the secret passage, but not before the [[Thrushes|thrush]] that lived on the mountainside heard Bilbo describe Smaug's weakness.
Smaug scoured the mountainside for the intruder, but was unable to find the secret door. Bilbo visited the dragon's lair again when Smaug returned and discovered Smaug's only vulnerability (a patch on his left breast unprotected by treasure that was otherwise embedded all over his underside) through riddling talk. Smaug left his lair again and smashed the mountainside with strikes of his tail, trapping [[Thorin and Company]] inside the secret passage, but not before the [[Thrushes|thrush]] that lived on the mountainside heard Bilbo describe Smaug's weakness.<ref name=HInsider />


Realizing that the men of [[Lake-town]] must have helped the intruders, Smaug flew there and attacked, setting the town aflame from the air. The dragon's scales were impervious to the arrows of the defenders, but the thrush also flew to the town and revealed the bare spot in Smaug's armor to [[Bard the Bowman]], who killed Smaug by firing the [[Black Arrow]] through the vulnerable spot. Smaug destroyed the town when he crashed onto it, then sank to the bottom of the [[Long Lake]].
Realizing that the men of [[Esgaroth|Lake-town]] must have helped the intruders, Smaug flew there and attacked, setting the town aflame. The dragon's scales were impervious to the arrows of the defenders, but the thrush had flown to the town and informed [[Bard]] of the bare spot in Smaug's armour. He was then able to kill Smaug by firing the [[Black Arrow]] directly into the vulnerable spot of his left breast. As Smaug fell, he crashed into and destroyed Esgaroth.<ref>{{H|14}}</ref>


After Smaug's death, Thorin and Company claimed the treasure as theirs by birthright. This created a conflict with Bard and the Elven King [[Thranduil]] of Mirkwood, who each wanted a portion of the gold as reimbursement for all the damage Smaug had caused their kingdoms over the years. Thorin refused to share the treasure and declared war on both of them. The conflict eventually exploded because they heard news of approaching wargs and goblins. This became the [[Battle of Five Armies]].
After Smaug's death, [[Thorin and Company]] claimed the treasure as theirs by birthright. This created a conflict with Bard and the [[Thranduil|Elvenking]] of [[Mirkwood]], who each wanted a portion of the treature as reimbursement for huge damage that Smaug had inflcited upon them. Thorin refused to share the treasure and had every intention of going to war with the [[Elves of Mirkwood]] and men of Esgaroth  to defend his right to the treasure. However the sudden attack by the armies of [[Bolg]] brought the forces of the [[free peoples]] of Middle-earth together in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref>{{H|15}}; {{H|16}}; {{H|17}}</ref>


==Inspiration==
==Inspiration==

Revision as of 20:30, 27 March 2011

Smaug
Dragon
File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Conversation with Smaug.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesSmaug the Golden[1] Lord Smaug the Impenetrable[2]
RealmErebor[1]
HoardTreasure of Thrór, including the Arkenstone.[1]
AppearedT.A. 2770[3]
DeathT.A. 2941[3]
Lake-town[4]
Slain byBard the Bowman[4]
Physical Description
TypeUrulókë[5]
LegsYes
WingedYes
GalleryImages of Smaug
"Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!"
― Bilbo to himself.[6]

Smaug (Germanic, pron. [smaʊɣ]; birth unknown – Third Age 2941) was the greatest fire breathing dragon of the Third Age. Details of his origin are unknown, but in T.A. 2770 he attacked the Lonely Mountain and the town of Dale. He claimed the treasure of the mountain for himself and forced Thrór, King under the Mountain, and his people into exile. Thorin's quest to reclaim the treasure ended in success when Smaug was slain by Bard in T.A. 2941.[7]

History

Sack of Erebor

In T.A. 2770 Smaug first appeared in the history of Middle-earth when he flew south "like a hurricane coming from the North" and attacked Erebor and the adjacent lands. He first landed upon the mountain before going down the slopes and setting the woods on fire. When the dwarves came running out of the front gate Smaug killed them all. Smaug then turned his attention to the men of Dale and killed most of their warriors. Returning to the mountain, he crawled into the front gate and left no Dwarf left alive. Only Thrór, King under the Mountain, and his son Thráin II managed to escape the dragon using the secret side-door. Thrór later gave the key to the secret door and a map of the Lonely Mountain to Thráin . Smaug claimed the treasure for himself and laid there upon a bed of gold. He would occasionally leave the mountain to carry away people and continue the destruction of Dale. The area surrounding the mountain became known as the Desolation of the Dragon.[8]

The Quest for Erebor

In T.A. 2850, Gandalf, whilst spying on the Necromancer in Dol Guldur, found a Dwarf imprisoned. Near death, the dwarf gave Gandalf a key and a map. Unbeknownst to Gandalf at the time this dwarf was Thráin, King of Durin's Folk, who had been captured by the Necromancer in T.A. 2845. Having discovered that the Necromancer was indeed Sauron, Gandalf was very concerned that Sauron could use Smaug to a devastating effect. It is for this reason that Gandalf sought a plan to neutralise the threat of Smaug and limit the potential power of Sauron in the north of Middle-earth. By chance in T.A. 2941, Gandalf met Thorin Oakenshield in Bree (although another source states that they met when Thorin overtook but started to talk to Gandalf on the road[9]). They discussed their desire to destroy Smaug and retake the Lonely Mountain. They later met in Thorin's Halls in the Blue Mountains to develop a plan. Gandalf wanted Thorin to take the hobbit Bilbo Baggins with him on an adventure to retake Erebor; this took considerable persuasion. [10]

Later in T.A. 2941, at the home of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf presented Thorin with the map and key, and accompanied them on part of their quest.[11] The party reached the mountain later that year on Durin's Day, and they sent Bilbo in through the secret door to investigate. Bilbo stole a small but heavy cup from the dragon's vast hoard of treasure which he used as a bed to sleep on, enraging Smaug beyond measure.[12]

Smaug scoured the mountainside for the intruder, but was unable to find the secret door. Bilbo visited the dragon's lair again when Smaug returned and discovered Smaug's only vulnerability (a patch on his left breast unprotected by treasure that was otherwise embedded all over his underside) through riddling talk. Smaug left his lair again and smashed the mountainside with strikes of his tail, trapping Thorin and Company inside the secret passage, but not before the thrush that lived on the mountainside heard Bilbo describe Smaug's weakness.[2]

Realizing that the men of Lake-town must have helped the intruders, Smaug flew there and attacked, setting the town aflame. The dragon's scales were impervious to the arrows of the defenders, but the thrush had flown to the town and informed Bard of the bare spot in Smaug's armour. He was then able to kill Smaug by firing the Black Arrow directly into the vulnerable spot of his left breast. As Smaug fell, he crashed into and destroyed Esgaroth.[13]

After Smaug's death, Thorin and Company claimed the treasure as theirs by birthright. This created a conflict with Bard and the Elvenking of Mirkwood, who each wanted a portion of the treature as reimbursement for huge damage that Smaug had inflcited upon them. Thorin refused to share the treasure and had every intention of going to war with the Elves of Mirkwood and men of Esgaroth to defend his right to the treasure. However the sudden attack by the armies of Bolg brought the forces of the free peoples of Middle-earth together in the Battle of Five Armies.[14]

Inspiration

"Fafnir in the late Norse versions of the Sigurd-story is better; and Smaug and his conversation obviously is in debt there."
― Letter 122
"...there is much else that may be told." — Glóin
 This article or section is a stub. Please help Tolkien Gateway by expanding it.


Etymology

The name Smaug is a translation of the "original Dalish" Trâgu, and is related to the name Sméagol. According to Tolkien, the name Smaug is "the past tense of the primitive Germanic verb Smugan, to squeeze through a hole".[15]

Note that the language of Dale is rendered with Norse terms.[16]

Smaug also has echoes of "smoke", "smog" and the Polish word for dragon, "smok", though it is pronounced with a long /au/.[source?]

Portrayal in adaptations

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

Francis de Wolff provides Smaug's voice.

1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):

Smaug was voiced by Richard Boone. In this version, Smaug's face possesses more mammilian traits, resembling a mix between a cat and a bat. Also, his armor is never mentioned to be strengthened by lying on the treasure, but more resembles an extra padding of skin/scales, minus the bare patch.

1979: The Hobbit (1979 radio series):

No actor is specifically credited for the role of Smaug.

2003: Sierra's The Hobbit:

Smaug was voiced by James Horan.

2012-3: The Hobbit films:

Smaug will be a CGI-motion capture creature produced by Weta Digital. It is unknown whether or Smaug will be voiced, there have been no announcements regarding a voice actor.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Not at Home"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Fire and Water"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names", entry Urulóki: "Quenya word meaning 'fire-serpent', dragon"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Inside Information"
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"; J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"; J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Fire and Water"; J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"; J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Quest of Erebor"
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Quest of Erebor"; J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"; J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  11. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"
  12. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "On the Doorstep"; J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Inside Information"
  13. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Fire and Water"
  14. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Gathering of the Clouds"; J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "A Thief in the Night"; J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Clouds Burst"
  15. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 25, (dated February 1938)
  16. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F


Named Dragons
Glaurung · Gostir · Ancalagon · Scatha · Smaug
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