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The '''talking purse''' was the purse of the [[Trolls|troll]] [[William]]. When [[Bilbo Baggins]] tried to pick the purse from William's pocket, the purse suddenly squeaked "Ere, 'oo are you?". William was thus warned of the pickpocketing and captured Bilbo.<ref name=H2>{{H|2}}</ref>
{{object infobox
| name=Talking purse
| image=[[File:The Hobbit (2003) Wallet.png|250px]]
| caption=The "Wallet" in ''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=[[Trollshaws]]
| owner=[[William]]
| type=Trolls' purse
| appearance=It is said to have been huge and "as big as a bag to Bilbo".<ref name=H2/>
| creator=
| created=
| createdlocation=
| destroyer=
| destroyed=
| destroyedlocation=
| notablefor=Catching Bilbo in the act of pickpocketing it.
}}


The size of the purse was huge: it is told to have been "as big as a bag to Bilbo". Apparently "Trolls' purses" were known for their mischief.<ref name=H2/>
<center>{{Quote|'Ere, 'oo are you?|Talking purse to Bilbo in ''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Roast Mutton]]"<ref group=note>Unless one interprets the talking purse's words as fantastical elaboration by Bilbo, there exists only one other item in the [[legendarium]] which shows an ability to speak: [[Gurthang]], the bloodthirsty sword of [[Túrin]].</ref>}}</center>


The '''talking purse''' was the purse of the [[Trolls|troll]] [[William]].


==Background==
== History ==
When [[Bilbo Baggins]] tried to pick the trolls' purse from William's pocket, the purse squeaked, alerting William of the attempted burglary and captured Bilbo.<ref name=H2>{{H|2}}</ref>


[[Tolkien fandom|Fans]] have suggested that the purse was perhaps not made by trolls, but that it was stolen and, because of it ability to speak (like the sword [[Gurthang]]), of [[Dwarves|dwarvish]] or [[Elves|elvish]] origin.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.lotrplaza.com/archives/index.php?Archive=archive&TID=141437|articlename=Talking Wallet?|dated=|website=Plaza|accessed=9 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.minastirith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000199|articlename=The talking purse|dated=|website=[http://www.minastirith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi Minas Tirith Forums]|accessed=9 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=580638|articlename=The talking purse - anything in the mythology to explain what it is?|dated=|website=[http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/ The One Ring Forums]|accessed=9 March 2013}}</ref>
== Background ==
[[Tolkien fandom|Fans]] have suggested that the purse was perhaps not made by trolls, but that it was stolen and was of [[Dwarves|dwarvish]] or [[Elves|elvish]] origin due to it having the ability to speak.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.lotrplaza.com/archives/index.php?Archive=archive&TID=141437|articlename=Talking Wallet?|dated=|website=Plaza|accessed=9 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.minastirith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000199|articlename=The talking purse|dated=|website=[http://www.minastirith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi Minas Tirith Forums]|accessed=9 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=580638|articlename=The talking purse - anything in the mythology to explain what it is?|dated=|website=[http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/ The One Ring Forums]|accessed=9 March 2013}}</ref> [[Elrond]] certainly guessed that the trolls had some plunder from [[Moria]], although he was specifically referring to [[Glamdring]] and [[Orcrist]].<ref>{{H|3}}</ref>


==Portrayal in adaptations==
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
'''1989: [[The Hobbit (comic book)|''The Hobbit'' (comic)]]:'''
:[[David T. Wenzel]] portrays the trolls' purse having holes resembling a shouting mouth.
'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Not only does the purse talk, but it has eyes that open up when Bilbo touches it.
:The trolls' purse is referred to as a '''wallet''' and it has eyes that open up when it is touched by Bilbo.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51lM0zfNg70|articlename=The Hobbit Game - Part 3 "Roast Mutton" (time 14:10)|dated=14 February 2013|website=YT|accessed=18 July 2016}}</ref>


{{references}}
{{References|note}}
 
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Enigmas]]
[[Category:Objects]]
[[Category:Objects]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de: Trollbörse]]
[[fr: Bourse des trolls]]

Latest revision as of 09:55, 27 October 2023

This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
Talking purse
Trolls' purse
The Hobbit (2003) Wallet.png
The "Wallet" in The Hobbit (2003 video game)
LocationTrollshaws
OwnerWilliam
AppearanceIt is said to have been huge and "as big as a bag to Bilbo".[1]
Notable forCatching Bilbo in the act of pickpocketing it.
"'Ere, 'oo are you?"
― Talking purse to Bilbo in The Hobbit, "Roast Mutton"[note 1]

The talking purse was the purse of the troll William.

History[edit | edit source]

When Bilbo Baggins tried to pick the trolls' purse from William's pocket, the purse squeaked, alerting William of the attempted burglary and captured Bilbo.[1]

Background[edit | edit source]

Fans have suggested that the purse was perhaps not made by trolls, but that it was stolen and was of dwarvish or elvish origin due to it having the ability to speak.[2][3][4] Elrond certainly guessed that the trolls had some plunder from Moria, although he was specifically referring to Glamdring and Orcrist.[5]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

1989: The Hobbit (comic):

David T. Wenzel portrays the trolls' purse having holes resembling a shouting mouth.

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

The trolls' purse is referred to as a wallet and it has eyes that open up when it is touched by Bilbo.[6]

Notes

  1. Unless one interprets the talking purse's words as fantastical elaboration by Bilbo, there exists only one other item in the legendarium which shows an ability to speak: Gurthang, the bloodthirsty sword of Túrin.

References