Who is Beorn in The Hobbit?
Beorn is a fictional character created by J. R. R. Tolkien, and part of his Middle-earth legendarium. He appears in The Hobbit as a " skin-changer ", a man who could assume the form of a great black bear . Beorn lived in a wooden house on his pasture-lands between the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood, to the east of the Anduin.
What does Beorn live off of?
Instead, he keeps lots of beehives and mostly lives off 'cream and honey.'. You see, Beorn is a skin-changer, which means that 'sometimes he is a huge black bear, sometimes he is a great strong black-haired man with huge arms and a great beard.' He seems more at home with the animals than with anyone resembling a man.
What does Beorn mean in Norse mythology?
The name Beorn originates from an Old English term that means "warrior". It is a homophone of Old Norse bjǫrn which means "bear". [5] Despite being incredibly powerful, Beorn respected all life forms, with the exceptions of Goblins and Wargs, due to their malevolent and destructive tendencies.
What does Beorn tell Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings?
Beorn confirms that Gandalf is telling the truth about the group’s adventures in the Misty Mountains, and this confirms the importance of the host-guest exchange. Beorn become more trustworthy to the group—he’s not leading the goblins to kill them—at the same instance that the group becomes more trustworthy to him.
What chapter is Beorn in The Hobbit?
Chapter 7Summary: Chapter 7 Beorn is a half-man, half-bear creature who has a great wooden house in the middle of the woods outside Mirkwood. Gandalf takes the dwarves to Beorn's house a few at a time, so as not to startle him. He tells Beorn the story of their adventure in the mountain.
What does Beorn look like in the book?
Beorn is a character in The Hobbit, a fantasy novel written by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1937. Beorn is a skin-changer, which means that he sometimes takes the form of a huge man and other times takes the form of a large black bear. In the form of a man, he has muscular arms and legs, black hair, and a large black beard.
What happened to Beorn in The Hobbit?
Beorn presumably died some time before the War of the Ring began and was succeeded by his son Grimbeorn the Old.
What does Beorn represent in The Hobbit?
Beorn (both as a man and a bear) is not represented as a ruthless and mindless force with a complete disregard to his surroundings – but his powerful abilities reflect on those he hates most: Goblins (Orcs) and Wargs. Perhaps his wariness and suspicion in others is most probably justified.
Is Beorn Tom Bombadil?
Beorn is a man, while Bombadil is not. Beorn is physically a very imposing figure, whereas Bombadil is comical in his appearance. Bombadil is married to Goldberry, and this marriage is a very important aspect of his existence.
How old is Beorn in The Hobbit?
Since Thorin and Company meet Beorn in T.A. 2961, Beorn seems to have been well over 150 at the time of The Hobbit. That is not beyond the limit of human lifespans in Middle-earth, but it does suggest that (beyond his ability to change shapes), Beorn is not a normal human.
What race is Beorn?
Skin-ChangerBeornTolkien characterIn-universe informationRaceSkin-ChangerBook(s)The Hobbit (1937)
Is Legolas in The Hobbit book?
Although Legolas does not appear anywhere in the novel The Hobbit, he has a significant role as the son of the Elven-king Thranduil within their Woodland Realm. During one hunt, Legolas and Tauriel come across the Company of Thorin Oakenshield on their journey to the Lonely Mountain.
How do you pronounce Beorn?
0:120:35How to Pronounce Beorn - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBeyond or bayonne bayonne or baron are the most correct pronunciations. Although some say it asMoreBeyond or bayonne bayonne or baron are the most correct pronunciations. Although some say it as beyon. As well which sounds more like north languages beron or bayern.
How does Bilbo understand Beorn?
At first Bilbo does not know what to think of Beorn. Later Bilbo understands that Beorn is an allie. Beorn outfits the expedition for the journey through Mirkwood with ponies, weapons, and other supplies. He knows that Beorn is a formidable opponent if they are attacked.
How tall is Beorn in The Hobbit?
I did some rough measurements on myself and I came up with around 12 feet all. Bilbo was 3'6" and noted he would be able to walk between his legs without ducking to miss the fringe of the tunic that came to Beorn's knees.
Where was Beorn during LOTR?
Beorn was a Northman, skin-changer, and a Beorning chieftain who lived near the river Anduin between Mirkwood and the Misty Mountains. His kin lived in that region during the last centuries of the Third Age, guarding the Ford of Carrock from the Goblins and Wargs.
What becomes of Beorn in later years?
What becomes of Beorn in later years? He later becomes the headman between the mountains and Mirkwood.
Why does Thranduil's face melt?
he battled the dragon, it scarred Thranduil for life, and now he is forced to wear a glamour on his face to hide the ugly mark. But it probably reveals itself after a period of stress or in times of anger.
Why is Beorn suspicious of strangers?
Beorn is strong and welcoming. I believe he is suspicious of strangers because they may plot against him or fear him because he is a skin changer. He seems vicious because he always has the potential to turn into a bear if anything upsets him. He is also very gentle because he is friendly to Thorin and company.
How does Bilbo understand Beorn?
At first Bilbo does not know what to think of Beorn. Later Bilbo understands that Beorn is an allie. Beorn outfits the expedition for the journey through Mirkwood with ponies, weapons, and other supplies. He knows that Beorn is a formidable opponent if they are attacked.
What does Beorn mean in the movie?
You see, Beorn is a skin-changer, which means that 'sometimes he is a huge black bear, sometimes he is a great strong black-haired man with huge arms and a great beard.'. He seems more at home with the animals than with anyone resembling a man.
Who Is Beorn?
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be able to change into an animal? What animal would you choose to be? If you chose bear, you would probably get along with Beorn, the mysterious man who gives assistance to Bilbo and his fellow travelers in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. Beorn is one of the few people who lives in the area between the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood. In fact, Gandalf tells his companions, Beorn is responsible for making the 'steps on the great rock,' which he named the Carrock. So, who better to ask for help after Bilbo and the dwarves escape the dangers in the Mountains?
What is Beorn's role in the Battle of the Five Armies?
His greatest help, however, is perhaps his role in the Battle of the Five Armies, in which he is responsible for the death of the goblin leader, Bolg after he gently carries the injured Thorin away from the fighting. Beorn welcomes Gandalf and Bilbo back into his home after the battle, and becomes a great chief in the land between ...
What happens to Beorn after Bolg dies?
In his fury, he tears through Bolg's bodyguard until he reaches and kills the goblin leader. Upon Bolg's death, the goblins scatter away from the fight, but Beorn's actions inspire the men, elves, and dwarves. His intervention in the battle ensures the goblin's defeat. Beorn Becomes a Great Chief.
What does Beorn do in Thorin?
In the middle of the bloody battle, just when things seem hopeless, Beorn appeared in his bear form. He wreaks havoc on any goblin foolish enough to get in his way. But, when he gets to Thorin, who has fallen to a spear wound, he gently picks the dwarf up and carries him out of the battle.
What battle is Beorn in?
Beorn in the Battle of the Five Armies. As helpful as Beorn is before Bilbo and the dwarves enter Mirkwood forest, his starring moment comes later, after Smaug the dragon has been killed. News of the dragon's death spreads quickly, and leads to a battle that will eventually be named the Battle of the Five Armies.
What do the Goblins and Wargs do?
Goblins and Wargs, under the leadership of the goblin Bolg, take advantage of the dragon's death and ensuing confusion. They march on the Lonely Mountain, waging war against the men, elves, and dwarves there. In the middle of the bloody battle, just when things seem hopeless, Beorn appeared in his bear form.
Who played Beorn in The Hobbit?
The Hobbit film trilogy. Beorn portrayed in his human form. Beorn is portrayed by Mikael Persbrandt in the films The Desolation of Smaug and The Battle of the Five Armies. His appearance in the films is quite different than his description in the book and portrayals in other media.
What did Beorn's horses say?
When he spoke to his dogs, his words sounded like "barks twisted into some form of speech".
What did Beorn ask Gandalf about the tombs?
He asked Gandalf if there actually were tombs in those mountains and Gandalf confirms the tombs as Beorn remembered a time when a great evil ruled the lands and had the power to raise the dead. If that evil had returned, he wished to know from Gandalf.
Why does Beorn give horses to Mirkwood?
He gives them horses to reach Mirkwood and provides escort to protect them from roaming Orcs. Beorn appears to be aware of the dark presence in Dol Guldur as he knows of an alliance between the Orcs of Moria and the Necromancer, whom he calls the Sorcerer, in Dol Guldur.
What is Beorn's effect on animals?
He had a magic-like effect on his animals, who seem more intelligent and strong than other animals. He kept bee pastures and spent his nights patrolling the woods and mountains in the form of a bear. He was wise and powerful, possessing incredible strength and durability, to the point that Azog did not risk facing him even with his band despite his target, Thorin and company, being so close. He was fairly decent, allowing Thorin and Company to stay at his home for a short while, offering sanctuary from the Goblins. Beorn was also vengeful; when Thorin was fatally wounded in battle Beorn stormed the goblin ranks, rescues Thorin and then returns, destroying the goblins and killing Bolg himself.
What battle did Beorn appear in?
In The Battle of the Five Armies, he makes a brief cameo during the battle, shifting from man to bear form as he arrives with the Great Eagles, attacking several goblins and wargs. He is later seen at the funeral for Thorin, Fili and Kili. Beorn watches Azog's forces.
What was the third age of Beorn?
Third Age. Beorn was a warrior with great strength who could turn into a great black bear. In human form he was a tall, black-haired man with huge arms and a great beard. Beorn kept many animals at his residence, such as horses, dogs and sheep. His animals were all extremely intelligent; his dogs, for instance, ...
Who is the evil sorcerer in The Hobbit?
An evil sorcerer and creator of the magic ring. Also called the Necromancer, Sauron is only mentioned in The Hobbit; he never actually appears.
Where do humans appear in Tolkien's book?
Humans. Humans appear in the settlement of Lake Town near the Lonely Mountain. Tolkien emphasizes their mortality, their lack of wisdom, their discordance with nature, and their rampant feuding, but he does not describe humans as inherently evil in the same way that he characterizes goblins and Wargs.
What evil creatures are encountered by Bilbo and company in Chapter 4?
Evil creatures encountered by Bilbo and company in Chapter 4 . Goblins are infamous for their ability to make cruel weapons and torture devices.
What is the dragon's name in the Lonely Mountain?
The great dragon who lives in the Lonely Mountain. Years ago, Smaug heard of the treasure that the dwarves had amassed in the mountain under Thror’s reign, and he drove them away to claim the gold for himself. His flaming breath can scorch a city, his huge wings can carry him great distances, and his armorlike hide is almost impenetrable. Smaug can speak and possesses a dark, sardonic sense of humor.
What is Thorin's group?
Thorin’s group, composed of Fili, Kili, Dwalin, Balin, Oin, Gloin, Ori, Dori, Nori, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur, none of whom is really developed as an individual character in the novel. The narrator describes dwarves unfavorably in Chapter 12, noting their greed and trickery. Some, however, are “decent enough people like Thorin and Company, if you don’t expect too much.”
What is Thorin's inheritance?
A dwarf who leads his fellow dwarves on a trip to the Lonely Mountain to reclaim their treasure from Smaug. Smaug’s bounty is Thorin’s inheritance, as it belonged to Thror, Thorin’s grandfather, the great King under the Mountain. Thorin is a proud, purposeful, and sturdy warrior, if a bit stubborn at times.
What are the trolls based on?
Short-tempered and dull-witted creatures who will eat just about anything, the trolls are based on mythological creatures taken from Old English and Anglo-Saxon poems and on figures from popular fairy tales and folklore. Tolkien has them speak with a cockney accent, the dialect of lower-class Londoners, which injects a modern joke into the fantasy epic.
What does Gandalf tell Beorn about Thorin?
Gandalf tells Beorn that he has been traveling with a friend or two; Beorn asks where the other friend is, and Gandalf calls for Thorin and Dori. Beorn says that he doesn’t like dwarves much, but since these dwarves have been fighting goblins, they’re welcome to stay with him.
What is the chapter 7 of The Hobbit?
The Hobbit: Chapter 7. LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Hobbit, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. The eagles take Gandalf, Bilbo, and the dwarves to a far-away place with woods and a river.
How does Gandalf trick Beorn into housing all fourteen dwarves?
Gandalf manipulates language to trick Beorn into housing all fourteen of them at the same time. In many ways, this is the same trick that he used to convince Bilbo to invite all of the dwarves into his house when he was expecting Gandalf. This is important in and of itself—Bilbo is no longer the object of trickery, but an observer of it: he’s maturing. Gandalf continues to keep the goal of the dwarves’ quest a secret, knowing that if the information were to become widely available, many others would try to take the dwarves’ treasure. Greed abounds in the world.
Why did Gandalf leave Bilbo?
Bilbo is especially sad to see Gandalf go, and wishes that he were going with him. Gandalf reminds Bilbo that there is no other way to reach the destination without traveling through Mirkwood; the only alternative would involve traveling near goblins or the Necromancer. Gandalf leaves Bilbo and the dwarves, reminding them not to go off the path. The group enters Mirkwood forest, and begins the most dangerous part of its journey.
Why doesn't Bilbo sleep well?
Bilbo doesn’t sleep well because he doesn’t entirely trust Beorn.
What is Bilbo's connection to Gandalf?
Bilbo feels a special connection to Gandalf; it’s clear that he’s closer to Gandalf, who wanted to wait and find Bilbo in the Misty Mountains , than he is to the dwarves, who wanted to move on without him. Gandalf’s allusion to the Necromancer, who’s never fully explained in The Hobbit, suggests what his “other business” might be—but even so, it seems as if Gandalf is deliberately abandoning the group at the time when they need him most.
Where do the eagles take Gandalf and Bilbo?
The eagles take Gandalf, Bilbo, and the dwarves to a far-away place with woods and a river. Bilbo is afraid to fly, but loosens his grip around his eagle’s talons when the eagle tells him to do so. Bilbo will never see the eagles again, the narrator notes, except for during the Battle of the Five Armies, which will come much later in the story.
Where is Bilbo in the Hobbit?
Bilbo is quite content at Bag End, near the bustling hobbit village of Hobbiton, but one day his comfort is shattered by the arrival of the old wizard Gandalf, who persuades Bilbo to set out on an adventure with a group of thirteen militant dwarves.
Where does Bilbo take his sword?
The group finds a great cache of weapons in the trolls’ camp. Gandalf and the dwarf lord Thorin take magic swords, and Bilbo takes a small sword of his own. The group rests at the elfish stronghold of Rivendell, where they receive advice from the great elf lord Elrond, then sets out to cross the Misty Mountains.
What does Bilbo use the Ring for?
The ring, however, is the same one Bilbo has already found, and Bilbo uses it to escape from Gollum and flee the goblins. He finds a tunnel leading up out of the mountain and discovers that the dwarves and Gandalf have already escaped.
Why do the humans and elves march to the Lonely Mountain?
The humans of Lake Town and the elves of Mirkwood march to the Lonely Mountain to seek a share of the treasure as compensation for their losses and aid , but Thorin greedily refuses, and the humans and elves besiege the mountain, trapping the dwarves and the hobbit inside.
What did Smaug do when Bilbo stole the golden cup?
When Bilbo steals a golden cup from the dragon’s hoard, Smaug is furious and flies out of the mountain to burn Lake Town in his rage. Bard, a heroic archer, has learned the secret about Smaug’s weakness from a thrush, and he fires an arrow into the dragon’s heart, killing him.
What does Bilbo find in the tunnels?
Wandering through the tunnels, Bilbo finds a strange golden ring lying on the ground. He takes the ring and puts it in his pocket. Soon he encounters Gollum, a hissing, whining creature who lives in a pool in the caverns and hunts fish and goblins. Gollum wants to eat Bilbo, and the two have a contest of riddles to determine Bilbo’s fate. Bilbo wins by asking the dubious riddle, “What have I got in my pocket?”
What is the name of the creature that can change shape from a man into a bear?
Evil wolves known as Wargs pursue them, but Bilbo and his comrades are helped to safety by a group of great eagles and by Beorn, a creature who can change shape from a man into a bear. The company enters the dark forest of Mirkwood, and, making matters worse, Gandalf abandons them to see to some other urgent business.
History
- Beorn was a Northman, skin-changer, and a Beorning chieftain who lived near the River Anduin between Mirkwood and the Misty Mountains. His kin lived in that region during the last centuries of the Third Age, guarding the Ford of Carrock from the Goblins and Wargs. He was the father of Grimbeorn the Old.
Character
Etymology
Other Versions of The Legendarium
Inspiration
- Beorn was generally benevolent and hated goblins and wargs; but he was also a loner and distrustful of travelers and beggars. He was never polite, and became easily angry. He never invited people into his house and his very few friends, who lived a good way away, came no more than a couple to his house at a time. Added to this, Beorn was not fond of Dwarves. Although fie…
Portrayal in Adaptations
- Beorn is an Old English word meaning "a warrior, a hero, a man of valour" (also, poetic "man"), cognate to Old Norse björn ("bear"). In the Scandinavian-speaking countries Björn/Bjørnis a personal name, attested since the 11th century.