Fact Check: "Bilbo the Hobbit actually slain Smaug in the original novel, as well its adaptations or not"
What We Know
In J.R.R. Tolkien's original novel, The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins does not slay the dragon Smaug. Instead, Smaug is killed by Bard the Bowman, a character from Lake-town, who learns of the dragon's weakness from a thrush. Bard uses a black arrow to strike Smaug in a vulnerable spot on his underbelly, leading to the dragon's demise (source-2, source-3). This pivotal moment is crucial to the story, as it propels the narrative into the subsequent conflicts, including the Battle of the Five Armies.
In adaptations of The Hobbit, such as Peter Jackson's film trilogy, the portrayal of Bilbo's role remains consistent with the original text. While Bilbo engages with Smaug and plays a significant part in the dragon's storyline, he does not kill Smaug in either the films or the original novel (source-1, source-4).
Analysis
The claim that Bilbo slays Smaug is fundamentally incorrect based on multiple credible sources. The original text of The Hobbit clearly attributes the act of slaying Smaug to Bard, not Bilbo. This is corroborated by Tolkien's own writings and various analyses of the text (source-5, source-6).
Furthermore, adaptations of the story, while they may introduce new elements or characters, do not alter the fundamental plot point regarding Smaug's death. The films maintain the narrative that Bilbo's role is to assist in the quest and engage with Smaug, but the dragon's death remains the result of Bard's actions (source-1, source-4).
The sources used in this analysis are reliable, ranging from academic discussions of Tolkien's works to reputable film reviews and literary summaries. They provide a consistent account of the events in both the original novel and its adaptations.
Conclusion
The claim that "Bilbo the Hobbit actually slain Smaug in the original novel, as well its adaptations or not" is False. Bilbo Baggins does not kill Smaug; this act is performed by Bard the Bowman. Both the original text and its adaptations maintain this crucial aspect of the story, confirming that Bilbo's role is significant but does not include the slaying of the dragon.
Sources
- Movie Review - 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' - Bilbo ...
- Most Fans Don't Know That Tolkien's Original Ending to The ...
- Smaug
- The Enigmatic Smaug: Unveiling the Dragonβs Role in The Hobbit
- The Hobbit: Full Book Summary
- The Hobbit: Similarities Between Book And Movie
- Black arrow | The One Wiki to Rule Them All - Fandom
- The Hobbit (1977 film)