The Hobbit Read-Along discussion

Mirkwood! What do you think of Middle Earth’s darkest forest, and the challenges it presents for our adventurers? (For example, hunger, the enchanted river, the spiders, etc.)

Bilbo’s really stepping up as a heroic force in these chapters, and comes to the rescue of his dwarvish companions a few times. What changes have we seen in Bilbo’s character from the first chapters? Do you think his character development was handled well/naturally by Tolkien?

The Elvenking (aka Thranduil). What do you think of the king of the wood-elves, especially his relationship with Thorin and the dwarves? And the wood-elves in general, how would you compare them with the elves of Rivendell?

The wood-elves are more like mortals than the elves of Rivendell, less wise and more dangerous. Personally I love that. Sometimes the Elves look too perfect, too wise, too pure, the wood-elves show more 'human' traits and look kinda more real to me.