Why Didnt the Hobbits People Attempt to reclaim Their Treasure from Smaug?
Why Didn't the Hobbit's People Attempt to Reclaim Their Treasure from Smaug?
During the events in The Hobbit, the inhabitants of the Lonely Mountain were left in a difficult situation when a powerful dragon named Smaug moved in and claimed their treasure. This led to an interesting question: why didn't they try to reclaim their property from Smaug after he had stopped attacking them? This article delves into the reasons behind their decision and explores the historical and environmental factors that influenced their actions.
Survival and Fear: The Dragon's Threat
The primary reason for the community not attempting to recover their treasure was the sheer terror and fear instilled by Smaug. Dragons are not creatures of this world; Smaug, the great fire-breathing beast, was a manifestation of untold danger and destruction (see Dragon Threat). The Hobbit shows us that Smaug had already claimed the lives of many, with accounts suggesting that the dragon ate nearly all of them (see Dragon Detonation). This glaring reminder of Smaug's lethality meant that any attempt to reclaim the treasure would be nothing short of suicidal.
The scene is vividly described in the book, where the dragon is shown to be both omnipresent and terrifying. As Bilbo and the dwarves discover, the dragon sleeps on the top of the treasure hoard, a position that makes him virtually inaccessible. Smaug is known to be an expert at sensing any threat and could easily rouse to attack (see Dragon Sensing). The people of the Lonely Mountain had already lost confidence in their ability to defeat such a monstrous foe.
Strategic Considerations and Limited Resources
Beyond the immediate fear, there were strategic and logistical challenges that made reclamation impossible. The people of the Lonely Mountain did not have the resources, manpower, or weapons to challenge Smaug effectively. In the lore of Middle-earth, magical creatures like dragons are often immune to conventional methods of defense (see Dragon Immunity). The inhabitants of the Lonely Mountain could not rely on the same tactics they had previously used, making any attempt at recovery a gamble with insurmountable risks.
Additionally, the community had to deal with the aftermath of the dragon's attacks. Many were left wounded or homeless, and the infrastructure of the Lonely Mountain was in ruins (see Hobbit Homes). The priority was rebuilding and recovering from the devastation, not mounting a futile attempt to take back what they had lost. The situation was dire, and survival was the urgent goal.
The Role of External Forces
External forces also played a significant role in the community's decision not to reclaim their treasure. It was not just a matter of internal fear but also the influence of the king under the mountain, Thror's son Thrain. Thrain had been driven out of Erebor, and his stature gave him influence over the remaining inhabitants (see Thrain Leader). Thrain was in disfavor with Thorin Oakenshield, the primary leader of the dwarves, which complicated matters further (see Thrain Thorin).
Later, Thrain returned to Erebor under Bifur's leadership, as the dwarves had by then come into possession of the Arkenstone, a powerful gem that gave them the key to re-enter the Lonely Mountain (see Thrain Back). The return of Thrain and Thror's heir, Thorin, provided a new opportunity to reclaim the treasure. However, the damage had already been done: the people of the Lonely Mountain had succumbed to the fear and the immediate need for survival.
Conclusion
In The Hobbit, the inhabitants of Erebor did not attempt to reclaim their treasure from Smaug because of the overwhelming fear of his power, their lack of resources to fight back, and the strategic and logistical challenges. The decision was a consequence of their predicament and the harsh reality of their situation. The story of Smaug not only serves as a cautionary tale but also highlights the complex interplay of fear, strategy, and survival in perilous times.