Why the Nazg?l Do Not Appear in ‘The Hobbit’

The fascinating absence of the Nazg?l, or Ring-wraiths, in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit is a topic that often draws the curiosity of readers. This article explores the reasons behind their non-appearance and provides insights into the narrative choices made by both Tolkien and Peter Jackson in their respective works.

Understanding the Timeline

To comprehend why the Nazg?l do not appear in The Hobbit, it is crucial to consider the timeline of the events within the Legend of Middle-earth. The Hobbit trilogy is set several decades before the events of The Lord of the Rings.

Narrative Focus and the Absence of Nazg?l

The Hobbit focuses on the gradual awakening of a world long in the shadow of Sauron. The primary focus of the story is the recovery and safe return of the lost One Ring. This narrative structure necessitated the absence of the Nazg?l, as their presence would have altered the story's tone and pace.

The Influence of Sauron

During the period covered in The Hobbit, Sauron was at the beginning stage of his resurgence. He had taken the guise of The Necromancer and was rebuilding his power base. The revelation of the Nazg?l would have been a massive setback to his plan, thus Sauron kept them hidden and under control.

Building Up Mordor

Despite pretending to flee from the White Council, Sauron was secretly constructing Barad-d?r and nurturing his army of orcs. This building phase was crucial for Sauron’s eventual rise to power. If the Nazg?l had been seen, it would have compromised his plans and provided too much momentum to the story for a book that was intended to be light and adventure-driven.

Sauron’s Weakness and Hiding

From the in-universe perspective, Sauron was still a relatively weak and hiding entity. The One Ring had not yet been found by Bilbo Baggins. The Nazg?l, having recovered from the blow dealt to them at the end of the War of the Last Alliance, were still maintaining a low profile and waiting for their moment to rise.

Why They Were Shoved into the Movies

One might wonder why the Nazg?l do not appear in The Hobbit when they do in the movies directed by Peter Jackson. The answer lies in the creative separation of the two works. In the books, Tolkien focused on the recovery of the One Ring and the creatures that sought it, but left out the existence and activities of the Nazg?l to maintain the suspense and build up the final confrontation. In the movies, Jackson chose to illustrate these events to enrich the story and provide background for the viewer.

Conclusion: Absence of the Nazg?l in ‘The Hobbit’

In summary, the absence of the Nazg?l in The Hobbit was a deliberate narrative choice. It allowed for a different focus on the growing power of Sauron and the potential for the One Ring. For fans of the series, this setup paves the way for a thrilling and meaningful journey in The Lord of the Rings, where the full might of the Nazg?l is eventually unleashed against the Fellowship of the Ring.