The Significance of Smaugs Flying in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
The Significance of Smaug's Flying in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
The Valar have always revered the power of flight in their mythology, a feat often attributed to creatures like dragons. Why then, in the literary adaptation of Middle-earth, would J.R.R. Tolkien decide to make Smaug pedestrian? This question invites us to delve into the textual details to understand why such a significant creature lacks this ability in The Lord of the Rings.
Does Smaug Fly in The Lord of the Rings?
Interestingly, Smaug does not appear in The Lord of the Rings, a trilogy that focuses on the events leading up to and including the War of the Ring. Instead, we encounter him in The Hobbit, where he is a pivotal character. Smaug's flying ability is not, however, a major plot point in The Lord of the Rings. In fact, Smaug is mainly mentioned as a destructive force, not a soaring one. A fireworks display resembling Smaug serves as the final scene in The Return of the King, highlighting his memory but not his prowess in the air. This raises questions about the role of his flying in Tolkien's work.
Was Smaug's Flying Intentional?
The debate lies between whether Tolkien intentionally omitted Smaug's flying ability in The Lord of the Rings to keep the story grounded or if it was merely left out due to the narrative shift from The Hobbit. Tolkien was known for revising his works and enhancing the details found in The Lord of the Rings. In The Hobbit, Smaug's flying ability is crucial because it allows him to attack the Dwarves and the town of Lake-town from the air. Tolkien’s choice to exclude such an important aspect in the later work requires exploration.
Viewpoints: A Grounded Tale vs. Entertainingoters
Viewpoint 1: Grounded Tale - Some argue that Smaug's absence from the air in The Lord of the Rings serves to emphasize the grounded nature of the story. The Lord of the Rings focuses more on the physical struggle and battle against the forces of darkness, where the action is on the ground. Smaug’s presence in the air might overshadow the human and creature protagonism that Tolkien aimed to highlight. By keeping Smaug grounded, the narrative can focus more on the characters’ internal and external journeys, their ethics, and the moral complexities of the conflict.
Viewpoint 2: Entertainingoters - Others believe that the flying scenes would have added more entertainment value and spectacle to The Lord of the Rings. Flying scenes can be thrilling and awe-inspiring, enhancing the magical quality of the story. By including flying, Tolkien could have further strengthened Smaug’s formidable image and deepened the epic feel of the trilogy. The absence of Smaug's flying might be viewed as a missed opportunity for enriching the narrative.
Conclusion
The answer to Smaug's flying and its significance seems to lie in the careful choices Tolkien made for each of his works. The flying scenes in The Hobbit highlight Smaug as an iconic and terrifying force, emphasizing his prime antagonist role. In The Lord of the Rings, the absence of flight is an intentional decision that aligns with the narrative’s broader themes. The debate, however, remains open, inviting readers and scholars to ponder the deeper meanings behind these stylistic choices.