150. Tolkien’s Battle Tactics – The Hobbit #35
Exploring Tolkien11 Marras 2025

150. Tolkien’s Battle Tactics – The Hobbit #35

Did Tolkien “earn” The Battle of the Five Armies, or is the surprise enough to justify its existence? In this episode, we look at Tolkien’s climactic battle from The Hobbit, comparing how it unfolds on the page to its chaotic portrayal in the extended film edition. How do armies materialize so suddenly, and does Tolkien set the stage well enough for the goblin onslaught?

Check out the Battle of the Five Armies Map!

We also explore:

  • Tolkien’s battle tactics vs Peter Jackson’s video game tactics.
  • Why did Bilbo chooses the Elven King’s side?
  • Trying to make sense of Peter Jackson’s battle map vs Tolkien’s map.
  • Tolkien’s knowledge of medieval warfare.
  • Is Thorin’s charge from the gate truly enough to change the tide of battle?

In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about:

  • Whether the goblin army’s sudden arrival is really “earned” in the story, or if Tolkien’s plotting gives us room to quibble.
  • How small additions could have made the battle less sudden—should there have been hints via raven messenger?
  • Where would a talking Raven fit into The Lord of the Rings.

🔗 Episode Links
The History of The Hobbit
The Annotated Hobbit
Join our Discord Community (for free)
Get the Extended Podcast
Become a Patreon Member

🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast
Get the Extended Podcast
Become a Patreon Member
Subscribe on Apple
Subscribe on Spotify

🔍 If You Like Tolkien
The History of The Hobbit
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook)
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book)
The Silmarillion

The Children of Hurin
The Atlas of Middle-earth
Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

Jaksot(162)

33. Sauron’s Great Entrance – The Ruin of Beleriand – The Silmarillion – 22

33. Sauron’s Great Entrance – The Ruin of Beleriand – The Silmarillion – 22

Sauron makes his big entrance into Middle-earth in this chapter, and does some serious damage to the elves and men. But Morgoth still seems to underestimate his foes. Join Michael, Dan, and I as we re...

17 Tammi 20230s

32. There is a Tempest in Him – The Fall of Fingolfin – The Silmarillion – 21

32. There is a Tempest in Him – The Fall of Fingolfin – The Silmarillion – 21

We delve into the first half of Chapter 18, “Of the Ruin of Beleriand and Fall of Fingolfin”, taking a long look at this valiant elf’s hopeless assault on Morgoth–an elf who ACTUALLY HAS A TEMPEST IN ...

10 Tammi 20230s

31. Middle-earth’s Actual Strong Woman – Of the Coming of Men, Part 2 – The Silmarillion – 20

31. Middle-earth’s Actual Strong Woman – Of the Coming of Men, Part 2 – The Silmarillion – 20

Who is the REAL “strong” woman in Tolkien’s Middle-earth? Why do men fear elves? Death really weirds-out the elves… and why we measure our lives in milestones, and elves do not! Join Jonathan, Michael...

3 Tammi 20230s

30. Noel, a Christmas Poem, by J.R.R. Tolkien

30. Noel, a Christmas Poem, by J.R.R. Tolkien

This poem, titled “Noel”, was written by J.R.R. Tolkien before The Hobbit was published, and only just discovered in 2013 in a 1936 copy of The Annual of Our Lady’s School (a school magazine). The bea...

27 Joulu 20220s

29. When Elves met Men – Of the Coming of Men, Part 1 – The Silmarillion – 19

29. When Elves met Men – Of the Coming of Men, Part 1 – The Silmarillion – 19

Do elves regard men as enemies? Foes? Invaders? How did the elves treat men the first time they met them? Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they look at how the Noldor (surprisingly) treated men VERY...

20 Joulu 20220s

28. Tolkien’s Disney Princess!? – Of Maeglin – The Silmarillion – 18

28. Tolkien’s Disney Princess!? – Of Maeglin – The Silmarillion – 18

Dan’s Big Thought is a little TOO controversial… a Disney princess!? And of course we meet the Dark Elf, Eöl — even though, as we find out, his name is not the first time Tolkien uses the capital “D” ...

13 Joulu 20220s

27. He’s an Angry Elf | Of the Noldor – The Silmarillion – 17

27. He’s an Angry Elf | Of the Noldor – The Silmarillion – 17

As Turgon builds the city of Gondolin in secret, the bitter seeds of distrust between the Noldor and the Sindar find fertile ground, for Melian warns Thingol, “Their swords and their counsels shall ha...

6 Joulu 20220s

26. This Map is HELL – Of Beleriand – The Silmarillion – 16

26. This Map is HELL – Of Beleriand – The Silmarillion – 16

Location and placement were incredibly important to Tolkien–so important that an entire chapter of The Silmarillion is dedicated to who is where! While it can definitely feel like a geography lesson, ...

29 Marras 20220s

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

uutiscast
aikalisa
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-podme-livebox
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-asiastudio
otetaan-yhdet
the-ulkopolitist
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
aihe
rikosmyytit
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-raha-talous-ja-politiikka
rss-aijat-hopottaa-podcast
rss-polikulaari-pitka-kiekko-ja-muut-ts-podcastit