03-08-2004, 09:32 PM | #1 |
"The Bomb"
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Reasons to like Smaug...
...other than his being a dragon?
When reading The Hobbit, I didn't really see anything special about Smaug. In fact, I never though he could qualify as a character, and so I was quite surprised by the amount of attention he gets from mooters. He's a lot of people's favorite characters even, and I wonder is it just for the fact that he's a dragon, and therefore automatically and inarguably badass? Or is there some other quality to him that makes him a dynamic character of some important theme? What's so appealing about Smaug?
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03-08-2004, 10:27 PM | #2 |
Domesticated Swing Babe
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He's vain?
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03-09-2004, 01:20 PM | #3 |
The Intermittent One
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he's clever ...
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03-09-2004, 01:31 PM | #4 |
High King at Annuminas Administrator
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You know, I never really read many other stories I can recall that give a dragon such personality. I mean, when I think of 'dragon stories' - I think of a knight charging in to fight one with lance and sword against the dragon's fiery breathe. No dialog - just a fight. The dragon could have the limited mentality of any dumb animal, for all you'd know. And, thinking of them as 'lizards', I thought they would all be green.
But here in 'The Hobbit' - we have a dragon who thinks, talks, schemes and is RED! Plus, we have all this informed narration, expounding about the "do's and don'ts" of interacting with a dragon... as though we might need to make use of the information ourselves someday. Even though it's meant to be a bit scary, and the dragon a fearsome thing - the whole story itself comes off as so... charming! I can't say I ever felt much of a 'liking' for Smaug myself... I didn't mourn his passing! But it makes for a great story. Do other tales treat dragons in similar ways? Older stories anyhow... I imagine many writers after Tolkien may have borrowed from his treatment.
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03-09-2004, 11:31 PM | #5 | |
"The Bomb"
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Hmm... maybe I should have named this thread "Help me procrastinate and postpone a desperately needed Hobbit re-read."
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03-13-2004, 09:49 PM | #6 | |
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03-13-2004, 11:23 PM | #7 | ||
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Dealing with Dragons (the first book in a four book series by Patricia C. Wrede) has great dragons as character who are well-developped and interesting.
But anyway, the reason Smaug is so appealing to me is because (1) he is incredibly witty and intellingent (2) he percipitates events that lead Bilbo's finding the Ring I think he's more of an entertaining and interesting catalyst.
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03-14-2004, 10:13 AM | #8 |
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Imagine him much like the dragon in the film 'Dragonheart' ( I think its called that ). Thats how i see him anyway.
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03-26-2004, 01:18 AM | #9 |
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smaug is great because he's not only a formidable body, but also a formidable mind as well.
He remains on my list of my top five favorite Tolkien characters.
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05-15-2004, 04:52 PM | #10 |
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Smaug is appealing because he is highly intelligent and, what is more important, extinct. Kind like velociraptor.
You would like to appreciate his intelligence from the safe distance. Last edited by Olmer : 05-16-2004 at 12:08 AM. |
05-21-2004, 02:35 PM | #11 |
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He is rich, self assured, smart, in the prime of his life, a snappy dresser, that is if you like jewels.
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05-21-2004, 02:52 PM | #12 | |
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05-21-2004, 06:03 PM | #13 |
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lol Val!
Reason to like Smaug? He's a dragon, isn't that good enough.
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05-22-2004, 05:23 AM | #14 |
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He is not only rich and cute, but he's also very well speeched. And that's all a girl want....
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05-22-2004, 10:40 AM | #15 |
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I thought Smaug was pretty bad-ass until I saw the animated Hobbit, where he looks like a cat with wings and has the voice of an 80 year-old man who smokes four packs a day. It was pretty anti-climactic.
Despite that, however, Smaug is still in my top ten ME characters, for all of the reasons already stated (although on my 'favorite dragons' list Glaurung comes out on top).
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05-27-2004, 11:15 AM | #16 |
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Well, with some characters the situation is that even when they are bad and you know that in real life situation you would hate them, you still love them. How to I say it, Smaug has style. Judging by his conversation, he was smart and clever and witty. He even died stylishly.
I would like to talk to him... by phone. Or from another side of extra-strong fire and drangon proof glass. Yes, that would be nice.
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06-13-2004, 02:10 PM | #17 |
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He is confident...chicks dig confidence
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06-14-2004, 04:38 PM | #18 |
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He's just really funny - like a giant spoiled kid! I love how he actually falls for Bilbo's suggestion to see his underside for any weaknesses.
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07-05-2004, 07:29 AM | #19 |
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Smaug has a sense of humour in a vain, egocentric kind of way. We all like someone with a sense of humour.
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07-05-2004, 08:03 AM | #20 | |
The Intermittent One
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(Book 2 of the enchanted forest chronicles) Kazul is one dragon who has a well developed character |
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