[ Daily Tolkien ] Butterbeer & Hobbits

Frodo Baggins and his servant Samwise Gamgee have been the focus of many articles, essays and even books. However, as awesome as those two Hobbits are; there are two other Hobbits in the tale of The Lord of the Rings who have often been overlooked by fans and critics alike. Peter Jackson, however, has realized and visualized these two important characters perfectly. The focus of this essay is the characters of Merry and Pippin and how these two young Hobbits emerge as heroes in their own right in JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

Peter Jackson's film adaptation of The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien, emphasizes smooth continuity of action and constantly rising tension, with little time or room for relaxation. He also chooses to cut or trim much of the early journey of Frodo and his fellow Hobbits. Three chapters are cut completely, "The Old Forest," "In the House of Tom Bombadil" and "Fog on the Barrow Downs". Major trims are made to another three chapters as well, "Three is Company," "A Short Cut to Mushrooms" and "A Conspiracy Unmasked". However, these cuts and trims do not bother me either as a Tolkien fan of many years nor as a film-goer. The resulting interpretation of action, from the point of Bilbo's birthday party, to the Council of Elrond, is suspenseful and emphasizes the journey of the One Ring, and those affected by the journey.

However, it does leave a problem with introducing Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck and Peregrin “Pippin” Took. The theatrical version introduction of Merry and Pippin is at Bilbo’s party -- where they steal a firework and set it off; and then later, when they are stealing Farmer Maggot’s crop and literally bump into Frodo and Sam. I don’t think it was really intentional that in both incidents the two young Hobbits are getting in trouble, and in particular stealing. That is, I don’t think it was meant to show Merry and Pippin in a bad light, or as particularly sinful characters, who cause nothing but trouble for the Heroes, Frodo and Sam. Instead, the first film emphasizes the light, fun, and amusing side of Merry and Pippin--these two younger Hobbits bring a lightness to a serious and at times dark story.

The extended cut DVD of Fellowship has a marvelous scene at the Green Dragon pub, where Merry and Pippin, along with Frodo are singing and dancing. This scene, which I feel should have been in the theatrical version, introduces Merry and Pippin more clearly. It also shows the two cousins interacting with Frodo and Sam-- showing the four as close friends, who frequently enjoy an evening's entertainment at their local pub-- singing, dancing, sharing news and gossip, and talking with friends. Merry and Pippin, especially, standing on a table and belting out an amusing song at the top of their lungs, are having a great time. They are visibly close friends, arms slung about one another's shoulders as they dance and sing.

Frodo, sings a bit of their song as well, as he passes by, carrying a few tankers of ale for himself and his friends at a nearby table. He sits there with Sam and a few other Hobbits. As Pippin finishes his song, we hear one of the local Hobbits say, "There's been some strange folk crossin' the Shire-- Dwarves and others of a less than savory nature. War is brewing. The mountains are fair teaming with Goblins." But then another Hobbit at the table quickly interrupts, such news is merely balderdash and "Far off tales and children's stories," not to be taken seriously. This Hobbit (quite possibly, Sam's father, known as the Gaffer), then points out, "It's none of our concern what goes on outside our borders-- keep your nose out of trouble and no trouble will come to you," and Frodo raises his glass in agreement. This shows the isolationist attitude of most Hobbits--leave others alone and they'll leave you alone, the goings-on of Men, whether in Bree, Gondor, or elsewhere is none of a Hobbit's business. The innocent attitude, like that of America and Americans during World War II, makes no accounting for the expansionist Empire-building of other countries. In The Lord of the Rings, it is Saruman and Sauron who want nothing more than the destruction of Middle-Earth by their iron fist of war, and under their jack-booted heel. The entire rest of the trilogy shows how important the goings on outside the Shire are to the happiness and well-being of Hobbits. This theme is visited again in The Two Towers.

However, in the book, Merry and Pippin are introduced in a somewhat more serious matter. Frodo sells Bag End to the Sackville-Baggins and buys a retirement cottage in Crickhollow, near Buckland (Merry’s homeland in the Shire). Sam, Pippin, Merry and another Hobbit, named Fatty Bolger, help Frodo move to his new house. However, Merry has figured out that Frodo has no intention of living at Crickhollow, and that he will soon be leaving the Shire. Merry enlists the help of Pippin, Sam, and Fatty to keep an eye on Frodo so that he doesn't slip off without a word during the summer. Once Frodo, Sam and Pippin join Merry and Fatty at Crickhollow--Frodo realizes he must break the news of his impending journey. To his amazement, it's no surprise to the other Hobbits. "You must go-- and therefore we must, too. Merry and I are coming with you. Sam is an excellent fellow, and would jump down a dragon's throat to save you, if he did not trip over his own feet; but you will need more than one companion in your dangerous adventure." (Pippin, in Fellowship, p. 117)

Pippin and Merry promise to go with Frodo so he won’t have to go it alone (Sam has already promised Gandalf he would accompany Frodo.) They are fully aware of what they are doing, and the danger they face by accompanying their friend. Merry, a friend of Bilbo as well as Frodo, even knows about the ring--having seen Bilbo use it to avoid the Sackville-Baggins. "Of course we understand," said Merry firmly. "That is why we have decided to come. We know the Ring is no laughing matter; but we are going to do our best to help you against the Enemy." (Fellowship, p. 117). When Frodo, told that Sam has been supplying information on his movements and plans to the others, balks, wondering who he can trust, Merry responds, "You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin--to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours-- closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo." (Fellowship, p. 118) So far from being "accidental tourists" as it appears in the film, in the novel Merry and Pippin know, or think they know, exactly what they are getting into. They are scared, like Frodo, is scared, but they are fiercely loyal to their older cousin.

Sam, for his part, is told by Gandalf he must accompany Frodo, as "punishment" for eavesdropping. While he, Pippin, and Frodo wander through the woods of the Shire, they run into a group of friendly Elves; one, named Gildor, tells Sam not to leave Frodo. The next morning, Frodo tells Sam, "It is going to be very dangerous Sam. It is already dangerous. Most likely neither of us will come back." And Sam responds, "It you don't come back, sir, then I shan't, that's certain," "Don't you leave him!" they said to me. Leave him! I said. I never mean to. I am going with him, if he climbs to the Moon, and if any of those Black Riders try to stop him, they'll have Sam Gamgee to reckon with, I said." (Fellowship, p. 97) Again and again, throughout both novel and film, we see Sam's loyalty to and selfless love for his friend, Frodo Baggins.

One of the first clear examples of how the other Hobbits attempt to protect Frodo in the film is the battle of Weathertop (Amon Sûl). When the Nazgûl approach, first Frodo and then the other Hobbits draw their swords and run from the edge of the hill to the campsite. Merry, Pippin and Sam all surround Frodo, protecting him and his burden. Sam yells at the Nazgûl, "Back you devils!" and raises his sword, but is roughly pushed aside. Merry and Pippin look at each other, then move together, covering the gap left by Sam, and attempting to prevent the Nazgûl from reaching Frodo. They, too, are roughly pushed aside, as the Nazgûl seek only Frodo, the Ringbearer. They use the Black Speech, urging Frodo to put on the Ring. Frodo, terrified out of his wits, drops his sword and eventually puts on the Ring. Aragorn comes to the rescue, wielding fiery brands to ward off the Black Riders. Frodo removes the Ring and reappears, and it is Sam who reaches him first. Once he has finished frightening off the Nazgûl, Aragorn returns to care for Frodo.

In the film and in the novel, at the council of Elrond, Sam sneaks in, hiding in the shadows to hear what’s going on. When Frodo vows that he will take the ring to Mordor, even though he doesn’t know the way, Sam leaps in and vows that he will accompany Frodo. "Here! Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!" says Sam, standing arms crossed next to Frodo, feet planted firmly, as if to preventing anyone from moving him away from his friend's side. The image in the novel is almost identical. "At last with an effort he spoke, and wondered to hear his own words, as if some other will was using his small voice. 'I will take the Ring,' he [Frodo] said, 'though I do not know the way.' (Fellowship, p. 303) Elrond agrees, and within seconds, Sam rushes forward, saying, "But you won't send him off alone surely, Master?" to which, Elrond, surprised at the quiet Sam's sudden appearance, responds--as he does in the film--"No, indeed!… You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." (Fellowship, p. 304) The council then adjourns.

Frodo and Sam wander off to find Merry and Pippin waiting for them. Told that Sam has already been allowed to join Frodo on his quest, Merry says, "But we are envying Sam, not you. If you have to go, then it will be a punishment for any of us to be left behind, even in Rivendell. We have come a long way with you and been through some stiff times. We want to go on." Pippin then chimes in with, "We Hobbits ought to stick together, and we will. I shall go, unless they chain me up. There must be someone with intelligence in the party." (Fellowship, p. 305). When the council reconvenes to formerly assign the quest and eight companions to Frodo; Merry and Pippin are there as well. Elrond then chooses the companions, but as he does, Pippin challenges the Elf-lord, "But that will leave no place for us!" (Fellowship, p. 310) Elrond states that Pippin doesn't understand the seriousness of the quest nor the danger. Gandalf speaks in praise of the stoutness of Hobbit-hearts. But Elrond still has his doubts. As Gandalf and Elrond discuss the matter, Elrond states again that Pippin is too young, and too inexperienced and he is to remain safe in Rivendell. Pippin answers him, "Then, Master Elrond, you will have to lock me in prison, or send me home tied in a sack… For otherwise I shall follow the Company." (Fellowship, p. 310) Elrond finally agrees to let him go.

The film compresses the action a bit, as the Fellowship is formed immediately, rather than later on, and Merry and Pippin join Frodo and Sam immediately, insisting to come along. Yet even in the film, Pippin's light comment, "Where are we going?" has many levels of meaning. First--it's funny, and breaks up the seriousness of the entire council scene. Second, even though Pippin should more or less know where they are going, he's indicating that his loyalty to Frodo is so great, he'd follow him anywhere, no matter what--so he doesn't even stop to ask what the quest is--what is more important is that he be allowed, along with Merry, to join Frodo and Sam. Besides which, even though all nine companions have some idea of the quest, none of them can foresee all events, or the dangers and trials they will face on the way.

When journeying from Rivendell, the Fellowship stops at the crest of a hill, in an area surrounded by large stone rocks that resemble figures. While Sam cooks a meal, and the others rest for a short while, Boromir takes the time to give Merry and Pippin a short sword fighting lesson. Pippin is doing well, but then Boromir accidentally catches his hand with his sword. As Boromir's apologizing, Pippin, having dropped his sword, kicks Boromir in the shins. Merry attacks as well; and before long the three tussle on the ground as Pippin shouts his battle cry of, "For the Shire!" Aragorn soon joins the fray, to break up the "fight". Merry and Pippin cut the future king's legs out from under him, causing him to fall on his bottom. But the scene is, of course, all in fun, as the two young Hobbits learn a few important skills.

The next major challenge in the film is the long dark of Moria. As the fellowship journeys through the dark, they come to the edge of the Mithril Mine. Pippin holds Merry back from the abyss, protectively. A few minutes later, Merry returns the favor, catching Pippin and helping him up when he slips on some stairs. But it is the Cave Troll attack where we see the entire fellowship come together, co-operating as a united whole to keep each other safe in the midst of battle. The Hobbits at first are pushed to the rear, the safest place to be found by the Men. Sam, Merry and Pippin, surround Frodo--similar to Weathertop, Merry and Pippin are in front of the Ringbearer and Sam is at his side. The Hobbits are shivering in fear, yet are still willing to fight to protect their friend.

First Boromir, then Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn lead the fight with the Orcs. Quickly, however, Pippin yells and charges in to fight alongside their companions. Both Pippin and Merry each stab and kill an Orc. Pippin, at 28, isn't even of the age of responsibility among his own people. As the fight with the cave troll intensifies, Merry grabs Frodo and leads him to a sheltered area. Pippin joins them; and both he and Merry, swords still drawn, protect and guard Frodo. Trying to move further away to greater safety; Merry, Pippin and Frodo find themselves suddenly in the way of the attacking cave troll. Merry and Pippin are roughly pushed to one side, and Frodo to the other. Having dropped their swords in the fall, the two Hobbits, throw rocks with deadly aim at the cave troll. Frodo then tries to wake the now unconscious Aragorn. He is attacked and stabbed with the pike. Everything stops, as each member of the fellowship notices what has happened. Merry and Pippin are shocked; but look at each other briefly sharing a look of "do-or-die," then raise their swords and attack the cave troll, leaping upon its head. Now the troll is huge-- how could a little Hobbit stand a chance? Yet these two don’t even consider that; they are just trying to stop the horrid thing that hurt their friend. They stab at the troll's head, but first Merry and then Pippin is shaken off and falls to the ground. Once Legolas' arrow has dispatched the troll; Aragorn reaches Frodo and discovers he is still alive, saved by Bilbo's Mithril mail shirt. Sam rushes to Frodo's side to see for himself.

The party continues through Moria, and Gandalf is lost at the Bridge. But from there the group exits Moria at Dimrill Dale. Here we have one of the most heart-breaking scenes of the film, as the fellowship mourns the loss of one of their own. Sam sits on the hard stone, his head in his hands as he cries, tears streaming, unchecked onto the ground. Pippin is besides himself in grief, lying on the ground, sobbing. Merry, attempting to hold back his own tears and grief, sits next to his younger cousin, stroking his shoulder as he attempts to comfort the inconsolable Pippin. Even Frodo, too exhausted and shocked for more, lets fall a single tear as he stands apart from the rest of the Company. Legolas, shocked that Gandalf is no longer with them wanders among the fellowship; and Gimli shows grief as well. Only Aragorn points out that they must continue on, they must move, before Orcs surround them.

At Amon Hen, it is Merry who notices that Frodo has gone. Frodo runs from Boromir, and is met by Aragorn. Aragorn pledges his allegiance to the Hobbit again, but then notices Sting is glowing blue. Aragorn urges Frodo to run and escape, then turns to cover Frodo's movements, and fight the Uruks. Frodo runs into the forest to hide. Nearby, Merry and Pippin are already hiding in some underbrush. Pippin sees Frodo and urges him to hide with them. Frodo shakes his head, no. Pippin looks at Merry in confusion, asking, "What's he doing?" To which Merry responds, having figured it out, "He's leaving." "No!" answers Pippin, running towards Frodo. Unfortunately, a troop of angry Uruk-hai are approaching down the hill. Seeing the Uruks, Merry and Pippin urge Frodo to go, and the two cousins provide a distraction to cover Frodo's escape. They sacrifice themselves so that Frodo can remain free, and complete his mission. The two run on, at first happy to know they've succeeded in distracting the Uruks--but soon it dawns just how much danger they are in. Soon surrounded by Uruk-hai, Boromir rushes in to rescue them. They throw rocks at the Uruks, then draw their swords. Merry and Pippin leap onto a Uruk and both stab it with their swords. Then Pippin stabs and kills another Uruk. Shocked when Boromir is shot by an arrow, the two Hobbits resort to throwing rocks again. The two continue to fight, angered and shocked as arrow after arrow pierces Boromir. They soon charge, swords drawn. But despite their bravery they are picked-up and captured.

In The Two Towers, Merry and Pippin have been captured by the Uruk-hai and are being taken to Saruman. Merry is wounded. Now the film skipped a bit here, and in the novel it is an even more gloomy circumstance for the young Hobbits. First, they are prisoners of war, and the Uruk-hai don’t feed them. Hobbits are used to six meals a day; yet for three days, they are not fed any food, just Orc draughts (nasty, disgusting liquid). Fortunately, both Hobbits have some Lembas bread in their pockets, and subsist on this for awhile. Second, Pippin is able to free his hands himself. Merry, however, is wounded, and not yet able to get away. Pippin, at one point during the march, slips away, tries to lay some obvious tracks in the grass, and then drops his Lothlórien leaf clasp (in the movie he spits it onto the road, which is a nice reference to the book -- the clasp is still lost, waiting for Aragorn to find it). Next in the novel, Pippin then returns to the Orc camp. He does this because he knows that Merry will never survive without him. He could have rationalized that by remaining free and finding help he could save Merry and be alive and free himself. But he doesn’t. He goes back, lets himself be captured, so he can give Merry what comfort he can. This is an incredible act of courage.

But it is still not quite over for Pippin and Merry. Merry starts to recover from his wound and recover his strength. Pippin and Merry talk, and eat broken Lembas bread, which gives them both more strength and spirit. Now at some point in all this, the two groups of Orcs, the Mordor Orcs of Sauron and the White-hand Uruk-Hai of Saruman start to argue and fight. Merry and Pippin try to slip away, and are caught by a Mordor Orc named Grishnákh. Grishnákh attacks them, and Pippin distracts the Orc, trying to make him believe he has the Ring (or the “something” -- Grishnákh knows a Halfling carries an “Elvish weapon” but doesn’t seem to know exactly what it is). Grishnákh attacks Pippin, pawing at him to take the Ring. Pippin had brought the attention of the Orc on himself, so that the Orc would do no further harm to Merry. Then the Rohirrim attack, and things are somewhat confusing. Merry and Pippin are able to escape, end-up in Fangorn, and are picked-up by the Ents. In the book, Grishnákh’s attack on Pippin is a little more frightening and violent than in the film (we do see an Orc chase Merry and Pippin -- I’m guessing this is Grishnákh). When Pippin is telling Aragorn. Legolas, and Gimli what has happened to him and Merry later on, all he says about Grishnákh’s attack is: “ 'But you did not know about Grishnákh,' he shuddered and said no more, leaving Merry to tell of those last horrible moments: the pawing hands, the hot breath, and the dreadful strength of Grishnákh’s hairy arms.” (The Two Towers, p. 185).

Pippin is attacked in a very violent way, because he is trying to protect his best friend and cousin. In the film version of TTT, we do get a wonderful treat when Merry has his speech about the Shire. "The fires of Isengard will spread. The woods of Buckland and Tookburough will burn. Saruman will destroy all that is green and good in the world. There won't be a Shire anymore, Pippin." This crystallizes these two characters for us: who they are and what they fight for. Pippin, as the two Hobbits are being carried to the borders of Fangorn, has an epiphany: and tells Treebeard to turn south. Although he covers this decision with light words (“The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm”) Merry is having none of it -- he knows that to the south there lies only Isengard and danger. (“Pippin, Are you mad?”) But Pippin is right, when Treebeard sees the destruction of the forest he explodes. And he calls the Ents to destroy Isengard!

Later in Return of the King (and I won’t go into detail to avoid spoilers) both Pippin and Merry have moments of incredible courage and incredible bravery. They have both grown-up considerably (you see this growing-up process beginning in The Two Towers). Both have lost their innocence, yet neither ever loses their brightness of spirit. Both have the ability to bring smiles to those around them, even in the darkest of hours. And both know what is right, what has to be done, when to follow orders and when to disobey orders that are wrong and immoral. These two are very strong and heroic characters, not to be counted out simply because they are young and frequently full of young, somewhat rebellious spirits.

All quotes from The Lord of the Rings © JRR Tolkien estate; quotes are taken from the new movie cover edition, published by Del Rey books/ Ballantine Books in paperback.

Ballantine Books is a division of Random House, Inc. NYC, NY.

All film quotes from The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, © Peter Jackson, Philippa Boyens, and Fran Walsh, 2001-2003. © New Line Cinema 2001, 2002

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The Daily Tolkien articles by various authors	The Tolkien Virgin articles by Mark-Edmond
ARTICLES 01-10	ARTICLES 01-10
ARTICLES 11-20	ARTICLES 11-20
ARTICLES 21-30	ARTICLES 21-30
ARTICLES 31-40	31) The Hobbit - Chapter 8
ARTICLES 41-50	32) The Hobbit - Chapters 9 and 10
ARTICLES 51-60	32) The Hobbit - Chapters 11 and 12
ARTICLES 61-70	33) The Hobbit - Chapters 13 and 14
ARTICLES 71-80	34) The Hobbit - Chapters 15, 16 and 17
81) J.R.R.Tolkien, Catholicism and the Use of Allegory	35) The Hobbit - Chapters 18 and 19
82) Where Have All the Dragons Gone?	36) FOTR - Book 1 - Prologue & Chapter 1
83) Magic by Melkor, No Returns Accepted	37) FOTR - Book 1 - Chapter 2
84) Butterbeer & Hobbits	38) FOTR - Book 1 - Chapter 3
	39) FOTR - Book 1 - Chapter 4
	40) FOTR - Book 1 - Chapter 5