Hobbit age? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Might · 03-08-2007, 02:57 PM

Ok, so my question is pretty simple.
Did the Hobbits tend to live longer or less then in the past during the War of the Ring?
I mean, as far as Elves are concerned, age is not very important.
For Men, especially those of Numenorean descent or from the line of Dol Amroth, the life expentancy is clearly higher then in the case of other men, but still decreasing.
The Dwarves seem to have a pretty constant life expentancy as well, with some examples such as Dain II who lived more then usual.
But what of Hobbits?
Bilbo clearly is out of question, since only the Ring led to his great age. But the Old Took is a good example of a Hobbit reaching a venerable age.
I would find it logical that their lifespan should increase, considering their good living conditions, but I don't really know.
I'm eager to see your answers.

Elmo · 03-08-2007, 03:05 PM

I'm not sure about your question but I suppose obesity caused by the easy livin' in the Shire might have caused some decrease in life expectancy

But Hobbits due have a longer lifespan than normal humans yet aren't they meant to be basically the same. Do you think this is because Hobbits avoided the curse of Eru that he put on mankind at the beginning of their existence(gee all this stuff I've learnt just from reading a little bit of Morgoth's Ring

)

Rhod the Red · 03-08-2007, 04:42 PM

Living in the swamps east of the Misty Mountains wouldn't give much of a life span, but in the green, healthy agriculture based Shire I bet their life span increased a few dozen years.

Raynor · 03-08-2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hewhoarisesinmight

But Hobbits due have a longer lifespan than normal humans yet aren't they meant to be basically the same. Do you think this is because Hobbits avoided the curse of Eru that he put on mankind at the beginning of their existence(gee all this stuff I've learnt just from reading a little bit of Morgoth's Ring

)

The letters, and not only, state that hobbits are a branch of Men. Is it anywhere stated that they avoided the curse of Eru you are reffering to?

The Might · 03-09-2007, 08:25 AM

Well, I'm not sure...
Taking a short look at Appendix D of LotR, it seems to me that the lifespan of the Hobbits of the Shire remained constant over the previous 300 years.
Clearly, their normal lifestyle very similar with that of other Hobbits led to a normal lifespan of 90-100 years. Few Hobbits are exceptions, Bilbo on one side due to the Ring, Lotho on the other because he died of an unnatural death.
So I think it seems pretty obvious that their lifespan didn't increase in the Shire. But as Rhod already mentioned, settling in a fertile area probably did help them live longer.

Elmo · 03-09-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

The letters, and not only, state that hobbits are a branch of Men. Is it anywhere stated that they avoided the curse of Eru you are reffering to?

No but I am guessing it wouldn't be in the hobbits character to worship Melkor.

Raynor · 03-09-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hewhoarisesinmight

No but I am guessing it wouldn't be in the hobbits character to worship Melkor.

IIRC from the letters, all Men are fallen. I don't think the branch of hobbits existed separately from the very beginning.

03-08-2007, 02:57 PM	#1
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	Hobbit age? Ok, so my question is pretty simple. Did the Hobbits tend to live longer or less then in the past during the War of the Ring? I mean, as far as Elves are concerned, age is not very important. For Men, especially those of Numenorean descent or from the line of Dol Amroth, the life expentancy is clearly higher then in the case of other men, but still decreasing. The Dwarves seem to have a pretty constant life expentancy as well, with some examples such as Dain II who lived more then usual. But what of Hobbits? Bilbo clearly is out of question, since only the Ring led to his great age. But the Old Took is a good example of a Hobbit reaching a venerable age. I would find it logical that their lifespan should increase, considering their good living conditions, but I don't really know. I'm eager to see your answers. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

03-08-2007, 03:05 PM	#2
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 633	I'm not sure about your question but I suppose obesity caused by the easy livin' in the Shire might have caused some decrease in life expectancy But Hobbits due have a longer lifespan than normal humans yet aren't they meant to be basically the same. Do you think this is because Hobbits avoided the curse of Eru that he put on mankind at the beginning of their existence(gee all this stuff I've learnt just from reading a little bit of Morgoth's Ring ) __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

03-08-2007, 04:42 PM	#3
Rhod the Red Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 257	Living in the swamps east of the Misty Mountains wouldn't give much of a life span, but in the green, healthy agriculture based Shire I bet their life span increased a few dozen years. __________________ Head of the Fifth Order of the Istari Tenure: Fourth Age(Year 1) - Present Currently operating in Melbourne, Australia

03-09-2007, 08:25 AM	#5
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	Well, I'm not sure... Taking a short look at Appendix D of LotR, it seems to me that the lifespan of the Hobbits of the Shire remained constant over the previous 300 years. Clearly, their normal lifestyle very similar with that of other Hobbits led to a normal lifespan of 90-100 years. Few Hobbits are exceptions, Bilbo on one side due to the Ring, Lotho on the other because he died of an unnatural death. So I think it seems pretty obvious that their lifespan didn't increase in the Shire. But as Rhod already mentioned, settling in a fertile area probably did help them live longer. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown