From that the talk turned to the great hoard itself and to…
““From that the talk turned to the great hoard itself and to the things that Thorin and Balin remembered. They wondered if they were still lying there unharmed in the hall below: the spears that were made for the armies of the great King Bladorthin (long since dead), each had a thrice-forged head and their shafts were inlaid with cunning gold, but they were never delivered or paid for; shields made for warriors long dead; the great golden cup of Thror, two-handed, hammered and carven with birds and flowers whose eyes and petals were of jewels; coats of mail gilded and silvered and impenetrable; the necklace of Girion, Lord of Dale, made of five hundred emeralds green as grass, which he gave for the arming of his eldest son in a coat of dwarf-linked rings the like of which had never been made before, for it was wrought of pure silver to the power and strength of triple steel. But fairest of all was the great white gem, which the dwarves had found beneath the roots of the Mountain, the Heart of the Mountain, the Arkenstone of Thrain.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage describes the legendary treasure of the Lonely Mountain, emphasizing its immense wealth and magical qualities, especially the Arkenstone as the most prized gem.
In simple terms: The dwarves' treasure is vast and magical, with the Arkenstone as its centerpiece.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of symbols and what they represent.
Themes
greed
heritage
power
loss
valor
Mood
awe
anticipation
danger
Type
mythic
descriptive
narrative
When to use this quote
- quest for treasure
- political negotiations
- cultural identity
- warfare
- artifact preservation
Key Concepts
mythic wealth
symbolic objects
legacy
craftsmanship
magic
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the Arkenstone symbolize for each character?
- How does wealth influence moral choices?
A Different Perspective
The allure of treasure can corrupt and cause conflict.