Directly Humorous Lines:
* "Bilbo, my dear fellow, you must understand. I'm afraid of the dark, of course, but not of the dark in the sense of the dark of the night. I'm afraid of the dark of the unknown." (Bilbo, demonstrating his characteristic nervousness and fear of the unknown, which is often played for laughs).
* "It would have been nice to have some hot soup and a nice little chop," he thought; "but then I should probably have to share it with the troll." (Bilbo, demonstrating his tendency to be more concerned with his own comfort and safety than the potential harm he might cause).
* "What a very extraordinary thing! Why, there are only eleven of them." (Bilbo, counting the dwarves before realizing they're only *eleven* dwarves, which is comedically underwhelming).
Situational Humor:
* Bilbo's constant attempts to avoid danger by hiding, getting lost, and accidentally stumbling upon the very things he was trying to avoid. This is a recurring theme throughout the book and provides endless opportunities for comic relief.
* The dwarves' bickering and their inability to agree on anything. They constantly argue, making it clear they're not a very cohesive unit. This comedic aspect adds an extra layer to their journey.
* The absurdity of the riddles with Gollum. The riddles are often silly and nonsensical, creating a humorous situation with a creature that is supposed to be terrifying.
Characters as Sources of Humor:
* Bilbo himself: As a rather timid and reluctant hero, Bilbo's reactions to danger and his attempts to outsmart his enemies often create humor.
* The dwarves: Their individual personalities and quirks, especially their tendency to grumble and complain, provide comedic moments.
* Gollum: While a terrifying creature, his obsession with riddles, his strange voice, and his constant yearning for the "precious" ring make him an amusing character.
Tolkien's Wordplay:
* Tolkien is a master of language and uses wordplay effectively. For example, he often employs puns, as with "Bilbo Baggins... a very respectable hobbit, and not at all a burglar, thank you very much." This clever play on words underscores Bilbo's reluctance to engage in his new role.
Overall, the humor in *The Hobbit* is often subtle and understated, but it's present throughout the story. It adds another layer of depth and enjoyment to the adventure, reminding us that even in the most perilous situations, there's still room for a bit of laughter.