Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as".
* "He was not as big as a troll, but quite as strong, and much more cunning." (Chapter 1: An Unexpected Party) - Comparing the goblin to a troll in terms of strength, but highlighting his cunning.
* "Their laughter was like the noise of rushing water." (Chapter 2: The Shadow of the Mountain) - Comparing the goblins' laughter to the sound of water, emphasizing its loud and chaotic nature.
Metaphor: An implied comparison, stating one thing *is* another.
* "The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas." (Chapter 5: Riddles in the Dark) - The moon is compared to a ship, emphasizing its isolated, ethereal nature.
* "He felt the mountain was alive and watching him." (Chapter 6: Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire) - The mountain is personified, conveying the immense power and potential danger it poses.
Personification: Giving human-like qualities to non-human things.
* "The trees swayed and rustled like whispering giants." (Chapter 3: A Short Rest) - Trees are given the characteristic of whispering, creating an eerie atmosphere.
* "The fire roared and crackled." (Chapter 4: Over Hill and Under Hill) - The fire is given human-like actions of roaring and crackling, highlighting its intensity and power.
Hyperbole: An exaggeration for emphasis.
* "He was as big as a house, and twice as ugly." (Chapter 2: The Shadow of the Mountain) - Exaggerating the goblin's size and ugliness to emphasize his frightening appearance.
* "He was so full of fear that his legs felt like jelly." (Chapter 4: Over Hill and Under Hill) - Exaggerating the fear to illustrate how terrified the character is.
Alliteration: Repetition of the same consonant sounds.
* "The dwarves delved and dug." (Chapter 1: An Unexpected Party) - Emphasizes the repetitive, tireless work of the dwarves.
* "The wind whistled and whirled." (Chapter 5: Riddles in the Dark) - Creates a sense of movement and the harshness of the wind.
Onomatopoeia: Words that sound like the sounds they represent.
* "The dragon roared." (Chapter 12: The Master of Lake-town) - The word "roared" imitates the sound of the dragon's voice, making it more vivid.
* "The goblins shrieked." (Chapter 2: The Shadow of the Mountain) - The word "shrieked" imitates the goblins' sharp, high-pitched voices.
Symbolism: The use of objects, people, or events to represent something else.
* The Lonely Mountain: Represents the ultimate goal of the dwarves, their lost treasure and their desire to reclaim their home.
* The Ring: Represents power and greed, ultimately corrupting those who possess it.
These are just a few examples of figures of speech found in The Hobbit. Tolkien masterfully employs these literary devices to create vivid imagery, enhance the storytelling, and deepen the reader's understanding of the characters and their world.