Bilbo Baggins Monologue Essay

NARRATOR: In the middle of the Shire, in a hobbit-hole lived Bilbo Baggins. He was very fond of visitors and never did anything unexpected, a proper hobbit, as you might say. Like most hobbits he didn’t like adventures, and didn’t suspect that he was about to go on an extraordinary one himself.
Bilbo is sitting on a bench near his front door, drinking his favourite tea. He is not suspecting anything that is about to happen and is having an ordinary day. A tall old man comes up to Bilbo, he is wearing a pointed blue hat and a long grey robe.
BILBO: (happily) Good morning!
GANDALF: (confused and cheeky) What do you mean? ... Do you feel good on this particular morning; or say that this is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that this is a morning to be good; or do you simply wish me a good morning?
BILBO: (confused) All at once … I suppose.
(cheerfully) And a very fine morning for a cup of tea outdoors. You can join me if you wish. There is no hurry, we have the whole day in front of us! I’ll go make you a cup of my favourite herbal tea.
GANDALF: No, thank you! I have no time for tea this morning. (serious) I’m looking for someone to share an adventure with. It’s very hard to find someone around here!
BILBO: I would think so … in these parts! (chuckle) We are a quiet folk and want nothing to do with adventures of any kind. (discussed) Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things! They make you late for dinner! I can’t think what anyone sees in them, nor can I see anyone who will be interested.
Gandalf leans on his stick and staring at the hobbit without saying anything. This makes Bilbo
uncomfortable.
BILBO: (angrily) Good morning! … We don’t want any adventures here, (points at his house) thank you! You might want to look across the river or over the hill.
Bilbo stands up angrily and starts to walk back to his house
GANDALF: (amused) There is a lot of things you use good morning for! Now you want to get rid of me, and that it won’t be a good morning until I go.
Bilbo turns back and walks towards Gandalf
BILBO: (nervous and confused) Not at all, sir! … I don’t think I even know your name.
GANDALF: Yes, Mr Bilbo Baggins, we have met before! And you do know my name, though you don’t remember that I belong to it. (proudly) I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me!
BILBO: (surprised) Gandalf! Gandalf! Goodness gracious! … Not the wonderful wizard who used to make such excellent fireworks! I beg your pardon, but I didn’t know you were still around!
GANDALF: Where else would I be? … I’m pleased that you remember my fireworks, but I hoped that the grandson of Old Took will remember more. But I will give you what you have asked for.
BILBO: (confused) I beg your pardon, but I have not asked you for anything, Gandalf.
GANDALF: Yes you have, twice now! My pardon. I give it to you. In fact I will take you with me on this adventure. Very useful for you and highly amusing for me, and very likely profitable.
BILBO: (annoyed and angry) Sorry! I don’t want any adventures today, or in fact any day. Good morning, Gandalf! But please join me for tea sometime. Why not Wednesday? ... Yes come Wednesday. Good bye!
Bilbo turns away and hurries towards his door. He runs inside and quickly smashes the door behind him.
BILBO: (quietly, to himself) Why on Earth did I invite him to tea!?
Gandalf scratches a queer mark on Bilbo’s green door.
Gandalf exits