Bilbo, between the end of The Hobbit, and the Fellowship of the Ring

[James]

I'm really interested in what he did all those years, but my main curiosity is this: did Bilbo ever have a love interest?

[Geoffrey]

What, hobbits are asexual creatures! They regenerate through parthogenesis. Just kidding. So now you`re interested in Bilbo`s love life. I am sure he had a cute little bunny hobbit on the side, but then again didn`t he live much longer than most hobbits. He would have outlasted her unless he robbed the cradle.

[James]

Thank you, Anne and Geoffrey. That gives me something to think about

[[deleted user]]

i don@t see him as thinking a lot about love as he had dwarves, wizards, elves and men visiting him let alone he clearly was in love with the Ring instead.

[K.S.]

I'm sure if he had, Peter Jackson would have found a way to put it in his film–along with the kitchen sink!

[Lisa]

I think Bilbo was one of those comfortable bachelors that liked life easy and uncomplicated and so never took on a wife. Then in middle-age, he suddenly felt the pull of this adventure.

There are very few female characters in Tolkien's books. He didn't seem to take a lot of interest in women or maybe he just didn't feel comfortable writing women characters.

[CS]

Lisa wrote: "There are very few female characters in Tolkien's books. He didn't seem to take a lot of interest in women or maybe he just didn't feel comfortable writing women characters."

The men to women ratio in Tolkien's books is definitely tremendous, but don't forget Eowyn. She was a strong female character who was told directly by Aragorn (arguably the most hero-esque character in LOTR) that her place remained in the castle taking care of the children instead of riding to war. Despite this, she disguises herself as a male character and slays the witchking (who cannot be killed by any man!). I loveee Eowyn.

[Moarbooxpls]

I get the impression that Tolkien was very much taken with his wife. He was a scholar and probably around a lot of old bachelors socially. Bilbo was a confirmed bachelor. He was rich, but considered a little odd and not quite respectable after his adventure.

[Peter]

In all those years he probably contemplated the ring, looked after his relations, subtly groomed Frodo. Note that none of the bearers of the ring, except Isildur, which it killed, had offspring. Sauron, Smeagol, Bilbo, Frodo were all bachelors.

[CS]

Peter wrote: "In all those years he probably contemplated the ring, looked after his relations, subtly groomed Frodo. Note that none of the bearers of the ring, except Isildur, which it killed, had offspring. Sa..."

You're forgetting Sam (although he wasn't as burdened by it as the others)! It would be interesting to examine the difference in their situations and the relationship this may hold on their romantic relationships.

[Peter]

Sam was an accidental ringbearer. Although he, also, went West. After wearing Rosie out.

Even though the last ship had sailed long before.