The Lord of the Rings: 5 Things That Still Make No Sense About Frodo & the Other Hobbits

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Frodo, Bilbo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin are central characters in the Lord of the Rings series, even though hobbits generally stayed out of the major events in Middle-earth. Interestingly, Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam each broke a significant rule: they were all allowed to travel to the Undying Lands, which is usually forbidden for mortals. This exception was granted because each of them had carried the Ring at some point – even Sam, who briefly held it after Frodo’s encounter with Shelob.

Merry and Pippin were crucial to the victory against Sauron, as shown in both Peter Jackson’s films and J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. However, despite having important roles and well-developed stories, some things about these hobbits don’t quite add up. Here are five of the most confusing aspects of Merry and Pippin in The Lord of the Rings, especially in the movies.

The Hobbits Of The Fellowship Still Go Barefoot

Hobbits in The Lord of the Rings have several distinctive physical traits. They’re best known for being quite short, typically between three and four feet tall. But their feet are also unusual – they’re large in proportion to their bodies, and both male and female hobbits have notably hairy feet.

Hobbits are known for always going barefoot, which is charming when they’re relaxing in the Shire. However, it’s strange that the hobbits who join the Fellowship continue this habit, considering they’re journeying across the dangerous lands of Middle-earth. Remarkably, even Frodo and Sam walk all the way to Mordor without any shoes, and it doesn’t seem to bother them.

Frodo Doesn’t Tell Sam He’s Leaving Middle-earth

A particularly poignant moment in the entire Lord of the Rings saga occurs at the end of The Return of the King when Frodo announces his departure for the Undying Lands, joining Gandalf and Bilbo. While heartbreaking, this decision is understandable. Frodo endured immense suffering and was deeply changed by his quest to destroy the One Ring, and he rightfully deserved peace.

It’s hard to understand why he didn’t tell any of his hobbit friends—even Sam, who was his best friend—that he was leaving. He likely didn’t want to deal with the emotional fallout or his friends trying to convince him to stay, but keeping them completely in the dark, particularly Sam, feels unlike him.

Pippin Is Either Incredibly Foolish Or Incredibly Smart

Pippin often provides comic relief in The Lord of the Rings, especially in the films. He’s known for being a bit silly and for cheerfully drinking, dancing, and singing even when things are really bad. He’s also quite naive and impulsive, which Gandalf often points out by calling him a “fool of a Took.”

Despite his playful nature, Pippin often shows surprising wisdom. For instance, he cleverly left a piece of his cloak for Aragorn to find, letting him know the hobbits were still alive. Similarly, in The Two Towers film, Pippin had the brilliant idea to lead Treebeard near Isengard, hoping he’d be angered by Saruman’s destruction of the forest and take action.

No One Notices Merry Is Riding With Éowyn

In The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Merry gets a chance to prove himself in a big way when he joins the fight to protect Gondor, riding alongside Éowyn. Their participation is exciting and adds a lot to the story. It’s just a little strange that nobody seems to notice Merry is even there during the battle.

They both put on helmets, and Éowyn covered her hair, making their disguises somewhat believable. However, it was obvious to anyone looking that Merry was very short and riding right in front of Éowyn on the horse. While the soldiers were preoccupied, Éowyn’s horse often stood close to others, and surprisingly, no one seemed to notice the odd pair.

Frodo’s Age Makes No Sense In The Movies

Frodo’s age is inconsistent in the movies compared to the books. In the books, he’s in his 50s when he begins his quest, which explains his wisdom and capability. However, the actor Elijah Wood was only 18 when he played Frodo, understandably making his portrayal more youthful and naive. It’s odd because the story implies a 17-year gap between Bilbo’s departure and Frodo and Sam’s journey.

While the films make it seem like less time passes, Frodo is meant to be around thirty years old – the hobbit equivalent of adulthood – even in The Fellowship of the Ring. However, he still appears much younger on screen.

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2026-04-27 22:31