A descendant of the Dwarves of Moria, Bifur is one of the thirteen companions of Thorin Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins on the Quest of Erebor. He lived in the Lonely Mountain after the dragon, Smaug was killed.
Description
Bifur was the cousin of Bofur and Bombur and had descended from the dwarves of Khazad-dum. His origins are not clear. It is said that Smaug had driven away from his family out of their home. They were compelled to live in exile and Bifur got involved in making toys. He continued his profession after following Thorin to a new life in the mountain.
History
In the Third Age, Bifur was one of the four dwarves to reach Bag End. He wore a yellow hood. He had asked for apple-tart and raspberry jam. When Thorin commanded music, he played the clarinet. In the story of the group’s adventures to Beorn, Bombur, Bofur, and Bifur had appeared towards the end. On the quest to Erebor, he had killed Wargs, Goblins, Great Spiders, Stone giants, and the dragon Smaug. Bifur was a brave warrior who never gave up. He had fought the Battle of the Five Armies with all his strength. He had killed many enemies and survived the battle. After the battle, he got his portion of wealth and he went to dwell in the Lonely Mountain. By 3018 of the Third Age, Bifur was found to be living in Erebor, as suggested by Gloin at Rivendell.
Etymology
Bifur’s name has its origins in Dvergatal. It translates to ‘Beaver’ or ‘Hard Worker’.
Other Versions
In the earlier versions of ‘The Hobbit’, Bofur and Bifur had returned from the wall with their walking staff that doubled into musical instruments. Another published writing suggests that the dwarves had returned with clarinets that they had left with the sticks. According to John Rateliff in ‘The History of the Hobbit’, Tolkien had added some touches of fairy tales in the earliest writings. He has portrayed Dwarven magic to indicate the unique attributes of the dwarves as compared to Bilbo. When Bombur needed help in Mirkwood upon getting cut from a spider’s web, his cousins Bofur and Bifur assisted. The published story changes this to cousin Bifur and brother Bofur. In an earlier version, when the Dwarves had to escape due to the arrival of Smaug, Bifur had cried out to save Bofur and Bombur who were shown to be his brothers. In the published writing, however, Bifur is known to have cried out to his cousins. In another unfinished writing of Tolkien, Bombur, Bifur, and Bofur were the attendants of Thorin. It is assumed that they were either guards or courtiers.
Adaptations
- In ‘The Hobbit’ film series by Peter Jackson, William Kircher has played the role of Bifur. According to a statement by the studio, Bifur was born in the West and carried the remains of an Orc ax in his forehead. He uses only hand gestures and Khuzdul for communication. [1]
- He is different from other Dwarves as he had no relation with Thorin. He is also not a noble descendant and came from smithies and miners who were simple people with a simple taste. [2]
- In ‘The Battle of the Five Armies’, Bifur got hurt while trying to attack an Orc with his weapon. Bombur and Bofur had somehow got him safe. Bombur gets the ax back but Bifur tells him that he could now speak like others.
- In the video game ‘The Hobbit’, Bifur is not present and Thorin was the only one to accompany Baggins.
- In ‘The Lord of the Rings Online’, Bifur lived in Erebor after the War of the Ring. During ‘The Fires of Smaug’, he and Bofur appear at Ravenhill.
- In the radio series ‘The Hobbit’, Bifur is voiced by Brian Haines.
Notes
In the earlier versions, ‘The Hobbit’ describes that dialogs were assigned equally, but they were later given to only a few dwarves as others could hardly speak. Bifur was also such a silent member, and he had lost his ability to communicate as an orc ax went into his head.
Bifur family tree
References
Categories:
Dwarves
The Hobbit Characters
Group Thorin and Company
