Bofur

Bofur is a dwarf who lived in the latter part of the Third Age. He is also a member of Thorin Oakenshield’s company to regain the Lonely Mountain from Smaug, the dragon. He is remembered as a comrade of Gandalf, Frodo Baggins, and Thorin Oakenshield in the Quest to Erebor. The party also includes his brother Bombur, cousin Bifur, and other Dwarves.

Bofur’s lineage is undefined. However, it has been established that he is not blood-related to the kin of Durin. His family dwells in the Blue Mountains. For that, he is more enthusiastic about the idea of the adventure rather than face the dragon Smaug and regain the Lonely Mountain, which is the dwarves’ old domain. It’s speculated that he lived through the early Fourth Age, but his later life after the Quest to Erebor and death are unknown.

In response to Thorin Oakenshield’s plea, Bofur, together with Bombur and Bifur, joined the Quest to Erebor and headed to Bag’s End. He journeyed with Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, and the rest of his dwarf comrades as they traveled through Wilderland to Lonely Mountain. The group aimed to restore the dwarves’ lost kingdom and treasure from Smaug. And so, Bofur gained his share of the Mountain’s wealth, which was split to fourteen. This was as promised for all who took part in the quest. After the dragon’s death, Bofur fought in the Battle of Five Armies and endured. However, his fate after the Battle of Five Armies is not written.

In The Hobbit’s Rankin-Bass [1] version, Jack DeLeon was the voice of Bofur.

In Peter Jackson’s interpretation of The Hobbit movie trilogy, the actor James Nesbitt [2] starred as Bofur. Bofur’s character in the film has a more elaborate role and detail than in the books. He is kind enough to boost Bilbo’s morale and wish him luck even when the hobbit was about to leave them to head back to Rivendell. He is also the lookout during their rest in the Misty Mountains in which the Orcs ambushed them later, just as Bilbo was leaving.

Bofur bears a mattock as a weapon and plays the flute in the films instead of a clarinet, as mentioned in the books. The film features more scenes, revealing more about Bofur’s family, occupation, and character. It shows his family working in the mines, while he and Bifur, his cousin, craft fantastic toys and machines, which are well-known wonders of Dale. Bofur’s character is always positive and carefree, even though living in the Blue Mountains was rough. He keeps an intimate but spirited bond with Bombur, his brother, whom he frequently pranks but always protects.

The film trilogy also released a wonderfully detailed teaser description of Bofur’s character in the movies. It introduced him as adorable and favorable, having a wretched frankness with no second thoughts. He is musical and often plays with a fancy tune. Bofur is pleased with great food and company, and perpetually positive. Though he is not the most courageous, he is always there in times of trouble, particularly for his friends. Together with Bombur and Bifur, Bofur said yes to the Quest somehow to see how his fate would turn out, but also because he heard that the drinks are free.

In the film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, [3] Bofur arrives and joins the Erebor party in Bag End. He then tells Bilbo frightful things about the dragon Smaug. Bilbo loses his consciousness, and this slightly provokes Gandalf, who thanks him with sarcasm. After they depart from Bag End, Bilbo suddenly notices that he has left his handkerchief, to which Bofur responds by tossing him a dirty rag. With this, the other Dwarves roar in laughter. When the party arrives in Rivendell, Bofur throws a sausage to Bombur, his brother, who breaks the bench he sits on as he tries to catch it. And again, the Dwarves laugh at this. As Bilbo is about to leave Rivendell, Bofur tries to urge him to stay. But seeing that Bilbo misses his home, he wishes him good fortune instead. But right at that moment, he notices the glow of Sting, the sword of Bilbo. Later, Bofur fights Orcs and Wargs together with the entire party. He then flees Azog’s army through the pines with the aid of the Great Eagles.

In the film, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, [4] Bofur was left behind in Lake-town. He overslept because of having too many drinks the night before, and the company had forgotten him. Meanwhile, Thorin and his party continue to the Lonely Mountain. Kili, Fili, and Oin also remain in Lake-town because the Orcs had fatally injured Kili with a poisoned arrow. Later that evening, Kili’s injury worsens, and the Dwarves take shelter in Bard’s house. Oin would inquire to Bard if there was any Kingsfoil, a healing herb, anywhere near the town’s premises. Bard answers that there is, and they feed this plant to their pigs. And som Bofur immediately leaves to gather some. Bolg and his pack of Orcs reach Lake-town, looking for Thorin. The Orcs found Bofur and follow him to the house of Bard. There, the Orcs attack the Dwarves. Fortunately, Tauriel and Legolas reach them right at that moment and defeat the Orcs. Bofur has found Kingsfoil, and Tauriel heals Kili with the herb while the other dwarves look on.

In The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, [5] the group of Dwarves who stayed behind in Lake-town witnessed Smaug’s attack. After this, they board a boat heading to the Lonely Mountain to unite with their party. Later on, Bofur fights the Battle of Five Armies and endures with most of his fellow Dwarves.

In Fantasy Flight Games’ The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game, Bofur is a help card that is a part of the Spirit sphere. It lets a player take the card in hand and start a quest.

In this video game, Bofur mines for treasure using his ax.

In the films, Bofur makes music using his flute shown in the gathering at Bag End.

In John D. Rateliff’s book, The History of The Hobbit, it mentions Tolkien’s unfinished third revised edition of The Hobbit. Here Bofur, Bifur, and Bombur are set to be appointed as royal guards of Thorin.

It implies this in many parts of the story, especially when Thorin reaches Bag End together with the three.

It was also shown when the four got to safety climbing up one tree when the Goblins and Wargs chased them. It was implied that the three must be with Thorin at all times.

Bofur, Bifur, and Bombur are the only dwarves with Thorin who are not of Durin’s kin.

1. ^The Hobbit (1977).
2. ^James Nesbitt: Bofur.
3. ^The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012).
4. ^The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013).
5. ^The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014).