Bofur

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Bofur
Dwarf
Angelo Montanini - Bofur.jpg
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Bofur

Bofur was one of the companions of Thorin during the Quest of Erebor.

History

Bofur was the brother of Bombur and a cousin of Bifur. He later fought and survived the Battle of Five Armies, and made his dwelling in Erebor.

Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur are stated to be descended from "Dwarves of Khazad-dûm", but not of " Durin's line." It is unclear if this means that they were not descended from the Longbeard clan of Dwarves (Durin's folk), but rather from either the Broadbeam clan of Belegost, or the Firebeard clan of Nogrod. When the Blue Mountains were cleft in two at the end of the First Age, Nogrod was destroyed and Belegost was ruined, though some habitations lingered in the area of Belegost's ruins even until the end of the Third Age. Tolkien also stated that the population of Khazad-dûm swelled at the end of the First Age, due to absorbing many refugees from Nogrod and Belegost. If this is indeed the case, it would mean that Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur are the only non-Longbeard Dwarves that extensively appear in Tolkien's writings.

Etymology

The name Bǫvurr appears in the Dvergatal. Its meaning is unknown.[1]

Other versions of the Legendarium

In Tolkien's unfinished 1960 rewrite of The Hobbit, Bifur,Bofur and Bombur were Thorin's attendants.[2] John D. Rateliff assumes this made them either courtiers or honor-guard.[3]

Portrayal in Adaptations

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

Bofur is played by Denis McCarthy.

1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):

No actor is specified for the role of Bofur.

1979: The Hobbit (1979 radio series):

No actor is specified for the role of Bofur.

1982: The Hobbit (1982 video game):

Bofur is omitted; Thorin is the only companion of the player, Bilbo Baggins.[4]

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

No actor is credited for the role of Bofur.

2012-3: The Hobbit films:

Bofur will be played by James Nesbitt.[5]

References

  1. Chester Nathan Gould, "Dwarf-Names: A Study in Old Icelandic Religion", published in Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, Vol 44 (1929), issue #4, pp. 939-967
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Return to Bag-End, "The Fifth Phase", "A Well-Planned Party", p. 774
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Return to Bag-End, "The Fifth Phase", "Arrival in Rivendell", note 32
  4. ZX Computing, 8304 (April/May 1983), p. 76, accessed April 24 2011
  5. Peter Jackson, "Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit" dated 20 March 2011, Facebook (accessed 23 December 2011)
Members of Thorin and Company
Thorin · Balin · Dwalin · Fíli · Kíli · Dori · Nori · Ori · Óin · Glóin · Bifur · Bofur · Bombur · Gandalf · Bilbo Baggins