The Hobbit Chapter 8 Study Guide

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Questions and Answers

What happened when the adventurers tried lighting watch-fires?

They created a signal for help

They kept warm

They attracted hundreds of creepy eyes (correct)

They scared off the animals

What discovery does Bilbo make on the far bank of the enchanted stream?

a boat

Who or what charged at the adventurers upon crossing the enchanted stream?

a soaring deer

Who falls into the enchanted stream?

Bombur Signup and view all the answers

What effect does falling into the stream have on Bombur?

He falls into a deep sleep Signup and view all the answers

Why was shooting at the white deer a mistake?

The dwarves wasted their last arrows Signup and view all the answers

Who climbs a tall tree to see where the adventurers are in Mirkwood?

Bilbo Signup and view all the answers

Why couldn't Bilbo see that they were very close to the Forest's edge?

The tree he climbed was at the bottom of a valley, so treetops swelled up around him like the edges of a bowl. Signup and view all the answers

What is the dwarves' response to Bilbo's report?

Frustrated. Signup and view all the answers

What are the details of Bombur's dream?

In a similar forest, but a great feast occurred involving merry singing and a woodland king. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the adventurers decide to ignore Beorn and Gandalf's warnings?

They were starving, and the light they saw appeared to be from torches and fires, so perhaps food was available nearby, just like in Bombur's dream. Signup and view all the answers

Who do the adventurers see in the clearing, and what happens as they approach?

Elvish-looking folk, eating, drinking, and laughing happily. The lights went out, and it went pitch dark. Signup and view all the answers

What does Dori notice later that same night?

More lights came out from a distance. Signup and view all the answers

What does Kili notice even later that same night?

More lights plus singing and harps. Signup and view all the answers

What major threat does Bilbo face, and how does he combat it?

The great spider, which wrapped Bilbo's limbs. He grabbed his sword and struck it afterward. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how Bilbo feels afterward.

Proud, fiercer and bolder Signup and view all the answers

What does Bilbo name his sword?

He names it Sting. Signup and view all the answers

How did Bilbo elude other spiders as he explored?

With the help of the ring's invisibility powers. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bilbo overhear the spiders talking about?

The dwarves and how they would make fine eating. Signup and view all the answers

How does Bilbo attempt to drive the spiders away from the dwarves?

By throwing stones and singing songs while invisible, causing them to follow his voice. Signup and view all the answers

When the spider battle begins, what secret does Bilbo reluctantly tell the dwarves, and why?

The secret of the ring, for he will try to draw spiders away from them by calling the spiders terrible names like Lazy Lob and Attercop. Signup and view all the answers

How do readers know the dwarves' opinion of Bilbo changed for the better?

They seemed to expect Bilbo to answer questions pertaining to their location and the availability of food, but they thanked him frequently for saving them—some even bowing. Signup and view all the answers

Who went missing and why?

Thorin. He stepped into the circle of light and fell into a deep sleep. Then, the wood elves bound him and carried him away. Signup and view all the answers

Describe wood-elves.

They do not trust strangers, but they are not wicked. They are more dangerous and less wise than the High Elves of the West. They are magical and love the stars. They lived by the edge of the woods. They are reasonably well behaved, even to enemies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the history of dwarves and wood-elves?

It is a tense history. There was an ancient war between them. Dwarves were accused of stealing the elves' treasure. Dwarves, however, claim they only took their fair share, for the Elf King never repaid dwarves for shaping the Elf King's gold and silver. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Elf-King's weakness?

Treasure, especially silver and white gems. Signup and view all the answers

What does Thorin refuse to discuss?

Treasure, wealth, and the past conflicts with the elves. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mirkwood Adventure Summary

Lighting watch-fires attracted hundreds of creepy eyes, creating an unsettling atmosphere for the adventurers.
Bilbo discovers a boat on the far bank of the enchanted stream, providing potential for crossing.
A soaring deer charges at the adventurers as they attempt to navigate the enchanted stream, adding to their challenges.
Bombur falls into the enchanted stream, resulting in him slipping into a deep sleep that hinders the group's progress.
The dwarves mistakenly shoot at the white deer, wasting their last arrows and limiting their resources.
Bilbo climbs a tall tree in Mirkwood to survey their surroundings but is unable to see the forest's edge due to the valley's shape.
The dwarves express frustration over Bilbo's report, implying that any shortcomings are his fault.
Bombur dreams of a great feast in a similar forest, highlighting the longing for sustenance and joy.
Driven by starvation, the group disregards warnings from Beorn and Gandalf, mistaking distant lights for potential food sources.
They encounter elvish-looking folk enjoying themselves in a clearing, but the atmosphere quickly turns dark as the lights go out.
Dori later notices more distant lights, signaling continued hope or danger in their journey.
Kili observes even more lights accompanied by singing and harps, indicating the presence of magical beings.
Bilbo confronts a great spider that wraps his limbs, marking a significant moment in his growth as he instinctively fights back.
After the encounter, Bilbo feels proud, fiercer, and bolder, indicating a transformation in his character.
Bilbo names his sword Sting, symbolizing his emerging identity as a hero and his growing pride.
He uses the ring's invisibility to elude other spiders while exploring their territory.
Bilbo overhears the spiders discussing the dwarves as potential meals, raising the stakes for his companions.
To protect the dwarves, Bilbo distracts the spiders by throwing stones and singing, showcasing his cleverness and bravery.
During the spider battle, Bilbo reveals the secret of the ring to the dwarves to draw attention away from them by calling out spider names.
The dwarves' gratitude toward Bilbo signifies a positive shift in their view of him, as they begin to rely on his resourcefulness.
Thorin goes missing after stepping into a circle of light, subsequently captured by wood elves who bound and carried him away.
Wood-elves, while not trusting strangers, are portrayed as magical and somewhat dangerous, differing from the wisdom of the High Elves.
Historical tension between dwarves and wood-elves stems from accusations of treasure theft and grievances over unacknowledged contributions to the elves' wealth.
The Elf-King's weakness lies in his obsession with treasure, particularly silver and precious gems.
Thorin steadfastly refuses to discuss treasures, wealth, or related topics, indicating his focus on their quest and sense of purpose.

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Test your knowledge of Chapter 8 from 'The Hobbit' with this study guide quiz. Answer questions regarding key events, discoveries, and characters from the chapter to enhance your understanding of the story.