"It was at this point that Bilbo stopped. Going on from there was the bravest thing he ever did. The tremendous things that happened afterwards were nothing compared to it. He fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait."
This is a very important point in Bilbo`s character development. Bilbo could have gone back, he could have quit the job and tried again the next day. The dwarves wouldn't have blamed him. He was at a point where he could have turned back, but he didn't. He continued forward, no matter how scared he was. I also like what the author is saying in this quote. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is confronting your fear, not the actual thing you fear.
"To say that Bilbo's breath was taken away is no description at all. There are no words left to express his staggerment , since Men changed the language that they learned of elves in days when all the world was wonderful. Bilbo heard tell and sing of dragon-hoards before, but the splendor, the lust, the glory of such treasure had never yet come to him. His heart was filled and pierced with enchantment and with the desire of dwarves; and he gazed motionless, almost forgetting the frightful guardian, at the gold beyond price and count."
This quote shows that Bilbo is just as susceptible to greed as the dwarves. It shows that anyone can become a victim of greed, and that you can forget about important things when it comes to money. Even Bilbo, who never really cared for wealth was corrupted by the dragon`s hoard, and forgot all about the danger of the dragon.
"'I suppose you got a fair price for the cup last night?' He went on. 'Come now, did you? Nothing at all! Well, that's just like them. And I suppose they are sulking outside, and your job is to do all the dangerous work and get what you can when I'm not looking-for them? And you will get a fair share? Don't you believe it! If you get off alive, you will be lucky.'"
This is where we get to see the first glimpse of Smaug`s personality. He is manipulative, and knows how to bring out peoples weaknesses. He new where the vice was coming from, he could have breathed fire and killed him right then. But he enjoys to toy with his enemies. Smaug doesn't just hurt people because it is convenient, he enjoys hurting people.
"Now a nasty suspicion began to grow in his mind-had the dwarves forgotten this important point too, or were they laughing in their sleeves at him all the time? That is the effect dragon-talk has on the inexperienced. Bilbo of course ought to have been on his guard; but Smaug had rather an overwhelming personality."
This shows the effect of Smaug's manipulation on people. Bilbo had journeyed with the dwarves for a long time. He completely trusted them. Still, Smaug was able to plant that seed of doubt into Bilbo's mind. Of course, Bilbo was inexperienced in talking to dragons, but still.
"'Yes, it is rare and wonderful, indeed.' said Smaug absurdly pleased. he did not know that the hobbit had already caught a glimpse of his peculiar under-covering on his previous visit, and was itching for a closer view for reasons of his own. the dragon rolled over. 'Look! What do you say to that?' 'Dazzlingly marvelous! Perfect! Flawless! Staggering!' exclaimed Bilbo aloud, but what he thought inside was: 'Old fool! Why, there is a large patch In the hollow of his left breast as bare as a snail out of it's shell!'"
But this quote shows that Smaug has flaws too. He is extremely vain. His pride and confidence would be his undoing. Also, Bilbo has become quite manipulative himself. I don't think at the beginning of the adventure Bilbo would have thought of this.
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