Riddling

The history of riddles can be traced back to medieval times during the fall of Rome and when the renaissance period began. During this time, people lacked access to quality education and most people considered average were also illiterate. Society resulted in various ways to determine a person’s intelligence and the two criteria used were mostly wisdom and wits. As such, riddles were structured in such a way that they would question both the knowledge that the individual possessed and their ability to use their wits. Riddles have been used throughout history and in today’s society, their popularity is seen in items such as plays, films, and books. When used in the film, riddles help the audience focus on a specific topic and share in on the experience. The time taken before a character on film answers a riddle gives the audience the chance to ponder on the same riddle and draw their conclusions before the answer is revealed in the movie. Although riddles were used to test a person’s wits and knowledge, their delivery and random nature often place the riddler at an advantage because the person expected to respond has to come up with an answer for whatever riddle is picked to prove their wits. 

           Riddles play a significant role in the way events unfold in ‘The Hobbit’ movies and also ‘Lord of the Rings’. A good example of how riddles are used and the role they play is evident when Bilbo Baggins gets lost and after stumbling, finds a ring belonging to the creature Gollum. Here, the setup for a riddle is seen as Gollum has more knowledge of where Bilbo is and can help him find his way out. Bilbo, on the other hand, has the ring and since Gollum was not familiar with Hobbits, he takes it upon himself to gain more knowledge of Bilbo, a hobbit (Jackson 1). As is common with riddles, the person who is answering the riddle often has something to prove or gain. In the film, Bilbo has the most to lose because he needs to find his way back to his mission. Solving the riddle also meant that Bilbo would save his life as the creature Gollum wanted to eat him. There is however a twist in that Bilbo and Gollum take turns being the riddler. Although Gollum has to show Bilbo the way out if he loses, Bilbo has the most to lose as he could lose his life.

           The riddles exchanged between Bilbo and Gollum make the scene more captivating as the audience is pulled into the events unfolding as they try ad to figure out the riddles with Bilbo. Although both Bilbo and Gollum answer the riddles with ease, it is evident to the audience that the riddles are complex and not exactly as easy as the characters make them appear (Jackson 1). As a result, the audience has more admiration for both characters and is more invested in how events unfold as they are part of the riddling process. In the end, Bilbo wins by asking Gollum to say what Bilbo has in his pocket. While it is more of a question than a riddle, the context in which it issued reveals the challenges that riddles pose to the person intended to answer (Jackson 1). The only way Gollum would have known what is in Bilbo’s pocket was if he could reach in and touch or look into the contents. Similarly, some riddles can only be answered by someone who had been exposed to an environment that was suitable for learning what they meant. 

           Another example of how riddles place the riddler at an advantage is in ‘Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’. The riddle takes place at the entrance to a cave where Gandalf and other members of the fellowship of the ring have to solve a riddle before they can go in. The cave is locked by a magic spell and the only way to open the door is by solving the riddle “Speak friend and enter” (Jackson 1). The scene holds up to the nature of riddles as it is a test of wits and also holds grave consequences for those who fail to get the correct answer. Gandalf solves the riddle by first identifying that the riddle was put there by the elves and only someone with knowledge regarding the elves can answer it. The wits part of the riddle is seen when Gandalf discovers that the first part of the riddle (speak) is actually misinterpreted and should instead read (say). Gandalf relies on his knowledge of the elves as well as his wits to figure out the answer and in so doing, opens the door. The risk factor in failing to solve the riddle occurs when a sea creature comes from the water and attacks Gandalf and the fellowship who would have otherwise been killed had Gandalf failed to answer the riddle. 

           Although riddles place the person expected to respond at a disadvantage, they can be used to gain more knowledge not just by getting the answer but also learning more through the nature in which the riddle is delivered. Take the case of the riddling that takes place between Bilbo and the dragon, Smaug (Jackson 1). In the scene, Smaug is the powerful riddler who intends to kill Bilbo while Bilbo has to prove his wits and find answers in an attempt to save his life. Through the riddling process, Smaug tries to distract Bilbo by making him doubt his friends. Being the witty one, Bilbo not only gives the correct answer but uses his riddling to discover the dragon’s weakness. Although the Dragon is smart and well informed, Bilbo overcomes all challenges and outwits the dragon. 

           Riddles are often considered a tool for measuring wits and those that solve them are considered more informed than others. While it takes a lot of wits to understand some riddles, it is evident that the ability of a person to understand the riddle is what determines their wits and not the actual answer. Since it is impossible to know the answer to all riddles that have been used, the knowledge focuses on the ability to interpret the riddle and draw information from personal experiences to come up with an answer. The answer is not in the question itself but rather in how well one understands the riddle itself. Despite the various forms that riddling takes, riddles can only be said to measure one's understanding of the riddle and come up with an appropriate answer. Although knowledge does contribute, understanding the riddle itself, without any prior knowledge of its context, could help get an answer.

 

 

 

Work cited

Jackson, Peter, “The Hobbit:An Unexpected Journey” 2012

Jackson, Peter, “The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings” 2001