What will Gollum do if Bilbo wins the game?

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If Bilbo wins the riddle game, Gollum will show him the way out of the tunnel, as per the agreement between them, where the terms were clear: if Bilbo won, Gollum would have to guide him out, and if Gollum won, he would get to eat Bilbo. This riddle game was a turning point in their encounter, setting the stage for the complex and intriguing relationship between Bilbo and Gollum.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. What does Gollum tell Bilbo he will do if he wins the riddle game? Gollum tells Bilbo that if he wins, he will eat Bilbo, emphasizing the high stakes of their riddle game.
2. What will happen if Gollum wins? If Gollum wins, he will eat Bilbo, as agreed upon before the riddle game began, highlighting the dangerous nature of their wager.
3. Would Bilbo have ended up like Gollum? Bilbo did not become a monster like Gollum because he only possessed the Ring for 60 years and was more careful about its corrupting influence, demonstrating the Ring’s power to consume its bearers over time.

The Ring’s Influence

4. Why didn’t Bilbo get corrupted? Bilbo was protected from the Ring’s corruption by his compassion and the fact that he did not use it for malicious purposes, showing that the Ring’s influence can be mitigated by the intentions of its bearer.
5. Could the Ring have been destroyed without Gollum? The Ring could only have been destroyed if the person holding it unintentionally fell into the fires of Mount Doom, suggesting that Gollum’s role was pivotal in the Ring’s destruction.
6. Why didn’t Bilbo tell Gandalf about the Ring? Bilbo might not have wanted to part with the Ring, and Gandalf might not have been able to get it from him, implying that Bilbo had some level of attachment to the Ring.

Character Insights

7. Could Gollum have been saved? Gollum could have been saved if things had gone differently, as J.R.R. Tolkien believed, indicating that Gollum’s fate was not inevitable.
8. Why doesn’t Gollum age after losing the Ring? Gollum had the Ring for 500 years, which made its effects on him almost permanent, and he rarely put it on, preventing him from “fading” like the Ring-wraiths.
9. Does Gollum end up good? Gollum showed his better nature when guided by Frodo’s kindness, making an effort to keep his promises, demonstrating the complexity of Gollum’s character.

Riddle Game and Its Significance

10. What is the answer to Gollum’s riddle? The answers to Gollum’s riddles include mountain, wind, dark, fish, and time, showcasing Gollum’s cunning and the riddle game’s challenge.
11. Did Bilbo cheat in the riddle game? Bilbo asked a question that was not a true riddle, but Gollum tried to answer it, which Bilbo used to his advantage, raising questions about the fairness of the riddle game.
12. Why was Samwise Gamgee not affected by the Ring? Sam was saved by his love for Frodo and his simple good sense, indicating that strong personal relationships and innocence can provide protection against the Ring’s influence.

The Fellowship and Its Quest

13. Would Sam have killed Frodo? Sam would have killed Frodo if necessary to complete the quest, showing the depth of Sam’s commitment to their mission and the moral challenges they faced.
14. Why could Sam wear the Ring? Sam’s resistance to the Ring likely came from his innate goodness and loyalty, as well as his love for Frodo, which helped him overcome the Ring’s pull.
15. Why can’t Gandalf fight Sauron? Gandalf was limited in his power due to his form as an old man, and fighting Sauron directly would have been impossible for him, highlighting the strategic challenges faced by the Fellowship.