Smaug's Origins | The Life of the Dragon Explained

The most iconic dragon of them all...
But where did he come from?

#Lordoftherings
#Lore
#Tolkien
#middleearth

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Much love, stay groovy, and navaer melyn nin!

[MourningCoffeeMusic]

Smaug’s name is so fitting considering how smug he is.

[baliofterenas]

If Smaug, as an adolescent, easily conquered an entire dwarven people in their fortified mountain (by himself) I think it also really speaks to how powerful a fully grown dragon would be.

Regarding his potential, I think that might be part of the point. Dragons represent greed and pride. They seem to have no real desire to rule, or conquer beyond acquiring a horde. Once done they are bound to it for fear of losing it.

Great video as always!

[hidingtk]

Smaug, to me, was the best thing about the Hobbit trilogy. Benedict played him Glad you're back on your weekly schedule 😊.

[chuntoon]

Cranking them out lately! You're adventures into the world of Tolkien are as close to getting more from the source as I've ever come across. Your own creativity and love for his work shine in every video. Thanks for the constant entertainment!! And I love all the artwork you find to share too!!

[ChiChiLand]

Like many reptiles he may also have indeterminate growth which means that he gets bigger the older he gets

[sverizona]

I love the idea of Smaug as the young scion of an ancient immortal race, desperate to live up to the standards of his ancestors but ultimately limited by his own pride and the diminishing of Middle-earth. He's almost like the Elves when you frame it that way, only without the final refuge of Valinor to absolve his fears.

[nicksmyth]

Smaug was always my favorite villain in Middle Earth, as, despite being a giant dragon, his personality is the most “realistic” of ME villains. He doesn’t come off as a barbaric high fantasy monster or Dark Lord. Smaug just comes off as a real world psychopath in a Wyrm’s body. He’s cruel, greedy, petty, vein, and enjoys playing with his victims. His dialogue is flowery and more like a comic book villain than a high fantasy one. He just seems different than most characters from the franchise.

He’s also one of the few big bads to have a (somewhat) realistic motivation. He’s obsessed with money and being wealthy, and due to his species natural power he understandably view’s humility as a punchline.

[Disgruntled_Dave]

I really don't find it disappointing to think of Smaug as a young and relatively small dragon. To me, that just makes his conquest of Erebor all the more impressive. It also leaves us with the ability to imagine how things might have gone if Smaug had had greater self-control and bided his time before letting loose on Lake-town. If he had just let that cup go, he could have waited and grown, and possibly become an even greater existential threat than Sauron—I know I'm really speculating there, but that's kind of my point. Part of the magic of Tolkien's stories is the parts of them he _didn't_ tell, and this is just one more corner of the Legendarium where we get to insert our own imaginations.

[jimbombadill]

there is no lines that smaug was the last dragon, the oppesit, Gandalf states that "there is no dragon alive today with the heat or fire to destroy the one ring" directly saying there is dragons, just not with a big firecapasity

[MellowMutts]

I do love dragons. Tolkiens in particular are just so incredibly epic and terrifying. Smaug is the one thing the hobbit movies have going for them. Great video Rainbow Dave!

[psazani]

This is a great video because it fleshes out Smaug in a way I had never thought of before. These perspectives change the way I read the stories.

[waltermaster]

I always figured Smaug was so arrogant bc he succeeded where Glaurung failed, his debut. It seems to be a common theme among dragons that they become overconfident and impatient while waiting to mature and want to prove themselves by endeavoring to conquer whatever nearby free peoples or gold (often both) is nearby.

[cid]

I agree he was young not only based off of what he said but there was fine details in the Hobbit movie. When he invaded he broke the gates down and waltzed in and his talons were a bit bigger than a dwarf. Then later on when he's older and bigger and he is covered in gold. He is too big to use the gate and breaks over half of entrance to get out because his size has almost quadrupled.

[blackdragon]

I never thought he was ancient, that "young and tender" line pretty much told me all I needed to know

[jennatomlin]

I love and appreciate your Tolkien content so much. This was a wonderful dive into Smaug. I remember when I was a young child reading Smaug's character as young and impetuous.

[breannapajer]

I love how you call him a “mean spirited bully.” I think you somed it up perfectly, the dragon is pretty much a temperamental teenager! I love the process you went through, thanks for the great video about one of literature’s most terrifying dragons! And angry, self centered teenager or not I’m sure we can all agree that it’s a good thing he wasn’t around for the War of the Ring!

[casualsleepingdragon]

I imagine Smaug grew up hearing stories of the dragons of the grey mountains and þought "I can do that too!"

[Harpyr]

A great start to a good day. I love dragons. Smaug is quite a fascinating one. Thank you for your hard work, Dave. I look forward to the next one.

[Cultural_chronicles]

Thank you for the quick turnaround on the last couple of videos! It saves me from experiencing withdrawal symptoms until my next RD Tolkien lore fix 😅 I am so excited for the Children of Hurin series!! This was super interesting and entertaining, your content just makes me feel good and wholesome and intellectually stimulated.

Big love to you, Dave 🌈

[TETASARAIVACS]

A Dragon is never “full grown”: he grows as he eats. The more he eats, the bigger it gets. Smaug ate lots of Dwarves when he got to Erebor, so he must have grown a bit while he slept for the following decades.