I love Beorn so much, he's like an angry Hagrid. I kind of see him as a sort of a '"""Father Nature"""" figure (if that even is a thing); he treats the animals like his children, he can change his skin and he has a very practical approach to life (no trinkets or gold or prizes). Also I love how he's so gentle with his animals but fierce as hell to enemies. AND I like to believe that the 'large long-bodied grey dogs' are Irish Wolfhound-esque which is totally the breed of dog I would have if I had time/money/space because they are massive and shaggy and amazing. But I digress.

I think one of the best things about The Hobbit is the fact that there's always an underlying comedy of this truckload of dwarves hiking around everywhere. Like Gandalf constantly counting them, them all bowling into Bilbo's house and turning up in pairs for Beorn. I just love dwarves a lot. Like this bit: 'Some of them even got up and bowed right to the ground before him, though they fell over with the effort, and could not get on their legs again for some time.' WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT DWARVES.

Ha, when I'm feeling particularly sorry for myself, the first description of Mirkwood totally reminds me of university/studying/being away from home. Reason number 3253633 why I may in actual fact be a Hobbit...

'Then the elves put thongs on him, and shut him in one of the inmost caves' I'm sorry to lower the tone but DEAR LORD THE MENTAL IMAGES