Gandalf, the Wizard
Gandalf smoking pipeweed, just like Bilbo.
The reader may at first see Gandalf as the typical wizard with the pointy hat, but soon realizes that he is much more than that and seems to know everything that goes on in Middle Earth. He is very wise and has many magical skills. Gandalf is the only character that Bilbo knows in the beginning of the story, and he starts the entire adventure. The friendship between Bilbo and Gandalf starts the story when Gandalf slowly pressures Bilbo into joining the group of Dwarves to be their “burglar.” The author makes it clear that Gandalf believes in Bilbo but also keeps Gandalf somewhat of a mystery. Throughout the story, Gandalf keeps some of his powers and his reasons that he makes some decisions secret, which makes the reader wonder what other adventures that Gandalf may be a part of. The author never even reveals why Gandalf has convinced Bilbo to join the journey at all. Even though Gandalf is not the most important character in the story, his ability to appear at key moments to help out the group makes him extremely important to the plot.