The life simulation gameTales of the Shirealready plans to include many aspects of J. R. R. Tolkien’s iconic hobbit community: shared meals, cottage-core decoration, lovingly maintained gardens, and much more. But there is another area in whichTales of the Shirecould pay homage to the originalThe HobbitandLord of the Ringsnovels: humor. Although Tolkien’s books are not often thought of as funny, they contain many often unacknowledged moments of humor, especially in scenes predominantly featuring the hobbit characters.
Hobbits Are Frequently A Source Of Humor
TheLord of the Ringsbooks are thought of as epic fantasy, filled with memorable characters and action-packed battles - not necessarily humor. But the books are funny, particularly when the hobbits are involved. Pippin Took is never without a quip, calling Gandalf’s proclamations of doom “cheerful” or bragging that he himself is “particularly large and strong” - as hobbits go, at least. At least a few readers have likely chuckled when Merry Brandybuck wakes from near-death in the House of Healing and immediately loudly announces that he’s hungry. AndSam Gamgee, though typically steadfast and noble, is quite funny when he gossips so much that nearly everyone in Hobbiton becomes aware of Frodo’s impending departure with the Ring.
Bilbo’s Birthday Party Is One Of Tolkien’s Funniest Scenes
Without question, one of the funniest scenes inThe Lord of the RingsisBilbo Baggins' “long-awaited birthday party"early inThe Fellowship of the Ring.Bilbo proudly declares that he is “eleventy-one,” tells his guests that he “like[s] less than half of [them] half as well as [they] deserve,” and then dramatically disappears with the aid of the One Ring.
The gifts he leaves behind for the Shire residents are a masterpiece in passive aggression: a man who does not return borrowed books gets a bookshelf, a woman obsessed with her looks gets a mirror, and the spoon-stealingLobelia Sackville-Bagginsgets the silverware she desired while also being called out for her thieving ways. Tolkien commenting that Lobelia “took the point at once, but also took the spoons”, is sure to get a laugh from at least a few readers.
Tales Of The Shire Could Include Humorous Dialogue And Quests
Tales of the Shirecould reflect Tolkien’s dry, witty humor in the dialogue between its many hobbit characters. A large part of the game will involve the player befriending their neighbors, leaving plenty of opportunities for joking and quips. As players can throw shared meals and parties with the other hobbits, they might even get the opportunity to give a memorableBilbo Baggins-inspired celebratory speechof their own.
Quest design is also an area in whichTales of the Shirecould inject some humor. It could be hilarious to see hobbits treating relatively minor requests, such as asking for a specific fish or crop, as equivalent to life-altering epic quests. Hobbits do, after all, take food and cooking very seriously. Other potentially funny quests include looking for mundane missing items, eavesdropping on gossipy neighbors, or recreating the iconic"second breakfast” memeby preparing that particular meal - or simply offering an apple, like Merry and Pippin had to be content with in the films.
While the hobbits themselves could easily be the game’s primary source of humor, the wizardGandalf, should he appear, is also potentially quite funny. Gandalf’s grumpy temper, especially surrounded by cheery hobbits, could cause a few laughs. Tolkien’s most famous wizard is prone to dryly humorous blunt statements, such as “I was there, and now I’m back,” and he could easily have similar banter withTales of the Shire’splayer character.
