The dwarves are some of the most fascinating characters to appear in both The Hobbit. While they are mostly used for comic relief in the Peter Jackson adaptation of the books, they have their own compelling and complex history. Two of the most notable dwarves to appear are, of course, Gimli and Thorin, each of whom are very different from the other. The real question, though, is which one of them deserves the title of best dwarf.
As it turns out, each of them has some key characteristics that allow them to lay claim to that title.
Gimli: Funnier
There’s no question that Gimli is the funnier of the two of them. A lot of this has to do with the way that John Rhys-Davies decides to play him, and he has an unmistakably great sense of comic timing.
It’s almost impossible not to laugh at Gimli’s antics, especially since he always seems to take himself so seriously (at least at the beginning). As the movies go on, though, it’s clear that he’s sort of embraced his funnier, more light-hearted side.
Thorin: More Noble
Thorin, on the other hand, is a very noble sort of dwarf, sometimes to an almost absurd degree (something that Armitage captures in his portrayal).
Unlike most of the other dwarves that accompany him to the Lonely Mountain, he very rarely gives into levity, preferring to always be on his dignity. He’s a person who realizes that he has a grand destiny in front of him, and he is determined to live up to the fact that he is the rightful King Under the Mountain. Plus, he has some pretty great quotes to prove his nobility.
Gimli: His Loyalty To Legolas
In Tolkien’s fictional universe, there’s quite a lot of bad blood between dwarves and Elves, with each side having at least some responsibility for the old feuds. This carries on into the relationship between Legolas and Gimli, and it’s very clear, particularly in the movies, that they are not at all fond of one another.
As the story goes on, however, they actually become the best of friends, and it’s rather touching to see the extent to which Gimli takes the rather arrogant and aloof Legolas to his heart (even if the Elf is a bit overrated).
Thorin: His Reconciliation With Bilbo
The relationship between Bilbo and Thorin is a complicated one, and it’s certainly not helped by the fact that Bilbo gives the Arkenstone to Thorin’s enemies in a rather foolhardy attempt to broker a peace deal.
Ultimately, of course, the two of them end up reconciling before Thorin dies of his grievous wounds, leading to some of Bilbo's best quotes. It’s one of the most heartbreaking moments in the trilogy, and it’s a reminder that, beneath his rather gruff and cold exterior, Thorin is in fact a person of honor and dignity.
Gimli: The Fact That He Went Over The Sea With Legolas
Those who have read the appendices to The Lord of the Rings learn a very curious, and touching, thing about Gimli son of Gloin. While some key of the Fellowship end up departing from the Grey Havens, several remain in Middle-earth, among them Legolas and Gimli.
However, after Aragorn’s death, it turns out that they, too, decided to depart, and it’s really quite extraordinary that Gimli would decide to depart with an Elf, perhaps the only one of his race ever to do so. It certainly makes up for the ways in which Legolas, in some ways, got worse and worse.
Thorin: His Bravery In Facing Azog
The key conflict in The Hobbit films is not, as it first appears, between Thorin and the dragon Smaug (though obviously, the great beast is an enemy), but instead between Thorin and the villainous Orc Azog.
While Azog is a truly terrifying creature, towering above Thorin, and while he’s clearly a formidable warrior, Thorin deserves a lot of credit for being willing and able to go up against this enemy, even when it must have been clear to him that he would almost certainly perish in the attempt.
Gimli: Braving The Paths Of The Dead
While he’s a source of much comic relief in the movies, that shouldn’t blind us to the fact that Gimli has his fair share of brave moments, too, most notably when he goes with Aragorn and Legolas on the Paths of the Dead. This is a particularly important moment for him as a character, particularly since he feels so ashamed about the fact that he’s afraid to go underground.
He deserves a lot of credit for being willing to put all of that aside and his friends when it would have been easier for him to do the opposite.
Thorin: His Determination To Reclaim His Birthright
Thorin is one of those people who, once they are convinced of something, will do everything in their power to see it through. That is certainly the case with his claim to be the rightful King Under the Mountain.
As much as he can be a real jerk about it, one can’t help but ire him for his willingness to pursue his birthright, far past the point when many others would have turned back when faced with the tremendous difficulties that he faced.
Gimli: His Fondness For The Hobbits
Gimli, like the other of the Fellowship, at first seems a bit bemused about the hobbits. As the series goes on, however, he is clearly quite fond of them, and in fact, he is incredibly relieved when it turns out that Pippin and Merry have not been killed by Saruman’s soldiers but are instead alive and well.
It’s quite touching to see this rather gruff figure become such a softy when it comes to the diminutive hobbits.
Thorin: His Fondness For His Nephews
Though the movies don’t make a lot out of it for the most part, it actually turns out that the dwarves Fili and Kili are Thorin’s nephews, the sons of his sister.
As the movies reach their conclusion, however, it’s clear that these two mean quite a lot to their uncle (one of the things the adaptations got right), and it’s really wrenching to see the look of anguish on his face when he has to watch the two of them get murdered by the villainous Orcs. It helps to humanize an otherwise rather taciturn character.
