The Motivations Behind Smaug's Obsession with Hoarding Treasure

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Smaug the dragon is known for his insatiable love of gold and jewels, hoarding them in the Lonely Mountain for decades. This compilation of motivations demonstrates how Smaug evolved from a classic archetype into one of literature's most iconic creatures. Let’s delve deeper into the reasons behind his actions.

Greed: The Bedrock of Smaug's Obsession

From a dragon’s perspective, greed is not just about gaining wealth but about securing power and status. For Smaug, his hoard is more than just a pile of gold and jewels—it is a symbol of his dominance over the Lonely Mountain and its surroundings. The treasure represents his superiority over other races, such as Dwarves and Men, and serves as a deterrent against potential threats. Few in Middle-earth would dare to challenge a dragon who guards such a vast hoard, making Smaug's wealth a source of security and control.

Pride: The Emblem of Smaug's Self-Image

Smaug’s pride is a defining trait that shapes his behavior. He derives immense pleasure from the beauty of his treasures and enjoys showcasing them to anyone who takes the time to admire them. His self-image is deeply tied to the wealth he possesses. Believing that his hoard elevates his status above all others, Smaug sees his treasure as a form of personal armor, a reflection of his power and might. This pride also fuels his desire to be seen as untouchable, further justifying his insatiable greed for treasure.

Desire for Isolation: Smaug's Withdrawal into the Mountain

After driving out the Dwarves, Smaug prefers solitude. The Lonely Mountain, now his domain, provides a sense of comfort and familiarity. The vast hoard he guards becomes both a physical barrier and a psychological comfort. Its presence ensures that he feels secure in a world that he perceives as threatening and hostile. For Smaug, the treasure represents a refuge and a sanctuary in a harsh and unforgiving landscape. His hoard is like a fortress, a place where he can be alone and unassailable.

Fear of Loss: Smaug’s Unrelenting Guard

Underlying Smaug’s hoarding behavior is a deep-seated fear of losing his treasure. This fear manifests in his intense reaction to any perceived threat, such as the arrival of Bilbo Baggins and the Dwarves. His obsession with guarding his hoard is so strong that it drives him to desperation, often leading to reckless actions. This fear of loss contributes to Smaug’s downfall, as his determination to protect his treasure blinds him to more strategic decisions that could have saved him in the end.

Cambridge of Dragon Behavior: Nature and Nurture

It is indeed in the nature of dragons to hoard treasure, a behavior that spans from magical creatures in myths to real animals like magpies and trapdoor spiders. Whether the love for gold was built into dragons by Morgoth or evolved later, the instinct remains strong. As Thorin II Oakenshield puts it, dragons tend to steal gold and jewels where they can find them, guard their plunder for as long as they live, and never really enjoy any of it. Their hoard becomes a symbol of their power and status, a source of security, a mark of pride, and a refuge from the world’s dangers.

Overall, Smaug’s motivations are a complex interplay of greed, pride, and the fear of loss. His hoarding of treasure is not just about accumulating wealth but about asserting his dominance, showcasing his power, and feeling secure in a hostile world. Thorin’s observations provide a deep insight into the dynamics of dragon behavior, showcasing how the love for treasure is both a natural instinct and a learned trait shaped by their environment and experiences.