One of the best things about the Lord of the Rings trilogy, adapted for the screen by Peter Jackson in 2001-2003, is the fact that the world feels real and lived in, as if it truly could have existed for thousands of years before Frodo and the other hobbits had to take the ring to Mordor. This is in part because of the amazing creations of Weta Workshop, who created and aged the best sets, props, and costumes for the movies, but also because the main story is filled with intriguing background characters whose paths cross the hobbits along their journey. One such character is the keeper of the inn the Prancing Pony, where Aragorn meets Frodo and Sam and the others whilst Gandalf is delayed. The sturdy and ruddy-faced man goes by the name Barliman Butterbur.
Mr. Butterbur runs the inn, as his father did before him, and serves the food and drinks. He is portrayed only briefly in the movies, and seems like a fairly friendly but bumbling character, and this trait is even more exaggerated in the books, where he seems to be constantly forgetting things and causing all manner of mischief for his guests. Unfortunately, Frodo and the others are included in this list, when Butterbur’s direct actions put all of them in danger, and almost get them killed by the Nazgul, which would have resulted in the ring being taken back to Mordor and returned to Sauron, its true master. So, with this in mind, is it possible that Barliman Butterbur was secretly a traitor who had malicious intentions in delaying Frodo and the others?
It is well portrayed in the Peter Jackson films that Gandalf doesn’t come to meet the hobbits as he promised, because he is trapped on the Tower of Orthanc by Saruman, and left unable to escape. However, the film doesn’t explain that he knew he would be waylaid as his old friend Radagast met him at the inn in Bree and told him to visit Saruman (unknowingly aiding his evil scheme in the process). Gandalf subsequently wrote a letter, which he left with Barliman Butterbur to send on to Frodo in The Shire, to warn them to leave in the next couple of days and start making the journey to Bree, where Aragorn would meet them. However, Butterbur never sent the letter, and subsequently, Frodo and the other hobbits are delayed for weeks, which left them open and exposed to the Ringwraith attacks, and also untrusting of the ranger when they meet him, who is the only person able to help them.
Many fans of the books have wondered if this was not in fact a mistake, and if instead, Butterbur was deliberately delaying the hobbits in order to give the Ring-wraiths time to arrive. There are lots of unsavory characters hanging around Bree and the Prancing Pony at the time, and many of the men in the bar are shifty and whispering about the hobbits’ presence, even before Frodo accidentally puts the ring on and disappears in front of everyone. It therefore would have been easy for Barliman Butterbur to have been corrupted by one of these thugs who have infiltrated Bree, or bribed or offered something he desired for turning in the hobbits when they arrived at his door. Even Aragorn is distrustful of the bar-man because he knows how easily the hearts and minds of men can be swayed, especially where an object as evil as the one ring is concerned.
However, when confronted by all of the angry guests who are now in peril, Butterbur himself’ looked troubled.... “I beg your pardon. And I'm mortal afraid of what Gandalf will say if harm comes of it. But I didn't keep [the letter] back a-purpose. I put it by safe. Then I couldn't find nobody willing to go to the Shire next day, nor the day after, and none of my own folk were to spare; and then one thing after another drove it out of my mind. I'm a busy man. I'll do what I can to set matters right, and if there's any help I can give, you've only to name it.”
And he is true to his word, keeping them safe in the night when the wraiths arrive, and offering to give them supplies and horses to speed them on their way. It seems genuine that Butterbur made an honest mistake, and that the only evil he had been involved in was the unintentional one of forgetfulness, which indirectly put the others in danger. Luckily, no real harm is done, and the hobbits are able to continue on their quest, led by the future king who will reclaim the throne of Gondor.
