Overview
Pippin’s youthful recklessness nearly costs the Fellowship dear, but his growth into a sworn soldier of Gondor makes him one of the story’s clearest examples of ordinary courage maturing under pressure.
Biography
The youngest conspirator
Pippin joined Frodo’s journey largely out of curiosity and friendship.
Taken and tested
Captured at Amon Hen, he escaped into Fangorn, met Treebeard, and witnessed the destruction of Isengard.
A knight of Gondor
His theft of the palantír from Orthanc drew Sauron’s gaze, but also revealed to him some of the Dark Lord’s plans. Beregond befriended him in Minas Tirith, and he saved Faramir from Denethor’s burning pyre.
Character
Personality
- Curious
- Foolish at times
- Warm
- Brave
- Impulsive
Deeds
- Escaped the Orcs and roused Treebeard
- Saved Faramir from Denethor
- Fought at the Morannon
- Helped scour the Shire
Relationships
Places
LocationThe Shire
The green homeland of the Hobbits in the west of Eriador, sheltered and largely overlooked by the great powers.
LocationIsengard
Saruman’s fortress at the southern end of the Misty Mountains, ruined by the Ents in the War of the Ring.
LocationMinas Tirith
The seven-tiered white city of Gondor, built into Mount Mindolluin, and the great fortress of the West.
In the histories
Appearances
The Fellowship of the RingPresent from the Shire
The Two TowersFangorn and Isengard
The Return of the KingMinas Tirith and the Scouring of the Shire
Sources
The Lord of the Rings · 1954–55
Three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.
Related entries
CharacterMeriadoc Brandybuck
A clever Brandybuck who rode to war with Rohan and helped slay the Witch-king at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
CharacterFaramir
Denethor’s younger son, a wise and gentle captain who resists the Ring’s temptation and befriends Frodo.
CharacterGandalf
A Wizard of the Istari, keeper of the Elven-ring Narya, and the chief architect of the resistance to Sauron.