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Gollum finds out Bilbo's name and where he is from when they meet in the cave.

Why doesn't he ever go to the Shire to search for Bilbo and his "precious"?

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    It does not appear this is specific to the movie adaptation of the story, and therefore seems to me to be a better fit on sci-fi then movies.
    – antony.trupe
    Jan 21, 2013 at 18:28
  • @antony.trupe, I concur. Mods should have caught it right away. But then again, this would probably drive traffic here. :)
    – theUg
    Jan 23, 2013 at 4:17
  • I don't know. I was making the same question but all people is saying the same "he didn't know". and " I don't see Gollum asking for directions". Ok, but even in that he could travel at nights, going to rivers and yes, asking some people maybe dressed like a dwarf. We're not talking about a few years, we are talking about 60!. In all that time he could find some information about it.
    – user23735
    Aug 8, 2015 at 17:57

2 Answers 2

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Smeagol was a Stoor Hobbit before the ring corrupted him. This means he was from Gladden Fields just east of the Misty Mountains.

According to the link below he did go searching for the ring but he waited until 2 years after Bilbo took the ring. He spent almost the next 60 years either searching or being captured.

I reckon he never went to the Shire because he didn't know where it was. Shire Hobbits didn't seem knowledgable about things outside of the Shire so I imagine Stoor Hobbits would be the same. I'd say its safe to assume that Smeagol was never west of the Misty Mountains so he'd know nothing of that land. Also I can't see Gollum asking someone for directions to the Shire so he'd have no way of knowing where it is.

http://theshirefellowship.net/index.php?option=com_agora&task=viewtopic&id=220

The green circle is Galdden Fields and the red circle is the Shire. Middle Earth map showing The Shire and Gladden Fields

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    What is east of RHUN?
    – Jack B Nimble
    Jan 22, 2013 at 21:47
  • No idea. That could be a separate question by itself.
    – PriestVallon
    Jan 22, 2013 at 23:22
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    @JackBNimble - Middle East Earth?
    – Robotnik
    Aug 19, 2013 at 13:13
  • As to what is east of Rhun--Middle Earth seems to be just the "continentinal region" shown in maps of Middle Earth. There are maps of Arda-- the world Middle Earth is part of-- viewable online. (Actually, I think Tolkien prefered Middle-earth)
    – user19654
    Mar 15, 2015 at 4:02
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The Fellowship of the Ring contains a description from Gandalf about his thoughts about what happens after Bilbo takes the ring.

Gollum is afraid of the light after so many years living under the misty mountains so it takes some time before he leaves them to search for the ring. Gandalf then surmises that, because of his very long association with the ring, he is drawn by Sauron's growing power and makes his way south to Mordor and is eventually captured and tortured.

All Gollum knows is that the ring was taken by 'Bagginses' from 'The Shire', but from his actions clearly doesn't know where that is.

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    He knows about the Shire as when hes being tortured he says "Baggins...Shire". In the movie that is. Your right about Mordor however, I've reread the first few chapters since I asked the question. He makes his way to Mordor. After this he is imprisoned by the elves. He then escapes from the elves.
    – Travis
    Jan 21, 2013 at 14:41
  • @Travis - Sorry - I meant 'doesn't know where he lives' to mean he doesn't know where The Shire is. I will edit.
    – iandotkelly ♦
    Jan 21, 2013 at 14:56
  • ah I see..Two good answers but because PriestVallon was first I'll have to accept that one
    – Travis
    Jan 21, 2013 at 14:58

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