Bilbo Traits

At the beginning of the story, Bilbo was a very timid, weak hobbit who wanted nothing to do with an adventure. He believed that adventures were a waste of time, and he even had a spectacular reputation as a hobbit. There is no evidence that he was brave or a strong leader. However, as the story progresses, he begins to show those traits. In Chapter 8, on page 170, the text declares, “Somehow the killing of this giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark . . . made a great difference to Mr. Baggins. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder… ‘I will give you a name,’ he said to it, ‘and I shall call you Sting.’ ” His single-handed killing of the giant spider demonstrates how Bilbo became braver. Bilbo’s bravery is represented

Killing the spider gave him the confidence to take on the rest of the spiders in order to free the dwarves. He used bravery to taunt the spiders while he used leadership to free the dwarves and guide them out. If the hobbit from the beginning of the book was in the same situation, he would have cowered and most likely fled from the dangerous, blood-thirsty spiders. Later in the story, Bilbo has to fulfill his pilfering role and enter the dragon’s lair alone. At this time in the story, Thorin says, “Now is the time for our esteemed Mr. Baggins, who has proved himself a good companion on our long road, and a hobbit full of courage and resource far exceeding his size….now is the time for him to perform the service for which he was included in our Company.” When they reached the “doorstep” of Smaug’s lair, Bilbo slipped inside the hidden door and investigated Smaug’s cave. Smaug could sense that Bilbo was there, but he had never come across a hobbit. Smaug was thoroughly confused by Bilbo’s scent and Bilbo used this to his advantage by telling Smaug his name through riddles. Bilbo was extremely brave to enter a dragon’s lair alone, and he displayed leadership by being the first to