How Is Bilbo Mature In The Hobbit

659 Words2 Pages

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is an exciting novel, an adventure that takes on a whole different meaning. The characters in this book, especially Bilbo(the main character) develop a lot throughout their quest for the treasure. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, a creature about half the size of us humans, beardless and with hairy feet. Bilbo Baggins is called upon to do more than he imagines himself, being capable of going on an adventure. He does not like any adventures nor traveling, he prefers the safety of his hobbit-hole ,”We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things!Make you late for dinner!I can’t think what anybody sees in them,”(pg4).Bilbo has inherited an adventurousness trait from his mother's …show more content…

Also in the face of difficulties, he is often afraid and constantly daydreams of bacon and eggs and wishes himself back home. And yet Bilbo soon shows signs of bravery when he faces obstacles.In chapter 5 Bilbo finds the ring of invisibility and frees himself from Gollum in the exchange of riddles. It is important to note that Bilbo resists the urge to kill Gollum because he thinks it would be an unfair fight when Gollum is unarmed, while Bilbo is invisible and armed,”Not a fair fight. He was invisible now. Gollum had no sword….”(pg 87). Bilbo is presented as not only clever, but ethical. The ring helps Bilbo gain respect for him in between the dwarves in Chapter 6.In Chapter 8, when Bilbo faces a challenge with the spider he uses his blade(sting) to free himself from the spider web, he is described as feeling differently about himself, an indication that he is growing in self-awareness. At this point, it is clear that he is developing qualities of heroism and leadership. In Chapter 9, he displays both bravery and intelligence in making a plan for the escape of the dwarves to Esgaroth.He takes in charge and saves his friends. Finally,later on in Chapter 12, it is Bilbo alone who enters into Smaug the dragon's lair, because he was the one to discover how to use Thorin's key to open the door to the Lonely Mountain. He steals a cup and the Arkenstone from the hoard. He displays extreme bravery because he …show more content…

In early parts, when he is threatened with death and obstacle, he must be rescued by Gandalf or any of the dwarves. As time goes on, however, Bilbo develops both cleverness and courage and saves himself and his friends from danger. He develops the traits partly under the control of Gandalf. It is through luck that he finds the ring of invisibility in Gollum's cave, but its powers allow him, to use his intelligence and courage to rescue the dwarves from the dungeon of the Elvenking and later take the Arkenstone to Bard in an attempt to prevent a war over the dragon's treasure. Bilbo is presented as making honest judgments and choosing to do good, as he does when he does not use the advantage of his sword and invisibility to kill

More about How Is Bilbo Mature In The Hobbit

Open Document