Bilbo Hero Quotes

George Washington. Aragorn. Beowulf. Captain America. Martin Luther. Han Solo. Wright Brothers. History, books, and movies are full of these types of characters. Whether they led our country to victory or saved a galaxy far far away, these people can be defined as heroes. A hero could be defined as someone who is cunning, shows justice and mercy, and has the courage to take on many challenges. In J. R. R. Tolkien’s renowned book The Hobbit, he fills the pages with many heroes. There is Thorin, King under the mountain, who has come to reclaim his home. There is Bard, a bowman, who kills the chiefest and greatest dragon Smaug. There are the mighty eagles, who rescue the dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf moments before their death. And there is also

an ordinary hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who discovered more of his Took side than he ever knew he had. In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins displayed cunningness, mercy, and courage and therefore fits the definition of a hero.
Bilbo’s ability to think quickly on his feet and his cunning intelligence play an important part of his success in becoming a hero.

When Bilbo encounters the strange creature Gollum, he enters into a game of riddles with the creature in order to buy more time. Bilbo’s wit enables him to prevail as he asks the final question, at first to himself, “What have I got in my pocket?” (78). Another example of Bilbo’s cunning wit would be his encounter with the great dragon Smaug. Smaug is a much more daunting opponent this time. As Smaug attempts to lure Bilbo into his hall, Bilbo proceeds to flatter the dragon and talk in riddles. “This is of course the way to talk to dragons, if you don’t want to reveal your proper name (which is wise), and don’t want to infuriate them by a flat refusal (which is also very wise)” (223). Bilbo’s cunning tactics establish Bilbo as being capable of conquering his enemies not with total force, but with the clever use of

riddles.
Even though Bilbo may be a cunning riddle-maker, he was full of justice and mercy. One example of this is once again with the creature Gollum. Gollum was blocking the way of Bilbo’s one route of escape. Bilbo, however, was invisible. Gollum was defenseless. Bilbo considered killing Gollum. Gollum had meant to kill him. As these different thoughts wrestled in Bilbo’s head, “A sudden understanding, a pity mixed with horror, welled up in Bilbo’s heart: a glimpse of endless unmarked days without light or hope of betterment, hard stone, cold fish, sneaking and whispering. All these thoughts passed in a flash of a second. He trembled. And then quite suddenly in another flash, as if lifted by a new strength and resolve, he leaped.” Gollum had lost his prey and his precious, but because of the mercy and pity of Bilbo, he had kept his life.
In another one of Tolkien’s books, he states, “Courage is found in unlikely places”. This was very true for Bilbo. Bilbo, we must not forget, is a true hobbit. He smokes a pipe, eats several meals a day, loves a nice waistcoat, looks forward to a good night of sleep, and is overly fond of the comforts home. When Bilbo was pushed out of his door into the wild, he must not only do without a few of his favorite necessities, but have to courage to take on the many challenges they face. Throughout the book, Bilbo becomes more of the leader of the group than Thorin was. He rescues the dwarves out of countless dangers and becomes the hero Gandalf always knew was in him. One example of Bilbo’s courage is his fearsome fight with the giant spiders. “Somehow the killing of the giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark without the help of the wizard or the dwarves or of anyone else, made a difference to Mr Baggins. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach” (156). Throughout the book, Bilbo discovers his bravery and his courage which enabled him to attain the respect of a true hero.
Cunning wit, mercy on his enemies, and the courage of a Took; Bilbo Baggins was able to attain the honor of a hero through these traits.

Bilbo cleverly eluded Smaug’s temptation, spared the life of foul creature Gollum, and demonstrate courage more and more throughout his journey. These exquisite traits made Bilbo into the revered character that was loved and respected for generations of readers. Throughout the book, Bilbo’s character had changed. At first, he was the ordinary hobbit who described adventures as “Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things” (4) but by the end of his journeys stated to Thorin, “I am glad that I have shared in your perils” (290). Bilbo’s ability to fight evil, make new friends, and to look beyond his maps and books enable him to become a hero. As Gandalf once said at the very beginning, “There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself” (19). Gandalf was right. What appeared to be an uneasy hobbit who fainted at the thought of adventures, turned out to be a brave leader, a compassionate friend, and an inspiring

hero.