Characterization and Geomyth of Gandalf in The Hobbit
Bilbo Baggins, The Hobbit protagonist, lives in a community called, Hobbiton in J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel. Before the interruption from a wizard named Gandalf, he led a very dull, quiet life. Baggin’s and Gandalf are faced with a challenging effort as they must retrieve missing treasure. Not only do they have to retrieve it, but the treasure is protected by a fire-breathing dragon, Samug. Along this journey they meet many different kinds of creatures like: trolls, hobbit like creatures, dragons, dwarves, elves, and last but not least, a Wizard named Gandalf. This paper will center on Gandalf: his outstanding characteristics, powers and abilities, and how Gandalf is relates to the phenomena
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Tolkien wrote that Gandlalf as “...an old man with a staff. He had a tall pointed blue hat, a long gray cloak, a silver scarf over which a white beard hung down below his waist, and immense black boots.” (PAGE #). Which later, Tolkien wrote “...a figure strongly built and with broad shoulders, though shorter than the average of men standing about 5’6. His broad shoulders, made him look like some wise king of ancient legend. In his aged face under great snowy brows, his eyes were set like coals that could suddenly burst into fire.” (PAGE #). He was dressed in all grays from head to toe which later turns to white. He's a guider and a protector. An older man, Gandalf has much wisdom, which earns him respect among his subordinates (The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Character Analysis Gandalf). For example, “he would use his powers for entertainment, by blowing glowing smoke rings that moved around the room. He created blinding flashes and other explosives to distract the goblins of the Misty Mountains, helping the dwarves in their escape from Goblin-town” (Tolkien …show more content…
He sometimes uses a magic staff and he seems able to appear and disappear suddenly on his own quest. He has kind of a psychic side to him as well; he seems to sense Bilbo’s courage before Bilbo knows it himself. He is also more powerful than everyone else in the book: he's able to help the dwarves escape from the goblins with his fancy magic powers, and he even stops the opposing human, elf, and dwarf armies with a single shot and a warning that the goblins and wargs are coming. He is the guide that keeps Bilbo and mostly the dwarf’s safe through their first adventures with the trolls and the goblins. On the eastern slopes, he turned pinecones into flaming projectiles that threw hot spark and started fires that would not go out easily. He was also able to come and go from the presence of Thorin and Company without being noticed. When he was angered or triggered for battle, he seemed as if he grew in height and would come off as a very terrifying individual ( PAGE #).
So as you are wondering, what is Geomythology? According to the article Geomythology by Adrienne Mayor, Geomythology is a term first created in 1968 by the geologist Dorothy Vitaliano “It is best defined as the study of etiological traditions of pre-scientific cultures to explain […] geological phenomena” (Mayor 1). The concept behind was originated by, Euhemerus, a Greek philosopher, around 300 BC. It explained,
Every story has characters with different roles, and each of them are important to make the story complete. Three characters, Bilbo, Gandalf, and Smaug represent three archetypal roles in this story. Their guide Gandalf, represents the mentor, Bilbo represents the hero, and Smaug represents the shadow. Smaug symbolizes fear to the characters, and the dragon represents one of the characters that are most often causing the most terror and trouble to the other characters in the story. The hobbit symbolizes the hero of the story, because he sacrifices himself throughout the book. Mr. Bilbo Baggins learns more and more each day, and he tries to always do the right thing. Gandalf symbolizes the guidance and help as a mentor, and he provides training and motivation to the characters. These three important characters greatly explain the
Bilbo Baggins lived a very simple life, a life he enjoyed very much, until the day when the wizard Gandalf arrived at his door one morning. Gandalf was searching for someone to share an adventure with, but Bilbo quickly declined, saying, “We don’t want any adventures here. You might try over The Hill or across The Water,” and with that the hobbit dismissed the wandering wizard, but not before he had given the wizard an invitation for tea the next day. This of coarse, was the polite thing to do. But Gandalf saw something more in Bilbo and would not be discouraged.
Within J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Tolkien uses the character of Bilbo Baggins to reveal to the reader the constant struggle between heroic and anti-heroic qualities within Bilbo and ourselves.
This story begins with a small fellow by the name of Bilbo Baggins. This fantasy story was written in 1956 by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is about a hero’s journey through the dangers and wonders of Middle Earth. Although it was not meant to become such a well-known book, it is filled with much literature. Throughout the book, Tolkien uses literary devices such as repetition, similes, and metaphors to develop the theme of cunning and cleverness.
He is too small to be man or even dwarf. He is even smaller than that, even less important. Even the notion of having a familial trait in the blood that compels one to certain actions is familiar. It exists in today’s society and is seen every time someone tells a person that they walk or move just like their mother or father. But the setting of The Shire as an idyllic countryside is incredibly important as well. It welcomes the reader in. From the very beginning, the reader feels at peace with the surroundings and this sucks them into the world of Middle Earth. Now, they are in Bilbo’s shoes (even though he does not wear any). The reader is now established as a stranger in this land, much like the lands beyond The Shire are strange to
Then one day a wizard by the name of Gandalf comes and gives Bilbo the opportunity to go on an adventure. Bilbo turns his offer down, but the next day thirteen dwarves come to his house. They have meals together and they sleep at Bilbo’s house. Gandalf then convinces him to go on an adventure with them. Bilbo is many things, in the beginning he is flat, static, main, and he is the protagonist.
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, one who enjoys peace and quiet, feasts and fireplaces, and the coziness of his home. At the beginning the The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Bilbo could not even imagine going on a tenacious adventure, but by the end he has survived the longest, toughest battle yet. Throughout the novel Bilbo Baggins changes from a prudent, typical hobbit into a courageous, sacrificing adventurer.
In the Hobbit a magic weapon is used, Bilbo finds a ring that makes him invisible which helped him get by in a specific situation.
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
...y a little fellow, Gandalf hints that even he was impressed by the large role Bilbo played in their journey, adding irony to the theme of heroism. Bilbo was the perfect character for Tolkien to express the theme of heroism because he was just the average, everyday character with a kind heart. He wasn’t some wizard or renowned warrior, but a hobbit, a simple hobbit who didn’t ask for heroism. Bilbo would much rather stay in the quite of his own home, but fate would have him do much more, even though Bilbo wouldn’t say so himself, he was indeed…a hero.
After the dwarves have gone to sleep, Bilbo begins to have second thoughts about going on the adventure, “The Tookishness was wearing off, and he was not now quite sure that he was going on any journey in the morning” (Tolkien 27). Bilbo does not know if he wants to go on this adventure that Gandalf is planning, but changes his mind during the Acceptance of the Call. The next morning, Gandalf shows Bilbo the note under his clock, and Bilbo leaves to meet up with the dwarves to go on the adventure, “To the end of his days Bilbo could never remember how he found himself outside, without a hat, a walking-stick or any money” (Tolkien 30). This leads right to the third part of The Departure; Supernatural Aid. Gandalf the wizard, is Bilbo’s Supernatural Aid, he mentors and assists Bilbo and the dwarves on their quest. “They had not been riding very long, when up came Gandalf very splendid on a white horse. He had brought a lot of pocket-handkerchiefs, and Bilbo’s pipe tobacco” (Tolkien 31). While this does not indicate Gandalf’s supernatural abilities, it does; however, show that Gandalf will be there for, and assist the group in any way
...or Bilbo, Gandalf is his lifeline, as Bilbo always get into some trouble thanks to Gandalf however always seem to survive. The people that Bilbo travels along with are dwarves. They also prove to be noble companions by carrying Bilbo through the tunnels when fleeing the goblins. Being a hobbit has its disadvantage of not being able to keep up with the speed of Gandalf and the dwarves. As for showing great respect the dwarves carry Bilbo through the tunnels assisting him in escaping the goblins
It is likely for one to assume that a classic piece of literature set in a fantasy oriented stage will have no merits to the youths of today. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, however, with its crafty of usage symbolism, displays its relevance to issues that often trouble teens. As the story progresses from a children’s tale to an epic, the main character Bilbo undergoes a series of development, his experiences often overlapping with ordinary people. Reading the Hobbit will provide teens with opportunities of exploring the importance of several common but serious topics. People may encounter many of the themes presented in the book elsewhere repeatedly, but it’s possible that they never appreciated the applications it might have on themselves. When teens read the Hobbit, they perceive it as a simple fiction of adventure. Under proper guiding, they will be able to recognize and utilize the lessons of the Hobbit, and improve their attitudes and ideas about life.
Since the beginning of humankind, the study of geography has captured the imagination of the people. In ancient times, geography books extolled tales of distant lands and dreamed of treasures. The ancient Greeks created the word "geography" from the roots "ge" for earth and "grapho" for "to write." These people experienced many adventures and needed a way to explain and communicate the differences between various lands. Today, researchers in the field of geography still focus on people and cultures (cultural geography), and the planet earth (physical geography).
he Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring is a fantasy novel set in an entirely different time period and in an extraordinarily different world. This story is part of a trilogy that transitions seamlessly into the ending of the prequel book, “The Hobbit.” At the end of “The Hobbit,” Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, a hobbit is a half-sized human, comes home from an adventure and during his journey, he manages to obtain a magical ring. This ring is magical because when you happen to wear it, you turn invisible. It also had the power to prolong the life of the wearer. The start of the Fellowship begins with Bilbo's 111th birthday and Bilbo is getting ready to leave the Shire. The Shire is the region of Middle-Earth where the hobbits reside. Middle-Earth is the continent in which this story takes place. So Bilbo is looking to leave the Shire and wants to leave his possessions with his cousin, Frodo Baggins, who is much younger then he is. Amongst these possessions is the magical ring. Bilbo has second thoughts about giving Frodo the ring but is talked into doing so by his good friend Gandalf the Grey. Gandalf the Grey is one of a few powerful wizards that inhabit Middle-Earth.