How Does Bilbo Show Heroism

Heroes are not people who do something glorious, instead they fulfil their tasks faithfully and with dignity and are able to perform the most difficult tasks during uneasy conditions, putting the lives of others before themselves. The Hobbit, written by J.R.R. Tolkien, is an adventurous novel that discovers the expedition of an ordinary hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, as he disrupts the average society and goes on his quest. He shows heroism by conquering his fears, walking through dangerous lands and developing some uncomfortable alliances. Only an individual with aptitude can overcome such obstacles that come in their pathway to success just like Bilbo, a true hero. Bilbo Baggins, the central character of The Hobbit, can be considered an unlikely

hero, since he shows his bravery and courage by confronting difficult tasks instead of giving up and also shows true honesty even while committing crimes and intelligence when faced with complications.

To begin with, a hero must be brave and courageous enough to tackle problematic situations at unexpected moments. Throughout Bilbo’s journey, he encounters many difficult situations, but continuously shows his courage throughout the quest. Bilbo is not considered a hero at first, but as time goes on he develops talents that he himself may not have discovered before. In Bilbo’s first act of bravery, he is forced to face an enemy that he does not have any knowledge of, in the underground tunnels. Bilbo shows strength by agreeing to play Gollum’s riddle game. He shows that he is brave enough to face unexpected situations that would continue to arise later on as well. When Gollum challenges Bilbo to a riddle game, “Bilbo is anxious to agree, until he found out more about the creature” (Tolkien 73). At this point Bilbo shows bravery by choosing to stay in the tunnel and facing Gollum instead of whipping around his sword carelessly to get away. Bilbo demonstrates that he is capable of swallowing his fear and be scheming about how to defeat and enemy at the same time. Bilbo could have taken Gollum down, but instead he decides not to strike a defenceless creature showing that he is brave enough to handle him with his own willpower. However, it is not that long after Bilbo comes across another challenge, the giant petrifying spiders in the forest of Mirkwood. Bilbo displays bravery by saving the dwarves from the spiders all by himself. Bilbo knows that he has to save the dwarves even if his life is at risk. Bilbo is not well trained, but “as a boy he used to practice throwing stones at things” (Tolkien 158). Thus, Bilbo grabs several rocks and flings them through a massive spider web, killing multiple spiders. As Tolkien mentioned “Bilbo plucked up his courage" (Tolkien 160). He begins to sing and move different directions to distract the spiders, knowing that he could be caught at any moment. He slashes threads into pieces with the help of his sword, kills a numerous amount of spiders and frees the dwarves in time. Only a courageous hero can make difficult decisions for the sake of his friends, which is exactly what Bilbo does, he put others before himself. This indicates that Bilbo is developing more qualities of heroism. A hero must be able to do impressive things and have the power to perform extraordinary tasks, no matter how challenging they would be too achieve. Moving forward from all his past struggles, Bilbo is to face his toughest test of bravery when he agrees to go into the dragon’s lair all by himself. This is another situation that Bilbo gets himself into without thinking about the consequences that could occur. Although his role in the quest is to steal treasure from the dragon Smaug, it is surprising when Bilbo decides to go into the dragon’s lair all by himself. This is the bravest act that Bilbo shows because “he fought a real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait” (Tolkien 193). Bilbo is told to go into a dark tunnel, where he is to face the most frightening, spine chilling and powerful dragon, Smaug, who has been tormenting a whole species of dwarves for ages. To not thoroughly understand what type of danger Bilbo is about to face is horrifying, but since he decides to face it, without knowing the repercussions it could lead to is called bravery. J.R.R. Tolkien’s ability to compare the fantasy and real world by making an everyday-average being such as Bilbo into a hero is amazing, since it shows how an average living person can be full of bravery but may not be recognized.

The astonishing thing about Bilbo is that he is a thief as well as a hero.

How could you be a hero and a thief at the same time? Like Gloin the dwarf said “he looks more like a grocer than a burglar!” (Tolkien 18). Although Bilbo’s role in the quest is a thief, he exhibits honesty, integrity and intelligence by displaying his heroic characteristics. Well, Bilbo Baggins is an honorable thief. He is not greedy and like Thorin Oaksheild believed “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world” (Tolkien 259). Bilbo does value all those things above gold, as he proves when he sees all of the treasure and gold lying in Smaug’s den, he is not swept with greed. He only takes the golden cup which he gives to the dwarves, and the Arkenstone. A normal thief would stuff their pockets with all the treasure and gold they could find, but Bilbo is not a normal thief. Furthermore, Bilbo is honest and portrays integrity when he decides to give his fourteenth share of treasure, the Arkenstone, to Bard to stop a war. Bilbo shows honesty by confessing “I gave it to them!” (Tolkien 276). This demonstrates that Bilbo took the Arkenstone knowing Thorin wanted it, but he gives it up without any regret because he does not value the treasure as much as he values peace. Bilbo is willing to give his up his share of the treasure for the sake of avoiding war and for what he believes is the right thing to do. This is one of Bilbo’s greatest moments of heroism. Bilbo displays that he understands what is important for him and chooses peace before wealth since his stealing at the end is a non-selfish act. Bilbo further justifies integrity when the dwarves are passing by Mirkwood on their way to the lonely mountain. As the Elvenking imprisons the dwarves, Bilbo is left invisible with his ring trying to help the dwarves. There, Bilbo, only uses their supplies and steals some food to stay around the castle long enough to free his companions. He steals keys

to free the dwarves, but puts them back as well before leaving. He only steals as much as he needed and also apologizes to the Elvenking for stealing his supplies and stealing their food. This proves that Bilbo may steal things, but he never steals them for his own personal benefits. As Bilbo grows into the role of a burglar he develops a sense of what is right and wrong. Bilbo Baggins is not greedy, even though he is a thief, he shows honesty. He presents honesty by helping the dwarves and not leaving them there alone. He shows true friendship and intelligence by thinking of strategies to get them out as said “Bilbo sat and though about this water gate and wondered if it could be used for the escape of his friends and at the end he had the desperate beginnings of a plan” (Tolkien 177). Not only is Bilbo honest throughout his journey, but he logically solves complicated circumstances. He uses his intelligence to survive Gollum’s riddle challenge by facing his fears. Bilbo outwits this notorious creature with his keen sense of brain power. As Bilbo wins the riddle game, Gollum decides to not show him the way out of the tunnels. As Bilbo decides to slip his ring on before Gollum could catch him, he shows intelligence by thinking that “if he followed him, Gollum might lead him to some way of escape without meaning to” (Tolkien 84). This shows Bilbo’s intelligence because he knows that Gollum would go looking for him on the way that would lead him out of the tunnel which is what happens. Bilbo outsmarts Gollum in an ingenious way. Only an honest hero with integrity and intelligence can complete his quest successfully by showing critical thinking at sudden situations. Bilbo is able to get out of problems and save the dwarves as well.

As unlikely as it may be, Bilbo is a hero. When this expedition is thrust upon him, he proves to be brave, courageous and shows honesty by displaying intelligence like a true hero would. After Bilbo signs the contract, he honours it, never abandons his friends and conquers his fears which change him as a hobbit. Bilbo Baggins comes a long way from “never had any adventures or did anything unexpected” (Tolkien 3). Instead, he ends up with many memories, by scraping the longing Took-ish-side and living the rest of his days with many friends and epic tales to tell. The adventures he went through changed him thoroughly. Bilbo develops many strengths throughout his journey that he never realizes before. He first goes through dangers and passes rite of passage before he reaches the status of a hero. After everything Bilbo goes through, it is safe to say that Bilbo is nothing short of an indisputable hero. Even though he may be short.