The Hobbit Character Analysis

Luke Skywalker, Bilbo Baggins, Katniss Everdeen, Harry Potter; all examples of virtuous heroes in literature, heroes that are recognized and exemplified, heroes that inspire. These heroes have achieved this grand title due to their incredible heroic journeys consisting of many struggles, battles, and sacrifices. As Joseph Campbell states, “The composite hero of the monomyth is a personage of exceptional gifts. Frequently he is honored by his society, frequently unrecognized or disdained. He and/or the world in which he finds himself suffers from a symbolical deficiency” (29-30). Now, all these heroes may have different appearances and character traits, but the single factor that makes them all the same is their journey. This pattern of the

Starting off with his family heritage, Bilbo’s mother was from the Took side, known to beadventurous and mischievous. On the other hand, Bilbo’s father was a Baggins, very prudent, cautious, and lazy. Bilbo, being a man of both controversial bloods, throughout his journey, is wavering between his Tookish andBaggins side; whether to be a brave hero or step aside and watch from a safe corner. At first, Bilbo starts off as aBaggins; during the call to adventure, Bilbo states, “I should think so - in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!” (6) when Gandalf(the herald and mentor) claimed that he was looking for someone to share an adventure with. This clearly exhibits Bilbo’s prudent, cautious and lazy side as he didn’t prefer to disturb his comfortable and relaxed agenda at his safe little hobbit hole. Furthermore, throughout the first half of the journey, Bilbo’s character always leaned toward the Baggins side as he constantly reminded himself about the comforts of his own home when encountering various struggles and conflicts. An example of this is: “’Bother burgling and everything to do with it! I wish I was at home in my nice hole by the fire, with the kettle just beginning to sing!’ It was not the last time that he wished that!” (31). The turning point to this Baggins