Who Is Bilbo Baggins A Hero

636 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Hero definition

What defines a hero? Does being a hero require the ability to fly or possess superhuman strength? Are all heroes charming and muscular? Instead can a hero be someone that no one believes in or expects; someone like Bilbo Baggins? Bilbo Baggins is a character in J.R.R. Tolkien’s book The Hobbit. He is a hobbit, which is an extremely small creature, about half the size of a human. Living in a peaceful hobbit hole where no danger or adventure will find him, Bilbo is content. Until one day, Gandalf, the wizard, and thirteen dwarves show up at his doorstep asking if he would be their burglar. Consequently, he finds himself on a quest to retake the treasure and mountain that once belonged to Thorin’s ancestors. Reclaiming the treasure filled mountain …show more content…

With the help of the men and elves, Bilbo and the dwarves slayed the dragon and reclaimed their ancestors’ treasure. Timid Bilbo was forced to step up and become a hero when Gandalf left to attend to his other business. By claiming the position Gandalf entrusted to him, he displayed some of the greatest qualities of a hero; courage, leadership, and honor.
The definition of courage is, “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Bilbo displayed great courage during their time in Mirkwood, the great forest. Valiantly, he fought off several giant spiders in order to protect his friends, and he persevered through the dangers of the forest. Cunningly, he confronted Smaug, the gigantic, fire breathing dragon, and tricked him into showing Bilbo his vulnerability. Gandalf’s leaving the group created a dilemma for the dwarves, they lacked a leader. Thorin would seem fit for the job, but his arrogance and greed caused doubts in the minds of the dwarves. Despite all of this, Bilbo decided to mature in leadership. By brilliantly floating the dwarves down the river in barrels, Bilbo led the dwarves from the imprisonment of the elves. When the time came, he was willing to sacrifice himself for the dwarves emulating a true leader and

Show More
Related

  • How Is Bilbo Baggins A Hero

    1448 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many showed up in groups of three or four, so that Bilbo couldn’t just turn them all down. They later asked him to come on their adventure with them. The dwarves had told Bilbo about their treasure that was stolen and Bilbo suggested that they go to Lonely Mountain to reclaim it. Bilbo really doesn't want to but feels forced to go. They left a piece of Bilbo's notebook paper on his mantle under a clock showing all the dangers he might encounter. Gandalf had come to tell him that he was going to be late if he did not leave soon to be with the dwarves, causing him to feel forced to go. In the movie, however, Bilbo Baggins is presented with a contract from the others involving his burglar services that he will use on the journey with them. He grabs a backpack before he runs out to catch up with the others. This makes the movie more realistic because no normal person would go on an adventure without grabbing anything for the long journey ahead. Bilbo now had a few items from his hobbit hole that would remind him of his home. The book shows Bilbo as more of a reluctant hero. In the book, Bilbo finds the letter on the mantle and decides to go at the last minute. He seems to have felt pressured, resulting in just running out of the hole and not grabbing any of his belongings. He leaves

    Read More

  • Bilbo Hero Quotes

    888 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Examples Of Bilbo In The Hobbit

    572 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Bilbo Baggins Sacrifice

    1148 Words  | 3 Pages

    “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself,” quoted by Joseph Campbell, a very famous American mythologist, writer, and lecturer. Campbell is correct when his definition of a hero, but there is more aspects to heroes we don’t know about. For instance, heroes make difficult decisions to help others and to make a positive change in people's’ lives. Sacrifice is an essential component to the development of heroes since they must sacrifice things such as comfort to be defined as a hero in the eyes of others. In order to become a hero, personal sacrifices are necessary because he or she pledges to put others before themselves. Also, heroes are the ones held accountable for everyone in a dire situation and have society’s expectations weighing on their back. Personal sacrifice can be seen with Bilbo Baggins, when he sacrifices his relationships with the dwarves to remain at peace with the Lakemen and wood elves. In addition,

    Read More

  • The Hero's Journey In The Hobbit

    636 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gandalf has given Bilbo the chance to join him on a journey to reclaim the dwarves’ homeland. At this point Gandalf explains to the Dwarves how Bilbo is the perfect thief for them. (NEED QUOTES) Bilbo has declined Gandalf’s offer to go on the journey. Gandalf has tried to offer Bilbo to join him on the journey multiple times but he still refused to go. As Gandalf goes off without him Bilbo suddenly decides to run after he dwarves to join them on their journey, but at heart Bilbo still does not want contribute in this journey. Bilbo has declined Gandalf’s offer to go on the journey. Gandalf has tried to offer Bilbo to join him on the journey multiple times...

    Read More

  • Bilbo Sacrifice In The Hobbit

    735 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although he is rebuked, Bilbo returns to the mountain for many purposes. It is primarily because Bilbo has gone through so much with the dwarfs and cares a great deal for them. He has lead them to the mountain, nearly starved, killed giant spiders, and put his life on the edge to save the dwarfs. When the times got tough they always relied on one another. For instance, Bilbo outwitted the guards by sneaking the dwarfs out of their prison cells and hiding them in

    Read More

  • Bilbo Mission

    715 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Hobbit, Bilbo went with Gandalf. He was brave because he was part Turk. He wanted to find out if their was any Turk still left in him, He realized his strength, he was kind even though they came to his house without asking and tore up his house. Gandalf saw something in Bilbo and no one else saw potential in him. He wanted to show them that he was strong and that he was not only a Baggins, but a Turk as well. That's why he signed the

    Read More

  • Beowulf and Bilbo

    663 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...th heroes take are dangerous and difficult. Bilbo makes many mistakes but in the end he does mature and grow as a person. The hero is willing to put everything above themselves. Comparing Bilbo with Beowulf, it is clear that while Beowulf is an archetypal hero from a hero themed story, Bilbo is arguably more of a hero than him in some ways. Bilbo shows himself to not just a hero in skills and prowess but a hero in character, which Beowulf does not seem to show. Thorin even comments “Now is the time for our esteemed Mr. Baggins, who has proved himself a good companion on our long road, and a hobbit full of courage and resource far exceeding his size…” (198). However both heroes have acts of self-sacrifice and courage, while Beowulf uses his physical strength to achieve his heroics, Bilbo’s sense of honour, moral and courage proves himself equal to Beowulf in heroics.

    Read More

  • Bilbo Baggins, a True Hero

    1844 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...s. Bilbo is the one that gives the precious Arkenstone to Bard to help stop a war from starting. If it was not for Bilbo’s courage, Thorin would still be fighting for the Arkenstone and might have also been hurt. Bilbo also helps the dwarves by being a good leader and helping them find a way out of Smaug’s lair. Without Bilbo, the dwarves would not have the audacity to try finding a way out of Smaug’s cave. Bilbo, like a real hero, always makes sure that he finishes the task he sets out to do. Without Bilbo, the dwarves would not be able to finish all the tasks that they want to finish. Bilbo is also the reason why the dwarves are still alive. Bilbo saves the dwarves from many different disasters. The disasters range from the spiders to Smaug. Through good or bad, Bilbo has been able to show the characteristics that a real hero should be able to show.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Loyalty In The Hobbit

    1103 Words  | 3 Pages

    Bilbo assumes that he is an inadequate companion for the adventure, and that idea is apparent as he and the dwarves equally doubt his skills that Gandalf is so confident about. " 'I have chosen Mr. Baggins and that ought to be enough for you...There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself. '" (Tolkien 33) The dwarves allow Bilbo to join their company, but they do not completely take Gandalf 's word and have a difficult time becoming accustomed to the hobbit. The party describes him during the journey as being "more trouble than use so far" and wished Gandalf had "chosen someone with more sense" (119). However, once they realize that in spite of how traumatic a situation is for Bilbo, he still finds a way to help them when they can 't defend themselves, and because of that they accept him as a friend and stay loyal to him until the end of the quest and the

    Read More

  • The Hobbit: Thematic Analysis

    1279 Words  | 3 Pages

    Bilbo begins his long journey with the dwarves, who at the time were still skeptical of Bilbo’s abilities. The dwarves didn’t see why they needed such a small incompetent hobbit with them along their journey. Gandalf tells them to stop complaining and to trust that there is more to Bilbo than meets the eye (Tolkien 6). Bilbo soon shows his courage and heroism for the first time in the story when they run into their first obstacle, three large trolls huddled around a campfire. Bilbo, who was once a shy, non-adventurous type, begins to develop into a hero as he tries to steal one of the trolls’ money purses. This is a dramatic scene in the novel because it was Bilbo’s very first act outside his comfort zone. It was this...

    Read More

  • The Hobbit

    1076 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ting points of the plot also relied on Bilbo’s courage. If Bilbo did not have such a valuable trait, the story of the Hobbit would’ve been fairly short.

    Read More

  • Bilbo And Beowulf Comparison Essay

    838 Words  | 2 Pages

    After fighting off the elves and enormous spiders in the movie’s first major battle, Bilbo gains a tremendous amount of respect from the dwarves. Once Beowulf defeated Grendel and tore off his arm, also in the first major conflict of the poem, the people of Herot believed the stories they had heard about him respectfully. Neither of the heroes are parts of the kingdoms that they are fighting for, yet they fight bravely with them. Bilbo is not a dwarf, yet works in unison with them to challenge their conflicts. Beowulf is not a part of Hrothgar’s kingdom, yet takes care of the king’s difficulties as if they were his own.

    Read More

  • Bilbo Baggins In The Hobbit

    395 Words  | 1 Pages

    After the dwarves try to help, Bilbo runs and hides behind the trees where his friends get captured one by one by the trolls. If Gandalf hadn't come to the rescue they all would of been roasted over the fire. In later chapters after he escapes Gollum and the goblins with his invisibility ring, he finds some courage to go back and be willing to save his friends this time. (pg. 106) Bilbo is becoming

    Read More

  • Bilbo In The Hobbit

    793 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Then Bilbo, not without a shudder, not without a glance of longing, handed the marvellous stone to Bard, and he held it in his hand, as though dazed.” Sick of the strife and selfish hoarding around him, Bilbo defied the unagreeable dwarves, humans, and elves and gave up his very own portion that would have compensated him for

    Read More

More about Who Is Bilbo Baggins A Hero

Open Document