In the novel, The Hobbit by J.J. Tolkien, Bilbo Baggins as a character grows tremendously. He goes from caring about nothing besides his cakes and tea, to opening up to a whole different world outside of the Shire. As the book begins, Bilbo is put to the task of reclaiming a place known as the Lonely Mountain by a wizard named Gandalf, after such request Bilbo states “Sorry! I don’t want any adventures, thank you”(Tolkien 4) and ultimately shows his cowardness. Throughout this journey, Bilbo changes for the best. When Bilbo first considered the possibility of leaving his comfy lifestyle at the Shire, one would compare it to the saying “a fish out of water”. To Bilbo's understanding, hobbits weren't built for adventure. As he develops relationships …show more content…
Bilbo is able to adapt to any situation that is thrown at him. One example that sticks out, is his use of the ring when fighting off the spiders after only having it for a short amount of time. “Hobbits are clever at quietness, especially in woods, as I have already told you; also Bilbo had slipped on his ring before he started. That is why the spiders neither saw nor heard him coming”(168). This incident that involved these spiders, showed several of Bilbo's personality traits. First off, his ability to use a sword and ring effectively as both a tool and weapon, when it was a whole new object to him. When putting both of these incidents together, it really shows Bilbo's cleverness in any given situation. Another situation to put into account was when Bilbo hid the Arkenstone from Thorin. When Bilbo gives the Arkenstone to Bard to give to Thorin in exchange for treasure (and peace), Thorin becomes very angry that Bilbo had it in the first place. But Bilbo conjures up a justification with,”well I took it fair and square! It was my share of the treasure!”. Bilbo took a big risk, but from this, it showed his stubbornness whether or not it causes a
In chapter 12 of “The Hobbit” Bilbo uses certain types of weapons or abilities to his advantage while talking to Smaug. Although he almost gets burnt to smithereens he uses the ring to help him slip away from the dragon. He also uses physical abilities like creeping around silently and effortlessly, he also uses his knowledge about dragons and riddles to help him communicate and cope with the dragon. In chapter 12 Bilbo uses the ring to his advantage by putting it on so he could steal the cup unnoticed by the dragon.
Even though this part of the hero’s journey was portrayed pretty similarly, there is still a bit of a difference. They both used their instincts, but Bilbo was influenced a bit by the dwarves. His Took side had shown while the dwarves were contemplating whether he was fit for the adventure or not. This made him want to prove himself to them. Instincts aren’t normally the cause of the call to adventure, but for some reason, these two very different novels are similar this way.
The possession of the ring brings with it a change in behavior, a mental change, and the presence of evil. The ring is controlling and all-powerful. A person’s behavior changes by just seeing the ring. It makes you do things that you would not normally do. Bilbo can feel the ring’s power getting stronger because he has had it for a long time.
Bilbo himself was nervous and scared, but he put his companions before himself and did what was best for the group. By daring to enter his cave, he maintained friendly relations with his companions. Having entered the cave, he had a conversation with Smaug that concerned him, however he did not let that bother him too much. Only a good leader would go into the cave of Smaug and this proved to his group how necessary he was.
In the story “The Hobbit” Bilbo can be seen as the hero when he sacrifices his family’s name to be a part of the quest to get Thorin's gold back Bilbo's first approach is his attempt on stealing the trolls’ treasure. He later is met by the goblins, Gollum, elves, and spiders. Each fear he faces develops Bilbo as a hero, getting him ready for his greatest quest, stealing the treasure from Smaug.. Another example of Bilbo putting others before himself is the treasure he willing to give in order to bring peace to the men, elves, and dwarves. Last, but not least, Bilbo is willing to sacrifice his life for a cause bigger than himself.
Bilbo risks his own life to save the dwarves many times during the adventure, which in turn gains him the respect he deserves. This new respect that Bilbo has acquires gives him plenty of confidence in himself to get the job done, whatever it may be. This clearly shows that Bilbo's change from being ridiculed and doubted by the dwarves to being very highly respected is a dramatic one and deserves recognition. All Bilbo needed is a chance to prove the dwarves wrong, and that is what he gets when those same dwarves appear on his doorstep that sunny afternoon. Along with Bilbo Baggins becoming a braver and more respected hobbit, he also develops the most important change in the story; he changes from being incompetent to very resourceful.
Bilbo, however, possessed none of those qualities, he was in fact, a Hobbit. A Little Hobbit living in a comfortable hole, in The Shire. Hobbits never went on adventures, it was not done. However, this hobbit did, and all it took was a party and a bit of prompting from a wize wizard. He had begun his journey as a regular Hobbit,
Along the way, they overcome many obstacles that threaten their lives and put their trust for one another to the test. Bilbo learns that there is more to him than he realizes and through hard work and dedication, he can accomplish almost anything. Overcoming these problems and learning more about himself helped Bilbo change from an ordinary, self-doubting hobbit into a clever, courage-filled, loyal hero. In the beginning, Bilbo has no desire to go on an adventure of any kind, but he quickly learns about the cleverness he obtains when he is forced to make quick decisions.
Bilbo Baggins is not exactly what one would consider an outgoing person. He enjoys quiet peaceful days. Adventure is an unnecessary disturbance as most hobbits believe, and therefore unthinkable. Bilbo’s mother was the daughter of a Took, a family frowned upon by
After Bilbo returned home, his companions felt respect for him, but the other Hobbits were a little leery to him, considered him as "crazy". Maybe it's because Bilbo saw the characters, events, about which they could not have a clue. Fortunately, the Hobbit did not mind about it. He remained cheerful, and become carefree once again. He decided to hide his sword and then to write down the adventures in a journal titled “There and Back, a hobbit holiday”.
Gandalf calls Bilbo to adventure at the beginning of the story, and Bilbo is forced to realize that “adventures are not all pony-rides in May-sunshine” (Tolkien 33). Bilbo’s journey to a hero begins with gaining an understanding that he must expose himself to uncertainty in order to help his group. After Bilbo crosses the first threshold with help from Gandalf, he finds himself in the ‘belly of the whale’ with
Throughout the journey, the dwarves and Bilbo were assisted by elves and men, who both sought compensation for their aid. When Thorin refuses to pay any compensation, Bilbo assumes responsibility and escapes in order to negotiate with the elves and men. At first, Thorin chastises Bilbo for his actions, but soon forgives him. “There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure.
Bilbo Baggins plays life unfair--he has more than then he deserves or at least more than most hobbits, and definitely more than what's needed if he knew what's good for himself. Why should he look fifty when he turned one hundred, and why should he have all the riches in the world stored in his secret hiding places. Most hobbits have the desire to stay put in their little village, and never wander far from the doorstep. Bilbo was the exception, and he had an adventure many years ago that put most adventures to shame. He actually left the Shire and came back rich with treasure, or at least that's how the story runs.
Also noticed near the end of the eye catching book, “Now I wonder what has happened?” he said to himself. “At any rate I am not yet one of the fallen heroes; but I suppose there is still enough time for that” (Tolkien, The Hobbit, 310)! He appraised himself as a hero who had not yet given up. Bilbo’s hope could move mountains, just alike to any other hero’s faith.
The Hobbit Literary Analysis Would you be able to step out of your comfort zone for the sake of adventure and a promise of treasure? This was the predicament Bilbo Baggins is unexpectedly presented with one sunny afternoon. Thirteen dwarves appear at his door and put forward their offer. Bilbo is a little apprehensive at first but soon comes to the realization that in his ordinary life of a Hobbit in the Shire he will never get another opportunity like this again. When reading The Hobbit, being able to step out of your comfort zone is a major key.