Another characteristic that contradicts traditional positive views of heroism is cowardice. For instance, Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit learns to be brave and courageous throughout the story but is also cowardly at times. Early on in the story, Bilbo states, “Sorry! I don’t want any adventures thank you. Not today”(4). This quote shows Bilbo’s cowardly nature because he is too fearful to partake on this adventure with Gandalf. He is so afraid that he doesn’t even bother to listen to Gandalf to understand what the adventure entails. Instead he just denies Gandalf’s request, and immediately tries to get rid of him, proving his cowardice. Another example of Bilbo’s cowardice is shown when Bilbo and the dwarves are meeting in his house to discuss
Characteristics such as strength, bravery and initiative allow someone typical to perform in a noble manner as heroes often do. An example of this is in the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf demonstrates initiative, bravery, and strength. As he fights to free his and other kingdom's people.
Bilbo’s Heroic Journey Essay In all the stories, tales, and novels there is always a main character, most of the time the main character is a hero or hero-like. A lot of the time the author would use a formula called The Hero’s Journey or The Archetypal Journey, it is a way for writers and authors to keep track and follow step by step in order to successfully form a heroic character in a story. The Heroic Journey was written by Joseph Campbell, he was an American mythologist and writer. Some people do not believe Bilbo Baggins in the novel The Hobbit does not follow the heroic journey, but I think he follows the heroic journey step by step.
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.
Bilbo shows courage when he saves the dwarves from the Spiders and wood elves. A courageous person is someone who is brave, smart, and willing to fight for a cause. Bilbo proves to be all of these examples when he saves the dwarves. He shows bravery when he throws rocks at the giant spiders and smartness because he found a way to get the giant spiders to leave. He also proves to be smart when he uses the barrels to escape the wood elves.
Bilbo exhibited diligence after being motivated to find a way out of the mountain, trying to reunite with the dwarves. After being trapped inside the cave,
When people go places and step out of their comfort zones, sometimes they come back a different person. In The Hobbit, Bilbo is an ordinary hobbit, but after his adventure, it is apparent that Bilbo is now a hero. Three events that occur that show this transformation are when Bilbo jumps over Gollum, when Bilbo slays a spider, and when Bilbo travels to the Elvenking and Bard in order to make peace. The moment Bilbo leaps over Gollum demonstrates to the reader how Bilbo is beginning to go from hobbit to hero.
At the beginning of the story, Bilbo seems very cowardly, but soon proves that he is indeed brave. Bilbo is very tied up in his very boring, monotonous life and he really does not want to go on the adventure that he is
Bilbo is confronted by Gollum in the goblin caves. Bilbo wielded a dagger which he “thrusted [it] infront of him” (Tolkien 34). Gollum lacked weapons giving Bilbo the greater advantage but because Bilbo sympathized with Gollum, he decided to spare Gollum’s life and negotiating peace with the enemy rather than engaging in violence. Rather than killing Gollum, Bilbo embraces the irregular heroic quality of empathy. Bilbo develops a sense of affinity for the dwarves and their quest after seeing their “fierce and jealous love, the desire of the hearts of dwarves'' (Tolkien 8), which drives his aspirations to aid them rather than seeking glory for himself.
“Getting rid of dragons is not at all in my line, but I will do my best to think about it. Personally I have no hopes at all, and wish I was safe back at home.” This quote from chapter 12 shows how Bilbo doesn't really want to face Smaug, but only does it since he has something no one else has. He has the special ring, which allows him to face Smaug. Without the ring, he wouldn't be able to face Smaug.
The last virtue, is honor. Even villains could have courage, and be loyal to their cause. But what sets them apart from heroes is their lack of honor. Bilbo Baggins, of Bag End, was not one often thought of when one thinks of a hero. People with super strength, or speed, or both are often what come to mind.
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.
Every past and modern culture over the course of history, has its hero’s. A hero is a person or figure that others look up to and use as forms of protection. Many cherish the hero’s, they make up who we are today. The Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf, and the postmodern hero/hero’s, the soldiers, both show the traits of bravery, selflessness, and loyalty. To have the trait of bravery you have to have lots of confidence in yourself and have courage.
Characters such as Thor, Harry Potter, and Katniss Everdeen are considered as prime examples of heroism. As for the story of Beowulf,
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