Examples Of Monomyth In The Hobbit

The Monomyth (mythological telling of a heroic journey) is a narrative structure which a work of Fantasy usually takes leading into the three main stages: Departure, Initiation and Return. Within those three main stages there are sub stages, which the heroic character follows more simply like a path. The Monomyth also known as the Hero’s Journey, which was created by Joseph Campbell. This essay explores on how The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien fits or how it may not fit the cliché points of The Hero’s Journey as explored in the paragraphs below:

1. Departure:

This is the first stage of the Monomyth, which deals with the hero’s “adventure” prior to the quest/ journey.

• The Call to Adventure: This is in which the hero is given notice that their

Some examples of the archetypes portrayed in the Monomyth are explored in the paragraphs below:

Archetypes:

• Skin-changer/ Shape shifter: In The Hobbit, it is shown that Beorn is the shape shifter because of Gandalf’s acknowledgement of him being a shape shifter as he conversed with Bilbo. “If you must know more, his name is Beorn. He is very strong and he is a skin-changer.” (Tolkien, 135) as the shape shifter is introduced. This passage reveals to us more and more about Tolkien’s understanding of the Monomyth as he incorporates one of the many archetypes related to the Monomyth into the story. Then later on into that same page Gandalf describes the animal he changes into, “Sometimes he is a huge black bear, sometimes he is a great strong black-haired man with huge arms and a great beard.” This passage finally reveals to us how Beorn shape shifts helping us have a deeper meaning of how he can be of help or nuisance to the journey. “He is very strong and he is a skin-changer.” (Tolkien, 135), this interprets Beorn as strong, which fits the description of this archetype, as the character usually related to this is strong. Also, there may be other possible shape shifters, for example,

He usually takes the form of a shy hobbit (Baggins form) as explained in this quote, “With poor little Bilbo at the back” (Tolkien, 73) then he takes the form of true leader engrossed in the true prophecy of the quest (Took) as explained in this quote, “Now he had become the real leader in their adventure” (Tolkien,?). But at times fear could be a ‘trigger’ to Bilbo’s change in sides. This can be linked back to the Refusal of the Call, as the hero is driven by the fear of failure or death not to embark on the journey. Tolkien’s writing style can help us understand when the fear is taking over by using words like “little” or “poor” and his Took side can be shown through Tolkien’s writing style by using words like “brave” and “leader” in context of Bilbo. In order to be a leader or hero they have to be brave and courageous. But though is not a physical shape shifter or skin changer, more of like a “soul” shifter. This doesn’t really fit the archetype as said above but as Bilbo’s character develops (from shy hobbit to a brave leader) throughout the whole story as Tolkien’s use of plot twist to change the characters or reveal the truth in interesting