Similarities Between Odysseus And Bilbo

Typically, stories feature their protagonists taking on a heroic role. However, in The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien challenges the traditional idea of the hero by depriving Bilbo Baggins of characteristics ingrained in classic heroes like Odysseus from Homer’s The Odyssey. Violating the classic epic hero archetype the famed Odysseus follows, Bilbo is unfamous. Odysseus’ pre-existing fame strikes fear and respect in the hearts of others, whereas Bilbo gains the respect of his friends. Later in the story, Bilbo proves disloyal, whereas Odysseus stays loyal to his crewmates throughout the epic. The differences in characteristics between Bilbo and Odysseus help Tolkien challenge the idea of what a hero looks like in a story.
Classic heroes like Odysseus

Yet, having to work for his fame, Bilbo challenges the view of famous classic heroes. When the dwarves and Gandalf convene at Bilbo’s house, Gloin, one of the dwarves, comments on how “as soon as [he] clapped [his] eyes on the little fellow bobbing and puffing on the mat, [he] had [his] doubts. [Bilbo] looks more like a grocer than a burglar!” (Tolkien 18). His lack of experience portrays him as incompetent. Instantaneously, Bilbo’s teammates disrespect him, viewing him as an amateur. Bilbo must earn his respect because he lacks pre-existing fame, a common characteristic in classic heroes like Odysseus who usually get this fame from past adventures and/or royalty. Odysseus benefits from his pre-established fame when he tries to convince the divine goddess and sorcerer Circe to release his crew hostage. Instead of standing her ground, Circe immediately surrenders. Crying, Circe hugs his knees in fear, realizing “[he has] a mind in [him] no magic can enchant!” and deducting, “[he] must be Odysseus, [the] man of twists and turns” (Homer 11). Both a royal and having fame from past adventures where he uses his natural-born talent, Odysseus utilizes his fame to make his journey more straightforward. Circe instantaneously submits herself to the mercy of Odysseus and disregards how she is more powerful and has the upper hand because of her sorcery. Odysseus’ fame is so tremendous it can scare a powerful goddess without

Odysseus demonstrates this by staying loyal, whereas Bilbo challenges this with his disloyalty. After Bilbo finally earns the respect of Thorin, he quickly betrays him by sneaking out in the dead of night, giving “the Arkenstone of Thrain…heart of Thorin [who] values it above a river of gold [in hopes it will] aid [Bard] in [his] bargaining,” (Tolkien 272). Double-crossing his friend shows Bilbo’s disloyalty to his team. Bilbo does not strengthen the team, but weakens it with his dishonesty, thus challenging the concept of the classic hero who is known for being loyal to their team. Conversely, when Circe transforms Odysseus’ crewmates into pigs, Eurylochus, one of his crewmates, urges Odysseus to leave them. However, because Odysseus is loyal to his team, he refuses to let his friends die and tells Eurylochus to stay on the ship, “eating, drinking, safe…[for he] must be off. [For] necessity drives [him] on,” (Homer 10). Notwithstanding the risks of facing the dangerous goddess, Odysseus still ventures into Circe’s palace to save his crewmates out of dedication to his team. His loyalty strengthens the crew because it saves their lives and helps them work together as a team. Odysseus would never betray a crewmate because he understands as a leader how it is his responsibility to keep his crew together using bonds built of trust. In contrast, Bilbo is a follower and in no