...Period #3 10--12 The Hero Within Everyone will make the step to become a hero from humble and simple beginnings. Of course, the move to become a hero is not easy and they will face many obstacles and trials that will test the strength of their friendship. However, the hero will develop traits that will shape and mold to to prepare them for their final test. Our hero will transition from the known world where he thinks he know who he is and descend down into the Nadir, the darkest and lowest point in their journey, where he will be tested both physically and mentally. That is the case for Bilbo Baggins, a shy and reluctant hobbit in J.R.R Tolkein's The Hobbit, who was protected from the perils and dangers of the real world in the comfort of his hobbit-hole. In his journey, Bilbo has to make many judgments that leave him torn between his loyalty to his friends and doing the right thing. But it is these obstacles that fully initializes him as a true hero. In the beginning of the story, Bilbo seemed like the most unlikely hero when Gandalf and thirteen dwarves came and asked for him to join them on the quest, but in the end, Bilbo faces many situations, challenges and develop traits like selflessness, courage ,and wisdom that is essential to all heroes and will ultimately determine and define who he is, and whether if he will succeed as a hero or not. A hero will rise when there is a call for a challenge and they could accept two choices: fight or flight. For Bilbo, the challenge comes...
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...What is a hero? A hero can be defined as courageous, brave, willing to sacrifice himself for others, someone who will know what is right from wrong, and make the right choice. Not everyone can be a hero; it takes dedication and effort to do what’s right time and time again. In Sir Gawain the Green Knight, Sir Gawain was a heroic soldier. In The Hobbit, Bilbo, a hobbit from the Shire, is recruited as a burglar to go on an adventure to help reclaim the land of the dwarves. Bilbo and the thirteen dwarves encounter many different creatures along the way, some who want to help them and other who want to kill them. Through the journey Bilbo must grow into a true hero to save the dwarves and himself. Bilbo grew into a brave, selfless, and important member of the team who came to recognize good and evil. Bilbo through his many troubles during the adventure had to learn what it means to be a true hero. Bilbo was a coward in the beginning; he never wanted to leave his home. Whenever Bilbo was in the slightest danger, he turned into a coward complaining “Why did I ever leave my hobbit-hole” (p. 62, Tolkien). Bilbo...
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...guidelines help give shape to many fairy tales and heros adventures that are found in stories from all time lines and geographical walks of life. Once the reader becomes aware of what these events are and how to look for them it becomes easy to spot these patterns and examples in films, literature, theatrical productions, etc. The goal of this paper is to familiarize the reader with a few different authors concepts and criteria that commonly occur in a vast majority of stories that contain any sort of adventurer or hero-type figure. In the case of J.R.R. Tolkien’s tale of The Hobbit, when broken down and analyzed using concepts from Joseph Campbell, and occasionally Marie von Franz, and Vladimir Propp, the reader may use their concept to read the book with insight and clarity that opens up a whole new way of looking at the hobbits adventure and the journey he partakes in. After one has a knowledge of the sequence of events that help to make up an adventure story it is hard to look at many books and films you’ve already seen in the same way. My hopes is that by the end of this, you will see The Hobbit in a new light. The Hobbit embodies significant aspects of the “hero’s journey” and the exploration of these using different authors works helps the reader to understand the analyzation and important theories of this work of literature and other pieces they already know and love. The adventure begins in the Shire, home to one Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit of no extraordinary reputation...
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...In J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, The Hobbit, the main character, Bilbo, makes a miraculous journey from hobbit to hero. A few instances that proves this are when Bilbo gives the Arkenstone to Bard and the Elvenking, when he defeats Gollum and takes his ring, and when he saves the dwarves from the Elvenking’s palace. First off, Bilbo gave the Arkenstone to Bard and the Elvenking to prevent war. Bilbo did this knowing that he would face Thorin’s wrath. When he did this, he knew that he was walking into enemy territory. He did what he thought was best, no matter the consequences. This helps Bilbo on his way to hero because he displays braveness and perseverance. Secondly, Bilbo defeated Gollum in a riddle battle, but Gollum planned to kill Bilbo....
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...Tolkien who is the author of the Hobbit used various archetypes throughout the novel. Some archetypes that J.R.R Tolkien used in the Hobbit are communion, the hero, and the journey. The main character in the Hobbit is Bilbo Baggins and you wouldn’t think that a person with the personality of Bilbo would be the hero. Bilbo Baggins didn’t have any ambition in his life, he had hobbies but they were boring hobbies. In the beginning of the Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien uses the archetype of communion. Most people think of holy ceremony that takes place in church were everybody gets a small cup of grape juice and a tiny piece of bread. Communion is the act of intimate fellowship and rapport. Communion doesn’t have to happen in a church in fact you don’t just have to eat bread and drink grape juice. That is shown in the Hobbit because when Bilbo, Gandalf and the twelve dwarfs were eating dinner together that is also known as communion. When Bilbo leaves his Hobbit hole that is when the journey starts. The task for Bilbo Baggins is to help the dwarfs reclaim their treasure from Samug. During the beginning of their journey they encounter three hungry trolls who capture them all expect Gandalf. Gandalf saves them by tricking the trolls to stay outside into the sun comes up because they will have turned into stone. After...
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...Loyalty can be found everywhere and seems to fly under the radar at certain times. Even when someone isn't recognized for something they did doesn't mean they only do it when someone is watching or will be praised for it. Being loyal is the same way. Someone like Bilbo doesn't betray or steal from his friends and family while they look away. Every hero is loyal no matter what, and doesn't everyone want to be a hero? I think the most important trait in a hero is loyalty. Just his presence and will to stay even in the most dangerous situations means a lot to others. Loyalty is so important in people today that even girls look for it in the guys they date! Just loyalty alone can make a hero, and being a hero is what basically everyone dreams of.To stick by your friends, family, and in bad situations, stick with the people you could have just met that day. A hero never leaves and would never abandon anyone. Would risk his life just to be by his/her side another day, That's because in every hero there is loyalty. A thought can simply change who someone is or what they are about to do. In this case it was Bilbo Baggins, who had this exact thing happen to him. Just the thought in his tiny...
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...“The Hobbit” is a book that narrates the adventures of a creature called a hobbit. Bilbo, the name of the hobbit, embarks on a long journey with a troop of fourteen to recover stolen gold. His companions each play different roles throughout the story, and these roles help readers understand what each character contributes to the story. As the story progresses, the reader will start to realize which characters belong to which archetypal roles and how they affect the story. Roles such as the shapeshifter add suspense, and roles like the herald help bring the story to life. In “The Hobbit,” many characters play archetypal roles to help carry and enhance the story. Heroes play the most important role in the story, they make sacrifices and lead...
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...Simile: As he came hurtling down like a thunderbolt. Explanation: Bilbo was running to catch up with the dwarfs. When he was coming down he made thunder like sounds. Symbolism: Bilbo’s development into a hero, which represents a common person into a hero. Explanation: Bilbo becomes an adventurous person as he went further into the journey. Bilbo discovered inner strength that was used to protect the dwarfs. Onomatopoeia: when Gollum makes gulping sounds with his throat. Bard shot the dragon and it made a hiss noise. Explanation: Every time Gollum would try to guess a riddle that Bilbo gave him he would make a gulping sound with his throat to figure it out. The dragon made a hiss noise after it was shot by Bard. Metaphor: The winds broke up the grey clouds, and a waning moon appeared above the hills between the flying rags. Explanation: Shiloh was giving an example of how the moon appeared. Of how beautiful it was to him. Allusions: sitting on a rock with in a subterranean lake. Explanation: Gollum thinking of where he lived. Also thinking of the castle above him. Quote 1: “Let’s have no more argument. I have chosen Bilbo Baggins and that ought to be Enough for all of you. If I say he is a burglar , a burglar he is, or will be when the time Comes. There is a lot more than he was any idea of himself. You may possibly all live to thank me yet.” ...
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...introduced and the story begins. Bilbo Baggins seems to be the main character, Bilbo is a hobbit who lives in a cozy, comfy hole like many other hobbits. Bilbo lives a quiet, peaceful life until a wizard named Gandalf and his dwarves come and tell Bilbo he is destined to join their journey. Bilbo doesn’t think he is cut out for this journey and neither do the dwarves, but Gandalf does. While Bilbo accompanies to the dwarves and Gandalf’s every need, they explain the journey. Thorin, who could be classified as the most important dwarf explains most of the journey. The journey is to reclaim the treasure that Thorin’s family once had but is now protected by Smaug an enormous dragon who stole it. Bilbo Baggins feels very uneasy about attending this journey and at the end of the chapter does not even know if he will participate. The setting of this chapter is “The Hill”, where many Hobbit holes are. Symbols used in this chapter were; the maps that the dwarves/Gandalf have symbolize direction of their journey. Also, some of the songs that the dwarves sing symbolize hints and feelings. A developing theme I see is “anyone can be a hero,” because I think Bilbo will end up going. Chapter 2: In the second chapter, the journey begins! Bilbo wakes up and assumes that Gandalf and the dwarves have left without him since none of them are present. Shortly after, Gandalf comes in and shows Bilbo a note that says he needed to meet the dwarves at 11 to begin. Bilbo meets up with the dwarves and...
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...Bilbo Baggins Character Analysis Rough Draft “Hobbits really are amazing creatures… You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you at a pinch.” Bilbo is relatable to many people, even though he is a hobbit and not human. Bilbo found characteristics of himself that he did not know he had. Now he has more titles than just the hobbit under the Hill, he is an adventurer. Tolkien uses Bilbo as the central character to tell the audience that such a great event can change a person, but it is important for that person to keep their beliefs. Tolkien has created Bilbo as someone that can be related to. Tolkien clearly describes Bilbo’s Baggins-side, a well-respected hobbit family, and his Took-side, the out-there and adventurous family that “[wishes] to go and see the great mountains… and wear a sword instead of a walking stick.” It is easy to relate to someone like this by enjoying the comfort of everyday life, but also wishing something fun, exciting, and new would happen. This helps Tolkien introduce Bilbo as the protagonist and help the readers be more empathetic towards him. Because Bilbo’s Took-side led him go on this...
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...The word personification means the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-living. Personification is one of the most common figures of speech that is used in The Hobbit. Tolkien uses personification a lot in his story. It impacts the story in an interesting way. J.R.R. Tolkien uses personification in his setting to bring his setting alive to show how each “place” can impact reader’s lives. Tolkien names his settings in a particular way. The names of the places are symbols of the characteristics of the characters. As a result of the journey to “The Lonely Mountain” Bilbo shapes into a hero and the company sees him as a hero. The Lonely Mountain is significant because it shows their journey. It also shows all...
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...Unexpected Journey, I was able to devise common traits all heroes share such as :courage , selflessness, and perseverance. In Beowulf it was refreshing to see a hero who has been dubbed “the strongest man alive” come to terms with the fact that he is not, and...
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...J.R.R Tolkien’s novel The Hobbit follows the journey of one central hero, Bilbo Baggins, and his company of dwarves as they embark to Erebor to retake the dwarves’ homeland. This epic tale can be analyzed using a mythological, biographical, or historical critic’s point of view. There are also a few themes seen throughout the novel, including greed and the journey. From a mythological standpoint, one could mention the works of literature that Tolkien himself said has influenced his fantasies about the fabled land of Middle-earth: Iceland’s Poetic Edda and Beowulf. Some tales in Norse mythology can also be analyzed to apply to Tolkien’s novel. Based on a biographically and historically opinion, one might talk about the World Wars’ effect on Tolkien and his novels. Another approach that could be taken is one based on the archetypes seen in The Hobbit; the hero, Bilbo Baggins, and the villain, the dragon Smaug. One could connect the archetypes and events of The Hobbit to those of Beowulf. The Hobbit could also be seen as a novel of the genre bildungsroman, which means “coming-of-age” and focuses on the emotional and physical development of the main character. The use of mythological criticism in the analysis of J.R.R Tolkien’s first novel The Hobbit is by far the most popular among renowned literature critics – one of whom was CS Lewis, an author of children’s fantasy novels himself. It is easy to explain the story from a mythological point of view; many ancient texts have themes...
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...How would someone go from average Joe to incredible hero in a short period of time? This question is answered simply in The Hobbit written by J.R.R. Tolkien; where the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins’s peace is interrupted by 13 dwarves and a wizard. The group claims that they need a burglar for the upcoming quest to take back the dwarves’ mountain which is defended by the dragon Smaug. After disagreeing and some persuasive banter from the wizard, Bilbo agrees and their quest begins. Bilbo’s character change is most evident in his thoughts and actions. In the beginning of the story Bilbo was a shy, timid, Hobbit who would never leave his house, and by the end he was completely confident in himself. On page three of the book after Gandalf proposes the...
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...in a world called Middle Earth The Setting The time periods of JRR Tolkien are not like our time periods. It’s a completely different world than ours. The Hobbit takes place in Middle Earth during the Third Age (years 2941 – 2942) about 55 years before the start of the Lord of the Rings story. This time period is Protagonist and antagonists In this book the protagonist is Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit. Bilbo ( 50 years old ) was hired as a burglar by the wizard Gandalf and 13 dwarves (led by Thorin Oakenshield, their king). He was hired to go on a quest with the dwarves to reclaim the Lonely Mountain, and its treasure within, defended by the dragon Smaug. Before the adventure, Bilbo was a simple Hobbit in the Shire, who enjoyed the daily things, such as eating his meals and drinking tea. One day Gandalf came to his house and asked him if he wanted to go on an adventure. But Bilbo was sure about himself not being an adventurer, so he said no. After a few days Bilbo changes his mind and runs to the dwarves who had just left his house to help them on their adventure. During this adventure though, Bilbo often refers to...
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