The Hobbit Expository Essay

The main protagonist of this story is Bilbo Baggins, who is known for being very sneaky and quiet, he is amongst a very small elite group of Hobbit’s who have a knack for adventure, with some convincing he agreed to join Thorin and his group of dwarves because 13 is an unlucky number, but little did they know that he would play such an important role in their quest.

At the beginning of the adventure, Bilbo was a timid, little hobbit with no idea how to steal or survive outside of his little hobbit hole. When Thorin and the rest of the dwarves first meet Bilbo, they question

When you think of a hero, is the first character to pop in your head a little hobbit named Bilbo Baggins? In most cases, people think of Superman or Hercules, but in The Hobbit, an unexpected hero emerges and changes the name for all heroes to come. The Hobbit is a novel about Bilbo Baggins and his journey, with thirteen dwarves and a wizard, seeking the treasure stolen by the dragon, Smaug. While on this unexpected journey, Bilbo and his companions overcome many obstacles to eventually get to the treasure and retrieve it. Throughout the story, Bilbo develops into a courageous man, who indeed, is a hero. Richard Tyre wrote an article, “You Can’t Teach Tolkien,” and he explains his theory in which he connects multiple story’s plot with six elements. The Hobbit, is assuredly a prime example of Tyre’s theory because it follows all six steps throughout the story simultaneously. The six elements are; “(1) those who hunt for treasure, (2) must go alone, (3) at night, (4) and when they find it, (5) they must leave some of their blood behind, (6) and the treasure is never what they expected” (Tyre 19). These elements are steps in which a character must take to emerge into a hero in the end. Bilbo Baggins is the hero in The Hobbit, but he doesn’t start off as the hero. He has always had heroic traits but throughout the novel, he pursues those six steps and in the resolution, he is transformed into an actual hero.

By putting his life in danger Bilbo shows a true example of heroism. Though the dwarves were still skeptical of his abilities, they were starting to take into consideration of what Gandalf had said about this little hobbit. Continuing their adventure the group is attacked by goblins where they are eventually saved by Gandalf. Throughout the turmoil of the attacking goblins Bilbo gets lost in the caves and finds himself alone in the darkness. It is in this event when Bilbo finds Gollum’s ring. Gollum was a sickly looking creature that had been dwelling in the caves for many years. Bilbo used his wits to outsmart the creature by playing a riddle game with him and eventually made it to safety. Having Bilbo win the riddle game shows that his smart and witty mind aids him in becoming the hero. Bilbo wasn’t some tough strong stereotypical super hero, he used his smarts to outwit his foes and to triumph over evil. Though Bilbo at the time did not know the power of the ring that he had retrieved from Gollum’s lair (the power of invisibility), it was his heroic fate that he found it as it assist him in becoming the hero of the story. Fate has it that Bilbo will become a hero, but Bilbo also has the courage on top of his fate to get the dwarves out of life threatening situations.

One of the most apparent character archetypes used in this novel is the everyman, a simple, adventure less, commonplace character that is played by Bilbo Baggins. In the beginning of the story, Bilbo is the classic everyman that lives in the Shire, but is soon thrust into a world he does not understand. As the story progresses Bilbo fulfills the role of the hero all while making a full circle back to the beginning and thus completing the Hero’s Journey. Another important figure in The Hobbit is Gandalf, who takes on the role of both the herald and the mentor. Gandalf’s role as the herald is clear as he embarks Bilbo on his adventure in the beginning of the novel. His role as the mentor is a longer and more subtle one as he guides Bilbo through his obstacles while letting Bilbo overcome them himself. His dual role helps support the storyline in building the full circled journey. The shadow role and the threshold guardians create a conflicting force that rivals the protagonists. The shadow is portrayed as Smaug and can be referred to as the antagonist throughout the expanse of the book. Bilbo and the dwarfs entire journey is based on their rivalry against the dragon guarding the homeland of the dwarfs, The Lonely Mountain, as he stands in the way of what they want, "Bilbo was now beginning to feel really uncomfortable. Whenever Smaug's roving eye, seeking for him in the shadows, flashed across him, he trembled, and an accountable desire seized hold of him to rush out and reveal himself and tell all the truth to Smaug. In fact he was in grievous danger of coming under the dragon-spell" (231). The use of this character in the Hero’s Journey is what creates a story and adds the necessary conflict to create the plot and engage the reader with the momentum it builds. Threshold guardians play a similar role in gathering momentum,

These were all characteristics of the main character - Bilbo Baggins. The process of becoming a hero, which Bilbo goes through, begins with a simple knock on his door one morning. Soon Bilbo is recruited, unknowingly and unwillingly, as a burglar into Thorin’s expedition, by the mysterious wizard, Gandalf. Bilbo is soon called to adventure. This was probably the only opportunity a hobbit such as Bilbo would ever get to go on such an expedition, but Bilbo was very reluctant, at first. Bilbo was good hearted, sacrificing and loyal. He would have given up his life for the betterment of others and this is what made him a true hero. At first, he didn’t want any adventure, but then he saw Gandalf’s faith and belief in him, and he decided to go on the adventure. Bilbo, like a real hero, always made sure that he finished the work he set out to do. Without Bilbo, the dwarves would not be able to finish all the tasks that they wanted to finish. Bilbo was also the reason why the dwarves were still alive. Bilbo saved the dwarves from many different disasters. The disasters ranged from the spiders to Smaug. Through good or bad, Bilbo always showed all the characteristics of a real

Baggins. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach” (Tolkien 141-142). This event has led to Bilbo beginning to believe in himself, which is an important contribution to his overall development into the hero of this tale. Finally, when Bilbo is met with the task of meeting the dragon Smaug, he does not turn back. Even when he must walk alone through the dark, secluded hallway to Smaug’s lair knowing that he could meet his doom at any instant, he walked on. His internal being knows this is his final test of courage, and his will to carry on demonstrates his final development into a hero.

At this time, Thorin and the other dwarves gain more respect for the hobbit, who was once doubted and looked down upon. Bilbo’s intelligence and resourcefulness seems much more remarkable than Thorin’s integrity; since Thorin was considering on telling the elves about their journey. In this chapter, Bilbo has become responsible for the dwarves; as he uses his advantageous skills to steal food for them. The quote, “When he heard Bilbo’s voice through the keyhole, he could hardly believe his ears.” This indicated that Thorin was so relieved and reassured when Bilbo discovered him, because he knew he could rely on Bilbo to help him and the other dwarves escape. This chapter demonstrates how Bilbo, rather small; but he is a bright ray of hope for the dwarves when they are in

In the Hobbit there are fourteen main characters as well as many other characters that help along the way. The characters are Gandalf the Wizard, Mr. Bilbo Baggins, Throrin Oakensheild, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Fili, Kili, Bombur, Bifur, Bofur, Dwalin, and Balin. Gandalf is a wizard that helps the dwarves in their various journeys. He knows more than he reveals to the dwarves and everyone else and he knows that the hobbit can help the dwarves in their quest. That hobbit is Mr. Bilbo Baggins.

Smeagol is shown to be good and noble, but Gollum has a more darker, twisted side to him. Throughout time we see Smeagol helping Frodo and Sam get the ring to Mordor. When Gollum comes out, he is trying to take over Smeagol and make him do things he is not fond of doing. When Gollum states, “ Kill them both.” , Smeagol replies, “ Yes. No! No! It's too risky. It's too risky.” ( Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers) Smeagol knows master is his friend but with Gollum hankering him, his soul is slowly turning into Gollum. Near the end of LOTR we find Gollum having one last decision whether or not to take the ring. We see his soul lost once more when he decides he will kill Frodo, and Sam, and have the ring for

As Bilbo Goes on his journey, he gets attacked by goblins and wolves. Thorin’s company gets imprisoned by elves, and thrown in a river. Thorin’s company gets attacked by a dragon, and put in the middle of a war. Throughout his hardships, there are many archetypes that they met. He makes many friends, and many foes. Archetypes are different types of characters , and the three main archetypes in “The Hobbit” are Bilbo, who played as the hero, Gandalf, who played as the mentor, and smaug, who played as the shadow, all of these characters helped shape this story.

Eventually he becomes their leader, despite Thorin's position as heir to the king of Thror. Bilbo, as the chief characters, is included in each theme and instalment in the novel. The quest, which primarily belonged to the dwarves developed into being his as well. In verity, the pursuit for Bilbo is not only for the treasure, but for his own self-discovery. At the start, however, he does not know this.

On Lonely Mountain, in order to sneak into Smaug’s lair, Bilbo puts on his magic ring, which turns him invisible. He talks to the dragon for a while and gets the dragon to show him the under side of his stomach. Bilbo manages to get close enough to see the dragon’s weakness, which is a missing scale in his chest. Smaug gets

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit living in the Shire having a peaceful quiet life in his hobbit hole. One day after living a life of leisure and pleasure he is awakened by a rude knock on his door. In a matter of a few hours he will meet the people that changed his life for good. The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien is a story about a hobbit and his adventure. His adventure starts with a knock on his door by his old Friend Gandalf. Gandalf then promptly asks Bilbo”I am looking for someone to share in an adventure”(tolkien). Bilbo then denies Gandalf and continuous with his usual day until that night. When Bilbo is about to eat his dinner he gets a knock. He opens it to find two dwarves Dwalin and Balin. Bilbo 's shocked but invites them in. Bilbo does this eval times until he 's left with thirteen dwarves Dwalin, Balin, Kili, Fili, Dori, Ori, Nori, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and Thorin Oakenshield. They then invite him on a quest that would change his life. During his quest he faces many evils and overcomes them all to become a hero.

The protagonist of the book is Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo the main character in the book, is a hobbit. He was scared to leave his home town of Bagan. Bilbo was invited by dwarves to go on an adventure to find treasure that belonged to the them. Little was known about what could happen on this trip, but still Bilbo was drawn to this adventure with much excitement. It was when he did not have food to eat that he would question why he left his hobbit hole.