Compare The Hobbit And The Hero Archetypal Journey

Have you ever noticed the continuous recurring theme in your favorite movies and books? That is called the Hero’s Journey. Bilbo Baggins, a supposedly unadventurous hobbit is requested to accompany a group of dwarves on a difficult journey by none other than Gandalf, the well-known wizard himself. Ishmael Beah, a young, happy boy goes out with his friends without saying goodbye, not knowing it may be his last time to see them. While with his friends, his town gets attacked by the rebels and his whole world turns upside down. Both authors portray the Hero’s Journey, but there multiple differences and a few similarities in their techniques.

The hero's journey of Bilbo starts when he is asked by a charter in the book to come on a journey across the country. Bilbo first says no then is convinced that is will be okay to go. They first start the trip, then Bilbo starts to get a little worried,

The dwarves respect his many decisions that he had made with quick reflexes accordingly to the actions that are provoking him to take action in being a leader, saving his fellow expedition mates. Bilbo using his traits of courage, heroism and intelligence demonstrate to him that adventures aren’t as bad as the hobbits have always thought they were.

Bilbo snuck into the dragon’s lair and stole a golden cup from the fearsome Smaug. This raised the confidence of the weary dwarves. Bilbo started to take more risks as he slowly fulfills his responsibilities. For example, when he met Gollum. At first, Bilbo was terrified him, but over time he began to take charge.

Throughout one’s life, one meets many different people, some of which seek to harm one, and some of which do not. This is also true for books: A variety of characters are introduced. Characters assume different roles of varying importance, and some seem “benevolent,” while others become labeled as “wicked.” Some guard an item or area, and yet others’ intentions are impossible to discern. These concepts especially apply to The Hobbit, written by J. R. R. Tolkien, which is an excellent example of The Hero’s Journey. The Hobbit showcases many archetypes, including Bilbo Baggins as the hero, Gandalf the Wizard as the mentor, and Smaug the Dragon as the shadow.

The story starts from the side of Mr. Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo starts as a nervous & annoyed host. He is hobbit, & his folk are reserved, but kind & carefree. Hobbits love to accommodate company when the time arrives, but this night Bilbo was in a ruck. Spontaneously, 13 dwarves & Gandalf tediously trickled through the door in groups & demanded dinner. Bilbo was not expecting these unknown & unplanned visitors, especially the grand total of 14! They ate & sang all night, while little time was devoted to business, which was planned that night. Bilbo was exhausted, unpleased, & unaffiliated with the pressing event they gathered to discuss. He was only aware that Gandalf selected him to be the Burglar of the party, which just so happened to be a vast journey across Middle-Earth. Unbeknownst to anyone, this was the start of a haunting tale, which Bilbo would never overlook. The first prominent issue Bilbo had to resolve the trolls. The group utilized this to test Bilbo’s strength, courage, brains, & stealth. Throughout the story, Bilbo continues to earn his spot among the dwarves, while the party is continually slammed with additional problems, however, everyday & every challenge reveals more of the nature of the dwarves & of Bilbo. With his role concluded & the Battle of Five Armies won, the yearning for home was too much to bear. Bilbo decided to travel home & achieve his part in the adventure of a lifetime. Each dwarf had grown quite fond of Bilbo, for the journey wouldn’t have been a success without their Burglar. The travel home was bittersweet & was a wonderful memoir of his quest. Gandalf accompanied him all the way to his Hobbit Hole on the Hill in Bag-End. Can we label Bilbo a hero? If so, what kind of hero is he? Is he a hero in history or in the eyes of the dwarves? Was Bilbo a savior for the descendants to come or the

Hero’s Journey novel By: Connor The Hobbit is one of my favorite adventure stories. It’s a magical quest through a mythical land. I'm sure you would like it too.

According to (Bob Riley) “Hard times don't create heroes. It is during the hard times when the 'hero' within us is revealed.” In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”, these ideas draw attention to the fact that, he who becomes the hero, is often discovered through defeating opponents, when light is shed upon his inner hero and bravery. These thoughts are evident in the interactions of Tolkien’s protagonist (in “The Hobbit”), Bilbo, and his character development throughout the story. Bilbo starts off as a timid little hobbit, living a comfortable and stable life.

Whether the hero in a story is courageous, perfect, or just a predictable hobbit, he follows a path in which several challenges must be overcome. Each stage of the hero’s journey is critical as it develops the character and adds depth to his traits. In The Hobbit, the hero is Bilbo who opposes adventures yet finds himself embarking on a crucial one. The most important component of the hero’s journey in The Hobbit, is stage six, specifically the tests, because they contribute considerably to how Bilbo’s character evolves from a predictable Hobbit to a brave hero who commits burglary and saves lives. Of these tests, the ones with Gollum, the spiders, and the Wood-elves are most significant because they mold Bilbo’s development and transform

a.          The Hobbit is the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives in Hobbiton. He is interrupted by a surprise visit by the wizard Gandalf while outside his home. Gandalf has invited himself to tea and when he arrives, he comes with 12 of dwarves led by Thorin. They are planning on a journey to recover lost treasure that is guarded by the dragon Smaug, at the Lonely Mountain. Gandalf has decided, for Bilbo, that the hobbit will make an excellent addition to the team and Bilbo is going to be a burglar.

Unlike other epic and heroic stories, the hobbit was more similar to the ordinary soldier and man. Bilbo Baggins symbolized those thousands of nameless and faceless soldiers that fought in the war, as well as the people who view themselves as “common folk”; many were not considered heroes because they were “too ordinary”. However, through the hobbit’s quest, that sets him off to slay the dragon, Tolkien intricately exhibits how ordinary people can become heroes, and that everyone could be a hero in some way or perspective. The hobbit achieved all these elements of a hero, bravery

Bilbo’s development might allegorically represent the heroism of England in World War I or the inner, latent heroism common to everyone. His main motivation for writing was story telling (sparknotes.com). The different races in the Hobbit were meant to represent different European nationality’s (sparknotes.com). Family lineage is another important factor that shapes identity in the hobbit (sparknotes.com). Throughout middle – earth, ones prospects, character and social position are linked closely to family heritage (sparknotes.com). A major source of inspiration is the plot was the body of ancient epic literature. Bilbo himself, with his common sense, love of peace warm hearted self – doubt. Much of the narrative is devoted to descriptions of the places, people, and things that Bilbo encountered. Tolkien started creating the Hobbit around the middle of 1930. He was grading a paper as a professor. In the early 1930s he quickly drew the Hobbit into the world of his evolving “Silmarillon” mythology. The story went underwent radical expansion and revision. The “reality” of his story is an obvious starting point for an understanding not only why tales were created but who created the tales (Gale). Tolkien makes his stories with the little world with inner consistency of reality so the eventual triumphs of goodness seem all the more plausible (Gale). Tolkien decided to make the book for his children. He decided to try an experiment with new ideas and concepts. He also came upon new influences in myth – magic (middle-earth.org). the hobbit represents Tolkien’s only uses of high medieval culture in what eventually became the fictional middle-earth of the hobbit (middle-earth.org). Tolkien wrote the Hobbit as much to satisfy his natural literary curiosity as to create an amusing and entertaining story (middle-earth.org). Tolkien kept his

One of the recurring themes throughout The Hobbit is Tolkien’s manifestation of morality through his inherently good and evil characters. Although, some characters narrowly balance the line of good and evil through portraying characteristics such as greed, the hobbits represent naturally altruistic and peaceful characters. The protagonist Bilbo’s rational nature and willingness to compromise through his selfless transfer of the Arkenstone to Bard and the Elvenking further highlights Tolkien’s portrayal of a simple and sensible twentieth century Englishmen in a fantastical setting. Even though he risks his promised sum of the treasures, Bilbo chooses to work as a peacekeeper to opt for a more sensible way of solving a problem. Therefore,

The hobbit is a story about adventure and bravery. Bilbo experiences many things that changes his life.Many of the characters go through changes in the story that end up changing the way they look at life just when Bilbo was given the opportunity to go on the quest and he did. The characters themselves create emotional distress just like when Thorin died. The most important thing that happened was the character's own choice. The hobbit just isn't a fantasy that means nothing, it is a story that divines what a person should be. Bilbo acts strong with all of hurdles that he endures and that what life's

Bilbo listened intently as the dwarves sang songs and told poems of their long ago taken land. Singing of “golden hoards” and “long-forgotten gold” Bilbo began to become very enthusiastic about the soon to come journey (22). As the dwarves went on, the hobbit felt that this journey would be good for him. He accepted the task, but not before the Dwarves, along with Gandalf, enchanted the young hobbit with the treasure to be found. Being fairly wealthy Bilbo had no need for this wealth, but before long the hobbit could feel “ the love of beautiful things made by hands and by cunning and by magic moving through him, and a fierce and jealous love, the desire of the hearts of dwarves” (24). Apparently Bilbo is beginning to change from a commoner to a treasure seeker, not quite beginning to become a hero, but change is still change. Soon Bilbo’s transition into a hero will begin, with a rude awakening.