The Hobbit And The Odyssey

As the story of “The Hobbit” by J. R. R. Tolkien develops, readers of this book can see that one of the main characters experience a metamorphosis. From the beginning of the story throughout the end, Bilbo goes through a change, but for the better. Tolkien’s main character Bilbo in “The Hobbit” shows the theme of becoming a hero by gaining courage and confidence as the story progresses.

The Greeks define nobility as a person who would go and fight for their country, a person who has values of bravery, intelligence, strength and keen judgment. He must also be a person who the gods respect. In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, Odysseus is portrayed as noble according to mythology legend. The American Heritage dictionary defines noble as a man often of divine ancestry, a man who is endowed with great courage and strength who is celebrated for his bold exploits and favored by the gods. (American Heritage dictionary) Odysseus was a noble man if he was being described by the Greeks, but in today’s society there probably would be some debate as to whether or not he was truly noble. Although, Odysseus did possess some of these

What is this character we call a “hero”? A hero is being of abundant power, defiance, and intrepidity that conquer evil despite of impregnable obstacle to rescue the breath of inculpable lives that cannot defend for themselves. However, “hero” gives an exclusively altered significance in J.R.R Tolkien’s fictional tale The Hobbit, as our hero is a selfish, lazy hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Conflicting to our meaning of a hero, Mr. Baggins’ life and stability isn’t evaluated aside the authority of his weapon, or the expanse of enemies he has overcome. Instead, his capability and bravery is built on his hidden sneaks, courage and bravery, and his trustworthiness to his acquaintances.

Hobbits and heroes have very little in common besides the letter H. A hero shows great strength, courage, and is admired by all. A hobbit, well shows just a short, calm, and simple life person. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, but when Gandalf and the dwarves go on an adventure, and Bilbo tags along he turns up being a hero at the end of his story. There are many times when Bilbo shows his heroic tendencies.

The Odyssey has captured minds for over 2700 years, and the story of Odysseus shows his determination to fight and conquer obstacles with and without the help of the Gods. The story dates back before 1000B.c. (The Modern Library, 1950, p.VI) His creative and cunning tactics throughout the story show his determination to reach his homeland of Ithaca.

What does it mean to be a hero? Merriam Webster defines a hero as being a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities. But, what are those noble qualities? They are bravery, selflessness, and strength. In J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel, The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, embarks on an epic quest for gold and revenge at the behest of thirteen dwarves and the renowned wizard, Gandalf. While many of the dwarves and secondary characters display one or two of the aforementioned heroic traits, most fail to completely measure up to the standard. However, this still leaves room for the possibility of Bilbo being a hero. Does he exemplify each necessary trait? Or does he fall short in one, two, or even all three categories? Fortunately for Mister Baggins, the answer is yes. In fact, there are several scenes where Bilbo demonstrates his previously unknown qualities, unknown to himself at least.

Heroes are usually known as the brave, strong, and popular characters in a story. That is not how Bilbo Baggins is in the story, The Hobbit. Bilbo Baggins is a character who usually sits at his house while smoking his pipe. Nonetheless, he becomes a hero by saving the dwarves out of the spider’s web, rescuing the dwarves out of jail, and hiding the dwarves from the elves. Which helps him on the journey that he was currently on.

The value of a person is determined by the perception of others on themselves and the outlook that person has on themselves. An underdog is an individual that may have the ability to succeed and accomplish great things but overall their confidence level is low and from some past record people believe that they will fail. In the beginning of J.R.R. Tolkien’s the Hobbit several of the dwarves question Gandalf’s decision to bring Bilbo Baggins along, “Will he do, do you think? It is all very well for Gandalf to talk about this Hobbit being fierce, but one shriek like that in a moment of excitement would be enough to wake the dragon and all his relatives” (22). Of course one would question why Gandalf decided to bring a hobbit along. Hobbits are half the height of humans but they probably consume more food than the average human, they walk around barefooted, and they possess little or no innate in magic. In contrast, a keen elf or a strong skin-changer might have been a better companion for the dangerous journey. However, despite Bilbo’s shortfalls he is a central character in the Hobbit and he manages to accompany a band of dwarves on a journey to steal from a dragon. Whilst on this journey, Bilbo proves his self worth countless times by saving the dwarves from multiple dilemmas. Tolkien uses repetitive events to exemplify that although underdogs at first appear to be unlikely hero’s, through focusing on their strengths and maintaining their morals they can overcome obstacles

Bilbo Baggins has all the components of a hero one thing that makes him a hero is his selflessness. Although he has never been on an adventure before he became a leader immediately. More importantly, he did what was required as a leader and didn 't question it because he knew the dwarves were counting on him. Many mythic heroes are natural born leaders, although Bilbo struggled at first it is obvious that he has leadership qualities. Consider as an example when Bilbo is sent off to check out the light and bring back supplies that can be used for the journey. “Off Bilbo had to go, before he could explain that he could not hoot even once like any kind of owl any more than fly like a

A Fire-breathing dragon is tracing the edges of the mountain with flames spitting from his mouth, shouting “I am fire. I am death!””Bilbo is pacing himself to escape these angry flames as echoes of roars surround him. How did Bilbo Baggins get to such a place?In this novel The Hobbit,written by J.R.R Tolkien, a hobbit named Bilbo is enjoying a pipe on his front porch when he is confronted by an elder man that Bilbo recognizes as a wizard named Gandalf, though his suspicion continues to grow.Gandalf asks Bilbo to join him on a mission and Bilbo quickly declines this offer due to his lack of interest in adventure and invites Gandalf for some tea sometime, only to not seem rude. The next day Bilbo is shocked to hear a ring at his doorbell and is even more surprised to be bombarded with a trail of dwarfs crowding his comfortable little hobbit hole, Bilbo begins to grow confused and annoyed. The dwarfs eat nearly every piece of food in Bilbo 's pantry before they finally decide to settle down and talk business with Baggins. The company provides Bilbo with a greater and deeper understanding of this mission, after a lot of persuasion Baggin’s agrees to join the company of dwarfs on a mission to regain the treasures that Thorin’s grandfather mined and found at the mountain guarded by Smaug the dragon that they end up having to defeat and regain their stolen treasure.This changing Bilbo Baggin’s life forever.

J.R.R Tolkien was an english writer, poet, philologist, and a university professor. He wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He once said “ It’s a dangerous business going out your front door.” Tolkien is both right and wrong. When leaving the home safety, adventure, and health are all put on the line.

What would it be like to embark on a journey or do something unlike anything else one has ever done before? Some may seek thrill and adventure, but living in the same world as a hobbit, one might think twice about venturing out. The Hobbit is an allegorical novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. The story follows the protagonist, Bilbo Baggins as he sets out to undertake a long journey with a wizard named Gandalf and thirteen dwarves. In the beginning of the novel Bilbo doesn’t feel the need to set out on a journey, but once a group of dwarves arrive at his doorstep he begins to feel a desire toward the idea. From there on, Bilbo and the dwarves take on a journey of a lifetime to retrieve something that has once been taken. In the novel, there is a multitude of literary elements such as irony, symbolism and conflict. One of the main themes that ties to the novel is heroism. Tolkien used all these elements in his novel to complete his story and illustrate Bilbo’s transformation from an ordinary hobbit into an extraordinary hero.

Both J. R. R. Tolkien‘s The Hobbit and C.S. Lewis’s The Lion The Which and the Wardrobe are classic novels that are recognized as some of the best works of the 20th century. Tolkien was a famous writer from Bloemfontein, South Africa, born on January 3, 1892, while Lewis was born only a few years later in Belfast, Ireland on November 29, 1898 (Biography.com Editors). They have both had so many great affects on literature, and in particular the fantasy genre, because both The Hobbit, and The Lion The Which and the Wardrobe are of the fantasy genre, but surpass the typical fantasy stories that have become prevalent. Tolkien, a profound author, published The Hobbit on September 21, 1937 as a prequel to one of the most popular book series

In the year 1541 King Aragorn dies and the last two members of the Fellowship of the Ring, Gimli son of Gloin and Legolas Greenleaf, are said to have built a ship in which they sailed to Aman.1 Gimli would be the first dwarf to ever be allowed to cross over into the West, and it is implied that Galadriel may have had some involvement in this allowance.2 It is also stated that Gimli agrees to go because he wishes to see her beauty again before his death.3

Upon researching one of the most well loved stories of the last century, one will without doubt encounter the name of the author of such a book. The fictional world of the story is set in a land of elves and orcs, dwarves and humans, and, most importantly, hobbits. It is a tale of bravery, friendship, determination, corruption, and it is a tale of a great journey. The title of the story is The Lord of the Rings, and the author of it is J.R.R. Tolkien. J.R.R. Tolkien produced one of the most beloved stories of the last century, and has influenced the modern world of fantasy. (J(ohn) R(onald) R(euel) Tolkien 2)