Bilbo As A Tragic Hero

Improved Essays
What makes a hero weak? We’ve all read a good novel and later watched the film, but you realize that the film has many differences compared to the book. These differences in The Hobbit between the book and film showed that Bilbo was a weaker hero in the book portrayal through his, actions, emotions/feelings, and physical shape.
Bilbo’s actions in the book reveal Bilbo to be a weaker hero. Bilbo is frightened and cautious in the book, but is a leading character in the movie. Which makes Bilbo look like a weaker hero. Bilbo’s scared of the eyes in the dark, “And sometimes they would gleams down from the branches just above him; and that was most terrifying,” (Tolkien 141). The reason Bilbo is weaker in the book is his actions when he is scared

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    In chapter 8, the text states that Bilbo was able to free himself from some sticky spider web and kill the spider that trapped him. After that, Bilbo found the dwarves, scared all the spiders away by throwing stones, and then he freed the dwarves with his sword. Knowing this, we can infer that Bilbo has definitely changed from hobbit to hero because the original Bilbo would not have done something so brave and dangerous to save his friends. Along with the spider killing and friend saving, Bilbo was also able to help the dwarves escape from the wood elves by stealing the keys from the guards and floating them down the river in barrels.…

    • 542 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    While the other dwarves cannot put their greed beside them Bilbo does what he believes will help the greater good. This makes him a hero in the eyes of many and he becomes selfless. He even ends up defended the Elvin King who he doesn't know that well. Bilbo is a warrior. He fights for those he doesn't know that well which means he would do anything to defend his friends.…

    • 622 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Bilbo Timidity Quotes

    • 268 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In the beginning of the story Bilbo was someone who was easily frightened but now he has grown much bolder in his adventure especially when he confronts Gollum. For example in chapter two when the trolls have taken the dwarves hostage Bilbo doesn’t try to help him for he is too scared. This is shown when he tells Thorin, “‘It’s trolls!’ said Bilbo from behind a tree. They had forgotten all about him” (Tolkien 39). The quote demonstrates Bilbo’s timidity as he pushes the responsibility of saving the dwarves to Thorin.…

    • 268 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Bilbo Archetypes

    • 600 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What connections could be made between The Hobbit and How to Read Literature like a Professor? Various archetypes discussed by Thomas C. Foster are portrayed in The Hobbit. Appling Thomas C. Foster’s rule of don’t read with your eyes, symbols and themes were found. A few stood out. Archetypes help with evaluating the story more clearly.…

    • 600 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Bilbo Baggins: Hobbit to Hero What does one think of when they hear the word hero? Some may think of a masculine Marvel character. Others may think of someone they admire, such as a celebrity or parent. Typically, the person that comes to mind wouldn’t be a man smaller than a dwarf, who spends his days smoking his pipe and eating cakes.…

    • 392 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I chose the troll scene because this event led to many actions that helped shape the journey. For instance, Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Dwarves discovered the Trolls lair where they found food to refuel on and swords made from the Goblin Wars. The swords helped Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Dwarves later on in the adventure. For example, Bilbo and the Dwarves got abducted by giant spiders. Bilbo used the sword that he found in the Troll’s lair to help free them.…

    • 197 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Bilbo Baggins Quotes

    • 605 Words
    • 3 Pages

    While the reader is following his journey we see that Bilbo and his traveling companions are faced with a multitude of obstacles. Throughout the quest, Bilbo plays the role of a burglar and his inner heroism and strength break through. Some of the literary…

    • 605 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    When Bilbo falls off of Dori’s shoulders entering the mountain. It can be perceived as Bilbo being weak and timid since he relies on everyone. When he escapes the caves by himself using his ring and facing Gollum and playing their game of riddles not only shows that Bilbo is good under pressure, but he is now more self-reliant. Secondly, when Bilbo finds himself standing face to face with a spider in Mirkwood, he is faced with a fight or flight situation. Bilbo quickly reacts, killing the giant spider and as Tolkien describes his thoughts as “Somehow the killing of the giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark without the help of the wizard or the dwarves or of anyone else, made a great difference to Mr. Baggins.…

    • 495 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Bilbo Righteous Quotes

    • 974 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Bilbo demonstrates righteousness on multiple occasions through the book. He takes some reasonable and just actions at times and there are other moments where you could question his decision-making. Nonetheless, he has grown a great deal throughout the story and through his seen and unseen experiences. At the beginning of the book, he is a laid back, calm, self preserving and, you could say, boring guy.…

    • 974 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    There are many different ways someone can be a hero or become a hero. This is also the same for Bilbo Baggins the main character in J.R.R Tolkien's book The Hobbit. In this novel Bilbo faces many challenges and by the end of the book he is no longer the worrywort that he was at the beginning. One of the challenges he has to face is no longer having his comforts of home and living on hard provisions. Also he he is useful because he remembers more than one important thing that helps the dwarves.…

    • 401 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    This shows Bilbo how to step up and be a hero. Because of this lesson, Bilbo is able to save the party from the spiders, and to trick the wood elves, and escape. Gandalf is an ally to Bilbo, and without him, Bilbo's journey…

    • 139 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Bilbo Mentor

    • 714 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What if your mentor suddenly left? This is what Gandalf did to Bilbo. He was a mentor but at the same time, he was his friend. Bilbo had to adjust to his new role as a leader and learn determination, courage, and intelligence. I realized that Bilbo had a lot of determination.…

    • 714 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Bilbo, the main character of the story, is a highly respected hobbit because of his family and the fact that he never been on an adventure (hobbits never leave), until now. He is chosen to become a thief and leaves his very comfortable hobbit hole to join thirteen people on an adventure. In the beginning, the hobbit is constantly getting the group in trouble and they start doubting him. Later on the journey, however, he becomes more “heroic” and starts getting his party and himself out of danger. An example of this would be the time when everyone fell asleep and the dwarves were captured by the spiders in the forest, Bilbo used his ring to become invisible and distract the spiders to free the dwarves.…

    • 1257 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In most stories that include heroes and adventures, there’s a hero’s journey involved. There are many important stages to show a change in lifestyle, create suspense, and introduce and grow attachment to other characters. Among these stages, there are some that more significantly impact the overall story. In The Hobbit, the most important part of the hero’s journey is stage 6; when the hero encounters tests and allies. This is because the tests and allies resulted in Bilbo becoming more respected, clever, and brave.…

    • 856 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He is mentally strong and in many was he is the reason that the dwarves were able to complete their quest. Bilbo Baggins is the true hero in the hobbit because he leave the comfort of his home to embark on an adventure that encourages his mental and physical growth. Bilbo begins as an innocent and not particularly brave character but his character grows immensely to become someone willing to exchange riddles with a dragon. Bilbo 's relationships are also a large part of his heroism. Bilbo in the beginning is scared and cowardly.…

    • 1047 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays