Ms. Medrano
English 3/4
6 October 2014
An Unexpected Change When one pictures a hero, what comes to mind isn’t a hobbit from Middle-earth. In The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien, Bilbo Baggins is an unlikely epic hero; he doesn’t posses extraordinary powers and wasn’t born into a family of greatness but through his journey he undergoes a transformation and his heroic qualities are displayed. Bilbo didn’t search for the journey, but it was presented to him by fate, as if it was his destiny to go. When opportunities present themselves one is often reluctant to accept them, however one is likely to result in a change of character, finding something in them one wasn’t expecting. From the beginning Gandalf sees qualities in Bilbo that he doesn’t yet know he has, “I have chosen Mr. Baggins and that ought to be enough for …show more content…
Bilbo’s actions in the troll camp ended with needing Gandalf’s help, it was the event that sparked the journey. Bilbo was chosen as the burglar and his impulsive burglar-like way to steal the money purse is what aggrandized the journey and Bilbo’s transformation into a hero. Similar to most epic heroes’, Bilbo has a few flaws. Early in the journey Bilbo is somewhat cowardly, when he is faced with difficulties such as having to escape the trolls, or even rain, he is often afraid and wishes to return home. “‘To think it will soon be June,’ grumbled Bilbo... ‘And I 'm sure the rain has got into the dry clothes and into the food-bags,’ thought Bilbo. ‘Bother burgling and everything to do with it! I wish I was at home in my nice hole by the fire, with the kettle just beginning to sing!’ It was not the last time that he wished that!” (Bilbo 30). Bilbo was almost ready to abdicate on the journey although he didn’t. Bilbo knew he couldn’t abandon the dwarves and had to stay, even though he was unwilling to do so, deep down he