What Does The Ring Symbolize In The Hobbit

Courage. The dictionary defines it as, “the ability to do something that frightens one.” In today's society courage can be perceived in different ways. Being brave “ trying something new.” “is about doing something that is outside of your comfort zone.” There are many different ways to perceive courage as a whole. Courage isn't always just being able to stand up for yourself and fight. It's about so much more and Tolkien shows that in this novel using one of his most crucial author’s craft moves, symbolism. J.R.R. Tolkien uses different aspects of his novel to symbolize courage. In the fantasy novel The Hobbit, Tolkien uses the Ring, the spiders, and Sting to symbolize the overall idea of courage.

Courage is an ongoing idea in the novel. One of the main symbols of courage is the ring. The ring is what fuels Bilbo’s courage and the ability to become the hero. The ring is first brought into the story when Bilbo is in the Goblin Tunnels, facing Gollum. He slips it in his pocket not knowing it's power and ability. As he's trying to find his way out of the tunnels, he realizes that he has …show more content…
This was a sword of that Bilbo name to himself. This sort symbolizes Bilbo’s courage and determination, some of the most admirable traits about his character. Bilbo becomes a changed Hobbit with his sword he called ‘Sting.’ Bilbo goes from being a hobbit who is afraid of confrontation and awkward, to being a powerful brave and courageous Hobbit. The sword is really a dagger but to him being a hobbit, it works like a great sword for him. “He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach, as he wiped the sword on the grass and put it back into its sheath.” At this moment, Bilbo gained self-confidence in himself and it changed the path of the character. There are multiple instances in the story where Bilbo saves the rest of the dwarves with