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Bilbo as a Modern Hero Compared To Other Epic Characters

Introduction

Bilbo fits the bill as an unlikely hero in many regards. While many heroes are unlikely because of their young age, Bilbo is even more unlikely because of the fact that he is older - old enough to have settled down rather permanently it would seem. He is wealthy, retired, and respected by the members of his community. It doesn't seem that he has any reason whatsoever to go on an adventure. Of course, hobbits really aren't predisposed toward adventures in the first place, what with their sheltered lifestyles, small size, and parochial frame of mind (Barron's, 2002). They enjoy the quiet comforts of the world; good food, warm fires, comfortable chairs, and smoking assorted types of dried vegetable matter. Even in their work there is a sort of leisurely attitude as they till the earth, tend their animals, and craft useful things slowly and carefully with their bare hands. But of all the hobbits, the Baggins family would be the last place anyone would look if trying to find a bold adventurer. Everyone knew that the Baggins never had any adventures or did anything unexpected. So if one was expecting an unexpected hero, it is expected one will find that Bilbo meets one's expectations perfectly. A hero's destiny is a theme which is well known within literature, as both children and adults find it compelling (Wiklander, 2011). This theme has a wide range of effects that takes place and all and sundry can find some way to connect with it.

Discussion

The Baggins part of Bilbo's character is very strong in his stories. He's quite happy the way he is, and couldn't care less about his potential to become a legendary adventurer. Nor could anyone else convince Bilbo logically that his involvement in adventure would make a great deal of difference in the fate of the world and serve to overthrow a terrible evil force - even if any of them had known these themselves. Bilbo's story unfolds in such a way as he would never believe even if it were written down and handed to him to read. Gandalf is a rather perplexing character. Though not omniscient, he certainly seems to have a fair amount of foresight into the future. He is a guide, a guardian, and a motivator. Whatever else he may be, Gandalf is good, through and through. He is wise and caring and even good-humored at times. Gandalf knows that Bilbo needs to go on this journey, that the dwarves will need Bilbo before long, and that the world is going to need a very unlikely hobbit to step up and face this adventure.

Let's examine three very good things happening right at this moment. First off, Bilbo finds a ring on the ground as he's groping about; a ring that will eventually be the most useful tool he acquires in his career as a burglar. We're told often that Bilbo possesses an unusual quantity ...