Bilbo Baggins – a True Hero in The Hobbit

In a world where countless individuals have read J.R.R Tolkien’s, The Hobbit, it makes sense that one might feel forced to ask, Is Bilbo Baggins a smart and respected hero or is he a fearful and timid hobbit? The answer is that Bilbo is certainly a hero for many reasons: he acquires a weapon, saves his friends from danger, and demonstrates many heroic characteristics.

Bilbo gets two valuable items: a sword and the ring of invisibility. Bilbo discovers capabilities that were anonymous to him when he kills a spider with the assistance of the sword and the ring of invisibility. “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. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach.” Even the dragon Smaug, armed with the sword, fears the existence of Bilbo when he dreams of him as “a warrior, altogether insignificant in size but provided with a bitter sword and great courage”. Bilbo might have entered the Battle of Five Armies and played the part as a warrior, but Bilbo denies conflict. He utilizes only the sword and ring to protect himself, that is when he saves his friends from the spiders.

One of his characteristics as a hero is also his sharp and fast thinking. Later in the tale, Bilbo meets a skinny, slimy, dark creature named Gollum while lost in a network of tunnels in a mountain whose intention was to devour him. As a result of Gollum trying to devour him, Bilbo decides to play a riddle game with him in order to gain time. Gollum would promise to show him the way out if Bilbo asked a riddle Gollum couldn’t answer. But if Bilbo couldn’t answer a riddle that Gollum asked, Gollum would consume him. After alternating various riddles, each becoming harder and harder, it was eventually the wit of Bilbo that prevailed. Asking “What have I got in my pockets?”. This left Gollum puzzled causing him to show Bilbo the way out. His meeting with Smaug is much like the meeting with Gollum. This time, however, Bilbo finds a much more frightening creature. By proclaiming that are luxuries of treasures, Smaug attempts to ambush Bilbo. Bilbo, who knows better, perceives Smaug through, flatters the dragon and speaks in riddles. For instance, Bilbo teaches “This is of course the way to talk to dragons, if you don’t want to reveal your proper name, and don’t want to infuriate them by a flat refusal.” Bilbo defines himself through this strategy as being able to overcome his enemy through fights not of pure power, but of wit and cleverness.

It’s true that he is not the athletic or muscular character you’ll imagine a hero to be. Bilbo is about three feet tall and he doubted his own skills towards the beginning of the novel and was afraid of the thought of moving beyond his front yard, let alone going far away on an adventure. But by heart and courage he is a true hero, as seen when he spares the life of Gollum or saving his friends from danger.

Bilbo is a tiny individual with a huge core that changes the world by using a different approach than by fighting battles or through raw force. He displays excellent character, bravery, and intelligence. Bilbo is a hero where the world is made better by excellent character and peace. 

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