Week 6: Rich Fantasy

The hobbit reflects the hero's journey in the conventional and not so conventional sense. Bilbo Baggins, the protagonist, is the unlikely hero of the story after being drafted by a wizard to be a burglar for a band of dwarves. Bilbo begins reluctantly, not particularly in favor of being a part of this dangerous mission to reclaim the Dwarves' homeland, however as most heroes on a journey he begins to discover things about himself such as his wit and loyalty when tested by trials throughout his travels. From fumbling to confident, Bilbo follows through as the hero who rises to the task, reaches self-discovery and comes out as the hero but Bilbo is flawed. Whereas conventional heroes are shed of their less-than-honorable traits and rely on goodness solely, Bilbo's strongest ability comes from something of evil and he obtained the ring, which he uses throughout the book, through trickery and herein lies Bilbo's unconventionality. Bilbo does not transform into a new, better being, while he has risen to the task and proved himself a hero in the sense of his mission and overall character, he reached a part of it through dishonorable means. The ring was an object of evil but without it Bilbo would not have been able to complete many of the feats that he did.