In a world where countless people have read JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, it is logical to feel forced to ask: is Bilbo Baggins an intelligent and respected hero or 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. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Obtain an original essayBilbo receives two precious items: a sword and the ring of invisibility. Bilbo discovers abilities that were previously anonymous to him when he kills a spider with the help of his sword and the ring of invisibility. “Somehow killing the giant spider, all alone in the dark without the help of the wizard, the dwarves, or anyone else, made a big difference to Mr. Baggins. He felt like a different person, much fiercer and bolder despite his empty stomach. Even the sword-wielding dragon Smaug fears Bilbo's existence when he dreams of him as "a warrior, quite insignificant in size but gifted with a bitter sword and great courage." Bilbo may have entered the Battle of the Five Armies and played the role of a warrior, but Bilbo denies the conflict. He only uses the sword and ring to protect himself, that is when he saves his friends from spiders. One of his characteristics as a hero is also his sharp and quick thinking. Later in the tale, Bilbo encounters a thin, 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's attempt to devour him, Bilbo decides to play a puzzle game with him to buy time. Gollum promised to show him the way out if Bilbo asked a riddle that Gollum couldn't answer. But if Bilbo failed to answer a riddle posed by Gollum, Gollum would consume him. After alternating various puzzles, each increasingly difficult, Bilbo's wits prevailed in the end. Ask yourself “What do I have in my pockets?”. This left Gollum perplexed forcing him to show Bilbo the way out. His encounter with Smaug is very similar to his encounter with Gollum. This time, however, Bilbo finds a much scarier creature. Proclaiming that treasures are a luxury, Smaug attempts to ambush Bilbo. Bilbo, who knows better, senses Smaug, flatters the dragon, and speaks in riddles. For example, Bilbo teaches: "This is obviously the way to speak to dragons, if you do not want to reveal your proper name and do not want to infuriate them with a flat refusal." Bilbo defines himself through this strategy as capable of defeating his enemy through combat not of raw power, but of wit and intelligence. It's true that he's not the athletic or muscular character you'd imagine a hero to be. Bilbo is about three feet tall and doubted his abilities at the beginning of the novel and was afraid of the thought of moving beyond his backyard, let alone going far away on an adventure. But with heart and courage he is a true hero, as seen when he spares Gollum's life or saves his friends from danger. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom EssayBilbo is a tiny individual with a huge soul who changes the world using a different approach than battles or brute force. Shows excellent character, courage and intelligence. Bilbo is a hero where the world is made better by excellent character and peace. Works Cited: Clark, A. E., & Oswald, A. J. (1994). Unhappiness and unemployment. The Economic Journal, 104(424), 648-659. Cordes, C. L., & Dougherty, T. W. (1993). A review and integration of research on job burnout., 42(6), 539-555., 42(7), 625-638.