Commentary:
Intro: A main theme throughout the book is “the heroism of Bilbo”. The story is structured in many adventures and when the situation is most dangerous Bilbo, the hero, saves lives.
Body: The story is structured very simply: there is Bilbo, the hero, Gandalf, the magician and the troop of 13 dwarves. The dwarves want to get back their treasure that is hided in a mountain and no in the passion of Smaug. Bilbo is shown as a distinguished man with exceptional courage, nobility and strength who drives the plot. He is the leader to get the treasure back for the dwarves. He proves himself as a champion since he fights for a good cause, in chapter 8. He kills the spider, an evil animal, and shows that he has abilities for being a good fighter. Bilbo, as the principal character along the story, has carries responsibility for the troop.
Becoming and being a hero can be a very dangerous judgement. Bilbo is asked by Gandalf but in fact this is not his active decision. Refusing this offer was not a real option. The hero is celebrated for bold exploits, for example when he puts himself in life danger to save someone else’s life. He earns the applause from the group and possibly from the reader. It is said that a hero can’t show his feelings without becoming a looser at the same time. A hero has to be emotionally strong and has to act like a god. Heroes are famous for their independence of others.
In my point of view, a hero has to remain a fairly normal person. I feel the perfect hero has to have a special ability for what he is famous for, but he has to remain understandable and sympathetic. He should have personal problems, weaknesses and emotional feelings that he shows during the plot. The hero of a book is the person with which the reader can identify himself. The reader usually is no hero and has weaknesses and faults. If the hero is too brave and has too many supernatural qualifications, identification is becomes difficult. Readers would not like the book and would not recommend it to their friends.
Bilbo shows heroism in solving problems, in finding ways to escape, but in my eyes he has to learn to rely on his own abilities and to take the initiative to do what he feels is right. His heroic ability seems to change him, but not in a bad way. He doesn’t become arrogant or relinquish, but sees himself more important. This makes the hero approachable by the reader.
Bilbo uses a tool, the magical ring, which could represent an object for heroism. No one else is allowed to wear it, except for the hero. The question that pops up in this context is whether Bilbo is born as a hero or does the power of the ring makes him to be a hero? I think Bilbo would be an exceptional individual also without the help of the magic ring. This is shown in the scene where Bilbo gets possession of the ring. Thus, the ring just substantiates Bilbo in his heroism.
Objects, even just symbolically objects, can give physically strength. It gives the hero a “safe hand” that when you believe in it, it’ll help you. The magical ring Bilbo owns, gives him more than just physical strength, it can really protect him by making him transparent or invisible. It probably makes him feel more secure and more self-confident.
Conclusion:
Bilbo is a real hero and the magic ring assists him in solving all the challenges and in helping the dwarves to get back their treasure. Despite of all his successes and achievements he remains a sympathetic person and the reader can identify himself with Bilbo.
