Gollum Challenges Bilbo To A Riddle Game example essay topic

The term hero holds a different meaning to different people. The traditional definition of the word hero can be described as having characteristics such as Beowulf. Beowulf is the typical example that most can associate with when describing a hero because of his physical attributes he obtains. Beowulf is physically strong, noble, and a great warrior. He is a person who you would rely on when you are in dire need of a defeater to rescue you. A portrayal as such was commendable in the Middle Ages, hence, obtaining all of these qualities deemed you a hero and an individual whom was looked up to within your society.

Centuries later we look back and examine these stories in more depth and come to other conclusions and alter our perception of this word that has reinvented itself. Now it is possible to adjust and broaden the symbolism of heroism. For instance unlike in the Middle Ages, it is no longer a requirement to be gargantuan or be the strongest person to be a considered a hero. Nowadays hero's come in several shapes, sizes and colors. Another positive attribute that reckon a hero necessarily do not have to do with their physical strength, but their mind. The mind can now be used as a tool to challenge an opponent to win as well.

Incorporating these two elements broaden the way for everyday people to become heroic citizens. A perfect example of how the traits of a hero have changed is Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo Baggins transitions himself in The Hobbit and becomes the unconventional hero that has us cheering in the end. Bilbo Baggins is a Hobbit who is chosen by Gandalf, an old wizard, to join a pack of elves on a journey to reclaim gold.

Although Bilbo is described as somewhat of a loner who is content with his quiet comfortable life, the thought of going on an adventure excites him. Even though the elves who will join him on this journey are skeptical and unsure of Gandalf's choice, Gandalf explains and convinces them that Bilbo is a quiet Hobbit who does not have a familiar scent, he is small and most importantly, there is more to this Hobbit than beats the eye. Bilbo Baggin's heroic attempts begin's early on in The Hobbit. As the expedition commences, the group already finds themselves in the face of danger early on. Uneasy of what lied ahead, the elves insist on Bilbo, since he is the group's burglar, to go forward and investigate what seems to be a fire. Unlike his character described in the first chapter, Bilbo proceeds to explore and finds a trio of trolls.

Knowing that he is outnumbered, Bilbo courageously attempts to steal money from them, but finds himself captured by the trolls. The dwarfs do try to help Bilbo, but the trolls outsmart them and manage to get captured as well. In my opinion, Bilbo's actions in this chapter are significant because it is the first sign that Bilbo's character is emerging into a hero. Bilbo steps up to the plate and without the suggestion of the others tries to steal from the trolls for the sake of the group. Although his courageous attempt was unsuccessful, the intent was there. This is the first demonstration that Gandalf's prediction was correct when he suggests to the elves that there is more to this Hobbit then beats the eye.

As the voyage progresses, Bilbo Baggins starts to show additional heroic characteristics that surprise the elves as well as himself. The group seems to find trouble once again as they move along toward Misty Mountains. They are forced to look for shelter when they encounter an unexpected storm. Seeking shelter in a cave for the evening Bilbo awakes to find difficulty with Goblins and in turn alarms Gandalf who is saved just in time by his scream. After trying to escape, Bilbo finds himself lost and alone in the Misty Mountains, and was left behind by the elves after the altercation with the Goblins. Despite his surroundings, Bilbo manages to gather his courage once again as he decides to find a way out.

Here is where Bilbo finds the magical ring. Uninformed of its powers he puts it in his pocket and stumbles across Gollum, a creature who lives in this dark place. For his own amusement, Gollum challenges Bilbo to a riddle game and tells him that if he wins then he gets to eat him, but if Bilbo wins then he will show him the way out of the Misty Mountains. Having no other choice Bilbo agrees and they continue back and forth with riddles. Bilbo amazingly remembers the answers to the riddles that Gollum is asking him and then manages to stump Gollum with a riddle of his own, "What have I got in my pocket?" unable to answer Bilbo wins the game.

Once more Bilbo Baggins' character shows heroism in two different ways in this chapter. First, Bilbo is in a strange scary dark place. Unaware of his environment, he is able to look past the sinister atmosphere and tries to look for a way out. Secondly, Bilbo finds this magical ring.

Granted he was ignorant of its importance at the time, but never losing sight that his role in this mission was to be a burglar, Bilbo probably collected the ring as part of his adventure. Thirdly, he confronts Gollum and triumphal wins at his own riddle game. All of these three points collectively is evidence that Bilbo is a hero in his own Hobbit way. He is evolving into someone who is very different that the sarcastic host in the earlier chapters. The Hobbit who was once a loner is now looking out for the group, rather than himself.

Although these are just a couple of acts that Bilbo Baggins demonstrates in The Hobbit, they are consistent throughout the entire book. I chose these two in particular, because they both were examples of courageousness and wits, two traits in my opinion that a hero must obtain. Remembering that this book is was intended for children, provides them with lessons that it's acceptable to be different than others and still fit in. It also uses characteristics other than strength to get out of sticky situations. Bilbo Baggins is the eccentric hero in my eyes. He obtains all the characteristics of Beowulf such as nobility, bravery, but has cleverness as well.

He is a great character that children can relate to and associate themselves with. Using Bilbo as an example enables the warrior challenged as myself to and venture outside our little holes and become heroes in our mundane little world.