The Hobbit, Supreme Ordeal - Essay Example

The Hobbit, Supreme Ordeal Introduction Bilbo Baggins is an exemplary example of a hero’s journey, in the narrative the Hobbit, he is depicted as a shrewd character who chat his unique path to gain respect and admiration among many people. Tasha Martin, the author builds the character in a series of hero journey steps that ultimately points out to the common path of heroes in the narrative. Bilbo lives a lavish life, enjoying seven meals per day, in this narrative; he wins this honor through a series of ordeal that persistently depict his ultimate courage, pride, and persistence (Tolkien 34). This essay will focus on his refusal to go for adventure with the wizard, Gandalf as one of the supreme ordeal steps he made Scene Background His ordeal begins when he refuses to go with the wizard on adventure despite the arrival of the thirteen dwarves. In this episode, the wizard had tried his best to plead with him to accompany him on an adventure, after this he noticed that his mentor convinced him to accompany him for the adventure after the dwarves had gone (Tolkien 35). Initially, he is convinced that respectable Hobbits like him should not go for adventure. Elrond remarks “Ah, I shant be missed,” and Bilbo reply “The truth is most of them don’t think I should be on this journey,” reveals how other characters detested his presence in the journey. However, the change of mind to pursue dwarves becomes one of the biggest ordeal in his journey to be a hero. Later on, he realized that he had erred in judgment and decided to pursue the dwarves. On this journey, he meets both allies and enemies. It became a journey that shaped his personal stature and rise to be a recognized hero. Arguably, his pursuit of the dwarves is the best moment that helps bring out his heroism. Evidently, the most important event was the trial with the three trolls, the giant spiders and Gollum. Although he had encountered a number of trials during his pursuit, this special trial almost broke his stature. Task 2: Description of Ordeal During his encounter with the three trolls, Bilbo found an elvish dagger and a magical ring, the objects that helped him later on to triumph his enemies. Evidently, Elrond warning, “It is dangerous move, Gandaff,” reveals how the encounter of the dragon was feared. Despite finding himself at the edge of death, his courage drove him to approach a cave in an isolated mountain where Thorin’s treasure is kept. It was a unique and chilling experience that ordinary characters in the play would not have attempted. It was during this courageous move that made Bilbo gain admiration and capture the attention of others (Tolkien 55). It was inside the mountain that the actual ordeal began to unfold. Notably, he has been left alone to face a dragon that protected the hidden treasures kept in the mountainside. Although he became aware of the imminent attack from fierce dragon, whose actual position in the cave was unknown, he proceeded to the cave. In this narrative, the cave has two significance, first it is where a precious gift is hidden by a fierce dragon named Smaug and the approach of the cave was a sign of heroism since many other entities had not even imagined coming close. In what seemed to be an adventure now became a matter of life or death. In his mind, Bilbo knew that chances of coming out triumphant were minimal, besides, he was largely unaware what the precious gift held by dragon would bring. However, a war broke out between the dwarves, Wood Elves and Humans versus Wargs and Goblin. Because of his persistence, courage and determination to follow the dwarves, Bilbo received much honor and big rewards from the dwarves (Tolkien 57). Relevance of the Ordeal to Heroism In essence, the reward was a recognition for his persistent pursuit. The journey was certainly chilling and at times scary; however, he followed the advice of his mentor and followed the dwarves. Heroes are built out of terrifying ordeals, in reality heroes undergo overwhelming experiences that ordinary persons would yield if subjected to the pressure. The entire journey through thick mountain forests and finally into the dangerous cave reveals three important heroic actions of the protagonist. Firstly, he persistently pursued the dwarves despite potential life threats. Secondly, he remained courageous throughout the encounter with the dragon and the subsequent war that broke out. Lastly, despite excruciating and harrowing experience, he recovered from the wounds and tribulations and he becomes a celebrated hero. Certainly, Bilbo actions depict a journey of astute hero who goes to forbidden territory fight and come back with treasures. Throughout this literature, he is depicted as a leader of great influence, passionate and meticulous in actions. Although the entire transcript depicts numerous heroic journey, his triumph over the dragon and enemies during the pursuit for the dwarves is quite remarkable. Task 3: The Road Back Part of Journey Tolkien (76) observes that in his journey back, he becomes tactful. Accompanied by Elixir Bilbo Baggins he showed great wit. Because he had achieved his piece of gold share, a ring and alves dagger, he avoided enemies on his journey back. In fact, he spent a night at the house of Beorn in order to recover from the wounds of the war. Surprisingly, back at his home, Shire people had begun auctioning his house. Everyone knew that he is dead given the danger associated with the dragon and the mountain caves. Task 4: Bilbo Recommitment to Adventure The ordeal of the mountain with the dragon and the enemies culminate his supreme ordeal (Tolkien 77). His courage and persistence wins him gold and a number of gifts from the dwarves. By virtue of pursuing what was thought to be an adventure, he returns home a hero. At the end of this ordeal, his conviction to future ordeal is renewed. Besides, his reputation significantly grew and he attained heroic stature. Works Cited Tolkien, J R. R. The Hobbit, Or, There and Back Again. 34-78th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1966. Print. Read More