We've discussed a few times in class why a creature like Bilbo serves as the main character of the hobbit. It's obvious to a group of battle-hardened dwarves and a wizard a small timid hobbit is unlikely to be much use in battle. The obvious answer as to the purpose he serves in the story is to find the one ring and then use that to help the dwarves reclaim the mountain and then to return it to the shire so eventually, it can be given to Frodo. However, this sort of robs Bilbo of his agency as a character. Is he really just a ringbearer? If he had never found the ring would he have been any help at all to his friends? But I think as we all know even without the ring Bilbo does prove his worth as a character. He is the heart of the group, he is the innocent moral onlooker. Wise old Gandalph knows that the dwarves will fail on their own. They need someone further from the situation. Someone whose vision won't be clouded by greed or pride. Because those are the two main faults of Thorin and his company. They were not the ones to beat the dragon and the peace that ensued after the battle of the five armies only came because Dain decided to share the riches he had reclaimed. When Bilbo steals the Arkenstone and gives it to Bard he shows intelligence and empathy and distaste for violence. After this, we know he can retain his morality even when presented with the greatest treasures and the darkest of circumstances.
Something else of note is about the role the ring plays in the greater story of middle earth. The really scary thing about the ring is that no matter how much you seek to do good with it it can only do evil. While money corrupts many characters in middle earth there are always those who can resist it. Characters like Bilbo who delivers a precious gem to the enemy armies as a way to prevent conflict. However, what we learn is that with enough time even Bilbo is lured in by the ring. This is what makes it so insidious. The fact that with time it can corrupt even the most incorruptible creatures in middle earth.
Elladan,
ReplyDeleteI had similar thoughts on Bilbo's purpose in the story. You put it just right by saying that Gandalf wanted someone who was distant from the situation to join the dwarves. It certainly had the effect of keeping them focused on their goal and less on themselves. Bilbo was hardly focused on the treasure, which made it a lot easier for him to pay attention to the big picture and the lives of all the characters involved. He tried to save the men of Lake-town and the Elves rather than keep treasure for himself. I agree that his character shines out amongst all the others.