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Bilbo's Use Of Archetypes In The Hobbit

Decent Essays

An archetype is a recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology. Two archetypes used in The Hobbit are a communion and a hero’s quest. These two archetypes are used throughout the story. In The Hobbit, the dinner scene at the beginning is an act of communion because they are all sitting at the table sharing thought on how they are going to complete their upcoming quest. It all started when Gandalf showed up at Bilbo’s house. Gandalf asked Bilbo if he wanted to go on an adventure, but Bilbo declines, but he does invite Gandalf over to have some tea with him. The next morning, Bilbo hears the doorbell ringing and he thought it was Gandalf, but when he answered the door it was a dwarf who just pushed him to the side and entered taking …show more content…

Bilbo at one point agrees to go on the quest with Gandalf and the dwarfs, which is considered an act of a hero’s quest. Respectable hobbits don’t normally go on an adventurous quests and that is why at first Bilbo turned Gandalf down, but later decided that it could be fun. Bilbo woke up late the next morning and he was joyed to see that the dwarfs left without him, but then he sees Gandalf come running back to get him. As they head east on the main road, Bilbo is upset about having to leave without finishing his breakfast and not making proper preparations. So after walking for hours, they all eventually get extremely tired and they look for a place to stop for the night. Along this long quest there are many challenges that Bilbo will have to overcome. For example after Bilbo was chased by the goblins, he found a cave to stay in, but it’s the first time he has been alone and is in danger, so he has to overcome his fear and learn how to deal with these types of situations. The greatest challenge of the journey was when he reached the Abyss. When he reaches the Abyss he has to “become one” in the adventure. He has to overcome and face all of his fears alone. Challenges play a huge part in a quest because no quest big or small is always going to be easy. If you can overcome the challenges that are in the quest, then the quest will become easier, but overcoming the challenges, is the

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