Humanities Homework Help

Construct a thesis-driven analysis that responds to the following question: How might we use the unconventional and hybrid characters- Bilbo Baggins, Gollum, & Smaug—in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit to create addendums to Vogler’s existing discussion of  archetypes?  Create an addendum for a new archetype in response to the individual (The Hobbit) character prompt. 

The Prompt: The Hobbit; Vogler’s chapter on the Hero (p. 29-37) gives us insight into the psychological and dramatic functions of the heroic archetype, as well as providing us with various examples of different forms the archetype may take. However, there does not seem to be a clear place among his examples for a character such as the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. Even Gandalf says, “ . . . warriors are busy fighting one another in distant lands, and in this neighbourhood heroes are scarce, or simply not to be found . . . That is why I settled on a burglar . . . and here is our little Bilbo Baggins, the burglar, the chosen and selected burglar” (Tolkien 21). You are tasked with writing an addendum to Vogler’s chapter on the Hero by creating a detailed and developed description for “The Hobbit,” using Bilbo Baggins as a clear example of this new variation of the archetype. Consider characteristics, psychological function, and dramatic function. Also, you must address the role of the One Ring in the construction of this archetype; consider in your discussion the role of “the dark gift” in the formulation of this type of hero.