Two EW writers debate the protagonists' merits
This week marks the 80th anniversary of J.R.R.
Right there in the title, it introduced Tolkien’s single greatest contribution to fantasy literature.
Before him, fantasy had mostly revolved around valiant heroes: Kings, knights, wizards.
Credit: Everett Collection (2)
You know, casual.
The titular protagonist ofThe Hobbittruly redefined what a hero could be.
He outsmarted a trio of trolls!
He crept into a dragon’s lair to steal the Arkenstone from right under his nose!
And of course, he out-riddled Gollum in one of literature’s greatest and most masterful scenes.
He’s also one of the best parts of Peter Jackson’sHobbittrilogy.
(See:Sherlock, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,etc.)
But while Frodo feels like a character in a mythan innocent hero struggling against corruptionBilbo feels the mosthuman.
While Frodo is selfless and noble, Bilbo has to do a little more personal growth.
Over the course of his adventure, Bilbo finds a courage, ingenuity, and selflessness within himself.
What more could you want from a heroic character arc?
Who are we to disagree?
Devan Coggan
The case for Frodo
Those are all good points about Bilbo!
I think you actually hit on why thoseHobbitmovies didn’t work.
Unfortunately, both of those things got lost in the dizzying CGI slugfest of a big-screen blockbuster fantasy trilogy.
Peter Jackson’s movies didn’t serve Bilbo’s nephew very well either, of course.
People mostly seem to hate Frodo, especially since the movies came out.
Instead, he finally submits to months of relentless pressure and tries to take the Ring for himself.
That could have been the end of everything, but it wasn’t.
For Frodo, indeed.
