The Reluctant Hero: Analysis of The Hero’s Journey in Bilbo Baggins of The Hobbit Films

Abstract

This study aims to identify the stages of the Hero’s Journey experienced by Bilbo Baggins and to explain how they shape his character development throughout The Hobbit film trilogy. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method, drawing on Christopher Vogler’s (2017) Hero’s Journey, to analyze Bilbo’s transformation and the roles of supporting characters in his journey. The data were taken from Bilbo Baggins’ dialogues, selected scenes, and character interactions in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. The results show that Bilbo experiences several important stages of the Hero’s Journey, including the Ordinary World, Call to Adventure, Refusal to Call, Meeting with the Mentor, Crossing the First Threshold, Tests, Allies and Enemies, the Ordeal, and the Reward. The most dominant stages are Crossing the First Threshold, the Ordeal, and the Reward, showing that Bilbo’s development is strongly shaped through repeated trials, moral conflict, and important decisions. These findings show that Bilbo’s journey is not only an adventure but also a process of psychological transformation and identity development that shapes him into a hero.