Bilbo Heroism

The attitude toward violence is a significant aspect of heroism. A hero, according to the usual stereotype, is equipped with named weapons and armor. Bilbo, lining up with this stereotype, acquires three pieces of equipment: the sword Sting, the Ring of Invisibility, and mithril chain mail once belonging to an elven prince. Bilbo obtains Sting as a reward when he manages to steal trolls' treasure key. The theft of this key is a symbol of power because of Bilbo managing to get a hold of something out of reach to others. With the help of Sting and the Ring of Invisibility, Bilbo finally discovers the courage and strength lying dormant within him upon slaying a spider:
Somehow the killing of the giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark without the help of the wizard or the dwarves or of anyone else, made a great difference to Mr. Baggins. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach. (Tolkien, 141-142)
We also see in the novel that Gandalf and Thorin aquire named swords including "Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver" and "Glamdring, the Foe Hammer". Naturally, swords represent great power in stores of heroes, kings, or gods such as Arthur's sword Excalibur or Thor's hammer Mjolnir. Bilbo names his sword Sting after killing the great spider. As William Green illustrates, with his sword and chain mail Bilbo
His decisions, personality, and sense of morality makes him the hero he is without being the stereotypical warrior. Bilbo is a small hobbit with a huge heart, who changes the world differently than any other hero. He chooses the life of a savior rather than a warrior. He doesn't fight his battles through sheer strength. He shows compassion, innocence, and ethics in developing into the unique hero that Tolkien intended. Bilbo represents a hero that will ultimately contribute in shaping an ideal and peaceful world in a lighthearted and caring