BILBO FINDING
CHLOE CALLAHAN
Strengths: I felt as that my strength lied in
having a full understanding with the virtue
courage and being equipped to use it
Weaknesses: I felt my weakness lied in
finding the exact moments bilbo showed his
gradual progression
Keep in Mind: I focused in on Bibo’s gradual
self-discovery that he can be courageous and
how it just takes small steps to do so.
Callahan, Chloe
April 28th, 2023,
THE MEAN
Ethics of the Good Life- Final Project
I.
Introduction
In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle argues the virtue of courage on what it is, what
components it has, and how someone can be a courageous man. In Book 3 Chapters 6-9,
Aristotle argues how the in-between of the two vices of fear and confidence is where one can
find courage. Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the ability to face it with confidence
and overcome it. Aristotle believes that a courageous person is someone who knows when to be
afraid and when to pull out confidence. The balance between these two vices allows harmony to
pose courage.
In Book 3 Chapter 6 Aristotle makes judgments about what it means to be a courageous
man and the qualities one must possess to be a viable candidate for this virtue. Aristotle starts by
claiming that a fearless man is not the courageous man. Aristotle believes that fearlessness does
not connect to courage. He argues that true courage involves acknowledging the danger and still
choosing to act bravely. Fearlessness, on the other hand, is a lack of fear and therefore does not
require bravery. The courageous man fears some things but not others. Aristotle quotes “He will
fear things of this sort, then, but he will endure them in the way that he ought and as reason
commands, for the sake of the noble.” (1115b 13-14). Aristotle explores that there are certain
things that we should fear, such as danger to our health or well-being, but we should also have
the capability to endure these things if they do occur, meaning overcoming hurdles.
Aristotle goes on to add that if one is accepting and proud of dying for the greater good
will be classified as a noble (1115a 30-31). An example of this is a death at war amid the greatest
noble of danger. This honorable death is characterized by selflessness, bravery, honor, and
selflessness. In contrast, a non-noble death lacks these qualities and may be seen as meaningless
or even shameful. The manner in which one faces death can greatly impact how they are
remembered and the identity of their own courage. To tie in another claim he asserts “But the
courageous man would not be concerned with death in any or every circumstance” (1115a 28-29)
the justification of this is that the courageous man is not afraid of death, for he knows that it is
inevitable and has accepted it. The man deemed courageous faces every circumstance with
bravery and determination, knowing that his actions will have a lasting impact on those around
him. Aristotle asserts that with that the man understands that true courage lies in the willingness
to face one's fears, no matter the cost to help the greater good.
II.
Brief overview of The Hobbit and Bilbo's character
In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is initially portrayed as a timid and
unadventurous hobbit who prefers the comforts of home to the dangers of the outside world. He
seems to be a coward and does not want to be bothered by the outside problems and keeps to his
little hole in the ground. Where in that he is surrounded by warmth and security. As the story
progress, Gollum asks Bilbo to go on an adventure to reclaim the dwarf’s home and treasure.
When he is asked about going on this hazardous exploration he quickly responds with “Sorry! I
don't want any adventures, thank you.” (Tolkien 7) This is depicting the coward that Bilbo is and
how he does not want to be brave nor heroic and is fine in his ways. Bilbo’s lack of courage and
feeling full of fear makes him have self-doubt and become more anxious as we see him in the
beginning of the book when he has his mirror reflection. He contemplates who he is and the
values that he holds in his life. He shows that a man full of fear is not the man he wants to be and
that he seeks a braver lifestyle. In the account of the virtue courage, Aristotle would define this
as far on the spectrum of being full of fear and not showing the mean of confidence. This is the
cowardness that Aristotle says the coward cannot be with courage due to lack of willpower to
overcome fear and develop this virtue due to too much emotion.
Soon after he contemplated his decision of saying no to the voyage, he had an epiphany
moment that he needs to have more bravery in his life. Bilbo Baggins is from two families which
are the Tooks and the Baggins. The Tooks being his mother's side is full of adventure and
extreme confidence whereas his dad's side of the family the Baggins. Bilbo lives in a world that
is centered around his dad’s characteristics and has lived a life full of safety. Bilbo has lived a
life portrayed as his farther way of life to his side of the spectrum but when he decides to take on
the voyage, he is showing his mom's side of confidence is in his soul. Tolkien writes “Then Mr.
Baggins turned the handle and went in. The Took side had won. He suddenly felt he would go
without bed and breakfast to be thought fierce.” (Tolkien 18) This is where he made amends with
himself that at times, he does not feel that he needs his comfort, and he is willing to give that up
in the pursuit of becoming someone he thinks he can be. To Justify why the account is for
courage Aristotle would support that the act of being brave and going without comfort is a stride
to being with courage. Aristotle states, “Hence courage is in fact a painful thing and is justly
praised, since it is more difficult to endure painful things than to abstain from pleasures.” (1117a
34-35) Aristotle would also feel as if his act is for bettering his community and his desire to
leave his comfort to better the good shows a noble act. By Bilbo stepping out of his comfort
zone, he would be challenging himself and pushing himself toward personal growth.
Towards the end of the book after the audience sees Bilbo builds on his character inch by
inch to find what he believes is how own identity of courage. Tolkien comments "Then Bilbo,
not without a shudder, not without a glance of longing, handed the marvelous stone to Bard, and
he held it in his hand, as though dazed. "But how is it yours to give?" he asked at last with an
effort. “O well!" said the hobbit uncomfortably.” (Tolkien 248). Bilbo at this point of the story is
willing to let the Arkenstone go to Bard so that Bard can negotiate for Thorin’s treasure. This
shows courage since Bilbo is at sense facing death when he confesses, and his confidence and his
strength of the word allows him to be spared. Aristotle would deem this courageous due to him
displaying both fear and confidence in this to better the greater good and deemed noble.
Bilbo’s growth in character development is gradual and he makes strides that do not seem as
impressive in the grand scheme of things. The triumphs that he makes are small acts of courage
that allows him to step away from his fearful ways to lean into a more confident way of life.
Bilbo earns his legs by the small act of pushing himself past his boundaries in order to reinsure
himself that taking the first leap is not as scary once he does it.
III.
Conclusion
Bilbo’s sense of courage also is depicting of him wanting to help the dwarfs find a new home
and what belongs to him. That act in itself is selfless, heroic, and helps the greater good where he
is putting himself in line of danger to do so. The connection between Aristotle’s Nicomachean
Ethics and The Hobbit allows the reader to see courage and heroic actions can be made by the
common man too. Aristotle plays into how a courageous man must be looked like a man of great
substance and in the modern day I would think of heroic figures However, it is important to
remember that acts of courage are not limited to those who are famous or exceptional. As just a
hobbit can show courage just as strong as a wizard. Courage comes in many forms and can be
displayed in everyday situations. It takes courage to stand up for what is right, and Aristotle
showed voices that it takes courage to face your fears and push through them in escaping one’s
comfort. To conclude the mean of the two vices fear and confidence is presented beautifully in
The Hobbit. Bilbo’s journey is an excellent depiction of finding that mean where his parents
illustrates the extremes. Bilbo discovers his own courage and resourcefulness, proving himself to
be more than just a timid hobbit.
References:
Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics, trans. Robert C. Bartlett and Susan D. Collins. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, 2011.
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit. Boston: Mariner Books, 2012