Collaboration | Lecture [1] Myth & Storytelling

Joseph Campbell's

'The Hero's Journey'

with 'The Hobbit' 

The Ordinary World

We meet Bilbo Baggins, a previously adventurous and mischievous hobbit, who since become acquainted with the more subdue, 'respectable' life of 'The Shire'.

[1] Call to Adventure

An external or internal change/goal that's thrust upon 'The Hero', and causes internal conflict.

The dwarves come to Bilbo's home, under Gandolf's instructions, in search for a 'burgular' to help them reclaim their home at 'The Misty Mountain'.

[2] Refusal of the 'Call'

'The Hero', conflicted with responsibility/expectation of a mentor, father or/and mother figure, decides against joining.

Conflicted with 'The Shire's' expectations of respectability, and comfort, Bilbo refuses the call to adventure.

[3] Supernatural Aid
Likely to be a mentor- who offers "deep knowledge" relevant to the 'Call to Adventure'. Often they're the hero prior to current protagonist. "Passing the Baton" from one person, to another.

Arguably this could be Gandalf with his 'deep knowledge' of magic, and dealings with middle-earth's clans (Dwarves, Hobbits, Elves, etc.). However, his character embodies the more 'Trickster' archetype: wherein his actions constantly change things for the Hero. His sudden disappearances, without warning, erratic advice, means he's not always available for 'The Hero'. 

Alternatively, it could be Elrond, who the Dwarves and Bilbo meet in Rivendell, under Gandalf's instructions. The elf provides useful, ancient knowledge on 'moon-letters', a hidden text on the Dwarves map.
Balin, the eldest of the dwarves, also offers insight into the past of 'The Misty Mountain' and 'Durin's  Line.'

[4] Crossing the "First Threshold"

The catalyst for future conflict- wherein the hero becomes commitment to change. Often "blocked by a 'Guardian'".

A note is left in his house the morning after the dwarves visit, convincing Bilbo to join 'the company' at the last minute.
He crosses the threshold of the ordinary world of 'The Shire' into the more generalised world of Middle-earth. 

[5] "Belly of the Whale"

A scenario wherein the 'hero' is 'consumed' by evil, and manages to survive. Makes the "hero" more cautious, and aware of the adventure's difficulty.

In a turn of events, 'The Company' stumble upon the orcs, and have to fight their way out to escape near certain death.

Bilbo, who's separated from the main group, faces off Gollum which leads us onto....

[6] Road of Trials

Often has the protagonist training in some way. This exposes their strengths and weaknesses, and explores existing relationships between themselves and other characters.

Bilbo meets a range of characters across his journey, who all shape his attitudes towards post-adventure life- and exposes his physical and mental skills/weaknesses- (Gollum's ring, "knowing when to take a life, and when to spare one", Bilbo being unaccustomed to danger in the disapproving eyes of Thorin, the Trolls, the white Ork etc.) before facing off the main antagonist: the dragon Smaug.

[7] Meeting with the 'Goddess'/'Reward'.
"Symbolizes the end goal of a better life", and gives 'The Hero' much needed emotional support.

The reward: the memory of the gold (and a past equilibrium) motivates the party onwards, several times throughout the film.  The first being the song of 'The Misty Mountain', as everyone looks into the flames (something that pushes Bilbo to finally join), and even 'The Hero's' speech mid way through which reawakens this motivation for 'a better life', offering the Dwarves much needed emotional support.  The last being the opening of the hidden door, and seeing the physical culmination of the gold, and stronghold of the dwarves.
The Arkenstone also acts as a 'Reward', and a symbol for the prospect of 'home'.

[8] Temptation

The 'goddess' may become the 'Temptress'. This can be something intangible/abstract, or physical.

Bilbo is tempted to return home himself, turn his back on the dwarves.
Similar to the greed and 'sickness' that grows upon the 'Line of Durin', Bilbo also holds his 'castle' in high esteem, and would rather have it to himself for the first half of the movie.
This conceptual theme is arguably a form of Campbell's stage 8: 'Temptation'.
There's also the larger story of the ring acting as a 'Temptation' of sorts.

[9] Atonement with the 'Father'

Making amends with The 'Father', i.e. whatever/whoever holds the ultimate power in the main character's life.

In this case, it could be read as Bilbo reflecting upon his family tree, and coming to grips with his 'Took' side of the family; the more adventurous line.

[10] Apotheosis

The death of innocence, and change in protagonist's consciousness. 'The Hero' takes the bulk of responsibility off the shoulders of 'Mentor'.

The decision and persistence to follow through with the adventure, meant the death (for Bilbo) of the hobbit way of comfort, and homely/family life. His first kill leaves him reeling. Moments like that, along with the greyness of moral choices (not killing Gollum, winning a battle but mourning the dead etc.), changes his character.

Though he'd initially return home, he quickly finds hobbit-life no longer suits him after all he'd experienced. He moved to Rivendell, the home of the elves, to recover and recuperate.

[11] "The Ultimate Boon"

The reward, that's often directly linked to the "call to adventure".

In the short term: Bilbo receives a portion of the treasure, the ring, and 'Sting'. Emotionally he'd helped the dwarves reclaim their home, as he'd promised.

Not the true end of the quest, as 'The Hobbit' leaves lots of references to a bigger picture. The film acts as a prequel to the later 'Lord of the Rings' series. 

[12] "The Refusal of Return"
'The Hero' has fulfilled his goal, and is replace by another. The prospect of returning home is available, but 'The Hero' decided to stay; putting the needs of others ahead of himself.

Bilbo has the opportunity to return home once he's separated from the dwarves in the orc lair. However he returns with a promise to help the dwarves to recover their long lost home. 
Additionally, his involvement with 'the ring' plays an important part in the subsequent films.

[13] Magic Flight
Not necessarily a 'literal' flight- but an 'all or nothing' scenario, wherein 'The Hero' reaches the 'Antagonist'.

The eagles offer the 'Magic Flight', that brings the company a great deal closer to 'The Misty Mountain'.
 (The psychological 'Magic Flight'- Bilbo managed to sneak into the mountain, and cleverly natter aimlessly to Smaug, appealing to his pride to avoid his wrath.)

[14] "Rescue from Without"

Help comes from an unlikely source, and reminds 'The Hero', that he's not alone in his journey. Often a consequence of earlier actions.

The Elves, and Men come to aid the Dwarves in their battle, despite a history of conflict. Bilbo and Gandalf's negotiations with the both parties, earlier in the story, may have helped this come-about.

[15] "Crossing the Return Threshold"

'The Hero' succeeds in completing the final trial.

Having convinced each clan to work together, they go to battle, crossing the final threshold, and ultimately killing the dragon and the white orc. Bilbo is finally accepted by Thorin and the company. 

[16] "Master of Two Worlds"

This can be two physical worlds, that 'the hero' has successfully managed to navigate... or the management of "both inner and outer worlds".

Bilbo has succeeded at a life of adventure, and a life of ease. And in doing so, has come to terms with his own sense of self.

[17] "Freedom to Live"
Peace is ultimately reached, the threat extinguished/dormant for now, and 'The Hero' receives a treasure "that has the power to transform the world".
He/she's changed a lot since the beginning 'Call to Adventure'.

After the battle of the five armies, the 'Misty Mountain' returns to the Dwarves, and Bilbo walks away with two small chests of gold.
Internally he'd grown as a character, and was all the more open-minded from his experiences/dealings with other characters.
Physically, he'd acquired the ring, which extended his life a great deal.