In The Lord of The Rings, Frodo Baggins, a simple hobbit, is seen by many as the hero of the story. A hero is defined as "a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities " ("Hero "). Most heroes in literature follow a proven pattern, or cycle. Joseph Campbell, author of The Hero with a Thousand Faces, discovered such a pattern, as well as a collection of archetypes, "running through hero myths and stories from around the world " (Hamby). Using these patterns, Frodo can truly be seen as a hero.
Matthew Winkler compares this cycle to a clock, with each hour representing a different point in the hero's journey. Just like a clock, "the journey begins and ends " at twelve, "in the hero's ordinary world " (Winkler). At one o'clock, the hero receives a message or challenge that sets the journey in motion. Frodo's inheritance of the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo is his "call to adventure " (Winkler). The next point on the journey occurs when the hero receives assistance in his task, usually from someone older and wiser than he. Gandalf is both older and wiser than Frodo, and is the perfect example of both the mentor and herald archetypes. .
The next point, representing three o'clock, is the departure of the hero on his journey. At this point, Frodo also gains his first allies: his gardener, Samwise Gangee, and his relatives "Merry " Brandybuck and "Pippin " Took, all hobbits, accompany him on his quest. The departure marks the point where the hero leaves his ordinary world and enters an unfamiliar world for the majority of his journey. As they are embarking on their travels, Sam remarks, "This is it; if I take one more step, it will be the farthest away from home I've ever been " (The Lord of The Rings). .
The next point on the journey is where the hero goes through some sort of trial, or test, to continue on his quest. Frodo will endure many trials throughout the tale, alternating with near-death crises (six o'clock), receiving special gifts or rewards (seven o'clock) and the additional assistance of more allies.
