Tolkien, author of "The Hobbit," thinks so. In "The Hobbit," Bilbo Baggins is introduced as an ordinary hobbit who lives just as any hobbit would; in his hobbit hole. Later after a visit from Gandalf, a group of dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield presents a plan to retake the lonely mountain from the evil dragon, Smaug. During this adventure, Bilbo Baggins is faced with many strange situations. Once the mountain is retaken, Thorin Oakenshield becomes obsessive over finding the Arkenstone, to the point of believing one of his dwarven kin had stolen it from him. Later after the orcs start to attack, Thorin finally realizes that the Arkenstone did not matter and helped his dwarven cousins push the orcs away from the lonely mountain. After Thorin kills the orc leader, also killing himself in the process, all is peaceful in middle earth except for the necromancer that does not do much in "The Hobbit." Bilbo Baggins is indeed a hero, and a great one at that because of how brave he is and selfless.
Bilbo Baggins changed from a regular hobbit to a brave adventurer throughout "The Hobbit". "The Bagginses they never had any adventures" (Tolkien 3). This quote shows how Bilbo Baggins is introduced as a boring hobbit who is underwhelming. "Now it's the burglar's turn" (Tolkien 33). This quote is from the first time Bilbo Baggins did something brave by going to face the trolls by the campfire, showing change for the first time. "Farewell good thief" (Tolkien 262). .
When Thorin Oakenshield says this before dying shows that Thorin, though skeptical at first, finally accepts Bilbo Baggins as a skillful thief and loyal friend. .
Bilbo Baggins always thinks about others first which is another trait of a hero. "This is the Arkenstone It will help you in your bargaining" (Tolkien 248). When Bilbo Baggins gives the Arkenstone to Bard and the Elven people he his helping Bard by giving him a large bargaining chip and helping Thorin by showing him the Arkenstone did not matter.
