Which fictional character is the protagonist of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit?

Bilbo Baggins is the protagonist of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

Bilbo is a hobbit from Bag End in Hobbiton who is drawn into an expedition to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and its treasure from the dragon Smaug. Thorin Oakenshield leads the company of dwarves, while Gandalf the wizard encourages Bilbo to join as their burglar.

During the journey, Bilbo finds the One Ring in the Misty Mountains after encountering Gollum. He also uses wit, conversation, and stealth to survive situations that would overwhelm a conventional warrior. His growth from comfort-loving homebody to resourceful adventurer is the central arc of the novel.

Frodo Baggins is another important hobbit and Bilbo’s younger cousin and heir, but Frodo is the principal character of The Lord of the Rings. Thorin is the expedition’s leader, and Aragorn belongs chiefly to the later story. These characters are therefore plausible alternatives in broad Middle-earth questions but not the protagonist of The Hobbit.