Do we like them?

Do we like Bilbo Baggins?

A character from The Hobbit (1937)

Our score: 9 out of 10. Yes, we'd back him. He starts out a reluctant homebody and ends up clever, brave and decent, and he keeps his conscience even when the treasure gets tempting.

Bilbo Baggins is a respectable, well-fed hobbit who lives in a snug hole in the ground in Hobbiton and wants nothing more than a quiet life. Then the wizard Gandalf turns up and, with a company of thirteen dwarves led by Thorin, volunteers Bilbo as the 'burglar' on a quest. The goal is to win back the dwarves' stolen treasure from the dragon Smaug. Bilbo is unwilling, anxious and very much missing his pantry.

Why he scores so high: Bilbo isn't a natural hero, and that is the appeal. He's out of his depth and he knows it, but he keeps going. He gets by on wit, riddles, luck and a surprising amount of nerve. He's loyal to the dwarves even when they're grumpy and ungrateful, and his stubborn decency keeps him steady when the adventure turns dangerous. His small crimes (pickpocketing, sneaking, a bit of cheek) are mostly in the line of duty.

His biggest test comes at the Lonely Mountain, when the treasure begins to turn people's heads. Bilbo makes a hard, morally risky choice with the Arkenstone, going against his own side's wishes to try to prevent a war. He chooses people over riches, and that is what earns him our full backing. He returns home a changed hobbit, and he's no longer quite so respectable.