Definition of Ethos
Key Examples in The Hobbit
In Chapter 1, the dwarves and Bilbo all begin to think Gandalf is mistaken to believe that Bilbo is the right choice to round out the adventuring party. When Gloin suggests that Bilbo is more of a grocer than a burglar, Gandalf uses ethos to persuade everyone to believe in the hobbit:
He scowled so angrily at Gloin that the dwarf huddled back in his chair; and when Bilbo tried to open his mouth to ask a question, he turned and frowned at him and stuck out his bushy eyebrows, till Bilbo shut his mouth tight with a snap. “That’s right,” said Gandalf. “Let’s have no more argument. I have chosen Mr. Baggins and that ought to be enough for all of you. If I say he is a Burglar, a Burglar he is, or will be when the time comes.[..."]
In Chapter 1, the dwarves and Bilbo all begin to think Gandalf is mistaken to believe that Bilbo is the right choice to round out the adventuring party. When Gloin suggests that Bilbo is more of a grocer than a burglar, Gandalf uses ethos to persuade everyone to believe in the hobbit:
Unlock with LitCharts A+He scowled so angrily at Gloin that the dwarf huddled back in his chair; and when Bilbo tried to open his mouth to ask a question, he turned and frowned at him and stuck out his bushy eyebrows, till Bilbo shut his mouth tight with a snap. “That’s right,” said Gandalf. “Let’s have no more argument. I have chosen Mr. Baggins and that ought to be enough for all of you. If I say he is a Burglar, a Burglar he is, or will be when the time comes.[..."]