The Anti-Quest

1
The Anti-Quest

• The Quest, or Heros Journey, often entails
  seeking a prized object, greater power, more
  influence.
• Hope is ever-present in a traditional Quest.
• An Anti-Quest requires the opposite the
  destruction of a prized possession, a diminishing
  of power, less influence. Also, an Anti-Quest is
  undertaken in the face of the utmost despair.
• By this definition, how is The Lord of the Rings
  an Anti-Quest?

2
The Anti-Hero
Why was I chosen? asked Frodo.Such
questions cannot be answered, said Gandalf. You
may be sure that it was not for any merit that
others do not possess. But you have been chosen,
and you must therefore use such strength and
heart and wits as you have. ---from The Lord
of the Rings
3
The Anti-Hero

• Protagonist who is conspicuously lacking in the
  typical traits of a hero
• Often an Everyman type
• Not well-suited to the task at hand, for whatever
  reasons (may be moral, physical, psychological,
  emotional)
• Often confused or conflicted
• Audience identifies with him (or her)

4
The Anti-Hero

• By this definition, how is Frodo an Anti-Hero?
• Do any other characters qualify as Anti-Heroes?