The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - What caused Frodo to finally give in to the power of the Ring and claim it?

***Mithadan*** · 11-27-2001, 04:04 PM

Welcome lamarquise! Good topic Mari...

Frodo's inner desire? Tough question. Frodo always remains remote even though he is a central character to the tale. Using his own words from early on in the story, I can think of two possible motives: (1) Frodo's desire to save the Shire; and (2) his desire to be with Bilbo...ALWAYS. As to the first, perhaps he perceived that the Shire could not survive unchanged. The only way to enforce his desire would be to seize the power of the Ring. As to the latter, only the Ring could extend his life (and apparently Bilbo's).

My personal feeling is that the Ring generated an overwhelming desire for power which Frodo eventually succumbed to. Two old threads relate to some of these issues. One is "Frodo or the Ring" which evolved into a debate about whether the Ring possessed a will of its own. The second was something like "Did Frodo fail?"

[ November 27, 2001: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

11-27-2001, 04:04 PM	#3
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,391	Welcome lamarquise! Good topic Mari... Frodo's inner desire? Tough question. Frodo always remains remote even though he is a central character to the tale. Using his own words from early on in the story, I can think of two possible motives: (1) Frodo's desire to save the Shire; and (2) his desire to be with Bilbo...ALWAYS. As to the first, perhaps he perceived that the Shire could not survive unchanged. The only way to enforce his desire would be to seize the power of the Ring. As to the latter, only the Ring could extend his life (and apparently Bilbo's). My personal feeling is that the Ring generated an overwhelming desire for power which Frodo eventually succumbed to. Two old threads relate to some of these issues. One is "Frodo or the Ring" which evolved into a debate about whether the Ring possessed a will of its own. The second was something like "Did Frodo fail?" [ November 27, 2001: Message edited by: Mithadan ] __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.