[Essex]

oh contrare.

various definitions of forgiveness

the act of excusing a mistake or offense

a quality by which one ceases to feel resentment against another for a wrong he or she has committed against oneself.

The act of granting pardon for or remission of (something)

a virtue, is forgiving, pardon of a fault, remission of a debt.

so, therefore, Frodo (and somewhat Sam at the end) forgave Gollum.

and therefore as St. Francis of Assisi once said, "for it is in pardoning that we are pardoned."


PS it may well have mainly been pity that led to Frodo's forgiveness of Goullum's sins.