The Light in Frodo's Face

[Child of the 7th Age]

This discussion, although very old, never ceases to intrigue me.

OK, I have other qustions that relate closely to my original one. I agree with Doug Platypus (who alas rarely haunts the Downs now) that the light is a physical manifestation of the spiritual side of Frodo's nature. Being an Elf-friend is one part of that equation, although not the only one.

I also agree with this observation that Doug made about the uniqueness of Frodo in this regard. No other Child of Illuvatar is portrayed in this way:

This light of Frodo's is the manifestation of the refining of his spirit in the crucible of his quest.

As the Light seems to become more apparent further along his road (helped along by the Witch King of course). When Aragorn has a Light in his Face on Cerin Amroth, I think this is partly because of his nature as Elf-friend and Elessar, and because he is at that moment in a dreamlike state. I can't think of other instances of Eruhíni having this Light, if there are others please post them!

OK, that gets me round to my next set of questions.

First, does anyone know of any other mortals in all of Tolkien's writings who also have light reflected in their eyes and face?

It seems then that Frodo's light is unique, even different than Aragorn. Then the question becomes this: why a hobbit? Why not one of the big folk?

I mean just look at hobbits. They are not exactly likely candidates for spiritual enlightenment! Unlike Aragorn and the men of Numenor, they could not choose when they died.

Another scene underlines how very limited hobbits were. One of the most humbling scenes in the book is when Frodo watches Faramir's men rise before eating and look towards Numenor and "what lies beyond", an inherently spiritual statement.

Frodo does not even understand what Faramir's men are doing so he asks about it. Yet he instinctively feels that it is sad his own people don't have a custom like that. He almost seems to feel a bit ashamed. Obviously, hobbits don't have such a custom because they don't even understand
"what lies beyond".

In a discussion that Bird and I had one day, she pointed out that, in many respects, hobbits are the most "secular" people in Arda, focusing on the day-to-day rather than anything beyond. Unlike the Elves or the Edain, they are ignorant of such things.

So how come, if there are only two mortals in all of Middle-earth who show this special light in Tolkien's writings, one is a hobbit? Indeed he is the one who seems to show this special feature even more than Aragorn whose heritage is so special. Yes, I know all the reasons why Frodo's particlar skills (and limitations) as a hobbit led to him being chosen to destroy the ring. But Tolkien didn't have to portray him in this way regarding the light.

What does it say about Tolkien's view of mankind and our potential that he could portray a humble hobbit in this way, but not all the heroes of the Silm?

Also, what happened to the light in Frodo's eyes after Mordor? Was it gone for good? Would it ever come back within the circles of Arda? Was the real purpose of Frodo's journey to the West to regain that piece of himself which was exemplified by that light in his eyes?

Just curious what others think.