Did Frodo REALLY volunteer to Bear the Ring?

[Galadriel55]

I want to direct your attention to Frodo's thoughts and behaviour beyond this point. Certainly, we see that the Ring has a hold on him. But also, we see Frodo's immense struggle against its power and against the temptation to leave the burden to others. During his trudge with Sam from Anduin, you can see how almost every step is done with the thought of "I must". If you want quotes, there's certainly more than one occasion when he utters either that, or "I ought to" (don't have LOTR with me, so can't give a proper reference, but they're there). Who forced him to go on that weary journey when there were none but his best friend to see? Why did he not just pull a Gollum and hide in some cave with his Precious? Maybe because his motivation was that of duty, an obligation to finish what was started to prevent the destruction of his world, of doing the right thing - and not of keeping the Ring for himself. Frodo wasn't entirely expecting the quest to succeed - especially not automatically. In fact, I believe he even expressed his doubt during the Council, and on several occasions after that. He did not take the Ring because he thought he could complete the quest, but because he saw it as his duty - he saw that none of the others would take it, and if he did not do it then they would bicker until Sauron came knocking, and someone had to take it and try. His intent, as far as we can read from LOTR, is to do the right thing and resist the temptation to do the easy thing. He never thinks he can succeed better than others - he hardly thinks he can succeed at all, and he wishes someone else would do the job so that he can go back home. So when you discuss your theory, please keep in mind those things about Frodo's motives that are stated or seen in the books.