This may get people odd

[greyhavener]

Galorme, I got the same reaction from one of my sons (the one who hadn't read the books). He thought Frodo spent a lot of time running and hiding too.

Everyone did a good job of pointing out what Frodo did. I think Frodo flies in the face of what we think of as an epic hero. Strider and Legolas are epic heroes. Frodo is...well...he reminds me of a verse in the Bible that says "strength is made perfect in weakness.

I've heard a quote: courage isn't the absence of fear it's doing what must be done even when you are afraid.

Frodo volunteered for the job knowing he was just a hobbit, not one of the stronger races, while the others argued, some out of pride and arrogance, about who should do it or should it be done.
Frodo may have been tempted to put on the ring out of fear, but his motivation wasn't for the power or glory often found in the strong (though Aragorn seemed to avoid this too).
Frodo was willling to trust the wisdom and truth imparted by Gandalf, Aragorn, and Galadriel over his own desires or impressions about the ring.
I actually find this pretty impressive considering how Boromir and even Galadriel were tempted by the power the ring offered.

[ August 03, 2002: Message edited by: greyhavener ]