Bilbo and the Ring: A Question

[PrinceOfTheHalflings]

Originally Posted by thewarrior33

Hey everyone. I just finished reading Return of the King and I must admit I thought the ending very unhappy. I felt sad for Sam, who went through so much for Frodo but still had to endure the loss of his friend. In a way I feel this loss for him might be as hard as the loss Frodo feels since the destruction of the Ring.

A thread on this site cleared up my misgivings about Frodo having to leave. However, one major question (among many less important ones) remains. Frodo did not have the Ring nearly as long as Bilbo, and both inherited it without knowing its true importance or power. Bilbo would not have given the Ring up had Gandalf not told him to do so. Yet in the end Frodo seems much more corrupted by the Ring. He can't seem to let it go.

Four things:

1. Frodo didn't have Gandalf standing next to him at the Cracks of Doom!

2. Frodo was supposed to destroy the Ring, not just give it away. If Bilbo had been asked to destroy the Ring he probably would have been unable to do so.

3. Frodo was physically worn down by his long journey and struggle in getting to Mount Doom. He was under maximum stress and torment. Bilbo was at home, in familiar surroundings.

4. Sauron's power was at its maximum in Mordor. I don't think anyone would have had the willpower to destroy the Ring in the very place it was made (Mount Doom).

It is my opinion that in the final moments the Ring tempted Frodo with this offer "Don't destroy me, use me to overcome Sauron, then you can make the world a better place." In Frodo's weakened and confused state he succumbed to the Ring's temptation.