The character Frodo Baggins in the trilogy Lord of the Rings is a character who potrays bravery and courage and blind at parts. What is amazing about this character, is the will he shows, in the various quests he takes up. Frodo is the son of Drogo Baggins; he is a hobbit of the shire, of the third age. In the movie, he is the holder of the ring that is to be taken to Mount Doom to be destroyed. He is one of the three hobbits who sailed to the end of the third age in the middle of the earth to the uttermost west (Giddings). To this end, this paper aims to analyze, Frodo Baggins, one of the main characters in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
He spent his childhood in Brandy hall in Buckland. While growing up, he was called a rascal this is because he caused trouble everywhere he went. When Frodo was twelve years old, his parents drowned in the Brandywine River. He stayed in this town until his ninety nine year old uncle Bibo Baggins adopted him. While staying with his uncle Frodo learnt the Elvis language, as well as the lore of middle earth. As fate would have it, Frodo Baggins was chose as the next bearer of the ring after his uncle persuaded Gandalf to hand over the ring. Frodo was very curious about the origin and power of the ring, but Gandalf advised him not to use it. Gandalf later realized that the ring actual belonged to Lord Sauron (Students, Epics for). With time, Frodo’s actions are geared towards the general good. This is in line with the philosophy of Bernard Mayo who expilictely pointed out that it takes more than having character for one to be moral. In this case, actions geared towards an overall good are more significant than just being of the ‘right’ character.
This is what prompted Frodo secretly follow Bilbo’s journey to middle earth. A rumor went round that Frodo was running out of money. This was not true, but Frodo used this to cover up his actual mission he sold his house and went to Crickhollow where he purchased a small house. He later started on his journey to Bag Ends accompanied by Sam and Pippins. This was just in time as the Nazgul had entered Shire dressed as a black rider. (Giddings)
Although Frodo has many good qualities and faults as well, initially he is regarded as timid and fearful, but later he ever comes. Frodo is not only courageous, persevering and intelligent he is loyal. This is seen when he celebrates Bilbo’s birthday despite people thinking he is dead. When he sold Bag End for a pittance this shows, he is not greedy or malicious. Frodo can be said to have a strong sense of justice. Frodo Baggins can also be said to be curious about the outside world (Giddings). From the character of Frodo, we can learn from the power of great humility in a person. It teaches that character strength overcomes arms. Frodo was self-sacrificing and gave up his life for the safety of the Middle earth; however, his selfless acts lead him to be emotionally wounded from the quest. He also handled the temptations of the ring very courageously although in the end, he faltered and succumbed to its temptations. What separates Frodo from other characters is the fact that to him he viewed the quest as a burden that he alone can bear. This is despite the fact that the burden grows as he continues with the task (Winegar). In the words of Immanuel Kant, all characteritics, except for good will, need qualification to be considered as good. In the case of Frodo, he can be seen as being an undoubly good person.
Frodo’s quest would not have been successful if it were not for Sam Gamgee. He served as the protector of Frodo saving him when he was held captive by the Orgs. Frodo inspired Sam by showing his great determination in fulfilling the quest. At a time, when they were climbing the mountain Frodo got weak and could not walk anymore. Sam his companion carried him and urged him not to destroy the ring when they reached the top. (Winegar) Frodo is quoted as saying “I wish it need not have happened in my time,”
Through Frodo’s burden of carrying the ring, we can learn some important themes. One is that power corrupts even the best of us. Despite the intentions of the wearer of the ring at the end, the rings evil corrupts them all. The power of the ring influenced and turned Gollum and the black riders. Gollum was a young boy who killed his friend for the ring. During their travel, Boromir becomes absolutely corrupted by this proximity to the ring. In the end, Frodo also gives in into the desires of the ring by refusing to destroy it (Students, Epics for).
According to Immanuel Kant, publication of 1785 can be used to assess Frodo’s character. Frodo show good will, duty, great resolution, courage, intelligence and perseverance. However according to Kant all this qualities must be qualified because nothing good comes from the world. After knowing the identity of the ring, Frodo shows his reluctance to be a savior. Frodo is full of self-doubt he takes up his duty of saving the shire, not because of a lack of another option. Quote and quote “I wish I had never seen the Ring! Why did it come to me? Why was I chosen?” . Despite his reluctance, he shows good will in trying to protect the shire (Giddings). Frodo show courage and an internal struggle hand in hand. In the quest to destroy the ring, he faces an internal struggle withs the rings evil and his own self-doubt. At a point after meeting the Council of Elrond, he volunteers to take the ring. Despite knowing the evil, the ring has, he agrees to be its custodian this is a show of courage and good will. At Weathertop, he shows courage when he stabs the Lord of the Ringwraiths. At the border of Rivendell, he defies the black riders who had come to take him back to Mordor.This struggles internally when deciding whether to take of the ring, when he realizes he risks having Sauron getting a fix on his location (winegar).
His Christ like suffering shows perseverance. Despite his internal struggles, he overcomes many challenges that require is courage. Throughout his journey, his will power is destroyed but this shows great perseverance when he reached to reach the Crack of Doom. At one point from the pain and the pressures of the ring Sam asks him if he can continue, he replies by assuring him that he can manage because he must. Intelligence is a character articulated by Frodo from his good knowledge of the Elven Language, his love for reading. Frodo also shows compassion in many instances. This can be analyzed from Lawrence Blum point of view. Blum regards compassion as an emotional attitude. Gollum is not to be trusted, but repeatedly he shows compassion towards him. Frodo stopped Sam from killing Gollum despite him being a murderer and untrustworthy. Frodo also saves Gollum from Faramir. Repeatedly Gollum hurt Frodo, but Frodo goes on to let him go in fact, he pity’s him. Quote and quote “Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need.”
Frodo shows Gollum mercy, and as a result, he builds a good relationship with him. Gollum pays back in kind by stopping Frodo from making the worst mistake of his life. Frodo show s virtue or duty and can be analyzed from Bernard Mayo point of view. To Frodo saving Shire is a duty. He gas self-doubt about his ability to take the ring up the mountain for destruction. Frodo’s determination grows as they continue with the task. For example, there was a time when Gollum attacks him; Frodo shows great will and determination in fending off Gollum. Frodo’s courage is at an all time high when he challenges the Dark lord for the title of lord of the Rings. Frodo continues and wears the ring and reveals his position to the Eye of Sauron. By putting on the ring on Mount Doom, he thinks he has mastered the ring, but the evil of the ring takes over and changes his will.
This action of deciding not to destroy the ring is a clear portrays Frodo as a failed hero.
Despite this, we cannot be blind to his heroic acts and determination to complete the quest. Therefore, what causes his failure is a question we cannot avoid. (Winegar)Frodo’s failure can be attributed, to an n overabundance of will caused by the evil in the ring. The cause of failure is not clear, but it can be attributed to the internal struggles he had when he wore the ring (Giddings). The ordeal he went through haunts Frodo after returning home. Irrespective of the fact that he was the savior of the shire, Instead of being received like a hero; he is shunned in favor of Pippin and Merry. Frodo is haunted by the experiences he went through when he was young (Giddings). At one point in their journey they were abandoned by Gollum, but instead of giving up they continued their journey through the tunnels. Frodo courageously stood up to Shelob when they found their path blocked by her web. While climbing the mountain Frodo and Sam had no food or water, but they persevered, the rings power continued to overcome him. (Giddings)
Upon returning home, Frodo found the Shire being ruled by Sharkey and his force. In a show of might, they rallied the people together to defeat a common enemy. This act in itself shows how courageous Frodo had become. This may be partly attributed, to the near death experiences he went through in various experiences. He also prevailed upon the people that any Ruffinas that surrendered should not be harmed. This shows that Frodo had compassion. He resigned humbly after serving as the deputy mayor of the shire because he still bore the wounds of the quest (Winegar).
Frodo can be described as too trusting. He still trusted Gollum to lead their way to the Mountain of Doom despite him knowing that he was cunning. When he tried to snatch the ring from him, he over powered him and instead of killing him he spared his life. Determined and great willed are some of the characters seen in Frodo. Even after being attacked and a piece of blaze logged in his shoulder he never quite. In fact, such acts provided him with greater determination and courage to tackle the quest. Frodo’s mercy is seen when he spared Gollum just as his uncle had done. This bound Gollum to a promise to show them the way to the mountain top. (Giddings) When Frodo was held captive by the Orcs, he never lost hope of fulfilling his quest, and when he was saved by his friend Sam, they continued to journey. Gandalf described Frodo as tall and fairer than most hobbits. Frodo and his uncle also shared the burden of safeguarding the ring and a birthday this is significant because Frodo did some of the thinks he also did. For example, his uncle did not kill
Gollum, the same as Frodo. This almost made the ring not to be destroyed. Frodo’s curiosity of the outside world was not common among hobbits.
Frodo has some skills in music. This is portrayed when he performed a song at the prancing porny to the patrons who were there. The effects of the ring change Frodo from a kind hearted, gentle and very quiet man to be paranoid, short tempered and tired. From Frodo character, we see various themes manifest themselves and are built into the characters. Loyalty is seen in the relationship between Frodo and Sam. This loyalty is based on friendship and honesty and mutual respect trait clearly shown by Frodo and Sam. From the character trait of being merciful, the importance of redemption is seen. Redemption is the ability to renew another’s life. There are many instances where Frodo shows mercy to Gollum. When Gollum attacked him, he spared his life. Later he asked Sam to spare Gollum’s life. Patience’s portrayed by Frodo towards Gollum finally paid off when his mischief led to him destroying the ring in the Cracks of Doom. (Giddings)
Frodo in lord of the rings can be compared to a common person hero. This hero takes up his role, not because he want, but because what he loves is being threatened and there is no alternative. Frodo is not driven by the good versus evil notion rather it is the lack of an alternative that prompt him into action. His first reactions are hesitation and self-doubt. This courage is triggered by necessity rather than the necessity to inspire and help others. His deeds inspire many because he is just a common person who has risen to the occasion to do extraordinary things (winegar). Frodo, though not a warrior, rose to the occasion and fought. Frodo’s character leaves readers with imagination of how they one day can also rise above self doubt and believe in themselves to save their friends and society. It also warns leadership in the society today not to get drunk with power. We can learn from Frodo’s character of being selfless and merciful to others. Despite the price, he had to pay Frodo decided to carry on with his quest. The character also tries to inject moral teaching in the society. Readers can compare Frodo’s challenges to those they go through in life. Simply it can be described that life is not a bed of roses. The challenges we should help us be brave and continue with the war.
Despite the fact that we may lose some battles, the war continues. The ring is very symbolic because without it, the character of Frodo cannot be manifested. The struggles between Frodo and the rings evil is a symbolic representation of the battles between good and evil in the society today. His character shows how even men with the best intension may in the end be corrupted by the evil in the world. However, they were hopeful because good always triumphs in the end. His character also articulates issues of trust. In the case of Frodo, he trusted some Gollum who later came to betray him. This teaches us to be vigil that there are some people who we trust, but are not locking out for our best interest rather their own selfish gains. However, there is hope as in Frodo’s case he still had Sam on his side to fight for him when he could not go on any more.
Friendship is also greatly emphasized where Sam and Frodo stick together in good and bad times. There are always those will pick us up when we are down. We should strive to forge a lasting relationship based on mutual respect, trust and sincere motives. We should not be blind to the fact that you do not share aspirations. Friendship is a two way street we must learn to give (winegar). Throughout the characterization of Frodo, repeatedly potrays courage that he did not think he possessed. As his quest continues, the state of his confidence in his abilities continues to grow. Frodo’s realizes that all along he had courage, but did not know how to harness and bring out the courage (winegar). Through contact with various characters in the book, Frodo’s abilities are portrayed. This is common in life where some people see potential in us that we cannot see ourselves, in the end, in the story we see Frodo overcoming all odds to reach mount doom. This is a show of determination and the will to accomplish that which he set his mind on (Students, Epics).
In a nutshell, the story of The Lord of the Rings can be taken to mirror the world we live in today. The story depicts the various struggle we face. These struggles can be internal or external, in Frodo’s case he battles internal struggle as to whether he did the right thing. He also fought with the evil the ring had.However, we can fight this urge to be corrupted and remain true to our path. In Frodo’s case, he remained true to his quest up to the end (Students, Epics for). Other characters like Gollum are portrayed by the writer as pretending to be with us, but later stub us on the back. The writer shows us that true friendship is that of Sam. Sam had Frodo’s back no matter the challenges this is the character of true friendship. When Frodo was captured by the Orgs Sam, did not abandon his friend he went on to save Frodo. True friendship is also based on loyalty, in factun wavering loyalty towards our friends(winegar).
Accordingly, the story contains moral lessons that many individuals a relate to; directly or indirectly. The setting of the book is one that shows imagination and triggers one to wonder how the world before writing started looked like. Frodo’s character evokes a feeling of correlating with the character in all sense thought not the exact way. Frodo determination is admirable and evokes the feeling that we can also rise to the occasion when called upon by society. His failure in the end is one that shows that even men who start a quest with very noble intensions can sometimes be corrupted by the same forces they fight. (Giddings)
Works cited
Baker, Professor Martin. Lord of The Rings;Characters and Plot. Book review. London: British Board of Film Classification, 2008.
Giddings, Elizabeth Holland and Robert. The Shores of Middle Earth. book review. London: Junction Books, 1981.
Keller, Dr. Timothy. The Lord of The Rings and The Redemptive Art. book review. NewYork: Redeemer city, 2005.
Students, Epics for. Lord of The Rings. Book review. Farmington Hills: Gale Cengage, 2013.
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings. London: George Allen & Unwin, 1956.
winegar, Astrid. Aspects of Orientalism. book review. New york: Vintage publishers, 2005.
