Basically this is a "defend Frodo" post. Why does he need defending? Well, because I feel like a lot of people underestimate him. He's the hero of the story, and yet he doesn't seem to be a general favorite. Sam probably has a larger fan base than Frodo, and I find that rather curious. Not because Sam shouldn't have such a large fan base, but because I think Frodo is an equally interesting, strong, and loveable character himself and ought to be as highly talked of as any of them.
So, can we talk about Frodo?
So, can we talk about Frodo?
[First, though--before I begin--I must give an explanation. I am not defending the Frodo of the movie. I am defending the Frodo of the book. The Frodo of my imagination. The real Frodo. (And yes, of course the Frodo of my imagination is the real one. How could there be any doubt?)]
[And secondly--before I begin--I'd like to dedicate this post to my sister who's just above me in age, because Frodo has always been her special character. Also to my sister-in-law because she understands Frodo, too. Sisters dear, this post is for you. I hope I can do justice to the subject.]
Now to begin. (Oh, and just so you know, I won't be warning about spoilers, so if you're concerned about that then you probably don't want to read this. Just sayin'.)
One common complaint I've heard about Frodo is that he is a weak character, so that's what I aim to address in this post. (Surprise, right? I mean, the above title never gave the slightest suspicion of what my subject was going to be about, did it? ;)) Anyway, I'm not sure if people get this idea of Frodo being weak from reading the book or mostly from watching the movie. If it stems from their view of him in the movie then I have nothing else to say except read the book--because in my personal opinion Frodo does appear rather weak in the movies, so I can't really defend him on that point--but the Frodo of the book is anything but weak.
Allow me to expound on that.
- To begin with, Frodo willingly undertakes the task of destroying the ring, which shows an amazing amount of courage and selflessness. The destruction of the ring was an impossible task from the beginning. No one could have succeed at it. And yet Frodo walks blindly forward, choosing to do the right thing even though he has no clear idea what he's getting himself into. And those are traits of a strong character, not a weak one.
- Secondly, Frodo shows enormous strength in resisting the power of the ring on more than one occasion. Understand that the ring really is powerful. It poses a huge temptation to anyone who has it in their possession, and it's a temptation which goes beyond the strength of most people to resist.
Then as a flash from some other point of power there came to his mind
another thought: Take it off! Take it off!
Fool, take it off! Take off the Ring!
The two powers strove in
him. For a moment, perfectly balanced
between their piercing points, he writhed, tormented. Suddenly he was aware of himself again. Frodo, neither the Voice nor the Eye: free to
choose, and with one remaining instant in which to do so. He took the Ring off his finger.
The struggle is painfully real. But he makes the right choice. He does it. And any of us who have been faced with strong temptation in our lives know how hard it is to make the right decision in the heat of the moment.
- Point number three. Some seem to think that Sam is a stronger character than Frodo because after carrying the ring for a few days he didn't hesitate to give it back to Frodo, while Frodo on the other hand goes berserk if anyone suggests that he hand the ring over to them. Ahem. Weellll...that is true, but only if you're considering the end of the book and not the entire story, because there are parts nearer the beginning when Frodo willingly offers to give the ring to someone else. Galadriel, for instance. He as good as says to her, "Take it. I don't want it." And then there's that undeniable fact, that the longer one has the ring in one's possession, the harder it is to give it up. Frodo had the ring for years. Sam only carried it a couple of days at the most. So it's not really an equal comparison.
- Frodo also shows great strength in his ability to make wise decisions even when he's feeling terribly afraid. His conversation with Boromir is an excellent example of that, and will explain it better than I can, so I'm going to include it.
"You are kind," answered Frodo. "But I do not think that any speech will
help me. For I know what I should do,
but I am afraid of doing it, Boromir: afraid."
Boromir stood silent. Rauros roared endlessly on. The wind murmured in the branches of the
trees. Frodo shivered.
Suddenly Boromir came and
sat beside him. "Are you sure that
you do not suffer needlessly?" he
said. "I wish to help you. You need counsel in your hard choice. Will you not take mine?"
"I think I know already
what counsel you would give, Boromir," said Frodo. "And it would seem like wisdom but for
the warning of my heart."
"Warning? Warning against what?" said Boromir
sharply.
"Against delay. Against the way that seems easier. Against refusal of the burden that is laid on me..."
"Against delay. Against the way that seems easier. Against refusal of the burden that is laid on me..."
I find Frodo's words in this passage truly inspiring. "Against the way that seems easier." How often do we ourselves choose the way that seems easier? How often do we settle for that which is comfortable and self-serving, and refuse to give ourselves up to the hard tasks--which while difficult in the moment, will yet in the end bring unbounded good to those around us.
Oh, no. Frodo is anything but a weak character.
- Of course, I suppose I must also mention the obvious fact of Frodo's failing at the end. His inability to destroy the ring, and his claiming it for himself, might seem to speak loud and clear to a weak character. And yet, again, I'd like to say different. As we've already said, it was an impossible task. No one could have tossed that ring into the fire after carrying it for so many months, with it's power growing stronger every day. Frodo gave up everything to perform a task which was utterly impossible for him to perform. He struggled through, enduring all the pain, all the hardship, all the endless torment, firmly fixed upon that end goal. And yet in the end he wasn't able to do it. It proved too much for him. And help had to come to him from elsewhere. (Kind of reminds me of us. There's only so much we can do with our limited abilities, but when we put our faith and trust in God and walk according to His plan for our lives, He'll never fail us. He'll always send us what we need, just at the right moment.) And so it's true. Frodo did not succeed in destroying the ring, but that does not annul the fact that he went to the extreme limits of his own powers to do what he knew to be right. And that's a success in and of itself. And a huge indication of a strong character. Indeed, how many of us can say as much for ourselves?
"Well, this is the end, Sam Gamgee," said a voice by his
side. And there was Frodo, pale and
worn, and yet himself again; and in his eyes there was peace now, neither
strain of will, nor madness, nor any fear.
His burden was taken away. There
was the dear master of the sweet days in the Shire.
"Master!" cried
Sam, and fell upon his knees. In all
that ruin of the world for the moment he felt only joy, great joy. The burden was gone. His master had been saved; he was himself
again, he was free. And then Sam caught
sight of the maimed and bleeding hand.
"Your poor hand!"
he said. "And I have nothing to
bind it with, or comfort it. I would
have spared him a whole hand of mine rather.
But he's gone now beyond recall, gone for ever."
"Yes," said
Frodo. "But do you remember
Gandalf's words: Even Gollum may have
something yet to do? But for him,
Sam, I could not have destroyed the Ring.
The Quest would have been in vain, even at the bitter end. So let us forgive him! For the Quest is achieved, and now all is
over. I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam."
I just have to say, I love how Frodo's first thought is to forgive. To let the past rest and move forward, grateful for having been brought through it. The pain in his hand at the moment must have been excruciating, but it was as nothing compared to the joy and relief in his heart.
- Just one more point I can't leave out. Frodo is merciful. And really, it takes a lot of strength to show mercy to one's enemies--to let them go free when you know they deserve to suffer for their wrongdoings. To stand unwavering in your decision even after they show gross ingratitude to you for your kindness. To humble yourself and allow them to walk away with nothing to gain from it for yourself except the hope that by giving them a second chance they just might live a better life and be a different person. Frodo shows mercy to others on more than one occasion. And I really like that about him.
Well, I was going to say more, but I decided this was a rather good place to stop--and besides I think I've talked your ear off long enough. (Now, now. You don't have to agree with me so completely.)
What is your opinion of Frodo?
Among the things I mentioned, is there anything in particular to which you agree or disagree?
And don't forget. If you're in the mood for more Lord of the Rings posts (which you may very well not be after this one) check out Cordy's blog here and join the fun!
