April 16, 2003

In Defense of Frodo
Danny

Let's make an analogy that draws from Tolkien's friend CS Lewis' ideas. Which knows the strength of the wind better, an oak which blows over, or the grass which bends to it immediately? The oak clearly was stronger and clearly resisted the strength of the wind longer. Actually if an oak blows over, it is usually because the ground it is rooted in no longer holds its roots, not due to lack of strength in the oak's wood.

I think Frodo obviosly deserves more props than Boromir because he resisted the Ring longer than any other probably any other could have. Recall that Gandalf (whom most view to be of impecable moral strength, and of great wisdom) refused to even take the ring for a short while, and even with good intentions. Why? Because he knew that it would overcome him and he would become a dark lord. Galadriel (again one of immense moral strength and will to resist evil) also passed up on the chance to take the ring even with good intentions. It is never stated openly, but it is very safe to assume that Elrond also knew the ring would overcome him were he to take it. So if Frodo is to be faulted for being overcome by the ring, then you are also indirectly slighting Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel's character. Frodo resisted the ring's power until it sapped all his strength to do so. The ground his roots were footed in gave way, but the wood did not break.

While it is true that Frodo in the end sought to take the ring for himself, I think it is also clear that Frodo wanted nothing to do with the ring. Frodo was at the very heart of Sauron's kingdom. The Ring was at the absolute max of its power and influence. The Ring and Sauron were in a very powerful sense one. I don't recall this to be in the book, but it is a good line in the movie, the question, "You do not beleive a hobbit can contend with the will or Sauron? There are none who can." Recall in the cracks of Doom, Sauron's power was strong enough that the light of Earendil given to them by Galadriel gave no light. The power of Sauron was too great for a mortal halfling to resist, and Frodo was no longer making the choices. Frodo broke when the tornado literally passed over him, where Boromir broke at the gusts of wind that come as the storm is building.

I think it has to be clear that no matter what Boromir was saying he wanted the ring for, he would have also had claimed the ring for himself and either been destroyed by Sauron because he didn't know how to wield it, or he would have become a dark lord. Frodo never stated his intentions with the ring, he merely stated, "it is mine." It is implied that he claimed it for power, but I think it is more accurate to say the ring claimed Frodo not Frodo claimed the ring. Boromir stated intentions that were the ring's manipulative lie to him.