Frodos Testing: The Development of a Hero In The Fellowship of the Ring - Essay Example

's temptation. Each of these scenes can be more closely examined to determine the moral path Frodo chooses to follow by his reaction to these tests. Frodo's first test arises when Gandalf determines the true nature of the ring and discloses its history. Frodo is horrified to learn of Sauron's obsession in finding the ring and is distressed to learn of the ring's impact upon Gollum's life. Upon learning that Gollum has informed Sauron that the ring is in the Hobbit Shire, Frodo immediately tries to destroy it, holding it ready to throw it in the fire only to return it to his own pocket, seemingly at the ring's behest.

Gandalf explains that the fire would do nothing to it, neither would pounding it with the strongest sledgehammer: the ring may only be destroyed at Orodruin, the volcanic Fire-Mountain, by throwing it into the Cracks of Doom. By declaring, "I do really wish to destroy it! Or, well, to have it destroyed. I am not made fro perilous quests." (94-95) Frodo clearly defines his first major dilemma. He naturally wishes that a thing of such evil be destroyed, but is hesitant to undertake such a daunting task himself.

The middle statement simultaneously shows his trepidation about the quest and illustrates the subtle ways in which the ring can exert mental control - as it had just done in keeping Frodo from throwing the ring in the fire. Gandalf convinces Frodo to keep the ring, as he is the best capably of bearing the burden and, because of this, Frodo realizes he must go on the quest, if only to draw the evil away from his beloved homeland. "I suppose that I must go alone, if I am to do that (destroy the ring) and save the Shire." (96) he concedes, indicating a resignation to the task while also lamenting the persecution he feels over being singled out for the mission.

This scene represents Frodo's first test, as after recognizing both the need and the danger involved, he makes the conscious decision to quest for the destruction of the ring. The next test proves to be a test of action and clear-thinking. Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin have been lured into a Barrow by a Barrow-wight's spell. Frodo himself was the last to be entrapped, having actually gone to see where his companions had disappeared. This initial courage fortifies him when he discovers that his friends are ensorcelled for, although he contemplates using the ring to escape, "the courage that had been awakened in him was now too strong: he could not leave his friends so easily." (195). He chooses the course of action, attacking the enemy's arm, which results in the Barrow-wight losing a hand.

Unfortunately, it also results in Frodo's sword shattering and what little light was available disappears. At this point, Frodo recalls a rhyme of summoning for Tom Bombadil, a quasi-magical forest man the Hobbits had befriended in the previous chapter. Bombadil rescues the Hobbits from the Barrow-wight and sees them re-provisioned to continue on their journey. In this scene, Frodo