Frodo | The Temptation of the One Ring

[@j-henry7391]

I think there's an interesting dichotomy between the perception of Frodo by those around him and Frodos' own perception of himself, he seems to constantly struggle with imposter syndrome, and I think this is something that he carries with him even after the quest is completed in addition to his various mental, spiritual and physical injuries. Frodo is keenly aware of his less than heroic side, and while flattered by all the praise that he gets upon completing his quest, perhaps feels that it is undeserved much of the time, given his own personal failure to resist his vain and unrealistic, and sometimes cowardly temptations. Frodo is clearly a hero, but I sadly don't think he ever completely saw that side of himself, and sadly I think that the best he was ever really able to muster was simply to find peace in the far West. It's amazing how Tolkein was able to write in such touching human tragedy, in the face of what most others would see as an absolute victory.

[@MasterBombadillo]

Great video, as usual. As for Frodo's fantasies that didn't make the book, I think this is because of his character. The way I see it is that Frodo understood many of the temptations he faced laid bare his deepest desires, and he was ashamed of these. We didn't see him talk about his feelings very often either. He truly felt that the One Ring was his burden. Meanwhile, someone like Sam was far more open about his own feelings and desires, and was much more likely to chose to share these fantasies with others due to him being... simpler in nature? However, we did see a bit of the temptation Frodo faces through his actions. Even at the beginning of his journey, he got the idea that he could command the Nazgul to return to Mordor and leave him alone. Of course, he linked it to Bombadil, but I feel that the One Ring was doing its work already. It were his first steps into giving in to the temptation to dominate others. He even asked Galadriel why he couldn't perceive the other Rings and didn't know their thoughts. I think it's curious that this fact weighs so much on his mind, and I wonder whether or not the temptation of the Ring itself has something to do with it. It's like he was starting to really want to dominate others. And during his journey, there were two times he gave in to the temptation of becoming this Ringlord: twice he confronted Gollum with a strong will to dominate him. Once when Gollum swore to be good on the One Ring, and the other time when he sealed Gollum's fate by cursing him at Mount Doom.

[@TheRedBook]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!

[@Enerdhil]

This has be my favorite of all your videos that I have seen so far. You almost got me in tears at the end.

[@TheRedBook]

Thanks! I enjoyed making this one. Give Frodo some attention.

[@Enerdhil]

@@TheRedBook Yes. I think the Ring was Frodo's "cross to carry," to use a Biblical explanation.

[@Jakblade]

Same

[@celtofcanaanesurix2245]

it's amazing how much can be taken from a story written 70 years ago, and how we as fans continue to celebrate those messages even through dark perversions of them by Saruman-esque figures

[@kramhorse]

You really deal with all these topics in such a reverent, serious and respectful way. Thank you again for a profound video.

[@draoidh6479]

Your videos are outstanding in content. We need a video on Sauron, Sauron philosophy, Sauron's life, Sauron's whatever, but we need a video on him specifically coming from you.

[@TheRedBook]

Kind of you to say so. And yes, I want to make loads of Sauron content, but I don't want to make it all in a row, so I want to spread it out. I have a video coming out on Wednesday that is specifically about Sauron, I then have part 2 of my Sauron response video coming up in next few weeks. I will be doing videos on Sauron in Numenor, Sauron's plans for Middle-earth, and more. So, it will come :)

[@tominiowa2513]

@@TheRedBook - It would be interesting to know if Mairon followed the themes of Eru or the discordance of Melkor during the Music of the Ainur.

[@MistaGify]

Now this topic is more interesting than usual! Not just because the Ringbearer himself never had his temptation revealed, but also because so few of us think about it, I suspect. Yes, this should have been included. In “Mount Doom”, after Sam cries out for Frodo to just drop The Ring into The Crack Of Doom, follow up with Frodo’s perspective. From realistic to fantastical delusions. Then he declares that it is his, and the story progresses as per normal.

[@TheRedBook]

Interesting, you would like him to give in after this temptation instead of realising it's pretty absurd like when Sam is tempted? I do agree that it would be a good moment to do this.

[@MistaGify]

@@TheRedBook But of course Frodo would succumb! Why not?! Sam was exhausted but still retained enough wits to see how ridiculous The Ring’s temptations were. But Frodo is at the very end of the quest, all his willpower spent, The Ring’s power at its peak where it was created! As Tolkien wrote, how could he not have succumbed, nobody could have resisted.

[@IanHeins]

Nice work dude thanks

[@annamnatsakanyan4040]

Excellent video, thank you, Steven! Another piece that imo should have made it to the published version: The Legend of Theoden's Howe: "...And thus, it was said in song, he remained ever after while the Realm of Rohan endured. For when later the Rohirrim bore his body away to the Mark and laid it in the mounds of his fathers, there, clad in the cloth of gold of Gondor, he slept in peace unchanged, save only that his hair still grew and was turned to silver, and at times a river of silver would flow from Theoden's Howe. And that was a token of prosperity; but if peril threatened then at whiles men would hear a voice in the mound crying in the ancient tongue of the Mark: Arisath nu Ridend mine! Theodnes thegnas thindath on orde! Feond oferswithath! Forth Eorlingas! ...."

[@TheRedBook]

Another great one Anna. I'll probably talk about that in the future too :D But i want to talk about everything 😂

[@annamnatsakanyan4040]

@@TheRedBook Room for a series of videos about discarded jewels? ;)

[@TheRedBook]

It would fit into my "archive" series. Stuff that was changed or abandoned :)

[@Zephyrbal]

I think Frodo's temptation is better left unspecified, if only because by the last weeks of the journey at the absolute least he must be tempted and tormented constantly. He speaks often of the burden and weight of the Ring, and some of that may be literal bearing down of the Ring on his body as they approach the place of its creation, but I would argue most of it is the temptations and torments of the Ring, with the ring threatening him as much as tempting him, and increasingly raw attacks on his mind to break his will, seeking to dominate Frodo such that he might either claim or deliver the Ring without any kind of specific temptation, offer or threat. After all it is an object of domination, and as it grows in power, and as it fails to coerce Frodo, I think it would resort to brute force.

[@BertoBerg]

This was great! Thanks so much and keep it up.

[@TheRedBook]

Thanks, will do!

[@rosecallahan8401]

Its a great video! I think we are not given a view of Frodo's temptation at the Cracks of Doom because by that point he has fallen out of the story. It has been only Sam's perspective for many chapters at that point. Frodo is "Endurance without Hope". He took on the quest out of love for others and in humility, so the ring would have had little success even trying to tempt him with power and glory. His "smallness" was a large portion of his success. And his will had grown over the journey; he was spiritually purified by the burden. Temptation with riches or power would be the easiest to cast off. To finish it, to come to an end, seems to me would have been much more attractive as a temptation. But I doubt Sauron, or the ring as an avatar of his power, could understand that. And so Frodo of all the residents of Middle Earth, had the only chance of success because he had no ambitions toward power, and the strength of will to remember that despite torment. I think Tolkien was right to cut that passage, or to transform it into something new appropriate for Samwise. It is not true to Frodo's character. The ring was more of a burden to him than a temptation, and his torment was maintaining the strength of will needed to keep it safe from the temptation of others; to safeguard the lives and sanity of his friends. By the end the ring had been reduced to a blunt-force physical assault: the wheel of fire. It was not until the very cracks of doom, at the place of the height of its power, that Frodo's will was broken and delusions like being able to keep and wield the ring would have any effect. Had he been given enough time to fight back, he might have mastered himself enough to cast his body into the fire. There was no other way to win - except by the grace of his prior pity toward Gollum, the eucatastrophe that saved him (as much as he could be saved).

[@9Dunk]

I think Frodo's temptations were to run away and hide, to give the burden to someone else. He tries to give it Gandalf and Galadriel. And every time he uses it, it's to hide from danger, from the Wraiths on Weathertop, from Boromir, even the accidental use in Bree. Even the fact that it takes him so long to leave The Shire, he's procrastinating, because he knows once he starts his journey, the danger will become more real, though ironically, his procrastination means that the Wraiths are at his heels as he leaves The Shire instead of still lurking in Mordor. I feel that the ring is whispering to him to hide and cower from danger. That's what makes his "I will take the ring to Mordor, though I do not know the way" much more brave. He was terrified of the ring and of the danger that his quest would bring, yet he volunteered anyway. Also, the ring whispers different things in everyone's ear at different times. Even Smeagol has a passage about casting Sauron down and being king of the world, whether it was because of the proximity to Mt Doom or his experience with Sauron in Barad Dur. I doubt that Smeagol was fantasizing about lordship while in the Misty Mountains. And Frodo is finally tempted with power in the end, in the fires of Mt Doom, and he succumbs.

[@ellanenish5999]

I see you dive into HME for your videos, absolute respect for that😉

[@Crafty_Spirit]

Agreed 👌🏼 I think you could divide all lore channels into ones that research through HoME and the ones who don't. The deep researchers produce create diverse content between them, but the videos of those who did not read through all seem quite similar.

[@TheRedBook]

Of course! If I just wanted to summarise Tolkien Gateway I wouldn't have started the channel. I like sharing thoughts about some material that many may not read :)

[@TheRedBook]

@@Crafty_Spirit - I agree. If I was doing that kind of content, I don't think I would have started the channel. Others have been doing it longer and do it well.

[@LeHobbitFan]

I would have loved to have this passage in the book! I always found that Frodo's temptation by the Ring wasn't given as much attention as Sam's for example. On the one hand, the fact we can only see his suffering from Sam's perspective by the time they're in Mordor, amplifies his torment by implying it. On the other hand, Tolkien could have implemented a variation of this passage, maybe by having Frodo tell Sam of the wild promises that the Ring suggests to his mind...

[@TheRedBook]

Good point about Sam. It does make it slightly awkward to work in Frodo's temptation, especailly since it happens the closer he reaches the fire. Perhaps have it told after its destruction, a painful reminder of what he had to endure?

[@LeHobbitFan]

@@TheRedBook That could work, yeah! Maybe we could have had a short moment where Sam would hear Frodo mutter in his sleep while in Mordor,, and after the Ring's destruction Frodo could then explain it to Sam

[@DavidMacDowellBlue]

Seems to me Frodo's desires changed as he himself did in the tale. And after doing so much, achieving so much, having seen and experienced more than almost anyone and saving the world in such a way as to outshine Ereandil himself, at the end he wants to go away and have peace, to heal knowing his friends are happy. This was imho a near perfect example of how Death was supposed to be a Gift.

[@TheRedBook]

Yes, the 'spirit' of Frodo is embiggened through his struggles in the story. The way he deals with Saruman at the end, his lack of interest in violence, even (in a way) outgrowing the Shire.

[@nickolas.vicente]

I think everyone also has to take into account, the fact that Frodo's physical nature is changed. He becomes a part of the Unseen, and even more so almost dragged into the Wraith Realm. Gandalf described him as transparent, I think the context there works neatly into your thoughts ✌

[@TheRedBook]

Would you have liked to have seen this pivotal Frodo moment remain in the finished version of The Lord of the Rings? Was Tolkien right to cut it? Share your thoughts!

[@ellanenish5999]

In my opinion it's a good idea for an artiphact that powerfull to be so tempting that no will weaker then it can opose it. It just shows the antedeluvian and un-understandable power of the ring, which for me is a proof of How much a Badass character Sauron was or at least his potential in Angelic power of Maiar.

[@Enerdhil]

I don't think it is necessary to know what was going through Frodo's mind when he was about to toss the ring into the fire. We know the ring wins over his mind and he is determined to keep it and be the new Lord of the Rings. Now that I know there is lore written later, I will consider that canon whether it is written in the published version or not. It doesn't violate existing canon; it just adds to it, IMO.

[@alexart9504]

I'll argue for Tolkien cutting it out. In each case the ring tempts someone, it ties into something about that person's character: Gandalf's pity, Boromir's lust for glory in battle, Sam's love for gardening and healing the land... Frodo's fantasy seems a bit generic in comparison. In a sense, Tolkien didn't have much to tie it to, as Frodo's character doesn't have much to tie it to in the way the others have. Tolkien could have used the temptation to highlight some aspect that hadn't appeared yet, though that might have been a risky decision, as it might seem a bit out of place if the ring tempted him with his hitherto unmentioned passion for coin collection. Anyway, I am okay with the temptation being unpecific, in particular since Frodo's mind is, in a sense, more complex than Sam's. It might well be the temptation carries elements that cannot be conveyed through language, or is in itself not as specific as with the others since it lacks those features to crystallize around.

[@Crafty_Spirit]

@@alexart9504 A broadening analysis and nice joke with the coin collection 😉 I like to think that the Ring should offer him something like becoming free and wholly healthy again, but it seems to be restricted to allusions of grandeur and supreme power that allows to grant any wish.

[@geschaftsmanngeschaftsmann6891]

Tolkien developed the story with surprises. For all intents and purposes Frodo would've thrown away the Ring. On many occasions he surprises people, like Sam, Faramir and Gandalf. When it came time to destroy the Ring, the ultimate surprise and plot twist was to put it on. Now I'm convinced that Frodo knew that Gollum had to destroy the ring. I'm even convinced that the only real temptation the ring gave Frodo was to kill Gollum. Personally, in my opinion, I think Frodo put on the Ring so Gollum would try to take it and then the Ring would fulfill his request to kill Gollum. It's the only thing that makes sense as to why events occurred the way they did. Frodo is the ultimate troll's troll. After accomplishing something like this, it only makes sense that Frodo would continue to feel anxious. How do you feel after watching a horror movie that kept your attention? Sam also felt some of this and found peace over the sea, too. So no, I don't think Tolkien should've put this in. We're left to think on our own about what Frodo must have suffered. It's definitely characteristic of Tolkien to give an opportunity for the reader to pause, to think about how certain aspects of life are similar.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

Outstanding again! Wonderful sense of grandiloquence and foreboding. I genuinely look forward to your casts.

[@LindyLime]

It's interesting how...generic Frodo's temptation is. All the other characters have something specific the Ring knows they want and the Ring exploits these desires (even Sam's temptation has its own flavor with the garden thing). But with Frodo it can't seem to find anything to latch onto so it just goes "Ummm how about wealth fame and power?" It fits I suppose. Frodo seems to have little ambition other than enjoying the Shire and perhaps someday following Bilbo's footsteps in an adventure of his own. Perhaps this is what makes him the perfect bearer of the Ring. It's also interesting to compare Gollum's and Bilbo's experiences. Both of them seem to be primarily enamored of the Ring itself rather than anything it can give them, (though Gollum does briefly fantasize about being "Lord Smeagol" and getting revenge on those who have wronged him, while Bilbo seems to take a little too much delight in his burglar-ish tricks and pranks). I've wondered if this desire primarily for the Ring itself is also true of Frodo.

[@TheRedBook]

Interesting thoughts and I thought that as well about Frodo. You don't want a share of the power? How about all the power? As if there's a lack of understanding o the one that is being corrupted. A trick like that would work so much better with a person of inherent power. Speaks of the mind of Sauron.

[@MikeTheD]

Only Frodo could've pulled it off. As you said, even good ol Sam instantly got hammered with temptation, though it's fair to say it was because it was so close to Mt Doom, knew it was a new owner, and perhaps even knew it was in peril. But something would've happened, even some error.

[@simonmorris4226]

In the films my two favourite scenes are the Mirror of Galadriel and Eowyn facing down the Nazgul!

[@Dante-vf4sd]

Could you go into your thoughts a bit more please?

[@johnsalkeld1088]

I like the idea that the temptation was to bind Gollum to his will - the ring offering that and enforcing the curse he had placed on Gollum with the ring. So that the wish was to protect himself and sam from Gollum and so, temporarily, his mind broke under the weight. But the ring enforcing his curse is what destroys it.

[@alexshadowfax1119]

Maybe if we were shown the temptations of Frodo earlier in the story it would've hinted too much at his ultimate decision to keep the ring when at mount doom? I do wish we knew the reasoning Tolkien had for not including the temptations of Frodo. Great video, have a great day everyone.

[@TheRedBook]

👍

[@vinyamar3604]

I’m slowly working through your catalogue of videos, and I really enjoyed this one! Great work! You really have a good eye for exploring the meaning of the mythology 👍🏻

[@TheRedBook]

I have quite a few videos now :D with a few that are rough around the edges. Thanks for sticking around!

[@vinyamar3604]

@@TheRedBook 👍🏻 look forward to seeing more

[@Poigmothoin]

Love the content

[@TheRedBook]

Thanks a lot! :)

[@Jakblade]

I do like the mystery of what the ring must have been doing to him the entire time. He clearly pains every moment. But we don’t know exactly what he went through. And that makes this even more a fascinating video. Because yes. My god. Every breathing moment he was tormented.

[@TheRedBook]

Yes it seems both cases can be made. Great to hear more about what he went through as people seem to assume it wasn't so difficult for him - but leaving it as a mystery allows us to fill in the blanks as well and pick up on more subtle points about what the ring is doing to him.

[@Jakblade]

@@TheRedBook I 100 percent agree. This was a really cool way to pick up on some insight.

[@Jakblade]

@@TheRedBook any thoughts or is there any video on why Boromir was the only member tempted by the ring?? Or maybe the only one mentioned? There’s probably not much content on that huh.... it’s interesting though. Just had that thought. Even Sam who wore the ring hardly fell for the tricks. Even in Mordor.

[@tomhollis2685]

Great Video! Tolkien's Christianity comes shining though in understanding Frodo. Christ was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. He was tempted by power, prestige and lordship of the earth. He refuses. Yet Christ achieves these things by giving up his life as a sacrifice for our restoration. It was not by taking up his glory but by laying it down that humanity is saved.

[@TheRedBook]

I think it helps us view Frodo as less of the typical 'hero' but more as a martyr. It's one reason why I think Tolkien could have added this temptation into the story - it tells us a lot about Frodo.

[@Svensk7119]

I like the fact that Professor Tolkien removed what specifically tempted Frodo. It aids intrigue and mystery. And again I ask: would Frodo have failed, had Gollum not tried to seize the Ring just moments earlier? There is a reason the Profe' opted for the Finished Tale.

[@kingkoi6542]

Perhaps it's also meant for you to fill in the gaps and put yourself in Frodos shoe's. Making you think of your own temptations.

[@ValerianLincinius]

Is there a special reasoning behind when to bring what video? Eg is there a overarching context or do you make them when you feel to do so? Beside that: a very interesting topic you decided to cover with this video. Although an important one in the context of the central theme of the Ring- temptation

[@TheRedBook]

My only rule, so to speak, is that I try not to cover the same topic twice in quick succession. I know a lot of channels are uploading content related to outside news, like the TV show, but I'm just making videos for what I find interesting. The next video is about Sauron, the one after is about the Three Rings, and the one after may be about Orcs or the Nameless Things... I haven't decided yet. So, it's pretty much when I feel like but I do pay attention and note down what others are looking for and add it to my list!

[@ValerianLincinius]

@@TheRedBook that seems like a sound plan. I do appreciate that you do not try to maximice success by refering to outside circumstances. That's keeps the authenticity. Nevertheless I could understand to do so, at least success is often a driving force of inovation

[@TheRedBook]

@@ValerianLincinius I think the closest would be doing 2nd age content, but again because I enjoy it. I won't be making reaction videos to images or top 10 things we know about amazon prime lotr etc 😂 not the channel for it!

[@colindunnigan8621]

"Put in the Ring! You KNOW you want to!"

[@The-Welsh-viking-667]

Great channel man really bin enjoying it. Iv always thought the similarities between the one ring and the ring of gyges from plato's republic was very interesting. Plato argues that the Ring of Gyges- invisibility and anonymity- is the only barrier between a just and an unjust person. He argues that we would all be unjust if we had a cloak of anonymity. Injustice is far more profitable. We are only just because it is necessary and I think Tolkien disagreed idea as shown in frodo perseverance to destroy despite it being easy for him to give Into temptation as gollom did and gyges did just a thought sorry for long comment

[@smokinwraith1512]

Frodo had no desire for power. The using of the ring was solely for escaping danger. a shortcut if you will. I think of gollem as Frodo's future. Simply obsessed, possessive, and addicted. The ring seems as a drug for Frodo, Gollum, and Bilbo. Bilbo using for fun as well, jokes and such. But still not for power

[@christosvoskresye]

Frodo would have used the Ring to hide under a mountain in a nice dark cave where he could catch nice juicy fishes.

[@mos4396]

👏

[@TheRedBook]

👍

[@jacejan3128]

I think the wise were very wise to not charge Frodo with destroying the one ring. Only to take it to the cracks of doom. It was by the wise said that once the ring begins its work on a being that they wouldn't have the will to even try to do harm to it. Even though Frodo hadn't been charged with destroying the ring he does know he is taking it to be destroyed and you can see the ring zapping his strength, will, and reason as soon as the company leaves Rivendale.

[@john-paulgies4313]

And so all the lines come back to me, and a new decisively clear head canon of Frodo's inner struggle is formed in me. First he is overwhelmed by responsibility for the Ring, but courageously keeps it in spite of his desire to be free of the burden: " 'I know' [Bilbo said], he'd probably come with me if I asked him to. I think in his heart, Frodo's still in love with the Shire; the woods, the fields, little rivers....' " " 'I wish it need not have happened in my time.' [said Frodo to Gandalf]." " 'I know what you would say' [he said to Boromir]. And it would seem like wisdom but for the warning in my heart.' " But as he enters Mordor and draws closer to Orodruin, the power of the One grows and the delusions and oppression are magnified: "A wild light came into Frodo's eyes. 'Stand away! Don't touch me!' he cried. 'It is mine, I say. Be off!' His hand strayed to his sword-hilt. But then quickly his voice changed. 'No, no, Sam,' he said sadly. 'But you must understand. It is my burden, and no one else can bear it. It is too late now, Sam dear. You can't help me in that way again. I am almost in its power now. I could not give it up, and if you tried to take it I should go mad.' " [In Mt. Doom] "Then Frodo stirred and spoke with a clear voice, indeed with a voice clearer and more powerful than Sam had ever heard him use.... " 'I have come,' he said. 'But I do not choose now to do what I came to do. I will not do this deed. The Ring is mine!' And suddenly, as he set it on his finger, he vanished from Sam's sight."

[@TheRedBook]

There's also the very interesting moment I hope to discuss someday, the Wheel of Fire witnessed by Sam when Frodo stands tall against Gollum and bades him not to touch him again. An interesting collection of quotes though, clearly demonstrating Frodo's struggle without hitting us over the head with the meaning. I like that.

[@honodle7219]

Sometimes a little person rises up and shakes the pillars of Heaven.

[@tehwatcherintehwater2022]

Does the Ring have the power to perceive the future?

[@TheRedBook]

I'm afraid not!

[@Brecf2p]

I have mixed feelings. Without the text Frodo is left isolated. Not just from his friends but from the reader. The ring isolates the wearer in its corruption. With the text included it gives Frodo more depth which is something the main character lacks in comparison to the other figures in story.

[@TheRedBook]

Indeed, arguments from both sides are actually convincing here. I would have liked seeing this moment in Frodo's journey to Mordor - maybe even spread out over time, getting more grand in scale as he gets closer to Mordor - showing the desperation to stop him in his tracks.

[@brendonmartin246]

Frodo and Sam did or didn't hear the horn of Gondor. Any thoughts on the matter?

[@darthstigater6642]

If Hobbits are related to men then why are they allowed to sail West?

[@TheRedBook]

They aren't allowed to sail west as a race. A few of them are granted a special grace to sail to Tol Eressea, which is technically near the Blessed Realm but not Valinor itself. They are allowed to go here to live out their final years in peace. They will then naturally know its their time and will pass on to the Halls of Mandos.