“The Chosen One” narrative is one of the greatest in literature and film, and few are as well known as Frodo Baggins and his quest to destroy the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings. The series begins with a carefree and unburdened Frodo, but the journey and the Ring itself leaves him profoundly broken. While his sacrifice is rewarded with a one-way ticket to the Grey Havens, Frodo definitely gives up all that he has to save Middle-earth from an unending darkness. Despite being the main hero of the books and films, Frodo is often overshadowed by other, more charismatic characters like Aragorn or Samwise. That being said, Elijah Wood’s piercing portrayal of the young hobbit is one of the trilogy’s best and deserves recognition. These quotes from the trilogy prove both his humanity and his heroism and are proof that Frodo is one of film’s (and literature’s) great protagonists.
“I miss the Shire. I spent all my life pretending I was off somewhere else. Off with you, on one of your adventures. But my own adventure turned out to be quite different. I’m not like you, Bilbo.”
When Frodo, Strider, and the rest of the hobbits finally reach Rivendell in The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo is reunited with his uncle, Bilbo, who had retired to the last homely house. In his newly restful state, Bilbo had taken the time to write down his old journey to the Mountain, complete with tales of daring do and dwarves. Bilbo had always inspired wanderlust in his nephew, but after being chased by Black Riders and stabbed with a Morgul blade, Frodo was getting a taste of what the wider world was actually like.
“I will take it! I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though… I do not know the way.”
Despite his misgivings, Frodo is still willing to undergo the ultimate quest. He has not the strength, speed, or skill that an epic quest usually entails, but he has the courage to do what is necessary. Despite Boromir’s attempts to terrify everyone at the Council of Elrond, Frodo knows what he must do.
“I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.”
Unsurprisingly, the quest doesn’t get easier as it goes along. After failing to make it through the pass at Caradhras, the fellowship was driven into the ominous Mines of Moria. Frodo, weary with the task at hand, seeks wisdom from Gandalf, who reminds him that we are dealt a hand by fate, and that it is up to us to use it well.
“Go back, Sam! I’m going to Mordor alone.”
After seeing what the allure of the Ring did to Boromir, Frodo decides to leave before it can destroy his other companions, splintering the Fellowship forever. However, he cannot shake his most loyal friend, Sam, who doggedly chases after him, even to the point of nearly drowning. Taking Sam with him would prove to be one of the wisest moves Frodo makes, as he never would have completed the quest without him.
“You have no idea what it did to him… what it’s still doing to him. I want to help him, Sam.” — Frodo
“Why?” — Sam
“Because I have to believe he can come back.” — Frodo
When they are joined in their journey by Gollum, Frodo, who once viewed the creature with revulsion, now looks on him with pity and understanding. He can feel the effect the Ring is having on his psyche, and he has to believe that if there is hope for Gollum, there is hope for himself too.
“The Ring will not save Gondor. It only has the power to destroy. Please, let me go.”
Ok, book purists, skip this section. In the film The Two Towers, Frodo has a run in with a second son of Denethor when he meets with Faramir in Ithilien. As is the case with many who misunderstand the power of the Ring, Faramir wishes to take it to the city of Minas Tirith to be used as a weapon to save his people from the encroaching darkness of Mordor. However, Frodo convinces him that the Ring cannot be used by the forces of good, and would only bring about Faramir’s downfall and the destruction of his people.
“What are we holding onto, Sam?”
Beaten down by constantly being hunted, tired, wounded, and hungry, Frodo is at the end of his rope after the events of The Two Towers. After being hunted by the Nazgûl into the ruins of Osgiliath, only Sam can convince Frodo that there are good things in the world that are worth fighting for, proving once again that Frodo never would have gotten far without Samwise the Brave.
“No, Sam. I can’t recall the taste of food… nor the sound of water… nor the touch of grass. I’m… naked in the dark, with nothing, no veil… between me… and the wheel of fire! I can see him… with my waking eyes!”
Frodo and Sam spend most of The Return of the King struggling up the side of Mount Doom. As the Ring gets closer to its Master, it weighs on him more and more. Eventually, Frodo is completely taken over by delusion and is utterly spent. In the ultimate test of loyalty, Sam, himself beaten down and starving, carries Frodo the rest of the way on his back.
“I’m glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things.”
After the Ring is destroyed in the lava of Mount Doom, the mountain around the two hobbits begins to crumble. Despite this, a great weight has been lifted from Frodo, and he is finally at peace. Accepting his fate for what seems like the final time, Frodo thanks his dear companion for sticking with him to the bitter end. Luckily, the eagles ex-machina save them from certain death.
“We set out to save the Shire, Sam. And it has been saved… But not for me.”
Despite surviving the quest and returning to the Shire, Frodo is never able to fully heal from his wounds, both physical and mental. As a reward for his sacrifice, Frodo is given passage to the Grey Havens, sailing off to what is essentially heaven with Gandalf, Bilbo, Elrond, and Galadriel. His friends are reluctant to let him go, especially Sam, but this is where he ultimately finds his peace. Leaving the stewardship of both their story and the Shire to Sam, Merry, and Pippin, Frodo finally gets to rest.
