An Oxford don, a romanticist and a loyal Catholic, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien fit the perfect mold for creating the greatest epic trilogy of the twentieth century (Jones 11, 22, 25). Specializing in areas such as Welsh and Anglo-Saxon language, history, and literature, J. R. R. Tolkien gained enough knowledge to create his own language for the character origins and names in his stories, such as those of the elves and the dwarves (31). The combination of his Germanic insight on history and language and a well rounded Christian faith prepared Tolkien to write arguably the greatest fantasy tale this world has ever seen. With many great epics come great controversies. Thus, the many interpretations of Tolkien’s work make The Lord of the Rings fall
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Frodo’s pious humility represents him as a competitor for allegorizing Jesus Christ. He speaks simplistically and sublime, such as Christ in the New Testament. He also sets his heart upon bearing the worst to save his friends and companions, trudging the long journey to Mount Doom of Mordor to destroy the Ring of Power. This is much like Christ dying on the cross to save humanity from its sins. Yet, no matter how valiant and humble his deeds, Frodo Baggins’ relation to Christ falls short of quintessential allegory. For one, Christ throughout the New Testament is a leader. He has his disciples follow him, such as to Jerusalem for Passover week and up a mountain to meet Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration, to teach them the ways of God (Good News Bible, Matthew 17.1-3, 21.1-11). Frodo, on the other hand, neither leads nor purposefully teaches. Tolkien’s more statured characters, Gandalf then Aragorn respectfully, lead Frodo on his journey to Mount Doom. The journey inevitably proceeds to the departure of Frodo from his guides. Once guideless, Frodo and his lone companion, Samwise Gamgee, are stuck wondering the barren slopes and stone cliffs of the land called Emyn Muil for five days in dismay, unable to find a path that safely directs them southbound towards Mordor. It is not until the companions capture the wretched creature Sméagol, …show more content…
“ ‘I have come,’ he said. ‘But I do not choose now to do what I have come to do. I will not do this deed. The Ring is mine!’ ” (The Return 274). During this scene, the Ring’s temptation binds Frodo into submission during this scene. No matter how much sacrifice and responsibility resembling the Christian faith Frodo exerts to reach the fires of Mount Doom and destroy the Ring, he cannot resist its evil temptation. This defining moment in Tolkien’s epic proves that Frodo does not reflect a mirror image of Christ because Frodo ultimately falls into the malignity of Sauran’s evil ring and therefore sins against his duty of destroying
Frodo’s pious humility represents him as a competitor for allegorizing Jesus Christ. He speaks simplistically and sublime, such as Christ in the New Testament. He also sets his heart upon bearing the worst to save his friends and companions, trudging the long journey to Mount Doom of Mordor to destroy the Ring of Power. This is much like Christ dying on the cross to save humanity from its sins. Yet, no matter how valiant and humble his deeds, Frodo Baggins’ relation to Christ falls short of quintessential allegory. For one, Christ throughout the New Testament is a leader. He has his disciples follow him, such as to Jerusalem for Passover week and up a mountain to meet Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration, to teach them the ways of God (Good News Bible, Matthew 17.1-3, 21.1-11). Frodo, on the other hand, neither leads nor purposefully teaches. Tolkien’s more statured characters, Gandalf then Aragorn respectfully, lead Frodo on his journey to Mount Doom. The journey inevitably proceeds to the departure of Frodo from his guides. Once guideless, Frodo and his lone companion, Samwise Gamgee, are stuck wondering the barren slopes and stone cliffs of the land called Emyn Muil for five days in dismay, unable to find a path that safely directs them southbound towards Mordor. It is not until the companions capture the wretched creature Sméagol, …show more content…
“ ‘I have come,’ he said. ‘But I do not choose now to do what I have come to do. I will not do this deed. The Ring is mine!’ ” (The Return 274). During this scene, the Ring’s temptation binds Frodo into submission during this scene. No matter how much sacrifice and responsibility resembling the Christian faith Frodo exerts to reach the fires of Mount Doom and destroy the Ring, he cannot resist its evil temptation. This defining moment in Tolkien’s epic proves that Frodo does not reflect a mirror image of Christ because Frodo ultimately falls into the malignity of Sauran’s evil ring and therefore sins against his duty of destroying