In the history of fantasy storytelling, few books and film trilogies are as beloved The Lord of the Rings. Written for the page by J.R.R. Tolkien and directed for the screen by Peter Jackson, the tales of Middle-earth have become important texts for many who treasure the genre so dearly.
The films have also gone down as one of the best trilogies ever made, even in spite of some admittedly confusing moments. Many of the uncertainty that stems from Lord of the Rings comes from the character of Frodo Baggins, portrayed by Elijah Wood. Frodo is a delightful hero, but not everything about him makes complete sense.
Elrond Using Frodo?
For one, Frodo’s role when compared to the others he encounters tends to be unclear. After Frodo arrives in Rivendell, a curious conversation unfolds between Gandalf and Elrond.
The implication of their discussion is that Frodo was slated to be used in some sort of extracurricular scheme. These little nods to Frodo being a lackey for other characters make his role in the story slightly unclear. He is meant to be the one true ringbearer or are others just using him?
Not A Rarity
Frodo is one of the four main Hobbits of the LotR story. It’s stated in Middle-earth that Hobbits are rare sights and when they appear, many tend to take notice of how unusual it is to see them.
By the time the story begins wrapping up, though, Frodo and the Hobbits are just as commonplace as every other mythical species. Does word sweep the neighboring communities about Frodo’s quest or was it just one character element that was washed away over the course of the lengthy tale?
Cartography
While Frodo is entrusted to accomplish a great many tasks with the Fellowship, it’s still largely understood that he needs guidance and protection above all else. That’s why it’s odd when Frodo is given agency over more experienced travelers.
For example, Frodo has no sense of maps and cartography, but the Fellowship still gives him the choice of traveling through the Mines of Moria or not. Seems like an unwise decision to give someone accustomed to the Shire.
Keeping Hold Of The Ring
In the Lord of the Rings films, it becomes blatantly obvious that the ring is corrupting Frodo, almost beyond recognition. Yet, he refuses to relinquish his grasp of it or its grasp over him.
Isn’t Frodo supposed to trust Sam? Why can’t he see the corrupting nature of the ring in the few moments he’s free of it? Shouldn’t Frodo have received a warning? At the very least, he should’ve known to take turns.
Arwen And Frodo
Because the movies (despite their immense length) don’t have as much time to develop bonds between characters as the books did, leaps of logic have to be granted.
But one that makes no sense is why Arwen is so bent on protecting Frodo’s life at any cost. After all, when Arwen makes these moves, she’d only known Frodo for barely a minute at all. Maybe it was just that Elijah Wood’s piercingly beautiful eyes.
The Great Beyond
The end of the trilogy sees Frodo embarking on a new journey, one that will bring him peace and rest in his spiritual existence. However, for those who are unfamiliar with the rules of magic in the world, it’s a confusing moment.
It doesn’t even completely make sense why Frodo was forced to move on with his life, while Hobbits like Bilbo were allowed to grow old. Perhaps Frodo was just weaker than most, but even then, why would he be the ringbearer if that was the case?
Shedding Protection
While the third film’s ending has a few question marks, there are also some regarding the conclusion of the first film. Specifically, it’s unclear why Frodo is allowed to shed all protection from the Fellowship.
They still manage to assist him from afar, but the brevity with which their traveling pact is abandoned is confusing. And why does Aragorn agree that Frodo should be left to his own endeavors? He’s hardly proven himself to be a capable solo act.
Not Actually That Heroic
This is an element of Frodo that makes no sense, mostly due to the movies, rather than the book. Frodo’s depiction in the trilogy is one of extreme passiveness and borderline uselessness.
Why exactly is Frodo so ineffectual? It makes no sense. If he was fated to be a hero who could travel to Mordor with the ring, then it makes no sense that he would be so incapable along the way. Furthermore, he hardly experiences any growth to become the leader others believe he can be. It’s a senseless selection by fate.
Magnetism To The Ring
When it comes to any other character who possessed the ring, it’s made clear that they bore no special connection to it. Frodo, on the other hand, seemed to be almost magnetized to the ring.
A kerfuffle unfolds and the ring comes right back. Daunting odds take the ring away from him and he practically rises from the dead to seize it back. It makes no sense why the ring almost seems to have a mind of its own when it comes to Frodo.
Frodo And Sauron
That, of course, leads to the biggest nonsensical element of Frodo, which is a thread that has irked fans for years. In addition to being connected to the ring, why does the ring enable Frodo to see Sauron?
It’s not like the ring is a Horcrux or a portal or The Force. It has no special capabilities when it’s possessed by, say, Bilbo, for example. Yet, with Frodo, the ring’s rules completely change. What makes Frodo so special? And why are the fans still unable to make sense of it?
