The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

Lord Acton once said, "Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely." He was probably referring to the powerful kings and queens who held power over many people. But, we could see how power is something many of the characters in Tolkien's story are trying to have and hold onto in some form or another. In The Fellowship of the Ring J.R.R. Tolkien tells us a story about Frodo Baggins who is ordered by Gandalf to destroy the powerful ring discovered accidentally by his older cousin, Bilbo. Like the rest of the hobbits, Frodo has lived quite peacefully and well, not having to worry about how dark and dreary the rest of Middle Earth was becoming under Sauron's growing power. Now, Frodo, a small, serene creature, will have to combat the most powerful force on Middle Earth, Sauron, and, in doing so, save Middle Earth from being destroyed completely. Tolkien is telling us that power motivates many of us in our lives. However, he seems to be warning us against how corrupting and evil power can become, as some misuse the ring (the symbol of this power) continuously in this story. We should be more like Gandalf and Galadriel in knowing what power truly is. Power is found inside of ourselves and in our heart and not by defeating others and ruling over them by word or through deeds.

Both Gandalf and Galadriel know what power is and do not try to gain more and more of it. They know that having too much power can harm them in the end and would make them evil creatures, working for Sauron. In telling Frodo about the possible journey up ahead, Gandalf warns him about the ring and states, "I should not make use of it, if I were you" (59). The powerful wizard knows that the ring is full of...

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...nted by the ring of doom. It would be the hardest for Frodo to resist this power. The author probably knew that when he wrote the book. It would take courage and strong will on his part to go all the way to Mount Doom to destroy the ring. Frodo is small, not as strong as Boromir is and not as wise as Gandalf is, but he still had that power inside of himself. Although The Fellowship of the Ring ends with Frodo continuing on his journey with his companions, he will be able to destroy the ring because of the hope he has. He has no choice but to hope in himself because he knows near the end of this story that he is the only one who could destroy the ring. And, Frodo must destroy the ring because he must save Middle Earth. He has no choice but to believe that power is something inside himself and not found by defeating others and ruling over them as Boromir had thought.