Frodo Questions Gandalf About The Ring example essay topic

Preparation of the Quest Gandalf, the great wizard, gives off an appearance of being omniscient, which makes him appear to be a person that is very powerful and strays away from the darker side. He has a great understanding of the many basic life forms of Middle Earth. Gandalf also has a lot of knowledge about the fundamentals of the hobbits and their ways of life. Frodo Baggins, on the other hand, is an innocent, young hobbit just coming of age at thirty-three. Never to have experienced life outside the Shire, he his very naive and accustomed to a life of love, peace and quiet amongst his hobbit friends and neighbors. Gandalf must prepare the young hobbit for the unpredictable quest he was about to encounter.

One of the most important things Gandalf has is an understanding and knowledge of the Master Ring and the powers that it carries. He realizes if the ring makes its way back to its maker, it can cause chaos in their world. The ring must be destroyed. Frodo is the chosen one. Gandalf tries to explain to Frodo the great power the ring can have over someone that has been chosen to be the carrier of the ring. He tells Frodo the story of how Gollum came about being the miserable creature that he his, that his greed for the ring and its powers have led him to a life of self-imprisonment.

For at one time Gollum was of hobbit- kind, his name was Sme agol, but after committing murder for the ring he was destined to everlasting doom. Gandalf wants Frodo to understand the power the ring can have over anyone that has it in their possession. Frodo questions Gandalf about the ring, questioning the fact that he states it may be an encouraging thought that he was chosen to be the carrier. Frodo says "It is not. Though I am not sure that I understand you. But how have you learned all this about the Ring, and about Gollum?

Do you really know it all, or are you just guessing still?" . This angered Gandalf, for he wanted Frodo to understand what could happen to the carrier of the ring if they were not cautious and strong willed. Gandalf looks at Frodo with a flash in his eyes and says "I knew much and I have learned much, but I am not going to give an account of all my doings to you. The history of Elen dil and Isildur and the One Ring is known to all the Wise".

Frodo's immaturity annoys Gandalf, but he is patient, for he knows he must prepare him for the task of taking the ring to the Fiery Mountain, the only place the ring can be destroyed. Gandalf tells Frodo the Enemy knows Gollum no longer posses the ring and now he is seeking it. This frightens Frodo, he does not understand why Bilbo did not kill Gollum when he had a chance. Gandalf explains to him that Bilbo had pity and mercy for Gollum, and for that, he was well rewarded.

Frodo does not understand how anyone could have mercy on someone as cruel as Gollum and thinks he deserves to die. This angers Gandalf. He says "Deserve it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life.

Can you give it to them? Then do not be to eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the wise cannot see all ends". Frodo's lack of maturity in the matters of Gollum annoys Gandalf.

He wants Frodo to comprehend the ideals of pity and mercy. He is trying to prepare him for what is to come. Frodo still doesn't understand why Bilbo kept the ring even if he could not kill Gollum. Frodo questions the wizard why he let him keep the ring and why he didn't make him throw it away. With anger Gandalf says "Let you? Make you?

Haven't you been listening to all I have said? You are not thinking of what you are saying. But as for throwing it away, that was obviously wrong". Gandalf is annoyed with Frodo. He wants him to mature and realize the evil power the ring holds. He wants Frodo to understand the ring is its own keeper, if he uses the ring it can overpower him and then he too could be destined to a life of doom.