This post was originally published on Audible.com.
One of the most beloved, enduring fantasy series of all time is the Lord of the Rings series by J. R. R. Tolkien. The trilogy was written as a sequel of sorts to Tolkien's previous fantasy work, The Hobbit. As we approach the 20th anniversary of the release of Peter Jackson's epic Academy Award-winning adaptation of the first entry in the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, it seems like a great time to take a closer look at everyone's favorite Hobbit hero, Frodo Baggins! Here are answers to all your burning questions about Frodo, the furry-footed folk, friendships, and, of course, some wicked powerful jewelry.
Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Who is Frodo Baggins?
Frodo is one of the main characters in the Lord of the Rings; in fact, he might even be called the main character, since it is his journey that drives the story. The three entries in the trilogy are The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Frodo is a hobbit, a small human-like creature with furry feet that usually dwells underground and is believed to be related to man. Frodo is described by Gandalf as "taller than some and fairer than most, [with] a cleft in his chin: perky chap with a bright eye." He has thick, curly brown hair like most other hobbits but lighter than usual skin. And he is shy.
Frodo lives in the Shire, an inland area settled by Hobbits in a region of Middle-earth. At the age of 12, after his parents drowned in a boating accident on the Brandywine River, Frodo was adopted by his cousin, Bilbo Baggins. His best friend is his gardener, Samwise Gamgee. At the beginning of the trilogy, Frodo inherits the One Ring from Bilbo, and later agrees to go on a journey to destroy it in the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor.
How old is Frodo? How much older is Frodo than Sam? How old is Frodo when he dies?
Frodo was born in 1368. When he sets off from the Shire on his journey, he is 50 years old. Samwise Gamgee was born in 1380, making him 12 years younger than Frodo. But it's possible they looked similar in age, since the ring keeps the bearer from aging. As far as how old Frodo is when he dies, the answer is... well, we don't know. Because two years after the end of his quest, Frodo leaves for the earthly paradise of Valinor and doesn't return to Middle-earth, so what happens to him is unknown. He could be dead, he could be alive—he's the Schrödinger's cat of Hobbits!
What is Frodo’s main goal?
When Bilbo departs the Shire for good, on the very day he turns 111, he leaves behind a ring of unknown origin. Gandalf, a wizard, advises Frodo to hide the ring and keep it a secret. 17 years later, Gandalf returns and tells him he has learned that it is the One Ring, perhaps the most powerful artifact ever known in Middle-earth. It was created by the Dark Lord Sauron to enhance his own power, and was cut from his finger during a battle a long time ago. Gandalf tells Frodo that Sauron is looking for the Ring, so he can use it to destroy Middle-earth.
As Gandalf explains, the Ring is made from such strong materials and imbued with such powerful enchantments that the only thing that can destroy it are the fires from the Cracks of Doom where it was made. Realizing the Shire will never be safe as long as he has the Ring, Frodo agrees to travel to Mount Doom and destroy the Ring. Accompanying him on his trip are three fellow Hobbits, his gardener Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin “Pippin” Took, and Frodo’s cousin, Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck.
The journey to Mount Doom is fraught with danger. Frodo has never been out of the Shire, and Sauron has his dark forces out looking for Frodo. So, a Fellowship, comprised of nine heroes including Frodo, is tasked with making the perilous journey together to ensure that the Ring is destroyed once and for all.
Frodo, his friends, and the Fellowship are trailed much of the way by Gollum, a creature who was once a Hobbit named Sméagol but was corrupted by the Ring. He lost the Ring (which he refers to as "my precious") to Bilbo Baggins in events that take place during The Hobbit, prior to the trilogy.
Because the Ring has power over the one who owns it, Frodo gets weaker the closer he gets to Mount Doom. Ultimately, Frodo cannot resist the Ring's pull, and instead of destroying the Ring, he puts it on to claim its power for himself. But he is attacked by Gollum, who bites the Ring off Frodo's finger before falling with the Ring into the fiery Cracks of Doom, bringing an end to the saga.
What happens to Frodo at the end of the series? Does Frodo die?
Frodo returns home after his difficult trip to find the Shire is in disarray. A group of men and Hobbits, led by the evil wizard Saruman, have started the destructive process of industrialization. Frodo and other Hobbits are able to run the intruders out of the Shire eventually, but not before Saruman tries to stab him. Traumatized by the violence and hardship of his recent journey and the events upon his return home, Frodo leaves the Shire for the earthly paradise of Valinor with Gandalf, Bilbo, Galadriel, and Elrond, and he never returns to Middle-earth. It is also not known if Frodo ever finds love or gets married.
There are many themes in the trilogy, but the biggest is believed to be the forever struggle between good and evil. The Lord of the Rings shows how someone even as pure and kind as Frodo can be seduced by power and evil, but it also demonstrates Frodo's generosity in giving up all he has and taking on a task that may cost him his life. Contrary to popular belief, Frodo was not a character in The Hobbit, which came out before the trilogy, but he is mentioned briefly at the end of The Silmarillion, which was released after.
Frodo’s family, friends and other key relationships
Bilbo Baggins
Bilbo Baggins is Frodo's cousin. He took Frodo in when he was 12, after his parents drowned in a boating accident on the Brandywine River. Bilbo loved Frodo like the son he never had and, despite being his cousin, referred to him as his nephew. Bilbo's own adventures with the One Ring are captured in The Hobbit, the prequel to the trilogy.
Samwise Gamgee
The friendship between Frodo and Sam is the ultimate bromance of classic literature. Sam, a Hobbit, is also one of the greatest sidekicks in fantasy. Sam works as a gardener for Frodo, whom he calls "Mr. Frodo," and thinks the world of him. He is delighted to be asked to accompany Frodo on his quest to destroy the One Ring, and is a source of inspiration and a cheerleader for Frodo along the way. After the events of the War of the Rings, Sam returns home, gets married, has 13 children, and serves as mayor of the Shire.
Gandalf
A powerful wizard who only uses his powers for good, Gandalf is the bearer of a Ring of Power. However, he refused to carry the Ring to Mount Doom himself, worried it would corrupt him. Gandalf is a leader and mentor to Frodo and many others. Although he dies in the middle of the first audiobook, he returns later in the series as Gandalf the White and helps the Fellowship complete Frodo's task.
Gollum
Gollum is a frightening, pale creature with a strange voice and unusual way of talking. He is in search of the One Ring, which he lost to Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, and he dogs the Fellowship for much of their journey, trying to get his hands back on his "precious." Gollum was once a hobbit named Sméagol, but was corrupted by the Ring after he put it on. Frodo and Gollum are seen as linked, since both of their fates have been altered by the Ring. Gollum is also touched by Frodo's actions, since Frodo is the first one to show Gollum any kindness since his transformation. Gollum volunteers to lead them into Mordor, but winds up battling Frodo for the Ring at the end of the trilogy. Gollum ultimately succeeds in securing the Ring—after biting off Frodo's finger—but falls into the Cracks of Doom and dies in the process.
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Fellowship was created to help Frodo achieve his goal of getting the Ring to Mount Doom and destroying it, since practically every step is fraught with danger. The group is composed of nine members, including the four Hobbits who left the Shire—Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin—as well as Gandalf the wizard.
The four other members of the Fellowship:
Aragorn: While human, Aragorn is not a mortal. He is a descendent of the Men of Númenor, who had a lifespan many times longer than ordinary men. A Ranger of the North and a great soldier, he ends up leading the Fellowship after they lose Gandalf in the Mines of Moria. His concern for Frodo and the task of destroying the Ring becomes his main focus in his life. Aragorn is in love with the immortal Elf Arwen. He later becomes a King and marries Arwen.
Legolas: Legolas is a Sindar Elf of the Woodland Realm. He is the Fellowship's archer and a close friend of Gimli. His heroism and confidence grows as the books go on. After the destruction of the Ring, he and Gimli travel through Fangorn Forest and to the Glittering Caves of Aglarond.
Gimli: A Dwarf warrior who previously appeared in The Hobbit, Gimli takes his task of protecting Frodo very seriously. Despite their initial animosity, he develops a close friendship with Legolas, overcoming an ancient rivalry and hatred between Dwarves and Elves. After the One Ring is destroyed, he and Legolas take a trip through Fangorn Forest and to the Glittering Caves of Aglarond.
Boromir: Also human, Boromir was a very noble soldier and the heir to a kingdom. He believed greatly in the mission and fought fiercely and bravely alongside his companions, but was also driven to try and steal the Ring by his need to save his country. Boromir does redeem himself for his actions, fighting to save his companions, and is mortally wounded by Orc archers.
What are the differences between Frodo in the audiobooks and the movies?
The screen adaptation of the series is comprised of three epic films directed by Peter Jackson: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), and The Return of the King (2003). Together, the three films were nominated for a total of 30 Academy Awards and won 17, both records for any movie trilogy. In all three films, Frodo Baggins is played by actor Elijah Wood.
Although the films were well received by fans, one major complaint is that movie-Frodo seems a lot weaker than book-Frodo. In the audiobooks, Frodo is often scared and gets injured quite a bit, but he still has a fighting spirit and manages to do a lot on his own. In the movies, Frodo is portrayed as more fearful and frequently needs others to do things for him. Take, for example, the scene at the Ford of Rivendell, where Frodo is being chased by the Black Riders. In the audiobook, he manages to fight them off, but in the film, he requires rescuing. On screen, he is also less cheerful and less trusting of everyone—even his best friend, Sam.
Memorable Frodo Quotes
“'I will take the Ring,' he said, 'though I do not know the way.'” ― The Fellowship of the Ring
“I pity snails, and all that carry their homes on their backs.” ― The Fellowship of the Ring
"Short cuts make delays, but inns make longer ones." - The Fellowship of the Ring
"Look! The king has got a crown again!” ― The Two Towers
“It is useless to meet revenge with revenge; it will heal nothing.” ― The Return of the King
“I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam.” ― The Return of the King
