Why Frodo Destroyed the One Ring in Mount Doom

At the Council of Elrond, it was unanimously agreed that the only way to destroy the Malevolent One Ring was to cast it into the fires of its origin: Mount Doom, a volcano within the land of Mordor. This was the key to overcoming the Dark Lord Sauron and the evil that he had created through the Ring.

Rationale Behind the Decision

The quest to destroy the Ring was not only a personal mission taken up by Frodo Baggins and later his faithful friend Sam Gamgee. It was a critical task that required their courage and determination. Their journey from the Shire to the shadowy depths of Mordor was not just an adventure but a journey of immense peril and sacrifice.

The One Ring was forged in the fires of Mount Doom by Sauron, and its power and corruption were rooted in these infernal flames. To destroy it, the Ring needed to be returned to the place of its creation, where its malevolent influence could be utterly broken.

The text emphasizes that the Ring could not be destroyed using any means known to the forces of light. Only through the fire of Mount Doom could the Ring’s malevolent essence be fully eradicated, thus stopping Sauron’s resurrection and preventing his insidious influence from spreading further.

Gollum’s Role in the Destruction of the Ring

During the perilous journey, a complex backstory involving Gollum, a creature whose obsession with the Ring led to its downfall, played a significant role. Gollum, formerly known as Deagol, had the Ring in his possession and later passed it to his nephew, Sméagol, who later became Gollum.

When Frodo and Sam discovered Gollum, he was tracking them, driven by a deep and twisted desire to reclaim the Ring. Gollum’s obsession with the Ring made him a double-edged sword in this mission. It was Gollum who unwittingly guided Frodo and Sam to the Cracks of Doom, the entrance to Mount Doom, through his calculations and escorts.

Tragically, Gollum’s treacherous nature surfaced once more. After a fierce struggle, he attempted to take the Ring for himself. Frodo then made a difficult decision under duress, and Gollum, in his desperation, accidentally fell into the volcano, destroying the Ring and also meeting his own doom. Gollum’s ultimate sacrifice played a pivotal role in the triumph of the forces of light against the darkness of Sauron.

The Book vs Fan Theories

It is important to note that while the narrative provided may have sparked fan theories and alternative scenarios, the canonical story as told in The Return of the King is the true account. The one who succeeded in destroying the Ring was Frodo Baggins, not Gollum. Despite Gollum’s pivotal role in guiding them to Mount Doom, it was Frodo’s actions, ultimately driven by his own resolve, that completed the task and brought about the end of the Ring’s malevolent influence.

Conclusion

The story of Frodo and the quest to destroy the One Ring in Mount Doom stands as a powerful allegory of the struggle between good and evil, of sacrifice, and of the indomitable nature of courage and love. It is a testament to the strength of the bonds of friendship and the importance of the decisions we make, even in the face of overwhelming danger.

Key Takeaways:

Mount Doom was the only place where the One Ring could be destroyed. Gollum played a dual role in the destruction of the Ring. Frodo Baggins was ultimately the one who destroyed the Ring.