When diving into the captivating universe of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, one is greeted with a myriad of themes and questions that profoundly echo the human condition. Undoubtedly, one of the most intriguing concepts weaving through this epic tale is the role of free will. Central to this discourse is the plight of the hobbits, the unlikely heroes who arguably bear the most significant burdens of the story. Do they genuinely possess free will, or are they merely pawns in a grand design?
Tolkien's narrative revolves around Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin. These four hobbits embark on separate yet intertwined journeys of self-discovery and heroic duty, ultimately influencing the course of Middle-Earth’s history. And it's their choices and actions, made in the face of enormous adversity, that shape the saga.
One might argue that destiny plays a massive role in the story, perhaps overshadowing the concept of free will. After all, Frodo didn't exactly volunteer to be the Ring-Bearer; he was chosen by Gandalf, seemingly guided by forces beyond his understanding. As Gandalf pointedly remarks, "A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to." This quote, often overlooked for its apparent whimsy, could imply a predetermined order to the events in Middle-Earth.
But does this overshadow the exercise of free will?
The choices made by our hobbit protagonists, regardless of their seemingly preordained destinies, offer compelling evidence of free will at work. Take Samwise Gamgee, for instance. Though initially dragged into Frodo's quest out of loyalty, he repeatedly makes the conscious decision to continue on the perilous journey. As Sam says, "I made a promise, Mr. Frodo. A promise. ‘Don’t you leave him, Samwise Gamgee.’ And I don’t mean to. I don’t mean to." These lines are a testament to his conscious exercise of free will, rather than being a mere pawn of fate.
Similarly, Merry and Pippin, despite being swept up in the grand narrative, continuously choose to act courageously, showing an intense determination. Pippin’s statement to Gandalf, "I will not hide behind a wall of stone while others fight our battles for us!" is a strong reaffirmation of his autonomy and his will to partake in the fight against the dark forces.
However, destiny and free will are not mutually exclusive in Tolkien’s Middle-Earth. While the hobbits' journeys seem guided by a larger force, their choices ultimately decide the fate of the Ring and Middle-Earth. Free will, in this context, operates within the realm of destiny, subtly but profoundly influencing its course.
If we scrutinize Bilbo's ‘accidental’ discovery of the Ring, we can view it as an act of destiny. However, Bilbo's choice to spare Gollum’s life—paving the way for the Ring's ultimate destruction—was entirely his own, an instance of free will that had profound consequences. This dichotomy is what makes the narrative both complex and fascinating.
This same complexity arises in Frodo’s struggle with the Ring. He may have been destined to bear the Ring, but his choices during the journey—and his ultimate failure at Mount Doom—stem from his individual will and internal conflict. Indeed, it was Gollum, propelled by his desire (and arguably, his free will), who completed the task, emphasizing how free will can alter destiny’s course.
To the lesser-known quote from Gandalf, "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us," we see the clear embodiment of this philosophy. Free will exists within the framework of destiny. The larger picture might be preordained, but the decisions made within that framework—those are the responsibility of the individuals.
In conclusion, The Lord of the Rings is not merely a tale of good versus evil, or destiny against free will. It is a reflection of the intricacy of life itself, in which our chaotic existence is woven with threads of both destiny and free will. Our hobbit heroes, much like us, are swept into the currents of a larger narrative. Yet, they navigate these currents with choices that are uniquely their own—proof that, even in a world where destiny looms large, the power of free will remains a compelling, transformative force.
Tolkien's masterpiece thus tells us that, regardless of destiny's grand designs, it is our decisions that truly shape who we are. In this light, the hobbits of Middle-Earth do indeed possess free will, using it to change their world, and in doing so, teaching us valuable lessons about our own.
- WS
2 comments:
I agree with you in that the story has an interesting mix of destiny and free will, and it can be hard at times to determine which is which. The fact that the ring ended up in the hands of the person who was resistant enough to evil to take it to Morodor seems like destiny, but the fact that Frodo actually took the ring seems like an act of free will. I actually think that is not the case and Frodo did not have much of a choice in the matter. In a similar way to the duty Sam feels to Frodo, he had a duty to destroy the ring, and that fueled him more than any choice would. I think the ring takes away from free will on both sides. Throughout the story not only did it tempt people to use its power for evil, but it also forced people to come together to try and destroy it. They knew if it was not destroyed, and if it were obtained by Sauron there would be disaster, so it's hard to say that they really had a choice in the matter.
-RL
I think what you are picking up on is the narrator's (ie Tolkien's) effort to make sure that BOTH choice and "it was meant to be" play out in the narrative, which is another way of saying, we experience this effect in our own lives, but cannot explain it. When we make a choice and things turn out in a way that seems "meant to be," how DO we explain it? Fate or free will? Both seem operative, and yet we are bound to make choices—which are somehow "meant to be"? Tolkien manages to keep us guessing—and choosing! RLFB
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