![\"Why](\"https:\/\/dialoguebooks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Why-Did-Frodo-Leave-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe complexity of the story and the characters has meant that many people who have read \u2018The Lord of the Rings\u2019 saga \u2013 and \u2018The Hobbit\u2019 too \u2013 continue to discuss the meaning and symbolism behind certain actions and certain events in the books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One event that is discussed ad nauseam is one of the defining \u2013 and last, so spoilers ahead \u2013 events of the entire series. That is when Frodo leaves Middle Earth. But why does Frodo leave Middle Earth and everything he has known behind? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, we are going to explore and see whether we can provide an answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brief Overview Of This Event<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSo, before we dive into this, we should take a moment to look at the background and provide a brief overview of this event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the books, after Sauron has been defeated, the ring has been destroyed, and the power that darkness held over Middle Earth has been shattered, everyone makes their way home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aragorn becomes King of Gondor, Eomer is crowned King of Rohan, Galadriel, Celeborn, and Gandalf say their goodbyes<\/a> to the men of Middle Earth \u2013 though it is not revealed why yet. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Hobbits make their way to the Shire and free it from the very last evil to cling to Middle Earth \u2013 Saruman \u2013 finally bringing about peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At some point after this period, Pippin became Thain or leader of the Shire, Merry became Master of Buckland, and Sam married Rosie as well as becoming Mayor of the Shire (for seven consecutive terms). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, only a couple of years after they defeated Sauron (and a bit before his friends gained these titles) Frodo decided to leave from the Gray Havens across the sea to the Undying Lands, where all the Elves were departing to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was an offer given to all the ring bearers by the Elves, but the question is why did Frodo take it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bilbo took the offer because he was old and didn\u2019t have much time left, so he probably wanted to live out his time in peace, but Frodo was fairly young<\/a> and all his friends and compatriots lived in Middle earth, including his best friend. So, why did Frodo go?<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Toll On Frodo<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYou see the reason is tied deeply into the one ring and the cost of carrying it. While many will succumb to the ring\u2019s power, those who resist or do not pay a terrible price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
No mortal was ever intended to carry such a weight of power, and it is all but stated in the books that it is one of the greatest burdens a person can suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The psychic toll of the Ring constantly using its power to coerce him beat down on Frodo like a drum. It attacked him spiritually and psychically, until at the very end he broke on the edge of Mount Doom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ring was still destroyed, though by accident, and Frodo always felt the sting of that failure as well as the PTSD from the constant carrying of such a burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other wounds were also sustained in his journey, including him being attacked by the magical blade of the Witch King, which not only skewered his body, but his soul \u2013 a wound that could not, would not heal, and killed a part of his soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frodo returned to the one place on Middle Earth where he had known peace \u2013 the Shire \u2013 hoping to recover and resume his life. But it didn\u2019t happen. Some wounds cannot be healed by time or peace, and Frodo despaired over not healing his body, soul, and mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was only one place that Frodo could find this peace, or at least where peace was guaranteed to him: the Undying Lands, a magical realm across the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Why](\"https:\/\/dialoguebooks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Why-Did-Frodo-Leave.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTolkien And Frodo<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile this is a sad situation, where home no longer is safe from pain, this is not something that is just a good end to a story. In a way, it mirrors Tolkien\u2019s own experiences in fighting in the First World War, particularly his haunting experience of the Battle of the Somme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both returned home after brutal conflicts, where their bodies, souls, and minds had been shattered with many of their friends dead. They went home seeking peace and recovery, but were never able to heal or shrug off what they had been through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a way, the Undying Lands are the fantasy stories that Tolkien himself created. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Tolkien, these magical fantasy stories were a complete divorce from the pain of reality, and it helped him heal, much like Frodo leaves the Shire to a magical place that can heal him, even if it means leaving his world behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Does This Fate Extend To Samwise?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBilbo and Frodo are the most prominent ring bearers, but they weren\u2019t the only ones. There were others including Gollum, Isildur, and of course Samwise Gamgee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the other ring bearers were dead or corrupted, Samwise did bear the Ring for a short time and remained steadfast in his resolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Originally, Samwise did not travel to the Undying Lands with Frodo, instead staying in the Shire, extending its borders, marrying Rosie, having a large family, and making it an amazing place to live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But over time he did yearn to leave and once his wife died, he passed down the red book that chronicled \u2018The Hobbit\u2019<\/a> and \u2018The Lord of the Rings\u2019 stories and sailed for the Undying Lands to reunite with Frodo.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBeing a Ring bearer and proving to be one of the deciding factors in the Ring\u2019s destruction through his steadfast loyalty and bravery, he was granted passage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFrodo leaves for the Undying Lands, because it is the only place that he can heal from his journey, wounds, and time with the corrupting power of the Ring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hobbits make their way to the Shire and free it from the very last evil to cling to Middle Earth \u2013 Saruman \u2013 finally bringing about peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At some point after this period, Pippin became Thain or leader of the Shire, Merry became Master of Buckland, and Sam married Rosie as well as becoming Mayor of the Shire (for seven consecutive terms). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, only a couple of years after they defeated Sauron (and a bit before his friends gained these titles) Frodo decided to leave from the Gray Havens across the sea to the Undying Lands, where all the Elves were departing to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was an offer given to all the ring bearers by the Elves, but the question is why did Frodo take it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bilbo took the offer because he was old and didn\u2019t have much time left, so he probably wanted to live out his time in peace, but Frodo was fairly young<\/a> and all his friends and compatriots lived in Middle earth, including his best friend. So, why did Frodo go?<\/p>\n\n\n\n You see the reason is tied deeply into the one ring and the cost of carrying it. While many will succumb to the ring\u2019s power, those who resist or do not pay a terrible price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No mortal was ever intended to carry such a weight of power, and it is all but stated in the books that it is one of the greatest burdens a person can suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The psychic toll of the Ring constantly using its power to coerce him beat down on Frodo like a drum. It attacked him spiritually and psychically, until at the very end he broke on the edge of Mount Doom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ring was still destroyed, though by accident, and Frodo always felt the sting of that failure as well as the PTSD from the constant carrying of such a burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other wounds were also sustained in his journey, including him being attacked by the magical blade of the Witch King, which not only skewered his body, but his soul \u2013 a wound that could not, would not heal, and killed a part of his soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Frodo returned to the one place on Middle Earth where he had known peace \u2013 the Shire \u2013 hoping to recover and resume his life. But it didn\u2019t happen. Some wounds cannot be healed by time or peace, and Frodo despaired over not healing his body, soul, and mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was only one place that Frodo could find this peace, or at least where peace was guaranteed to him: the Undying Lands, a magical realm across the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While this is a sad situation, where home no longer is safe from pain, this is not something that is just a good end to a story. In a way, it mirrors Tolkien\u2019s own experiences in fighting in the First World War, particularly his haunting experience of the Battle of the Somme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both returned home after brutal conflicts, where their bodies, souls, and minds had been shattered with many of their friends dead. They went home seeking peace and recovery, but were never able to heal or shrug off what they had been through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a way, the Undying Lands are the fantasy stories that Tolkien himself created. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For Tolkien, these magical fantasy stories were a complete divorce from the pain of reality, and it helped him heal, much like Frodo leaves the Shire to a magical place that can heal him, even if it means leaving his world behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bilbo and Frodo are the most prominent ring bearers, but they weren\u2019t the only ones. There were others including Gollum, Isildur, and of course Samwise Gamgee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While the other ring bearers were dead or corrupted, Samwise did bear the Ring for a short time and remained steadfast in his resolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Originally, Samwise did not travel to the Undying Lands with Frodo, instead staying in the Shire, extending its borders, marrying Rosie, having a large family, and making it an amazing place to live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But over time he did yearn to leave and once his wife died, he passed down the red book that chronicled \u2018The Hobbit\u2019<\/a> and \u2018The Lord of the Rings\u2019 stories and sailed for the Undying Lands to reunite with Frodo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being a Ring bearer and proving to be one of the deciding factors in the Ring\u2019s destruction through his steadfast loyalty and bravery, he was granted passage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Frodo leaves for the Undying Lands, because it is the only place that he can heal from his journey, wounds, and time with the corrupting power of the Ring.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Toll On Frodo<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTolkien And Frodo<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does This Fate Extend To Samwise?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n