The Ultimate Fate of Gollum’s Ring: Why Frodo Couldn’t Destroy It Right Away

At the renowned council of Elrond, it was decided that the only means to destroy the Ring was by casting it into the fires of Mount Doom, the very place it was created. This task seemed nearly impossible, as no one possessed the means to accomplish it. The Ring’s destruction was destined to happen, but only after an unexpected and tragic series of events involving Gollum.

Why Frodo Could Not Destroy the Ring

In J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic Middle-earth, the One Ring was a object of immense power and danger. Unlike others who attempted to destroy it, Frodo could not. The Ring had a unique ability to find its way back to its master—Sauron. As such, Frodo was constantly tormented by the Ring's presence, and eventually, it consumed his will, causing him to become lost in its evil influence.

The Ring's Unyielding Influence

The Ring's dominion over Frodo is acentral element in the story. It sought to corrupt and control any who possessed it. The Ring's corruption grew stronger as Sauron's power waxed in Middle-earth, making it more difficult for Frodo to resist its influence.

From the moment Frodo received the Ring in the Shire, its shadow began to cast a long, dark spell over him. In Rivendell, though he was strong enough to leave the Ring behind temporarily, his resolve was shaky. By the time he reached Cirith Ungol, Frodo's grip on the Ring had almost completely broken. He became angry with Sam, believing he had taken the Ring, and was unwilling to let anyone else possess it.

This obsession continued unabated until they reached the door of Mordor. For much of their journey, Frodo's mind was consumed with the image of the Ring, often seeing it as a magnificent wheel of fire. The Ring was both a burden and a temptation in equal measure. Its presence left Frodo too weak to climb, making the treacherous journey up to the Cracks of Doom a physical and mental ordeal.

A Tragic Conclusion

By the time they reached Mount Doom, Frodo was completely under the Ring's control. As Isildur did before him, he was unable to overcome the Ring's corrupting influence. Instead of destroying it, he openly claimed the Ring as his own, inadvertently drawing Sauron's attention to their location. This act, combined with Frodo's overwhelming fatigue and physical burden, set the stage for the Ring's ultimate destruction.

The Blessing and Curse

Frodo's actions ultimately led to the fall of Gollum, who had followed them to Mount Doom. Gollum's encounter with the powerful ring led him to a terrible fate, but it also set events in motion that would eventually result in the Ring's destruction. As Gollum tripped and fell into the fiery crevice of Mount Doom, the Ring slipped from his grasp and into the abyss. The Ring was destroyed, and with it, Sauron's dominance over Middle-earth was finally broken.

Conclusion

The struggle over the Ring in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is a powerful illustration of the dangers of unchecked power. Frodo was never able to destroy the Ring right away due to its strong influence over his mind. It was only through sacrifice, both of Gollum and the Ring itself, that Middle-earth was saved. The tale serves as a reminder of the potential that any object can have over a person, and the importance of resisting such influences.