[Guinevere]

Actually there seems from the beginning only little "hope" (as we use the word) that the quest will succeed. But, as Gandalf points out: "despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt"

Boromir and Denethor's outlook is in a way much more "rational", more like how people in our time would react.(Honestly, would we be willing to take such a risk?) "A fools hope" is what Denethor calls it, and at that point, even Gandalf is afraid.

"As I have begun, so I will go an" says Aragorn "we come now to the very brink where hope is akin to despair." "To waver is to fall." He is willing to sacrifice himself (and his army) so that Frodo's small chance of succeeding will be a little bigger.

Frodo himself, though he says he has no hope left , still does not despair (i.e. give up), but struggles on with his last strength. Even Sam has an inner debate with a part of him that wants to give up. They go on, because they don't do it for themselves.

It is this hope - apparently against all odds - this courage, the will to do the right thing, even without the prospect of succeeding ,that impressed me in LotR.

[ September 11, 2003: Message edited by: Guinevere ]