How far could you go?

[Meela]

I'd be fine throughout the journey of the Fellowship. Moria might scare me to death, but with friends like those, who needs to fear? I'd just play the damsel act and hide behind Boromir's shield. And when in the midst of battle, it's easy to be inspired to join in with gusto.
After that, Amon Hen would be a piece of cake. And I could give some great pep talks.

I could never continue with Frodo and Sam. It's not the fear, I'd just lose my patience. Same scenery, same company, same lembas. A few days of those two moping on a volcano and I would have collapsed. Although Gollum might make good company.
Plus, the spider thing... I'd be in hysterics.

I'd join Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. Helm's Deep wouldn't shake me too badly, I'd be in the spirit and fighting away. After that, it's just a question of getting through Pelennor - more room to get into a dodging position, or just to stand on the sidelines and wave your sword around occasionally. The Paths of the Dead would be almost enjoyable to me; I'm not afraid of death, ghosts, or the extremeness of the colour green.

If I was going to lose my nerve, it would be on Caradhras - heights and a fear of being buried under the snow and choking. The battles would be daunting, naturally, but once you're there it's easy to get in the mood. It's like going bungee jumping. You're terrified until you jump, then you get such a rush you want to do it all over again. Survive one battle, and you're attacking bushes for the thrill of it.

It's tempting to drop out after Amon Hen, but what do you do then? If you're stuck halfway through a journey, you might as well continue and see what's out there. I'd at least tag along until civilisation re-appeared. Once I reached Rohan, I'd have a clearer idea of the options facing me.
Thinking about it, I'd be more likely to back out at Moria. The thought of being trapped underground and attacked from all sides, even if it's not known when you first step in, is a tough challenge to face.

I could have handled the wilderness. If you're going with Aragorn et al, at least you end up with decent company and a horse. I would make it through Mordor through sheer endurance and some good pacing.

[Morgoth's Apprentice]

I think I would have made it all the way. You see, I would have gone with Frodo, and when Gollum showed up I'd knock him out and throw him in the Dead Marshes. I'd use my authority to get Frodo through the Black Gate then when he sent Sam for water I'd reveal myself and take the Ring straight to the Ruler. Sorry guys .

[kementari]

I couldn't go that far, I would've stop in Lothlorien...and lived there. Sounds pretty selfish, but I was offered a hand in marriage by one of the High Elves...I couldn't resist!

[The Might]

Somehow I feel that many here don't truly realise the physical and psychological requirements of such a journey. Without food, water, with the Ring whispering in your ear, blizzards, wolves, marshes, all kinds of evil creatures I somehow doubt that so many would make it.
I know I probably would not.
And as Tolkien said... only few, perhaps only Frodo in entire M-e could have made that far, so close to the end of the journey. This excludes brave and strong soldiers... so I doubt the journey is as easy as it sounds.
It's not about dealing with the fear of spiders ofr example, it's making it to Shelob in the first place.

[Eönwë]

I don't think I could, the way I am now, but none of us are like anyone inn the fellowship. None of us live hundreds of years (or are immortal), or are divine, or are just very little with hairy feet and amazing stealth (in a good a way).

[Galadriel55]

...guess what? I'm bringing it up.

I don't think that Shelob or the Paths of the Dead or even Gorgoroth would scare me from going. But I think I'd die before I even get to Lorien. Maybe unable to walk another step, since it's the farthest I've walked all my life. Maybe die of thirst and/or hunger. Maybe killed by the first orc I encounter. Maybe trip and fall and break my neck. Or any other way to die.

In other words, I think I'd manage psychologically but not physically. I'm no Eowyn.

But, on the other hand, it's easy enough for me to say that I'm up for it now in my cozy room with a fride full of food a few rooms away. I don't know what I would say/do if I was in the Fellowship, since, well, I was never in it.

[the phantom]

I would've gone the opposite way- to the havens.

After my own lobbying efforts failed, that is. I would've pushed for someone to wield the ring against Sauron, and when it became clear that no one would do such a thing, I might've tried to steal the thing in order to keep it from being sent straight to Sauron. (I wouldn't have seen any hope whatsoever in the plan to send Frodo to Mt. Doom. I mean really- what are the odds Sauron doesn't post a battalion of guards right in the Cracks of Doom seeing how important it is. )

So yeah- I would've been a version of Boromir. But if I wasn't able to get a chance to steal it or was unsuccessful, I would've gone straight in the opposite direction and hope I could get across the sea before Sauron got his ring and flattened everyone.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

...guess what? I'm bringing it up.

I don't think that Shelob or the Paths of the Dead or even Gorgoroth would scare me from going. But I think I'd die before I even get to Lorien. Maybe unable to walk another step, since it's the farthest I've walked all my life. Maybe die of thirst and/or hunger. Maybe killed by the first orc I encounter. Maybe trip and fall and break my neck. Or any other way to die.

In other words, I think I'd manage psychologically but not physically. I'm no Eowyn.

But, on the other hand, it's easy enough for me to say that I'm up for it now in my cozy room with a fride full of food a few rooms away. I don't know what I would say/do if I was in the Fellowship, since, well, I was never in it.

Hmmn, well, the original question was about how much mental strain you could take. But as you say, it's too hypothetical to answer properly. Most of the earlier responses revolve around whether or not the posters see themselves as particularly fearful or emotionally fragile, but all that really does is rule some people out to begin with– it doesn't guarantee anyone else would make it, only that they might.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

...guess what? I'm bringing it up.

I don't think that Shelob or the Paths of the Dead or even Gorgoroth would scare me from going. But I think I'd die before I even get to Lorien. Maybe unable to walk another step, since it's the farthest I've walked all my life. Maybe die of thirst and/or hunger. Maybe killed by the first orc I encounter. Maybe trip and fall and break my neck. Or any other way to die.

In other words, I think I'd manage psychologically but not physically. I'm no Eowyn.

But, on the other hand, it's easy enough for me to say that I'm up for it now in my cozy room with a fride full of food a few rooms away. I don't know what I would say/do if I was in the Fellowship, since, well, I was never in it.

Well, as for physically keeping it up, I wouldn't be so dismissive in that respect. I mean, if you e.g. couldn't keep your pace, I am sure the Fellowship would adjust it. After all, they had all the Hobbits with them. As for being killed by an Orc, that's the same case - there are Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf to fight and protect the rest. So you'd just fall into the group of the Hobbits, and unless you were completely unlucky and got hit by a stray arrow (which, however, could happen to anyone), I think it's not any more likely that you'd be stopped by the physical aspect any more than anyone else would.

On the other hand, I believe the biggest question - which we cannot answer with 100% certainity, I believe - would be how would we react to the lure of the Ring being present. The Ring for sure had some influence on every member of the Fellowship, and the question probably is whether we'd manage not to turn into Boromir or somesuch. Of the other obstacles, I also believe for most of people the general lure would be the Merry-Pippin-thing, i.e. the wish to return home and be at peace (which, however, I think would be one of the easier to overcome, once you have decided that you want to participate in completing the quest, or at least speaking for myself), but very importantly, also the Sam thing. I mean, let's imagine somewhere in the middle of the way you learn that your home is about to be occupied by some nassties and your family and friends are going to be driven away from their homes and all that, and that the nice tree orchard of your youth (or insert whatever in your surroundings which has a place in your heart) is going to be cut down (you can subsitute that on the most material level, but also e.g. for your hometown/country getting a new government which will make "total rearrangements" in some way you certainly won't like - just think analogically) - now that would be probably for me a moment to at least stop and start having doubts whether I shouldn't have stayed where I was.