Representing Men?

[The Saucepan Man]

Merry and Pippin came along for lack of anyone better

To be fair to them, they insisted on coming along by virtue of their friendship with and loyalty to Frodo. And Gandalf saw that as a good reason for their inclusion.

[Lhunardawen]

Nimrodel_9, are you trying to say that the mere fact that Aragorn was mentioned by Elrond before Boromir goes to show that Aragorn represents Men more than Boromir does?

In line with Formendacil's opinion, were there any other Men present at the Council for Elrond to choose from? There is no other choice, and both Men have something to gain from being included in the Fellowship.

For Boromir's part, aside from having company as he goes home, he could have been chosen to be there to learn a little humility and subordination. Since he is a captain of Gondor and soon-to-be Steward of Minas Tirith, it would do him well to learn how to obey and follow (Gandalf). Maybe in the way, he could develop his servant-leadership - which would be helpful if ever he gets to sit at the Steward's throne.

As for Aragorn, this could also be his training ground for the kingship. Lending his sword to the Fellowship, he learns to protect the hobbits who eventually become close to his heart - which is quite different from how he defends the Northern borders from the Enemy. With the hobbits, there is emotional intimacy involved, which is how his relationship with his future kingdom should be. Eventually he got his hand in deciding for many when Gandalf died.

Both Men were part of the Fellowship for a purpose, and it was no accident that they were in the Council. I believe both of them somehow represented Men as a whole, and their opposing traits show how each Man tends to be.

But if this question is to be asked, should not the Hobbits also be considered? It would not be fair to say that Frodo alone is the representative of The Shire, just because he is the Ringbearer.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

To be fair to them, they insisted on coming along by virtue of their friendship with and loyalty to Frodo. And Gandalf saw that as a good reason for their inclusion.

True enough, but I rather suspect that had there been anyone else around that could have really improved the Fellowship's chances, I think they would have taken that person/people instead. Especially if Elrond was really intent on the NINE Walkers staying at that number. But the point is taken.

Originally Posted by Lhunardawen

But if this question is to be asked, should not the Hobbits also be considered? It would not be fair to say that Frodo alone is the representative of The Shire, just because he is the Ringbearer.

Personally, I think it is much the same story. Frodo and Sam are going anyway, so the Hobbits are represented, no problem.

But if you have to say that a specific hobbit is representing his race, I would say Sma rather than Frodo. If you look at Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn and/or Boromir, they are representing their races in the Fellowship as COMPANIONS of the Ringbearer. Since Frodo is the Ringbearer, he cannot be taken as his own companion, hence Sam would seem like a logical choice as "the" representative of hobbit-kind, seeing as how Merry and Pippin were something resembling afterthoughts in the composition of the Fellowship.