What was Frodo's temptation

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

I can't really see that Frodo, or any Hobbit (including Gollum) had, or ever had, a desire to dominate and order the lives of others.

You forget Lotho, a.k.a. "The Chief". I mean, it didn't work out any too well for him, but he did have a shot at playing petty dictator.

However, I don't think there's any indication that Frodo had a lifelong desire for power (let alone a desire to become the next Dark Lord)– if he had, I'd imagine the Ring would have acted on him a lot quicker.

Originally Posted by Mnemosyne

Finally, this is not a false dilemma. He could have been going through anything and more. But whatever it was that finally cracked Frodo, it must have been a pretty small temptation in its natural state if he resisted it this long.

Apologies for the rambles, but if anyone does want to get to the bottom of this (and I for one think that the "Dark Lord" interpretation, while dramatic, is too simple) I think we need to redefine some of the assumptions that go into the question.

I'd say Frodo does get Dark Lord-ish at the end– but that's what would happen to anyone sooner or later (with the exception of Gollum, for the reasons already stated by Gordis). Perhaps you could say the Ring is "opportunistic"– it will act faster on a person with strong ambitions or outstanding character flaws, but in the end no-one can hold out.

EDIT:X'd with Boro.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

You forget Lotho, a.k.a. "The Chief". I mean, it didn't work out any too well for him, but he did have a shot at playing petty dictator.

However, I don't think there's any indication that Frodo had a lifelong desire for power (let alone a desire to become the next Dark Lord)– if he had, I'd imagine the Ring would have acted on him a lot quicker.

You're right, of course, and I should have been clearer about the lifelong distinction. Petty authority in a Shire overrun by Saruman's minions is hardly the same thing as world domination.

I still believe that the desire to save the Shire was the weak point of Frodo, the chink in the armour that allowed the Ring to work its evil. I see no inclination in him at any point in the story that he wished to be a tyrant. Frodo desiring power beyond his measure to accomplish this would not neccessarily mean he wanted to be a Sauron.