Success through Failure

[Aratlithiel]

I think an important success-through-failure example is Sam's failure as Ring-bearer. I know failure seems a little harsh to use in this instance since Sam refused the burden for love of his master, but refuse he did. He forsook the whole of Middle Earth for the love of one individual. BUT, had he not refused the burden and instead went on by himself, I really don't believe he would have made it. Yes, he was strong and was the force behind Frodo's reaching the Cracks of Doom, but he did that not for himself, Gandalf, The Shire or Middle Earth, but - again - only for the love of his master. Everything he did he did for Frodo. Had he not had that love to drive him at the end of the journey, it's quite likely he would have perished long before reaching the foot of the mountain. Therefore, all of the events that transpired after Shelob and the ultimate success of the quest came about only because Sam failed to carry on Frodo's errand after he had fallen.