Frodo at Sammath Naur

[doug*platypus]

he puts it on for the sixth and final time

I find this fact to be a very interesting one. Isn't six the number of imperfection? I don't think that Tolkien put any numerology into his work on purpose (and the significance of six is probably wide open for debate), but it underlines what I think was happening at the time. Frodo, as an imperfect individual, had finally succumbed to the lure of the Ring, where it was at its most powerful (not to mention desperate). I believe that in the end Frodo claimed the Ring, also turning to it for support and relief from his suffering, and used its power to restore his strength (temporarily, though I am sure that would be).

For one of many discussions on the climatic scene, including the fabulous quote

If the Ring could speak, why didn't it shout out to the nearest servant of Sauron? "Hey! Here I am!"?

- The Barrow Wight

click here.