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During the Council of Elrond as everyone argued over who would take the Ring to Mordor, Frodo stood up and said that he would take it. What do you think his motivation was? Did he do it because he was likely to be the only person that wasn't squabbled over? Or was there still some desire for adventure left in his travel stained heart? Was it a sense of duty? Or did Frodo take the Ring because it had already corrupted him to the point he could not bare to see it in other hands? Was there some other explanation I missed? Does your opinion on his motive change the way you view him? I'm I overanalyzing this and asking too many questions?

If you were offered proof that it was, say, a more sinister reason, would that change your view of Frodo?

I guess corruption makes sense. He already had the ring, and I feel that all the choices given could work. It's a combination of them all, really. Corruption works, though. 3nodding

I think Frodo probably had multiple levels for deciding to take the Ring. One being that he thought it was his duty, that was probably conscious. Subconsciously it would make perfect sense that the Ring wanted to go back to Sauron, like Chokin said, and it was pulling Frodo in that direction. Later on I am sure that Frodo was less guided by his duty, near the end I think the Ring was what gave Frodo the strength to continue to Mt. Doom.
If Tolkien was rolling before, now he's probably spinning, but that is what books are for, to be interpreted and reinterpreted for each reader. That is what makes a book like his so enduring.
Peace,
Syapherian

I voted *other* and I've got a simple explanation for it: It was all made according to the great plan of Eru. Ta-da? Well, okay, that was wimpy. But seriously, it was how Eru planned the world to be.

I dont think he saw it as a duty, but i think he realized it was te only solution. if the ring had already corrupted him he would have faltered way before standing in the Crack of Doom. He is pretty intellegent...and he saw if he woiuld make the sacrifice to carry the burden himself it would help the group the most...he had the least to lose. Aragorn was an hier, Boromir an hier, Legolas a prince, Gimli a prince, Gandalf a wizard, so he had the least to lose. plus, it wouls stop all the agruement.

In response to Nessa Linwelin, but was Sam loyal to the quest or to Frodo? I think it was Frodo that he was loyal to, in general I don't think his devotion to the quest was solidified till he saw what the ring was doing to Frodo in Mordor. Then he felt some obligation to finish what Frodo started, and took the ring off him when he thought he was dead. Just my own musings...

First of all, I think that stopping the argument was Frodo's first intention. All these people in a big group shouting in just utter chaos doesn't seem fitting for a distinguished council. Second, I think Frodo felt not necessarily a duty, because someone else could easily take up the task, but a sense of capability. He had taken the ring to the council, made it through some tough situations (like when the wraith comes and the 4 hobbits hide under the tree) and he realizes that people are going to be there to help him. The third thing, I think, is a little bit of adventure. Bilbo was an adventurer and being around him a lot, I think some of the adventurous personality of Bilbo spilled over onto Frodo. Although I think adventure is the least on his mind, since this is a dangerous task, not a "out to discover the world because I can" adventure.

The option I would definately disagree with is corruption. Frodo didn't have the ring that long and he was already thinking he was going to ditch the ring in Rivendell and go home.