I don't see the situation on Mt Doom as Frodo being tempted or giving in to
temptation so much as his will was finally overcome to resist the Ring.
In the whole of the story, I never got the impression that Frodo in any way
ever wanted to use the Ring for "Power".
The situation with Gollum in "The Black Gate is Closed" is subtle: Frodo only
uses the threat of the Ring and the power it holds over Gollum to cower him
into obediance. As he says "If I *wearing it* were to command
you...." does equate to the positive action of wearing the ring and
claiming it for its use to dominate. But he doesn't, so this isn't really
a case of Frodo being tempted.
What does stand out as a temptation for Frodo is at the Mirror of Galadriel,
and here it isn't a temptation to USE the Ring, it's one of GIVING it away!
To me, Frodo is the opposite of all others who come in contact with the ring:
they all have momentary temptations where they envision themselves as wielding
the One for ruling others. But for Frodo, he never wanted these, it was
for him, at all times "a terrible burden" constantly beating upon him with its
power.
So in the end, Frodo could no longer resist, and to me, that is not the same as
consciously giving in to 'temptation'.
His words convey that as well: "But I do not choose to do what I came to
do. I will not do this deed."
His will is not his own, it has been overpowered by the Ring.
As Tolkien stated in his Letters, NO ONE could have 'passed the test' that
Frodo was part of - so what is needed is something beyond the will of the
individual: the Grace of Iluvatar for previous Pity and Forebearance of Gollum
by Frodo.
(Hama - just stirring the pot a
bit)
