1. How has the Ring started to affect Frodo by this stage of his
journey? Is the Ring an active player in this episode, a fourth character
as it were, or is it merely responding to the attraction of the tower like a
magnet pulling towards metal? This is the second time Frodo has been
temporarily blinded by the Ring (the first was during the “Taming of Sméagol”
when Sam had to drop the Elven rope to restore his sight). Is this a
function of the Ring’s effect on him?
a. I think the flashes of blindness are the result of severe strain; I've
heard of such things both as the result of great mental anguish or fear and as
a result of outlandish physical effort. No doubt Tolkien knew of such
effects from battle fatigue. If this is indeed what Tolkien was thinking
of it would indicate that Frodo is already at the normal human breaking point.
2. How do Sam and Gollum help Frodo at this
moment? Gollum is more agitated here than he has been since they were at
the Morannon, and his response to being in those surroundings is very
interesting: “his eyes shone with a green-white light, reflecting the
noisome Morgul-sheen perhaps, or kindled by some answering mood within.”
What is the “answering mood within”? Could he this be the effect of
Sauron’s conditioning on him, or is he picking up on the Ring-radar of the
Nazgûl? What does Gollum sense about the Ring at this time?
a. Gollum's greatest fear is that Sauron will regain the Ring; then he
would have no hope of recovering it. He understands what is pulling on
Frodo, and it terrifies
him.
