Frodo's Seed of Courage

Frodo's Seed of Courage Essay Courage is an essential quality that is found in every archetypal hero. Courage is defined as the quality of mind and spirit that enables an individual to face difficulty, danger, and pain without fear. An individual is not born with a courageous heart, but instead develops courage through experience of difficulty and danger. The stimulation of courage is analogous to the growth of a beautiful flower. Courage starts off as a seed which is planted in the soil of the individual's heart. The planting of the seed is usually initiated by a courageous act during a time of difficulty or danger. As an individual experiences many of these dangerous and difficult circumstances, the individual's courage begins to grow. After many acts of courage, the individual becomes brave enough to risk their life for a noble cause. Thus, the individual's courage blossoms into a noble flower that is invincible and unwavering in the face of danger. A great example of courage that develops within an individual is the character of Frodo in J.R.R. Tolkien's novel, The Fellowship of the Ring. Tolkien states that, "There is a seed of courage hidden (often deeply, it is true) in the heart of the fattest and most timid hobbit, waiting for some final and desperate danger to make it grow" (Tolkien The Fellowship of the Ring 159). Tolkien uses the protagonist, Frodo, to demonstrate the growth of courage within a hero. In Tolkien's novel, The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo's "seed of courage" (159) grows through the dangers on his quest to destroy the Ring and transforms him into a courageous individual that decides to journey to Mordor alone. Frodo's "seed of courage" (159) begins to grow during his journey to Rivendell. The beginning of growth of Frodo's "seed of courage" (159) occurs when Frodo and his friends are trapped in the Barrow-wight tomb. Before Frodo's "seed of courage" (159) starts to grow, Frodo feels great fear of the Barrow-wights.