CHARACTERSFrodo- A hobbit of the Shire, Frodo Baggins is the bearer of the One Ring. He is tasked with destroying it in the fires of Mt. Doom, the only place it may be destroyed. He is a smart and courageous hobbit that endures many hardships on his way to Mt. Doom in Mordor.
Sam- A hobbit of the Shire, Samwise Gamgee is Frodo's gardener and closest friend. When Sam eavesdropped on Frodo and Gandalf's conversation about the ring, he was told to accompany Frodo on his journey as punishment by Gandalf when he was caught. On their journey, Sam proves a helpful, brave, and watchful partner of Frodo. Merry- A hobbit of the Shire, Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry for short) is close friends with Pippin. Merry is determined to come with the party on their quest to destroy the ring, and he does. Merry may not appear so, but he is an intelligent hobbit who possesses immense courage. Pippin- A hobbit of the Shire, Peregrin Took (Pippin for short) is close friends with Merry and Frodo and is the youngest of the four hobbits. He is a cheerful hobbit but is clumsy as well, appearing to do the wrong things at the wrong time. Gandalf- An Istar (wizard as known by men) named Gandalf was a wise grey wizard and a member of the 9 companions. He tasked Frodo with carrying the ring and helped the companions navigate through the mines of Moria where the Balrog lived. He ultimately saved the companions by single-handedly fending off the Balrog. Legolas- Prince of the Woodland Realm and dead accurate with a bow, Legolas Greenleaf represented the elves when he volunteered to become one of the 9 companions. Legolas would be an important member of the party when they travelled because of his keen eyesight, ears, and accuracy. Gimli- Son of Gloin and Lord of the Glittering Caves, Gimli the dwarf is a fierce axe wielding fighter. Gimli represented the dwarves when he decided to join the 9 companions. Gimli's axe wielding skill would benefit the group when they encountered orcs, wargs, and trolls. Aragorn- Aragorn, Son of Arathorn was a man that helped Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin on their journey. Known as Strider around Bree, Aragorn guarded the four travelers from the ringwraiths. Boromir- A warrior of Gondor and son of Denethor II, Boromir volunteers to join the 9. Boromir is the first of the 9 to be corrupted by the ring. Although he helps fend off the Uruk-Hai later, Boromir tries to take the One Ring from Frodo so he cannot be trusted. Gollum- Once a hobbit himself, Gollum was possessed by the One Ring. He appears to have two personalities, one being how he was before he was possessed, and one while the ring influenced him. Gollum now has a small, skinny body and has been around for hundreds of years due to the rings power. EXPOSITION
At the beginning it is Bilbo Baggins 111th birthday party and Bilbo decides it's time for him to adventure once again. Bilbo had the One Ring which he used to turn invisible, but Gandalf knew what was going on and insisted Bilbo give it to him, so Bilbo did (but not until after a discussion). Once Gandalf has the ring, he tells Frodo of it and how it must be dealt with. Samwise Gamgee is caught eavesdropping on their conversation and is told by Gandalf to accompany Frodo on his journey as "punishment".
CONFLICTS
Some noticeable conflicts that arise throughout the story include:
-Black Riders vs. the Travelers (man vs. man, early in the story). The black riders (Nazgul) chase the hobbits in an attempt to reclaim the one ring and return it to Sauron. -Frodo vs. Ring (man vs. machine, throughout story). All of the protagonists (mainly Frodo) must resist the rings evil magic and not let it corrupt their mind into giving it to the 9 riders. -Balrog vs. Gandalf (man vs. man, late in story). While making their way through the mines of Moria, the 9 encounter what the dwarves let loose. They had dug too deep and unleashed a fiery giant beast known as a Balrog. Gandalf knew of this threat before they entered the mines, and he had to fend it off while the rest of the group retreated out of the mine. |
CLIMAX A secret council was called by Elrond, the Lord of Rivendell, to discuss what would happen with the One Ring. Those present at the council met with different intention, but ultimately were there for one purpose, to decide on the ring's fate. The main people present at this council were Elrond, Gandalf the Grey, Aragorn, Frodo baggins, Gimli, Legolas, Boromir, and Samwise Gamgee. At the council, the story of the ring was unveiled by Gandalf and Bilbo to prove that the ring was the One Ring. Gandalf told the council about how Saruman, the white wizard, kept him in captivity in Orthanc. The rest of the council proceeded to tell of suspicious occurrences that led to the fate of the ring. It was to be destroyed in the very fire of it's creation, in the crack of Mount Doom. Frodo volunteered as the official ring-bearer and was approved by Elrond and Gandalf much to the surprise of the others. Now the rest of the fellowship was to be determined. All of the main council attendants (as listed above) became part of what is known as the Fellowship of the Ring. Merry and Pippin had been Eavesdropping on the council and insisted they join the fellowship as well.
FALLING ACTION Forced to take the alternative route, the fellowship made their way to Moria's western gate. Here, the fellowship is forced through the door by "the watcher in the water" a mysterious kraken that lives in a pool near the west gate. The kraken destroys the entrance leaving the heroes trapped and with no choice but to go through the depths of Moria. In Moria the fellowship travels through a series of tunnels and passageways until they reach the Chamber of Mazarbul where Balin's tomb is located. A book rests against Balin's tomb that explains the dwarves last accounts of living in Moria while orcs invade. The fellowship was noticed by the monstrous hordes of orcs that now occupy the abandoned mines of Moria and was pursued by the orcs until a greater foe emerged. A great fiery beast called a Balrog chased the fellowship to the Endless Stair where it fell into a dark abyss. Gandalf fought and slayed the Balrog. Gandalf was at peace for saving his companions, although his life appeared to be over.
RESOLUTION After they left Moria and sailed down the Anduin River the fellowship camped at Amon Hen, a ruined tower. While here, Boromir is corrupted by the rings power and tries to take the ring from Frodo. Frodo escapes Boromir and knows the longer he stays by his companions, the more they will succumb to corruption. The party gets separated here as Frodo and Sam take off to Mordor by themselves.
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RISING ACTION When the Black Riders (the 9 Ring Wraiths) fail to catch Frodo and his companions at Bree, they further track them down to Weathertop. Weathertop is an old crumbling fortress ruin where the party chooses to set up camp. Not long after, the riders catch up with them and try to take the ring from Frodo who resists. Since the riders were denied the ring by Frodo, one of them stabs him in the shoulder with a poisoned Morgul blade. Unless Frodo finds medical attention fast, he will turn into a wraith like the 9. Aragorn saves the hobbits from imminent doom when he fends off the wraiths with his sword and a torch (the wraiths fear fire).
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