Odola
Well-Known Member
If that's true, there's no reason to write the book. The tension comes from what the characters actually do and how they make their choices. If those actions and choices ultimately don't matter, what's the point?
There never was a question for Tolkien that Frodo was going to be unable to destroy the Ring, and that Gollum was going to complete the task, beginning as soon as Bilbo's ring became The Ring. Since that was the outcome, the story becomes a working out of how that happens. And that is a combination of different forces. I give Providence much less weight than what the people in the story actually do - I agree with Sam that they have some say in what kind of story they are in.
Faramir does not know any other ways to get into Mordor, he tells Frodo, so no, it's almost impossible that he ever went into Mordor. Even his fears about Cirith Ungol are vague - it's a place of mystery and fear without any specifics for him and the people of Gondor. And I don't think Gandalf's knowledge of its dangers is any more specific. Gandalf's worries on learning that Frodo was going that way don't prove that he had any alternatives in mind any more than Faramir. It's Frodo's task to find the way, and as Elrond says, if he cannot find it, no one can.
As for Faramir going with Frodo, besides that being contrary to the author's intent, it leaves out a major variable. If Boromir hadn't fallen (or been saved, depending on your point of view), Frodo might not have been in Ithilien to meet Faramir. Does "fallen" mean tried to take the Ring from Frodo, or been killed trying to save Merry and Pippin? If he hadn't tried to take the Ring, Frodo would still have left for Mordor, but Aragorn's idea that he, Gimli, and Sam might accompany him would have changed so much. The frenzy that came after Boromir says Frodo has disappeared would not have happened, and Merry and Pippin would not have been taken prisoner, Boromir would not have died, and all the events that came from that capture would not have followed. Would Faramir even have been created? Or, if he had tried to take the Ring, but not been killed, Frodo's story would probably have been the same, but there would have been changes to the rest, especially to the story of Minas Tirith and the madness of Denethor.
Essentially these questions boil down to, what if Tolkien had written a different book. And if he had written a different book, would we be here today?
Aragorn has been to Morgul Vale very recently ("There is little need to tell of them,' said Aragorn. `If a man must needs walk in sight of the Black Gate, or tread the deadly flowers of Morgul Vale, then perils he will have") and so could have any Gondorian before him, as Mordor showing of its might and consolidationg its armies is a very recent thing. Gondor has been tasked with keeping watch over Mordor (one of its main tasks for which it has been established) so how can you can make me believe Faramir being a soldier and commander tasked with holding this border never crossed it? Makes no sense at all. More I would believe Faramir having to keep Gondorian entry points (which there have to be) into Mordor a state secret.
I am with Flamifer on that one. As Gandalf said to Bilbo even if one has been part of a mission which has accomplished great things and fulfilled some prophecies one is still only a small part in a bigger sheme. And a chess match can be won in different ways from any situation by a skillful player.