What would have happened when Frodo claimed the Ring if Gollum hadn’t interfered?
(last revised 3 Jan 2004 ) Nothing good, not even for Frodo. Frodo would not instantly have become master of the world. Claiming the Ring is just the first step in mastering the Ring. Remember that when Frodo asked Galadriel why he could not see all the other Rings and know the thoughts of their bearers, she replied, “Before you could use that power you would need to become far stronger, and to train your will to the domination of others.” [LotR II 7 (385)] Tolkien expands greatly on this theme in a letter. To summarize briefly: Tolkien proposed two possible outcomes after Frodo claimed the Ring at Mount Doom, if Gollum had not saved the day. Either (a) Realizing that he could not keep the ring from Sauron, Frodo would “cast himself with the Ring into the abyss”; or (b) The Nazgûl dispatched by Sauron to Mount Doom would have greeted Frodo as “Lord”, then coaxed him out into the open. They would not have been able to attack or capture him, but they would still be in Sauron’s control no
