It appears in Tolkien's writing that each of the few mortals that were permitted to sail West were treated as individual cases. This was Frodo's story. Bilbo's went to be a companion to Frodo, to honor what he did as a ring bearer and also to heal him from the after effects of the ring's evil. Arwen's plea for Frodo was a unique instance. It was not required that an elf "trade their spot" for any mortal to be granted passage to the Undying Lands.
Thank you for your article, both beautifully written and exposed in a clear way.
I have read Tolkien works many times but sometimes I don't tend to get too deep in this kind of details and it's a pleasure to have someone guide us in this path :)
I find myself melancholy about the price paid to achieve these great deeds. It seems that there is no reparation for original sin. Was there ever a scenario where the elves would not have eventually had to move on to the undying lands? Of course not, and the elves knew that.
The simple and ordinary peoples of middle earth had to make great sacrifices to save everything because the wise and noble failed. Whatever the elves did was overtaken by their consequences.
Arwen's compassion was grounded in the deep elvish sorrow and regret their "original sin" caused. But unlike Gildor (and the other elves), she was concerned with the "ways of hobbits, or of any other creatures upon earth." She chose to stay with the beauty of a world where all is ephemeral. While the other elves took their first steps of moving past their regret (they literally moved on).
Here Tolkien touches on something essential regarding the lives of mortal folk, but that is too much for a comment.
I love this! It’s a beautiful act of mercy towards someone who has given up so much (and much was taken as well). I hadn’t read the letter where Tolkien explains that part of the reason why Bilbo is allowed to go to the Undying Lands was to provide companionship to Frodo. That thought is so heartwarming.
So Arwen was allowed to “trade” her place for Frodo, in part to help guide the Age of Men. Were there any other Elves that stayed behind to help this endeavor?
No, other didn't elves stayed behind to help. As Tolkien stated in portion of the letter I shared above: "What is meant is that it was Arwen who first thought of sending Frodo into the West, and put in a plea for him to Gandalf (direct or through Galadriel, or both), and she used her own renunciation of the right to go West as an argument." Arwen used her choice to help advocate for Frodo.
Is it mentioned anywhere how Bilbo is allowed to go into the West? I can't remember. No similar "trade" occurs, I don't think.
And my source for that is Letter 246.
It appears in Tolkien's writing that each of the few mortals that were permitted to sail West were treated as individual cases. This was Frodo's story. Bilbo's went to be a companion to Frodo, to honor what he did as a ring bearer and also to heal him from the after effects of the ring's evil. Arwen's plea for Frodo was a unique instance. It was not required that an elf "trade their spot" for any mortal to be granted passage to the Undying Lands.
Thank you for your article, both beautifully written and exposed in a clear way.
I have read Tolkien works many times but sometimes I don't tend to get too deep in this kind of details and it's a pleasure to have someone guide us in this path :)
I find myself melancholy about the price paid to achieve these great deeds. It seems that there is no reparation for original sin. Was there ever a scenario where the elves would not have eventually had to move on to the undying lands? Of course not, and the elves knew that.
The simple and ordinary peoples of middle earth had to make great sacrifices to save everything because the wise and noble failed. Whatever the elves did was overtaken by their consequences.
Arwen's compassion was grounded in the deep elvish sorrow and regret their "original sin" caused. But unlike Gildor (and the other elves), she was concerned with the "ways of hobbits, or of any other creatures upon earth." She chose to stay with the beauty of a world where all is ephemeral. While the other elves took their first steps of moving past their regret (they literally moved on).
Here Tolkien touches on something essential regarding the lives of mortal folk, but that is too much for a comment.
I love this! It’s a beautiful act of mercy towards someone who has given up so much (and much was taken as well). I hadn’t read the letter where Tolkien explains that part of the reason why Bilbo is allowed to go to the Undying Lands was to provide companionship to Frodo. That thought is so heartwarming.
The theme of mercy throughout LOTR is one of my favorite things. And yes, that details about Bilbo is almost too much 🥲
So Arwen was allowed to “trade” her place for Frodo, in part to help guide the Age of Men. Were there any other Elves that stayed behind to help this endeavor?
Ok thank you! Hope you enjoy your day!
No, other didn't elves stayed behind to help. As Tolkien stated in portion of the letter I shared above: "What is meant is that it was Arwen who first thought of sending Frodo into the West, and put in a plea for him to Gandalf (direct or through Galadriel, or both), and she used her own renunciation of the right to go West as an argument." Arwen used her choice to help advocate for Frodo.