He saved the party in the burrow, endured the Nazgul blade in his shoulder, decided to take the burden alone when it started to affect the fellowship, tamed Gollum and got them through Emyn Muil and the Marshes, convinced Faramir to let them go on and keep their guide.
Granted, after being stung by Shelob it was Sam that kept them going, but in the end Frodo even predicted (or maybe more than predicted?) Gollums demise on the slopes of Mt. Doom: “If you touch me ever again, you shall be cast yourself into the Fire of Doom.”
For me this is kind of the point of his whole character: He isn’t particularly strong or mighty, but he keeps going and eventually fulfills his impossible quest through courage, wisdom and restraint. He most likely wouldn’t have come far on his own, but without him there was no hope at all.
Eh, he had his moments.
He saved the party in the burrow, endured the Nazgul blade in his shoulder, decided to take the burden alone when it started to affect the fellowship, tamed Gollum and got them through Emyn Muil and the Marshes, convinced Faramir to let them go on and keep their guide.
Granted, after being stung by Shelob it was Sam that kept them going, but in the end Frodo even predicted (or maybe more than predicted?) Gollums demise on the slopes of Mt. Doom: “If you touch me ever again, you shall be cast yourself into the Fire of Doom.”
For me this is kind of the point of his whole character: He isn’t particularly strong or mighty, but he keeps going and eventually fulfills his impossible quest through courage, wisdom and restraint. He most likely wouldn’t have come far on his own, but without him there was no hope at all.