As Frodo and his friends made their way into the heart of the Shire, they met with resistance. Eventually, the heroes had to lead the citizens of the Shire in revolt against Saruman and his henchmen. Frodo, despite knowing what had to be done, was saddened by it all. He was adamant that mercy should be given to all, and that the revolt should seek to preserve as much life as was possible. He had personally learned the spiritual lessons of mercy: since he had once shown mercy to Gollum, Frodo was able to receive mercy himself after he succumbed to the temptation inherent in the Ring. He had come to know first hand the meaning of the Lord’s Prayer, where forgiveness is had only if one has a forgiving spirit.
— Henry C Karlson III, “J.R.R. Tolkien: A Catholicized William Morris?” Mid-Atlantic AAR Conference, Baltimore. 27 March 2009.
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