[TBP]

One thing that I noted that should appeal greatly to FReepers. Frodo is the one chosen to take the ring back to MOrdor and destroy it because he is the one character who won't use its power, and its power slightly corrupts everyone who uses it even a little.

Putting the instrument of power in the hands of the one(s) who don't want it and won't use it on others is a very conservative concept.

[HairOfTheDog]

Very true... The ring will corrupt all who possess and use it, but hobbits slower than most.

The corrupting influence of the ring is in proportion to the bearer's desire for power.

Hobbits neither have nor desire power over others... so they are able to bear this ring much longer before it corrupts them.

And so the ring's affect is much more dangerous for those who already have a lot of personal power, such as Gandalf (who dares not even touch it) and also for others (whom it would be off-topic to mention yet) who have ambitions for power.

Aragorn is one who has ambitions to power, but also the virtues of restraint and wisdom. He knows from his own family history the corrupting nature of the ring, and rather than seek to bear it, lest it corrupt him, he instead assists by protecting its bearer in its destruction. The failure of his forefather to destroy the ring has led to the current threat, and so Aragorn's part in the fellowship is more personal than it is for the others.