[JenB]

Frodo is very depressed, I think. He's finally left the Shire and he doesn't believe he'll ever return. His friends coming along both cheered him up and worried him, because now he's responsible, in a way, for them too. Frodo doesn't lead anywhere at all in the whole first book. His journey is not primarily an outward one, but inward. He may face physical hardships but it is the spiritual battles that will most injury him. I'd like to say more but I'm in the corner anyway and don't want to get banished further. Anyway this whole spiritual battle, IMO, has already started, and he feels it.

[Overtaxed]

I'd like to say more but I'm in the corner

I think we should insist on imperial pints. :)