Frodo Baggins


Character Source Material: Lord of the Rings, The (J.R.R. Tolkien)


Frodo Baggins, born to Drogo Baggins and Primula Brandybuck, was orphaned at a young age and raised by his eccentric uncle, Bilbo Baggins, in the idyllic Shire. This upbringing instilled in Frodo a love for simple pleasures and a thirst for adventure, much like his guardian. Possessing an uncommon curiosity for a hobbit, Frodo grew into a thoughtful and somewhat reserved young man, often found lost in books or daydreams of far-off lands. His quiet demeanor belied a steely resolve and an innate sense of duty that would serve him well in later years. Friends with the gardener's son, Samwise Gamgee, Frodo demonstrated a capacity for deep, loyal friendships that transcended social boundaries. Despite his comfortable life in Bag End, there lurked within Frodo a restlessness, a feeling that he was meant for something more – a premonition that would prove prophetic as events beyond the borders of the Shire began to unfold.


5 Factor Personality Summary for Frodo Baggins

Trait Percentile Trait Disposition
Neuroticism 53.27 Average
Agreeableness 93.83 High
Extraversion 7 Low
Conscientiousness 75.31 High
Openness 97.88 High
personality chart
Link to full personality profile report.



5 Factor Personality Items and Responses for Frodo Baggins

This section displays the detail item responses that were used to generate the above personality summary. The methodology for selecting the item responses for this fictional character involved using research from a generative artificial intelligence tool to summarize a descriptive response to a question related to each item. The research was reviewed and a judgement was made on the most appropriate response on that item. You can view an example script for collecting these responses (see: Script for Automated Five Factor Assessment)

Trait Item Item Response Item Score AI-Generated Research*
Openness Do not have a good imagination. Very inaccurate 5

Frodo's rich inner world, his appreciation for stories and lore, and his ability to envision both hopeful and dire futures all point to a well-developed imagination. His experience with the Ring often involves vivid imaginative experiences, such as his perception of the Ringwraiths' world when wearing the Ring. In 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' Frodo's imaginative capacity is clear in his detailed retelling of Bilbo's adventures to his fellow hobbits.

Openness Am not interested in abstract ideas. Very inaccurate 5

Frodo shows a consistent interest in abstract concepts, particularly those related to morality, fate, and the nature of good and evil. His discussions with Gandalf about the nature of pity and mercy, as well as his contemplations on the corrupting influence of power, demonstrate a deep engagement with abstract philosophical ideas. This interest is evident in his conversations throughout 'The Lord of the Rings,' particularly in his reflections on the nature of his quest.

Openness Have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. Very inaccurate 5

Frodo demonstrates a keen intellect and an ability to grasp complex, abstract concepts throughout his journey. His understanding of the Ring's nature, his ability to resist its abstract power, and his comprehension of the broader implications of his quest all indicate a strong capacity for abstract thought. In the Council of Elrond, Frodo's quick understanding of the complex political and mystical issues at play further illustrates this ability.

Openness Have a vivid imagination. Very accurate 5

Frodo's love for stories, his ability to appreciate Elven lore, and his capacity to envision both beauty and terror indicate a vivid imagination. In 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' his reaction to Galadriel's mirror demonstrates his ability to vividly imagine and interpret complex visions, showcasing the depth of his imaginative capabilities.

Neuroticism Seldom feel blue. Moderately inaccurate 4

While Frodo begins as a cheerful hobbit, the weight of his quest and the Ring's influence often lead him to experience periods of melancholy and despair. Particularly in the latter parts of 'The Two Towers' and throughout 'The Return of the King,' Frodo frequently struggles with feelings of hopelessness and sadness, especially as he nears Mount Doom.

Neuroticism Am relaxed most of the time. Neither inaccurate nor accurate 3

Frodo's natural hobbit disposition inclines him towards a relaxed state, as seen in his early life in the Shire. However, the weight of his quest and the influence of the Ring create a constant underlying tension. In 'The Return of the King,' even in moments of relative safety, such as in Ithilien, Frodo struggles to fully relax due to the burden he carries.

Neuroticism Get upset easily. Moderately inaccurate 2

Frodo demonstrates remarkable resilience and composure throughout his arduous journey. He faces numerous challenges and setbacks without easily succumbing to upset or despair. For instance, when captured by Faramir in 'The Two Towers,' Frodo remains calm and diplomatic, showing his ability to maintain composure under pressure.

Neuroticism Have frequent mood swings. Moderately inaccurate 2

While Frodo experiences emotional turmoil due to the influence of the Ring, his baseline personality is generally stable. He maintains a relatively even temperament throughout much of his journey, despite facing extreme hardships. His moments of irritability or despair are usually directly linked to the Ring's influence rather than being characteristic mood swings.

Conscientiousness Make a mess of things. Moderately inaccurate 4

Frodo generally handles situations with care and thought, rarely causing unnecessary chaos. His ability to navigate complex political situations, like his interactions with Gollum or negotiations with Faramir, show his capacity to handle delicate matters without making a mess. However, his occasional impetuousness, such as putting on the Ring at Weathertop, shows he's not infallible in this regard.

Conscientiousness Often forget to put things back in their proper place. Moderately inaccurate 4

Given Frodo's responsible nature and his upbringing in Bilbo's well-kept Bag End, it's unlikely that he would regularly misplace items. His careful handling of the Ring and other important objects throughout his journey suggests a habit of keeping things in their proper place. In 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' Frodo's careful packing and preparation for his journey indicate an organized approach to his possessions.

Conscientiousness Like order. Moderately accurate 4

Frodo's upbringing in the well-ordered Shire and his life at Bag End suggest an appreciation for order. His meticulous planning for the journey out of the Shire, as described in 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' shows his preference for organization. However, he's also adaptable to the chaos of adventure, indicating that while he likes order, he's not bound by it.

Conscientiousness Get chores done right away. Moderately accurate 4

While we don't see much of Frodo's day-to-day life in Bag End, his responsible nature suggests he would attend to his duties promptly. When tasked with leaving the Shire, Frodo efficiently makes preparations, selling Bag End and organizing his departure, showing his ability to handle important tasks in a timely manner. However, he's not portrayed as overly rigid or obsessive about immediate task completion.

Agreeableness Am not interested in other people's problems. Very inaccurate 5

Frodo's willingness to take on the burden of the Ring to save Middle-earth is the ultimate testament to his interest in others' problems. He consistently shows concern for the troubles of those around him, from the plight of the Shire to the larger conflicts of Middle-earth. His empathy extends even to potential enemies, as seen in his treatment of Gollum and his understanding of Boromir's temptation.

Agreeableness Am not really interested in others. Very inaccurate 5

Frodo shows a consistent interest in the well-being and stories of others throughout the novels. His curiosity about Elven lore, his concern for his fellow hobbits, and his genuine interest in the cultures and peoples he encounters on his journey all demonstrate a deep interest in others. For example, his fascination with Aragorn's tale and heritage shows his eagerness to learn about and understand others.

Agreeableness Feel others' emotions. Very accurate 5

Frodo demonstrates a keen ability to sense and understand the emotions of those around him. This is particularly evident in his relationship with Sam, where he often perceives Sam's worries and fears without them being explicitly stated. In 'The Return of the King,' Frodo's understanding of Sam's emotional state helps them persevere through the most challenging parts of their journey to Mount Doom.

Agreeableness Sympathize with others' feelings. Very accurate 5

Frodo consistently shows a deep capacity for empathy throughout his journey. A prime example is his sympathy towards Gollum, understanding the creature's suffering and resisting the urge to kill him despite the danger Gollum poses. This empathy is crucial in the story's resolution, as Frodo's mercy ultimately leads to the Ring's destruction.

Extraversion Keep in the background. Moderately accurate 2

Frodo often tries to avoid drawing attention to himself, especially given the nature of his quest. In 'The Two Towers,' when Sam and Frodo encounter Faramir, Frodo initially tries to keep a low profile and not reveal too much about their mission, demonstrating his tendency to stay in the background when possible.

Extraversion Don't talk a lot. Moderately accurate 2

Throughout 'The Lord of the Rings,' Frodo is often portrayed as thoughtful and reserved, preferring to listen and observe rather than dominate conversations. During the Council of Elrond, for example, Frodo speaks only when necessary, allowing others to discuss and debate before volunteering to take the Ring to Mordor.

Extraversion Talk to a lot of different people at parties. Neither inaccurate nor accurate 3

While Frodo is not explicitly shown as highly sociable at large gatherings, he does interact with various individuals when necessary. For instance, at Bilbo's farewell party, Frodo engages with guests, though he's not depicted as actively seeking out conversations with many different people. His interactions are more often shown with his close circle of friends and companions.

Extraversion Am the life of the party. Moderately inaccurate 2

Frodo is generally portrayed as reserved and introspective rather than being the life of the party. In 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' during his birthday party, Frodo is described as being somewhat uncomfortable with the attention, preferring to observe rather than be the center of attention. However, he does show moments of joy and participation, especially among close friends.

* AI-Generated Responses are text output captured from entering an item-related question for this character into a generative AI model such as Chat-GPT, Google Gemini, or Anthropic's Claude. For example, a question for the item "Like order" would be "Does <Character Name> like order?".