J.R.R. Tolkien is most famous for his novels, "The Hobbit," "The Lord of the Rings," and "The Silmarillion." In addition to being an author, Tolkien was a renowned philologist, or scholar of language. Because he has a firm understanding of language, it is important to pay attention to how he uses words and themes to structure his plot. During the Council of Elrond in "The Fellowship of the Ring," Tolkien defines a word that is vital to how the story unfolds. After Elrond suggests that the Ring must be destroyed in Mordor, the council explodes in complaints and criticisms. In this moment, Gandalf makes a comment that is integral to the plot:

"Despair, or folly?" said Gandalf. "It is not despair, for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all about. We do not. It is wisdom to recognize necessity, when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope."

Tolkien's definition of despair is a brief moment that is often overlooked. The shifts between despair and hope are critical themes, and because Tolkien was a philologist, it is important to be aware of how words dictate and illuminate on those critical themes. Despair is not merely the loss of hope, it is the loss of hope because the end is known beyond any doubt. It is important that Gandalf clarifies that the council does not and cannot see the end beyond any doubt. This is a vital definition. According to Tolkien, despair is a mistake. It is impossible for anyone to know the end devoid of doubt. In that case, hope is never gone because despair cannot exist.

Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, fell victim to this false despair. He possessed one of the seven palantíri, seeing stones that would allow their keeper to see things happening far away. Sauron also had a palantír, and he was able to control what Denethor saw. Sauron showed him his vast marshaled army, and it is very probable that Sauron also showed Frodo's capture in Cirith Ungol. Denethor knew Frodo was carrying the Ring to Mount Doom and from that point he probably thought that Sauron had the Ring. This misunderstanding led Denethor to kill himself and try to kill his son, Faramir, to escape the onslaught of their enemy. He thought he knew everything that was to come.

Frodo and Sam both thought they would die soon after the Ring was destroyed. This knowledge didn't push them into rash decision fueled by fear. They accepted it with melancholic peace. They didn't know that Gandalf was coming with the eagles.

That hinge between despair and hope is something Tolkien called "eucatastrophe." Eucatastrophe is the antithesis of a catastrophe. Catastrophes are sudden changes that cause disaster and suffering; eucatastrophes are the sudden shifts from bad to good, often unforeseen. Because the end is unknown, eucatastrophes always hang in the air. It is possible for things to drastically shift from bad to good. It certainly happened in Tolkien's world, and it is also applicable to reality. Despair is a mistake. Life could suddenly change into something far better and joyful.