I don't have Tolkien's letters here, but didn't he himself make some reference to this? To Frodo's 'elevation'? I love your essay. I think it's spot on. Thank you! But where would you put Bilbo in this? It is, after all, his pity for Gollum that 'rules the fate of many'. Would he be considered among the wise, in your estimation? (I'm thinking not, but I'd love to hear what you think.)