More questions: :)
1. In the beginning what was Sauron's true form?
2. In the book, did Frodo really decide to keep the ring instead of throwing it into the lava?
3. When Sam hesitates to give the ring back, is it because he is tempted, or is he concerned about Frodo's state?
4. Should I read the "Simillarion" (spelling?) before the LOTR?
5. Who sends Gandalf back and why has his form changed?
YOu guys are so smart, thanks for answering!!!!
1. Some sort of spirit-y thing.
2. Yeah, but it was done better
3. He's tempted through his concern for Frodo. The Ring turns good to bad...
4. No, read, "The Hobbit" and then LotR and then Silmarillion.
5. There's a lot of debate. Let's say "God" and leave it at that. Form has changed because he has been reborn.
Yes, but it didn't go exactly like it did in the film. I think I'll leave it at that so it's not spoilt when you read it.
4. Should I read the "Simillarion" (spelling?) before the LOTR?
Definately ~NOT~. Silmarillion is hard to read. You can start either with the Hobbit, which is a more childlike, very fast read, or jump into LoTR. Many who love LoTR still can't get through Silmarillion. I use is as a resource to look up things, but have never read it through.
I do not exactly know (see my answer to question 4), but there is quite a bit of information at Encyclopedia of Arda: Sauron
2. In the book, did Frodo really decide to keep the ring instead of throwing it into the lava?
Absolutely.
Then Frodo stirred and spoke with a clear voice, indeed with a voice clearer and more powerful than Sam had ever heard him use, and it rose above the throb and turmoil of Mount Doom, ringing in the roof and walls.
'I have come,' he said. 'But I do not choose now to do what I came to do. I will not do this deed. The Ring is mine!' And suddenly, as he set it on his finger, he vanished from Sam's sight.
The Lord of the Rings, Book 6, Chapter 3 "Mount Doom"
3. When Sam hesitates to give the ring back, is it because he is tempted, or is he concerned about Frodo's state?
Both, I think. After Sam takes the ring from Frodo, he endures his own temptation by the ring:
He felt that he had from now on only two choices: to forbear the Ring, though it would torment him; or to claim it, and challenge the Power that sat in its dark hold beyond the valley of shadows. Already the Ring tempted him, gnawing at his will and reason. Wild fantasies arose in his mind; and he saw Samwise the Strong, Hero of the Age, striding with a flaming sword across the darkened land, and armies flocking to his call as he marched to the overthrow of Barad-dûr. And then all the clouds rolled away, and the white sun shone, and at his command the vale of Gorgoroth became a garden of flowers and trees and brought forth fruit. He had only to put on the Ring and claim it for his own, and all this could be.
The Lord of the Rings Book 6, Chapter 1 "The Tower of Cirith Ungol"
And later, as he prepares to give the ring back to Frodo, Tolkien writes "Now it had come to it, Sam felt reluctant to give up the Ring and burden his master with it again."
I think these two episodes are combined in the movie.
4. Should I read the "Simillarion" (spelling?) before the LOTR?
No. I've read LOTR at least a half-dozen times, but have yet to make it through Silmarillion.
5. Who sends Gandalf back and why has his form changed?
The Valar (the gods of Middle-Earth) and/or Illuvatar (the creator) sent him back to finish his task of opposing Sauron. He replaced Saruman in the order of wizards and takes over his 'white' designation.
[Gandalf] laid his hand on Gimli's head, and the Dwarf looked up and laughed suddenly. 'Gandalf!' he said. 'But you are all in white!''Yes, I am white now,' said Gandalf. 'Indeed I am Saruman, one might almost say, Saruman as he should have been.'
The Lord of the Rings Book 3, Chapter 5 "The White Rider"