Criticism of Tolkien's writings

[Voronwë the Faithful]

That's a fun read.

[Túrin Turambar]

It is an interesting question that hasn't been discussed much - what was Gandalf's plan? He reacts with distress to the news that Gollum has taken the hobbits up Cirith Ungol, he must have known the Black Gate was impassable, and I can't see how he would have taken the Morgul Pass either. How did he intend to get the Fellowship into Mordor?

[Voronwë the Faithful]

I think Gandalf's plan was to play it by ear, and trust that Eru would find a way.

[Alatar]

Bit of a crap plan really.

[Frelga]

IAWA
Although I think it more likely that he started out with the knowledge that no plan survives contact with the enemy and that he had with him four experienced campaigners. He more likely planned to reach Lórien, gather intel and consult with Galadriel before deciding how to proceed.

Also, to LM's point, perhaps Cirith Ungol was an option. With Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli (assuming Boromir survived but took off for Minas Tirith), Gandalf could reasonably hope to at least distract Shelob enough to get the hobbits through.

[Jude]

On the other hand, after rejoining them, he was pleased to hear that Sam had joined Frodo, and then was dismayed to hear about Cirith Ungol. Which implies that there was an alternate route that he was hoping they would take.

[Frelga]

Maybe he thought hobbit stealth would allow Frodo to sneak through the Gate?

[Alatar]

Or continue East past the Morannon and come in via Nurn while everyone else was going out the front gate?

[yovargas]

So nobody buys the explanation I posted?

[Jude]

Oh, it's possible - we're just speculating about his Plan B.