LOTR: What Are The Four Worlds At Each End Of The Crossroads & What Do They Represent?
As Sam and Frodo approach the edges of Mordor, Gollum leads them to an unknown place in the lands called the Crossroads. This is significant symbolism within Tolkien’s writings, because the characters are not only at a crossroads in their physical journey, but also in hearts and minds.
This is the last point in the quest where they have the option to turn back, to give up the One Ring to the detriment of all, and to forget that they ever had a part to play. Beyond the Crossroads, there is no turning back. The interesting thing about the Crossroads though, is that the four different pathways lead in four very different directions, each of which would have a very different outcome of the allies in the War of the Ring.
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The first path, the path directly behind them as they reach the middle point in the road, leads to Morranon. This is the direction that they have come from, and symbolizes the past. Morannon is where the Black Gates of Mordor lie, where Frodo and Sam had their chance to enter, but turned aside, choosing instead to trust in Gollum that he can lead them another way. Morannon is the southern road, and is symbolic of all that has happened in the quest so far, of their dark voyage through the Mines of Moria, of their long crossing of the Dead Marshes, and of their close encounters of the enemy along the way.
Away to the right, the pathway would take them to Osgiliath. This pathway symbolizes false hope. For Osgiliath is currently under siege, and as much as it would seemingly ease the burden of the ring bearer to take the ring to this once mighty city, and place it in the hands of stronger, more valiant men, the men would be too easily
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