Notes on Celibate Living in LOTR

This is not a fully-formed idea, so beware! Rather, I am continuing my notes on marriage in Middle-earth. It seems to me that the characters who do not marry are more conspicuous for not marrying, since marriage very much seems to be the default--even if some resist marriage, like Aldarion of Númenor in The Unfinished Tales.  The "Prologue: Concerning Hobbits" announces this lifestyle choice as conspicuous, at least among Hobbits, with reference to Bilbo and Frodo:

The houses and the holes of Shire-hobbits were often large, and inhabited by large families. (Bilbo and Frodo Baggins were as bachelors very exceptional, as they were also in many other ways, such as their friendship with the Elves.)

What do we learn from Frodo and Bilbo about marriage?  The first thing that comes to mind is the importance of family.  While there is no implied condemnation of a celibate life--and Frodo, in particular, has good reason to remain unmarried--what is missing for both of them is a family.  Children.  Heirs.  So much so that Frodo "adopts" Sam's family (not really), inviting them to live with him.  Sam cares for Frodo, and Frodo has the companionship of Sam's family.  Bilbo, having no children, has to adopt Frodo (really, in this case), making Frodo his heir.  Frodo is a Baggins--Bilbo's first and second cousin, once removed in either case as we learn--and so family.  He also gets along well with Bilbo, as the two seem to be of a similar temperament. And the fact that Bilbo is unmarried works well for them both--otherwise, Frodo, orphaned, lives in Buckland, where he has friends his own age, but where he seems to lack a mentor-figure.

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