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Sam Gamgee

The loyal Sam consistently serves as a foil to all of the grandeur and earthshaking events that take place in The Lord of the Rings. Some readers may find Sam’s folksy wisdom and extreme devotion to Frodo somewhat cloying, but these traits do allow Tolkien to keep a little bit of the flavor of the Shire with the Fellowship as it moves toward the dark land of Mordor. Sam is much more the typical Hobbit than Frodo, though Sam, too, displays a great curiosity about the world beyond the Shire, especially Elves. Sam is shy and somewhat awkward socially, but he is ferocious in a fight and clever and quick on his feet. His speech consistently has a modest, awestruck tone. Tolkien, for instance, speaks through Sam when he wishes to capture the particular grace of the Elves simply and directly. Sam also serves as a foil for Frodo’s melancholy and fatalism. When Frodo becomes increasingly preoccupied with the great burden of the Ring, he comes to rely more and more on Sam for help. Indeed, throughout even the lowest and most hopeless points of the journey, Sam remains relentlessly pragmatic and optimistic. If it is Frodo’s duty to “carry” the Ring, it is often Sam’s duty to carry Frodo.

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The nines

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Gollum does not receive many compliments in the text. Characters variously describe himas "wretched," a "vile creature," a liar, a thief, and a murderer — all of which are quite true.Corrupt and vindictive, he cheats, steals, lies, sneaks, and betrays. Sam finds him asingularly unpleasant travel companion, and readers agree. Even without the danger ofbeing strangled in one's sleep, Gollum's constant sniveling, groveling, hissing, and talkingto himself would grate on anyone's nerves.Yet Gollum is not a simple villain. The Ring has corrupted him, but his tragedy is that he isnot beyond hope — a spark of goodness survives, crippled by his gnawing obsession withthe Ring. Frodo reaches this spark, reminding Gollum of his life as Sméagol. Readers seethe proof of this on the stairs of Cirith Ungol, as Gollum reaches out to Frodo: "an oldweary hobbit, shrunken by the years that had carried him far beyond his time, beyondfriends and kin, and the fields and streams of youth, an old starved pitiable thing." Threetimes his life is spared by the pity of those who could kill him, each time after Gollum hasattempted murder. While their actions reflect well on those who spare him, they also reflectthe truth that Gollum deserves such pity.

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The Shire knows Gandalf the Grey as a funny old man who puts on fantastic fireworksdisplays. Frodo knows him as a friend and a mentor, full of wisdom and humor. Théodenand Denethor both accuse him of meddling, of manipulating the lives of men and affairs ofstate. They are all right. He begins the quest by identifying the Ring and is the first to saythat it must be destroyed. He guides the Fellowship until his fall in Moria — and when hedefeats the Balrog and returns, he continues to guide events. It is Gandalf who rousesThéoden from his stupor and Gandalf who brings the Ents and reinforcements to Helm'sDeep just in time to win the battle. Gandalf confronts the Nazgûl and leads the defense ofMinas Tirith. He rescues Frodo and Sam from the slopes of Mount Doom, and he leadsAragorn to the sapling of the White Tree.How does he do this? Gandalf is a wizard, probably the most powerful individual in Middleearthother than Sauron himself, but what exactly does that mean? Gandalf and Saruman,the two wizards described in detail, are not just men who study magic and spells. Theyseem to share the immortality of the elves, and they do not age or change. After the Ringis destroyed, Gandalf says simply, "My time is over: it is no longer my task to set things torights, nor to help other folk to do so." Wizards are not human; they are spirits in humanform, who exist on earth to accomplish a specific purpose and leave when they are done.To learn more about the wizards, their powers and their origins, readthe Silmarillion, Tolkien's account of the creation of his world.

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When Frodo begins his journey, he does not consider himself particularly heroic, but thejob must be done and he is the only person available. Many times along the way,especially before he and Sam separate from the rest of the Fellowship, either he or one ofthe powerful individuals he encounters comment on his obvious lack of qualifications. He isnot wise like Elrond; he is not valiant like Aragorn; his not powerful like Gandalf. In fact, helacks all the usual features of heroism. He is only a hobbit, gifted with such pedestrianvirtues as common sense, a good heart, and the determination to do his best.The first challenges to confront Frodo dramatize his inexperience. He is indecisive,delaying his departure from the Shire as long as possible even though he knows the taskis urgent. He opts to risk the dangers of the Old Forest, nearly getting himself and hisfriends killed — twice. He behaves foolishly in Bree, drawing unnecessary attention tohimself. And he gives in to the temptation to put on the Ring at Weathertop, makinghimself vulnerable to the Ringwraiths' attack.Nevertheless, Frodo survives both the obvious dangers and his own mistakes. The novelattributes his success to two main factors. First, as Gandalf is fond of pointing out, hobbitsare tougher than they look, and simple toughness — the ability to endure hardship andmove past it — goes a long way in this struggle. Second, Frodo does not want and neversought the power of the Ring, meaning that he continues to resist its lure. Although helapses momentarily at Weathertop, he reiterates his commitment to resist at the Ford ofBruinen. Heroism does not require perfection, only the aspiration to do good.As the journey progresses, Frodo develops as a hero not by acquiring new wisdom,strength, or power, but by trusting his own virtues: the common sense, goodness, anddetermination that motivated him from the beginning. Spurred by Boromir's actions, Frodorealizes that the Ring will destroy everyone around him. His common sense tells him thathe will have to rely on himself to complete the task, and his heart tells him not to endangerthe others — physically or spiritually — by bringing them along. And as the exhaustingjourney continues, only his determination to see it through allows him to continue,struggling step by step along the difficult path.Befriending Gollum is a crucial point in Frodo's personal journey as well as his physicalone. When he first hears of Gollum, Frodo's initial reaction is one of disgust and anger. Ifonly Bilbo had killed the creature, none of this terrible journey would be necessary; Sauronwould not have learned of the Ring and Frodo could have remained safe in his hobbit-hole.He does not believe Gandalf when the wizard says that Gollum is pitiable, but he finds thisto be the case when they at last meet. Gollum's service as a guide proves invaluable, evenconsidering tricking them into Shelob's lair, but that is only one part of the service he doesfor Frodo. For the Ringbearer, Gollum serves as both an object-lesson (here is what theRing will do to its bearer) and a glimmer of hope (if Gollum can be saved, perhaps Frodohimself will not be destroyed by the quest). Although Frodo does not see it, Gollum'smoment of hesitation on the steps of Cirith Ungol shows that Frodo's hope has not beenmisplaced.Frodo's quest succeeds through the fortunate intervention of Gollum and his life is savedby the eagles, but like many who leave to fight for their homes, Frodo suffers physical andspiritual wounds that cannot heal. While we would like to believe that heroes can comehome, sometimes the struggle is too painful. Frodo's departure from Middle-earth acknowledges and rewards his sacrifice, freeing him from the pain of lingering in a worldthat he can no longer enjoy.

# data[].attributes.subject
When Frodo begins his journey, he does not consider himself particularly heroic, but thejob must be done and he is the only person available. Many times along the way,especially before he and Sam separate from the rest of the Fellowship, either he or one ofthe powerful individuals he encounters comment on his obvious lack of qualifications. He isnot wise like Elrond; he is not valiant like Aragorn; his not powerful like Gandalf. In fact, helacks all the usual features of heroism. He is only a hobbit, gifted with such pedestrianvirtues as common sense, a good heart, and the determination to do his best.The first challenges to confront Frodo dramatize his inexperience. He is indecisive,delaying his departure from the Shire as long as possible even though he knows the taskis urgent. He opts to risk the dangers of the Old Forest, nearly getting himself and hisfriends killed — twice. He behaves foolishly in Bree, drawing unnecessary attention tohimself. And he gives in to the temptation to put on the Ring at Weathertop, makinghimself vulnerable to the Ringwraiths' attack.Nevertheless, Frodo survives both the obvious dangers and his own mistakes. The novelattributes his success to two main factors. First, as Gandalf is fond of pointing out, hobbitsare tougher than they look, and simple toughness — the ability to endure hardship andmove past it — goes a long way in this struggle. Second, Frodo does not want and neversought the power of the Ring, meaning that he continues to resist its lure. Although helapses momentarily at Weathertop, he reiterates his commitment to resist at the Ford ofBruinen. Heroism does not require perfection, only the aspiration to do good.As the journey progresses, Frodo develops as a hero not by acquiring new wisdom,strength, or power, but by trusting his own virtues: the common sense, goodness, anddetermination that motivated him from the beginning. Spurred by Boromir's actions, Frodorealizes that the Ring will destroy everyone around him. His common sense tells him thathe will have to rely on himself to complete the task, and his heart tells him not to endangerthe others — physically or spiritually — by bringing them along. And as the exhaustingjourney continues, only his determination to see it through allows him to continue,struggling step by step along the difficult path.Befriending Gollum is a crucial point in Frodo's personal journey as well as his physicalone. When he first hears of Gollum, Frodo's initial reaction is one of disgust and anger. Ifonly Bilbo had killed the creature, none of this terrible journey would be necessary; Sauronwould not have learned of the Ring and Frodo could have remained safe in his hobbit-hole.He does not believe Gandalf when the wizard says that Gollum is pitiable, but he finds thisto be the case when they at last meet. Gollum's service as a guide proves invaluable, evenconsidering tricking them into Shelob's lair, but that is only one part of the service he doesfor Frodo. For the Ringbearer, Gollum serves as both an object-lesson (here is what theRing will do to its bearer) and a glimmer of hope (if Gollum can be saved, perhaps Frodohimself will not be destroyed by the quest). Although Frodo does not see it, Gollum'smoment of hesitation on the steps of Cirith Ungol shows that Frodo's hope has not beenmisplaced.Frodo's quest succeeds through the fortunate intervention of Gollum and his life is savedby the eagles, but like many who leave to fight for their homes, Frodo suffers physical andspiritual wounds that cannot heal. While we would like to believe that heroes can comehome, sometimes the struggle is too painful. Frodo's departure from Middle-earth acknowledges and rewards his sacrifice, freeing him from the pain of lingering in a worldthat he can no longer enjoy.

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Aragorn is the hero of song and legend. He does not need to grow into or accept his role;he is born to it. He inherits the mantle of power and wisdom from his distinguishedancestors, along with the right to the throne of Gondor. The tests he endures, includingliving alone in the wilderness, confronting Sauron, and treading the Paths of the Dead,prove his worthiness for the role more than they teach him about it. Nevertheless, Aragorndoes have a more human and accessible side. His introduction to the hobbits in Breeexemplifies this: One moment he projects an air of menace without even drawing hissword, the next he smiles and shows them the broken blade. He is also a hero withdoubts: His destiny calls him to Minas Tirith and the battle against Sauron, but hisresponsibility to Frodo could draw him away from where he is most needed. Aragorn's epicpresence provides a foil that complements Frodo's heroic everyman; it is the everyman,however, who makes the decision for him, and Frodo alone who can complete the quest

# data[].attributes.subject
Aragorn is the hero of song and legend. He does not need to grow into or accept his role;he is born to it. He inherits the mantle of power and wisdom from his distinguishedancestors, along with the right to the throne of Gondor. The tests he endures, includingliving alone in the wilderness, confronting Sauron, and treading the Paths of the Dead,prove his worthiness for the role more than they teach him about it. Nevertheless, Aragorndoes have a more human and accessible side. His introduction to the hobbits in Breeexemplifies this: One moment he projects an air of menace without even drawing hissword, the next he smiles and shows them the broken blade. He is also a hero withdoubts: His destiny calls him to Minas Tirith and the battle against Sauron, but hisresponsibility to Frodo could draw him away from where he is most needed. Aragorn's epicpresence provides a foil that complements Frodo's heroic everyman; it is the everyman,however, who makes the decision for him, and Frodo alone who can complete the quest