Sam's Reluctance: Ring-Bearing Blues

Samwise Gamgee, or Sam, is a beloved character in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. He is Frodo Baggins' loyal friend and gardener, and his bravery and purity of heart make him a fan favourite. Sam's role in the quest to destroy the Ring is so crucial that many wonder what would have happened if he had been the Ring Bearer instead of Frodo.

Sam is a simple hobbit with a strong desire for the simple things in life. He goes on the quest with Frodo, not for any personal gain, but out of the goodness of his heart. He knows the road will be dangerous, long, and dark, but he still won't turn back. Sam's bravery and loyalty to Frodo are so strong that he even carries the Ring for a short time when he believes Frodo to be dead.

However, Sam's character at the time of the Council of Elrond may not have allowed him to volunteer to take the Ring. He might have killed Gollum, and he likely would not have been able to bind Gollum's doom to the Ring, which ultimately leads to the Ring's destruction. Sam also lacks the necessary strength of will and foresight to be the Ring Bearer.

Despite these potential drawbacks, some argue that Sam's strong will and devotion to Frodo could have made him a successful Ring Bearer. He is able to resist the Ring's temptations, at least briefly, and he returns it to Frodo without hesitation. Overall, while Sam's character has some qualities that may not be ideal for a Ring Bearer, his bravery, loyalty, and resistance to the Ring's power make him a compelling alternative choice.

Sam's loyalty to Frodo would have been tested

Sam's loyalty to Frodo is further highlighted by his actions after he believes Frodo to be dead. Sam takes the Ring from Frodo's body and vows to finish the quest himself. This decision is out of character for Sam, who would never abandon his master. It is significant that Sam is tempted by the Ring to abandon Frodo, as it shows that the Ring is trying to break the strong bond between them. Sam's internal debate is similar to Frodo's internal battles when he is tempted by the Ring. Sam is torn between pursuing Gollum, following Frodo into death, and taking the Ring to finish the quest himself. Ultimately, Sam's loyalty to Frodo wins out, and he decides to take the Ring and complete the quest. This decision is not without hesitation, as Sam knows that taking the Ring is a betrayal of his master.

Sam's loyalty to Frodo is also tested when he briefly contemplates keeping the Ring before handing it back to Frodo in The Return of the King. In the book, he gives it up quickly and readily, but in the movie, he hesitates for a moment. This hesitation shows that the Ring is trying to break the strong bond between Sam and Frodo. Despite the Ring's power, Sam's loyalty to Frodo remains strong, and he ultimately returns the Ring to its rightful owner.

Sam's loyalty to Frodo is further tested when he is offered the chance to sail to the Undying Lands. This offer is typically only given to Ring-bearers, as a way to heal them from the poison of the Ring. The fact that Sam is offered this opportunity suggests that he was affected by the Ring's power and needed healing. Sam's loyalty to Frodo is so strong that he is willing to leave Middle-earth and his beloved hobbit-holes to be with Frodo in the Undying Lands.

Overall, Sam's loyalty to Frodo would have been tested if he had been the Ring-Bearer. His strong character and love for Frodo would have been a constant source of conflict with the Ring's power. Despite the challenges, Sam's loyalty to Frodo remained unwavering, and he ultimately proved himself to be a true hero.

Sam would have killed Gollum

Sam's loyalty to Frodo is a defining characteristic of his, and it is this loyalty that would have prevented him from being the ring-bearer. Sam would have killed Gollum, and in doing so, he would have prevented Gollum's redemption.

Sam's loyalty to Frodo is so strong that he would have killed Gollum to protect him, despite Frodo's attempts to redeem Gollum. This is because Sam is unable to control or direct his willpower, and his actions almost ruin the plan to destroy the ring.

In the book, there is a moment where Gollum is caressing Frodo's leg, and he appears to be redeemed. However, Sam wakes up and accuses him of "sneaking", ruining Gollum's near-redemption. This exchange was one of the most tragic parts of the story, according to Tolkien.

Sam's inability to see Gollum's redemption would have resulted in the quest's failure. Gollum's redemption and sacrifice are what ultimately lead to the ring's destruction.

Sam lacked Frodo's maturity

Samwise Gamgee, or Sam, is the gardener and servant of Frodo Baggins. Sam is physically and emotionally strong, and his bravery is said to outmatch the other hobbits, except for Frodo at times. Sam is Frodo's steadfast companion and servant, often supporting Frodo through difficult parts of their journey and carrying him when he is too weak to go on.

Frodo, on the other hand, has the maturity to put everything else behind him and is willing to take on the burden of the Ring. He is also more intelligent than Sam, and the Ring likes a challenge. Sam, on the other hand, is not intelligent enough for the Ring, and it is not tempted to turn him. Sam's simple mind is the strongest intelligence required to defeat Sauron, and his plain hobbit-sense knows that he is not large enough to bear the burden of the Ring.

Sam's relationship with Frodo is also compared to that of a parent and child, with Frodo as the adult and Sam as the child. Sam's love for Frodo is so great that he struggles to give the Ring back to him, even though he knows he must. Sam's temptation by the Ring is brief, and he is able to resist it. He is tempted with a vision of turning Mordor into a garden, which plays on his love of nature, but he consciously rejects this temptation.

Sam's quest is described as a psychological journey of love for Frodo, whereas Frodo's is one of transcendence. Sam's loyalty and courage exemplify the kind of spirit that Tolkien praised in his essays on the Old English poem "The Battle of Maldon". Sam's rejection of the Ring is also a rejection of power and a desire for renown.

Sam's simple desires may have made him resistant to the Ring

Sam's simple desires may have contributed to his resistance to the One Ring. Sam is a simple hobbit with simple desires, such as a quiet life, a house, a garden, a wife and children. He has no desire for power, which made it hard for the Ring to corrupt him by offering something he did not want.

Sam's devotion to Frodo also played a role in his resistance to the Ring. His love for Frodo was too great for the Ring to corrupt, and it was his love for Frodo that helped him resist the temptation of the Ring. When Sam was briefly tempted by the Ring, it was his "plain hobbit-sense" that helped him realise he was not large enough to bear its burden.

Additionally, Sam only carried the Ring for a short time, and Hobbits are naturally more resistant to the Ring's influence.

Sam's lack of desire for power may have helped him resist the Ring

Sam's internal debate after Frodo's presumed death at the hands of Shelob is often cited as evidence of the Ring's influence over him. Faced with the choice of pursuing Gollum, following Frodo into death, or taking the Ring and finishing the Quest himself, Sam decides to take the Ring. This decision is out of character for Sam, who would never usually defy or usurp Frodo. However, Sam's internal conflict can also be seen as a struggle between his loyalty to Frodo and his desire to finish the Quest.

Sam's simple and grounded nature may have contributed to his resistance to the Ring. As a hobbit, Sam is naturally more resistant to the Ring's influence than other races. Additionally, Sam only carried the Ring for a short time; the longer one possesses the Ring, the more addicted they become.

Sam's lack of desire for power is evident in his willingness to give the Ring back to Frodo when they are reunited. Sam briefly struggles with handing over the Ring, but only because he is reluctant to burden his master with it again. This suggests that Sam's primary motivation is his love and devotion to Frodo, rather than any desire for personal gain or power.

Overall, while the Ring may have had some influence over Sam, his lack of ambition and desire for power may have ultimately helped him resist its corrupting influence.

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