Favorite ring bearer - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mormegil · 06-26-2006, 10:47 PM

Sam or Sauron.

I do think it would be interesting to see what Sauron would have done had he obtained his ring and see the full extent of his power in the T.A. But that would be a 'What if" thread now wouldn't it?

07-10-2006, 01:01 AM

I for one think Sam as that best Ring Bearer. When Frodo was wounded by Shelob, Sam took The Ring to finesh the quest that he and his master started long ago, he took The Ring to destroy it in the fires of Orodruin, not to keep for himself like Smeagol or Bilbo. He took The Ring and left his master who he thought to be dead because The Ring had to be destoryed.

Brinniel · 07-10-2006, 01:35 AM

I must agree with Melko Hunter. Sam has always been my favorite ringbearer because he did not take it for selfish reasons but simply to finish the task Frodo had set out for. To this day, I still believe Sam would've been the only one of the ringbearers who would've been able to destroy the Ring on his own. Perhaps it was because of his less time with the Ring that left him less affected, but I think his love for Frodo and determination to finish what his friend had started would've kept him going. Sam may be portrayed as the not-so-smart sidekick, but mentally, he is stronger than any other character. After all, it was because of him Frodo made it to Mount Doom in the first place.

Anguirel · 07-10-2006, 03:22 AM

Let me say, incidentally, it's a foregone conclusion that the majority will pick Sam because he was so unselfish and nice and loyal, disregarding the fact that he had to put up with the Ring for a thousandth of the time of the others. Given five hundred years, I'd say it's a fairly safe bet that Sam would be little better off than Gollum. His meaner, Hobbitish conventions and narrowness would give the Ring plenty of material. So, ahem, he's my least favourite, because he's a blinking glory hogger.

Tempted though I am to pick Bilbo (The Original Hobbit Burglar, and a far wittier character than his successors) or Isildur (a much-maligned tragic character: why was he left out of the very question of this thread?), the real answer has to be Frodo. His insight, humanity, courage and determination made him achieve everything that could have been achieved. His failure was no failure, as his task was an impossible one. Yet (like Gawain) he reproached himself bitterly for it. He shows an excess of moral stamina and heroism which are too often done down by Sam-cuddlers-ironic as Sam himself would presumably have been horrified at the idea of stealing his master's credit.

So, Frodo it is. Frodo lives.

MatthewM · 07-11-2006, 09:51 PM

DEAGOL!

No really...either Frodo or Sam. Can't really decide. Frodo is the one who took the quest upon himself, but he wouldn't have completed it if not for Sam. Both are great characters, so I can't choose.

07-12-2006, 06:09 AM

I'd have to go with Bilbo. Not because he was good at the 'job' of Ringbearer, but because of the romance that (for him) went along with the Ring: he would always associate the Ring with the great adventure of his life, the Mountains and the great Forest and the Dragon. It is unfortunate that the world became more hollow for him after he gave up the Ring, but with it he was a confident trickster, a joy to his nephews, and a bit of a mystery even to Gandalf.

06-26-2006, 10:47 PM	#1
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,651	Sam or Sauron. I do think it would be interesting to see what Sauron would have done had he obtained his ring and see the full extent of his power in the T.A. But that would be a 'What if" thread now wouldn't it? __________________ “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

07-10-2006, 01:35 AM	#3
Brinniel Reflection of Darkness Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Polishing the stars. Well, somebody has to do it; they're looking a little bit dull. Posts: 2,983	I must agree with Melko Hunter. Sam has always been my favorite ringbearer because he did not take it for selfish reasons but simply to finish the task Frodo had set out for. To this day, I still believe Sam would've been the only one of the ringbearers who would've been able to destroy the Ring on his own. Perhaps it was because of his less time with the Ring that left him less affected, but I think his love for Frodo and determination to finish what his friend had started would've kept him going. Sam may be portrayed as the not-so-smart sidekick, but mentally, he is stronger than any other character. After all, it was because of him Frodo made it to Mount Doom in the first place. __________________ Nolite te bastardes carborundorum

07-10-2006, 03:22 AM	#4
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	Let me say, incidentally, it's a foregone conclusion that the majority will pick Sam because he was so unselfish and nice and loyal, disregarding the fact that he had to put up with the Ring for a thousandth of the time of the others. Given five hundred years, I'd say it's a fairly safe bet that Sam would be little better off than Gollum. His meaner, Hobbitish conventions and narrowness would give the Ring plenty of material. So, ahem, he's my least favourite, because he's a blinking glory hogger. Tempted though I am to pick Bilbo (The Original Hobbit Burglar, and a far wittier character than his successors) or Isildur (a much-maligned tragic character: why was he left out of the very question of this thread?), the real answer has to be Frodo. His insight, humanity, courage and determination made him achieve everything that could have been achieved. His failure was no failure, as his task was an impossible one. Yet (like Gawain) he reproached himself bitterly for it. He shows an excess of moral stamina and heroism which are too often done down by Sam-cuddlers-ironic as Sam himself would presumably have been horrified at the idea of stealing his master's credit. So, Frodo it is. Frodo lives. __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

07-11-2006, 09:51 PM	#5
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	DEAGOL! No really...either Frodo or Sam. Can't really decide. Frodo is the one who took the quest upon himself, but he wouldn't have completed it if not for Sam. Both are great characters, so I can't choose. __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

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07-10-2006, 01:01 AM	#2
Melko Hunter Guest Posts: n/a	I for one think Sam as that best Ring Bearer. When Frodo was wounded by Shelob, Sam took The Ring to finesh the quest that he and his master started long ago, he took The Ring to destroy it in the fires of Orodruin, not to keep for himself like Smeagol or Bilbo. He took The Ring and left his master who he thought to be dead because The Ring had to be destoryed.

07-12-2006, 06:09 AM	#6
Roon Dorozhand Guest Posts: n/a	I'd have to go with Bilbo. Not because he was good at the 'job' of Ringbearer, but because of the romance that (for him) went along with the Ring: he would always associate the Ring with the great adventure of his life, the Mountains and the great Forest and the Dragon. It is unfortunate that the world became more hollow for him after he gave up the Ring, but with it he was a confident trickster, a joy to his nephews, and a bit of a mystery even to Gandalf.