Favorite ring bearer - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

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.

07-10-2006, 03:22 AM	#1
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	#2
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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07-12-2006, 06:09 AM	#3
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.