In praise of Sam's Pans - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lobelia · 01-25-2004, 01:10 AM

It is definitely a case of throwing away a treasure at need - but more. If you've read such mediaeval literature as EVERYMAN, you may realise that this quest is, in effect, a journey towards death, and that you can't take anything with you, except your good deeds. They are living on nothing but the lembas by this time and need no pots or pans, but are sustained by what is probably the sacrament (I think Tolkien may have said that's what he had in mind with lembas). They don't expect to come back ... though I did like the way that, after the quest was fulfilled and Frodo was maundering on about this being the end, Sam started to hope again. (Off-topic! Sorry!)

01-25-2004, 01:10 AM	#36
Lobelia Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 150	It is definitely a case of throwing away a treasure at need - but more. If you've read such mediaeval literature as EVERYMAN, you may realise that this quest is, in effect, a journey towards death, and that you can't take anything with you, except your good deeds. They are living on nothing but the lembas by this time and need no pots or pans, but are sustained by what is probably the sacrament (I think Tolkien may have said that's what he had in mind with lembas). They don't expect to come back ... though I did like the way that, after the quest was fulfilled and Frodo was maundering on about this being the end, Sam started to hope again. (Off-topic! Sorry!)