Samwise

"Samwise, the brave..."

Gardener at Bag End, Fellowship member, Ring-bearer, Mayor of the Shire, and my absolute favourite LOTR character.

Samwise Gamgee was a hobbit from the Shire, born on 6 April T.A. 2980. He worked as a gardener at Bag End alongside his father. There, Bilbo Baggins taught him how to read and write and introduced him to the beauty of Elvish stories, something his father wasn’t very fond of.

'Elves and Dragons! (...) Cabbages and potatoes are better for me and you. Don’t go getting mixed up in the business of your betters, or you’ll land in trouble too big for you.'

Even though Bilbo planted a seed of curiosity for the old lore in Sam, he remained deeply mistrustful of other folks, even fellow hobbits from different parts of the Shire. However, that wariness never stopped Sam from stepping up to help his dearest friend, Frodo.

"Me go and see Elves and all! Hooray!"

After Bilbo’s departure, Samwise became the “chief investigator” of the Conspiracy and helped Merry, Pippin, and Fredegar piece together Frodo’s plan to leave Bag End and destroy the One Ring.

He was caught eavesdropping by Gandalf, who punished Sam by making him join Frodo on his quest. The punishment turned out to be very ineffective, as Sam was more than excited by the possibility of seeing all the beauties Bilbo had told him about.

'I heard a deal that I didn’t rightly understand, about an enemy, and rings, and Mr. Bilbo, sir, and dragons, and a fiery mountain, and – and Elves, sir. I listened because I couldn’t help myself, if you know what I mean. Lor bless me, sir, but I do love tales of that sort. And I believe them too, whatever Ted may say. Elves, sir!'

During their journey, Sam proved again and again his loyalty and devotion to Frodo. Even when facing enemies far stronger and taller than himself, he overcame his fear for his friend's sake.

"I learned it from Mr. Bilbo when I was a lad"

One of the things I love about Sam is how much he appreciated poetry and history, despite his father’s feelings about his education.

Sam wasn’t particularly smart, yet that never meant he couldn’t value art. He recites poems...

'He was mighty book-learned was dear old Mr. Bilbo. And he wrote poetry. He wrote what I have just said.’'

And even wrote his own songs!

'Where did you come by that, Sam?’ asked Pippin. ‘I’ve never heard those words before.’
Sam muttered something inaudible. ‘It’s out of his own head, of course,’ said Frodo.