But I Can Carry You! - The Selfless Masculinity of Samwise Gamgee

Well, this is it. This is my magnum opus. This is the reason this entire channel exists. Maybe I'll shut it all down after this one.
I mean, probably not.
It was only a matter of time before I produced a video about Samwise Gamgee. You know I had to. He is arguably the greatest character in all of fiction and one of the best examples of masculinity. And not only that, his example is actually quite relatable and far closer to attainable than are the examples of Iroh, Aragorn, Theoden, Luke Skywalker, and the like. Sam isn't a hero because he was born to be a king and accepted his birthright with humility and grace. He isn't a hero because he was chosen to overcome impossible odds and stare down evil. He is a hero because he loves and serves to the fullest extent possible. We can do that, too.
#lotr
#masculinity

[@josiahharrison9843]

Lol with the name of this channel, this video is the epitome of the Obama giving Obama a medal meme.

[@Eilonwy95]

Lol!

[@master_samwise]

LMAO

[@redvibez]

Or when Obama said, "Thanks, Obama."

[@jamesskinnercouk]

A medal well deserved non the less.

[@TheSunsRay]

Master Sam wise, Thank you.

[@Mabra51]

*"I can't carry it for you. But i can carry you !"* That line never fails to bring a tear to my eyes whenever i rewatch the movies.

[@master_samwise]

It really never fails. Doesn't hurt that the score is just incredible.

[@Eilonwy95]

So many moments in that movie bring tears to my eyes.

[@flappyturtlesnatch]

"My friends, you bow to no one." That line gets me. Every. Single. Time.

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

@@master_samwise Howard Shore is fantastic. I wish he composed opera, too. Almost all the great composers today write for film and games, and the ones who write opera are, well... mostly meh. The last truly great opera composer was probably Britten.

[@upliftmofo]

I‘m crying everytime. The shire music and talk, then frodos sad answer, sams eagerness, the score, the visuals. This is such an incredible scene

[@Jamoni1]

"It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war." Sam Gamgee: "Hold my beer."

[@alaia-awakened]

@Jamoni1 underrated😂

[@mobbs6426]

A warrior in a garden will soon starve as he doesn't know how to tend it. This is a short-sighted expression. If the warrior can learn to garden, the gardener can become a great warrior.

[@Jamoni1]

@@mobbs6426 don't over think it, bro. It's just a joke about a hobbit.

[@machomandalf2893]

Bro pulls out the legendary weapon Boink, Iron Pan and gets to work

[@ryanparker4996]

​@@mobbs6426what makes you think the warrior cant twnd his own garden? The point is to be ready to defend what you love. Thats what that quote means.

[@ellysetaylor5908]

“Masculinity and femininity are not divided by what virtues they have, but rather how they express those virtues.” Well said

[@katieculp778]

I just paused the video so I could write down that quote! I wish more people understood this about gender roles.

[@piotr78]

​@@Weyland_PunaniI think it's the opposite of meaningless. Everyone already knows this to be true, people just choose to act like it isn't

[@piotr78]

@@Weyland_Punani just noticed you name btw. Dig it😆

[@zilaneeso7747]

@@Weyland_Punani I wonder if you're able to apply this same principle to your own thoughts

[@lilben4184]

Wrong. Good men are dominant, good women are submissive. Dominance and submission are different virtues. This isn't complicated unless you're a lib who thinks that men and women are interchangeable cogs.

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

I really love the scene where the Ring tries to tempt Sam and Sam briefly considers it, then goes "nah, my own garden is enough for me".

[@master_samwise]

It's absolutely one of my favorite scenes in the whole book.

[@jasonmaclean719]

There's nothing wrong with being simple.

[@anon_laughing_man]

@jasonmaclean719 There is everything right with being simple.

[@Iveraghboy]

@@jasonmaclean719 So true Sam the Gardner. And the ring, well that could well be the aspirations of many people today in their search at all costs for material wealth & influence.

[@brentgrisier1738]

​@jasonmaclean719, "There is a simple honor in poverty," Uncle Iroh

[@austinwilburn1772]

“And ring showed him a vast garden, greater than any other… and Sam said I already have a garden”

[@squishyhunter1744]

Sam's resistance to the ring is hilarious to me. Sam gives the ring so little to work with in its corruption the ring essentially goes "uh, well, how about a massive garden?"

[@CharlieAnderson-o7e]

ikr, his only "desire for power" was making mordor into a garden. but then he was like "oh shut up sam"

[@celestialspartan1176]

@@CharlieAnderson-o7eit’s kind of a testament to the fact that he just wants a simple life.

[@CharlieAnderson-o7e]

ye

[@latteARCH]

@@celestialspartan1176with that it makes even more sense why hobbits would bear the burden of the ring than other races

[@valentinlageot4101]

@@latteARCH hobbits (yes it's is kind of an allegory I know) is what would be human in the bible if we resisted tempation. flawed people, but morally good people inherently.

[@stevengull6703]

"What are you his bodyguard?" "I'm his gardner." One of my favorite lines. The answer should mean sam is no threat but the way he says it makes it clear that he is his gardner who will mess you up for frodo.

[@LadyDecember]

Everybody says "I wish there were more people like Sam", but nobody asks "How can I be more like Sam?"

[@Br0ocie]

We just gotta ask them “why don’t you want to be like Sam?”

[@Mrfinch9999]

Nobody wants to be Sam, they want to use him as a wingman for their own ends without giving him the respect, rewards, attention and support he deserves. That is why men like Sam are so rare in real life. Everyone is quick to point out that no man is entitled to anything for being amazing or good. But slow to admit that they are not entitled to others being good nor should they expect it at all. So yeah, men like Sam will always be rare. Nobody wants to be the hard working poor dude that does not get a raise for they see his virtue as weakness, be the guy that women do not sleep with for he is “too nice,” be the dude who is respected and listened to, etc. Nothing wrong with this. But that is why men like Sam is and will always be rare. People become what we want them to be.

[@jarredmillls5014]

​@Mrfinch9999 this is exactly right, it's hard in this day and age to be a sam or even find a sam.

[@WilliamCelandine]

​​​@Mrfinch9999 The trick is to find someone worth being a Samwise for. For me, it's my girlfriend, my good friend and also my mother (although I'm not virtuous as Sam is). But yes, you're absolutely right

[@paperpersona1243]

Ive tried being the Sam for my friends and its rewarding, I dont have great ambitions or goals like Aragorn, Gandalf, or Frodo, but I do want to help and protect the people I love and the good in the world, while being able to enjoy a quiet peaceful life. Nothing wrong with that.

[@master_samwise]

After this video went live, I learned that Professor Tolkien passed away 50 years ago today. I had no idea; this wasn’t planned. Nonetheless I, consider it providential, and consider this video my tribute, such as it is, to the man who discovered Middle Earth and gave us so many characters who have remain beloved for decades.

[@Comicbroe405]

One of those good coincidences.

[@Laurelin70]

@@Comicbroe405 As we say in Middle-earth...

[@williamfinch9858]

Can you do another video on Sam, this time focusing on Sam’s character flaws and how these flaws can make him engaging to the audience?

[@Blisterdude123]

I would offer a mild counterpoint to your topic raised at the end. About men being more naturally inclined to be protectors and women not. Yes 'and' no. I don't think you could swap Sam out to Samantha without changing the character somewhat, but I think you could make it work if you did. For example, if you were to change the archetype to a mother. What lengths wouldn't a mother go to, to protect her child? Think Aliens, with Ripley, and Newt. Physical limitations simply wouldn't enter the equation there, when weighed against that natural maternal instinct. Not a criticism, just something you actually made me think about that I hadn't considered before.

[@devildante9]

@@Laurelin70 Chance, if chance you call it. I call it Providence. I also really, really like how he described The Professor as discovering, not inventing, Middle-Earth, as any good reader of Leaf by Niggle or On Fairy-Stories would

[@Angrenost02]

One of my favorite moments about Sam is when, in the RotK book, he realizes that himself and Frodo won't survive the Quest. Instead of succumbing to despair, he feels more resolute, more able to go on. Truly admirable, this mix of pragmatism and devotion.

[@master_samwise]

It echoes Aragorn's resolution when they approach the black gate. Both characters are resigned to their fate, but they can either choose to push forward (do SOMETHING) or hide and wait for the inevitable doom (do NOTHING), and both choose something over nothing, action over inaction.

[@stinkfist911]

It's like he realizes that he doesn't have to carry himself and frodo out of there afterward and that basically halves the trip.

[@Fryfat]

It reminds me of the firefighters climbing the first tower on 9/11 as they heard people jumping off the upper floors and landing around them. They knew they probably wouldnt be coming back down, bit their tongue and started the climb to rescue as many as they could on the way

[@boggeddown778]

It's the antithesis to nihilism.

[@bootstrapbill98]

​@@boggeddown778agreed! and an example of something Gandalf said in the same book; "It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule.” he knows that his death, whilst meaning the end of his journey, doesn't mark the end of THE journey, it is still within his power to uproot the evil from the soil he knows, regardless of whether or not he lives to see what weather it is tilled beneath.

[@bacul165]

In the system of male archetypes Sam represents the Lover (the others are Warrior, King, Magician). Sam loves Frodo, he cares for living things - a garden, Bill the Pony -, he enjoys simple pleasures like food and drink and poetry. He gets his just reward in the end - the books make a point of him being "whole", even when Frodo leaves at last. He has his beloved Rosie, his family, and a place in society, he's at peace with himself and the world. It's beautiful.

[@master_samwise]

Yes! Sam simply having his life back is just about the happiest ending one could hope for.

[@LiveFreeOrDie2A]

I feel like Tolkien wrote the character of Samwise to represent his ideal self, how he strived to be. The character of Frodo representing his actual self or aspects of himself, that could never live up to his ideal self due to his own Morgul blade wounds that never fully healed.

[@brittoncain5090]

@@LiveFreeOrDie2AAFAIK, Faramir fulfills that role in the story

[@1th_to_comment.]

Bill the Ponie MVP

[@filmandfirearms]

@@LiveFreeOrDie2A Sam is the ideal Englishman. Selfless, brave, stubborn, and with an undying love for his countrymen, home, and nature

[@adamstevens4718]

Reject "Ryan Gosling is literally me" Embrace "I aspire to be like Sam"

[@justaghostinthesea]

Call me a bisexual, because I'm about to do both

[@markmoore1324]

Both can be true... I bet Ryan aspires to be sam too

[@concept5631]

Ryan Gosling seems pretty chill tho

[@jordannet5233]

I believe being compared to Sam is probably the most honorable thing in life that is why i strive to be a Sam for someone In fact, we should all become Sam, be the Sam in someone's life *I appreciate the likes from y'all, and the recognition from the Master himself But I had to make an edit cuz I meant to say "the most honorable" instead of "the honorable" It ain't much to it and none of y'all even point it out but I think it's served better this way Still I also appreciate that none of y'all flamed me off for this weird sentence. Yet quite the opposite, y'all appreciated it I just wanna say I thank you all for this ❤

[@master_samwise]

100% agree

[@Eilonwy95]

100%

[@HaydenStephens515]

Sam is to Lord of the Rings what R2-D2 is to StarWars! The Supremely Humble, Heroic, UnCrowned MVP!!! 🤯😎❤️‍🔥

[@painunending4610]

If everyone's Sam then who's Frodo? Personally I don't think all people should be the same. Sounds HELLA boring

[@Eilonwy95]

@@painunending4610 that is en excellent point. Being like Sam is probably more easily achievable for many of us. But everyone is called to different things. We absolutely need Frodos and Aragorns, Gandalfs and Eowyn.

[@Pilafcg]

"I gave my word Mister Frodo" or whatever after he almost drowns is what kills me to this day

[@unknown360123]

I made a promise, Mr. frodo.. a promise.. -"don't you leave him samwise gamgee.." and I don't mean to..I don't mean to. 🥲

[@Shannon-f8w]

I cry my shit out every damn time. That's the moment for me, out of all the movies, that is THEE scene that I adore.

[@LordEriolTolkien]

Despite being a universally moving moment, in the film, when Sam carries Frodo, very few people can actually imagine 'being Sam' in that moment. The modern mind has been long encouraged to eschew loyalty and duty and self-sacrifice. Indeed, it is an oft overlooked point that Sam did in fact wield the Ring and also voluntarily surrendered it when reunited with Frodo. Which is also why he eventually sails West. That renunciation of the Ring alone sets him among the greatest of the age. Who among us could refuse the Ring?

[@master_samwise]

That is a great point (one of the many) about Sam that I wasn’t able to fit into the video. Only he and Bilbo voluntarily surrender the Ring, and Bilbo only with significant help from Gandalf (though he certainly was more attached to it than Sam was).

[@LordEriolTolkien]

@@master_samwise Bilbo had it for 60 years, Frodo had it for, what, 18 or so years, and both used it on numerous occasions, and Sam only wore it once for a few minutes and bore it not much longer. Your point about 'Providence' is oft overlooked. It underlies every conceptual aspect of the entirety of the Lengendarium, all being essentially the result of the Music of the Ainur itself all given life and foreseen to its uttermost conclusion in its inception by Eru Iluvatar. Nothing happens that was not known to be going to happen from the first note in the the Outer Void. The very deepest of lore

[@painunending4610]

If people eschew those things maybe think they actually have a reason to do so? It's a reaction to circumstances

[@LordEriolTolkien]

@@painunending4610 '' .. long encouraged..'' , not '' chose to eschew ..'' in a vacuum

[@painunending4610]

@@LordEriolTolkien They were long encouraged because those traits perfectly serve the elite. People rightfully hate the elite and are rejecting them more and more

[@flatline8580]

I've read The Lord of the Rings a few times in my life... at 11: Aragorn is the Hero. at 21: Gandalf is the Hero. at 31: Sam is the Hero. at 41: Sam is the Hero. at 51: Sam is the Hero. Lesson is, it takes some time and confidence to recognize exactly what you pointed out in your excellent video. Thank you for another great one.

[@master_samwise]

Hahaha I love this so much. They are all heroes, but none more than Sam.

[@painunending4610]

Personally I think Sauron is the hero

[@flappyturtlesnatch]

Well said. It took me until my 30s to truly appreciate LotR

[@malena5026]

@@painunending4610Sauron is the hero in his twisted mind and from this perspective. He wants order, love and respect by force and command of those he rules over

[@GeneralProfessor]

Frodo carried pure evil in its active form around his neck for over a year and he only "failed" at the point where everyone else would be doomed to fail as well. Not to take anything away from Sam but if a struggle is what makes a hero then Sam's heroism pales in comparison to Frodo's whose struggle was endless for every month, every day and every hour of his journey. And when all was said and done he didn't even get to enjoy the fruits of his sacrifices. He gave his all not for himself but so that others may enjoy a better life. All this to say that personally, I'm now at the point where I consider Frodo to be the Hero.

[@j.terukoblack4896]

I think that's the beauty of LotR: there are warriors and everymen/women worthy of admiration. Each character has traits and attributes that we can and should strive to bring forth from those pages.

[@master_samwise]

Yep, that is definitely what makes the book so special. Some characters have tremendous growth, others are already incredibly noble and virtuous, but they all have something to teach us.

[@rikk319]

Tolkien made it pretty clear that the team secured the win--each person gave what they could and sometimes (like Boromir, or Frodo) the fullest measure they could, physically or spiritually. Sure, we have favorites, but without the individual contributions of so many, the team goal of defeating Sauron never would have succeeded.

[@veronicadavanzo2064]

Except for Maeglin

[@ckoritko]

“Masculinity is the glad assumption of sacrificial responsibility.”

[@TheLordismyportion]

I know Doug Wilson when I hear it

[@dillonwagers2975]

What a great definition

[@CoachCarter102]

The fact that sam who can’t swim went in the water for Frodo, whose parents died in this exact situation allegedly, makes me legitimately tear up every time I see it.

[@SingularNinjular]

When I was a kid, my dad sat me down for half an hour every night and we'd take turns reading LOTR and The Hobbit. I'll always be grateful he did that - not just because it gave me a lifelong passion for books and storytelling, but because it meant I grew up with heroes like Aragorn and Sam. I can point to specific incidents from various points in my life that prove LOTR made me a stronger person and a better man. Stories are powerful, guys. Expose your kids to the right ones.

[@master_samwise]

That's awesome! I'm so excited to share The Hobbit and LOTR with my kids once they're old enough.

[@jpteknoman]

This was Tolkien's intention all along with the hobbits as a whole. They represented the average people who like to live a simple life in peace and quiet and Sam was meant to be the peak of average. Then these people were forced by circumstances to get into a situation where legendary heroes and wizards gathered to fight for the fate of the world against a dark lord and even though they were out of place among them, they still accepted the burden and responsibility to do the right thing... to not turn back when the chance presented itself but push on towards a worthy goal, which is what makes a hero.

[@master_samwise]

Exactly!

[@Will_Parker]

Tolkien and Lewis were decidedly upper class, well educated men who brushed elbows with powerful men all the time. And they both repeatedly made the point in their books that the normal and lower class people could be, and often were, more heroic than the nobles and heroes of most stories or even real life. Contentedness is far more desirable than greed, sacrifice is more desirable than selfishness.

[@Cautionary_Tale_Harris]

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

[@olivialim7541]

That’s what I really want to hear eventually

[@mattfan5]

Amen

[@bitbucketcynic]

The weak master others to tear them down. The strong master themselves to lift others up.

[@master_samwise]

Beautiful!

[@anonthehousemouse]

Samwise Gamgee is fr the kind of guy a woman should want to marry. He's kind, gentle, compassionate, loyal, and hard-working. Yet when the chips were down, even though he was afraid, he pulled his bootstraps tight, got up, and literally carried his best friend through to the completion of his task. He had the courage and determination the face up to what needed to be done, no matter how unpleasant, and just get it done.

[@yelsahblah3270]

I cried like a baby reading the scene of Sam leaving Frodo behind. I was curled up in my school auditorium, reading this big hard cover copy of Two Towers and weeping. Man, I might have to reread them again pretty soon. Also, fun fact. Sean Aston really got into his role as Sam. He ran around and did a lot of stuff for Elijah while they were filming. He wanted to really exude that vibe that Sam has in the books and the camaraderie that they shared.

[@Emper0rH0rde]

The cast of LOTR are still close to this day. That's a distinction that does not apply to very many films/film series.

[@abrahamamador2676]

I watched the movies when a child and in RoK thought Sam was the coolest Hobbit and also the humblest... I read the books later and it has layers of layers of how good natured Sam is

[@ryvyr]

"Nothing, and yet everything" This cannot be understated, the profundity of aught rooted in true love

[@misternibbles7426]

As a father if my sons could be like any fictional character, I hope it's Sam. Trustworthy, kind and willing to defend a friend, the true definition of servant leader.

[@firebirdcas]

Raise him as a christian and you get what you desire. Tolkien was a devout christian and wrote Sam as the ultimate follower of Christ. Frodo is written as Christ 1st coming taken all Evil of the world on him, Aragorn 2nd Coming of christ: coming with the sword to be King, raise the dead and heal the Mentally ill.

[@misternibbles7426]

Way ahead of you man. 😉

[@gray_mara]

This is truly noble, to have such a great ambition for your sons.

[@firebirdcas]

@@misternibbles7426 Good for you

[@TorianTammas]

​@@firebirdcasTolkien left out religion in the story so don't imagine it in. Hobbits with 6 meals a day are idealized British in their home sweet home they had to leave.

[@VizViper]

Sam truly bows to no one. He gets the best reward out of the Fellowship, he gets the girl, he gets the home he cared for. Not a kingdom to rule over (I don't find that too appealing) or spirited away from the place that he calls home, just a good simple life to call his own. He is truly my favorite fictional character, he is strong in every way that matters, he is kind, curious, protective, and most of all loving. It makes me chuckle thinking about the One Ring on Sams finger, just being raked through mud and manure to build the best garden the world has ever seen. "I have come for your land. No! not to conquer! It looks nasty I have come with seeds and soil, you will not stop me!"

[@dhuh6760]

"What makes a man is not his strength, nor his bluster. It is not his skill. Nor his wit. It is his ability to set all that aside in the name of what *must* be done."

[@akanji8285]

I always attributed Sam’s heroism to the fact that he was obviously afraid of the situations and monsters he was faced with, but he never once hesitated to square up and meet them head on… you can’t be brave without fear

[@genlob]

Very good video, and Sean Astin plays him so well. "Share the loooaaaddd" Sam is what used to be called in the UK "below stairs class", usually despised by the gentry. Tolkien saw the reality when he served in the trenches. My grandfather, also a Sam, was an NCO in Tolkien's regiment, Lancashire Fusiliers. A working class printer from Liverpool who rang the local church bells on a Sunday. A quiet and gentle man. He was at the Somme and led trench raiding parties killing in hand to hand combat with medieval weapons. Like entering Moria or Angband. It terrifies me when I try to imagine what he experienced. I'm not for a second claiming that Tolkien based Sam on my grandfather but definitely that kind of man. Will literally go through hell for you. I always think of him when it gets to the Dead Marshes.

[@jacks5463]

I think that Sam and Aragorn are two sides of the same coin in this respect. Sam is the humble servant who, generally, stays to his locale and personal sphere, choosing to serve that. Aragorn, however, has a much more broad sense of service, looking to serve the lowest among us (he protected the Shire with Dunedain) and then eventually served to the most pressing matters of the time (the war of the ring). The point is, they both serve and play necessary, integral roles to the story and I think that Tolkien shows us that service, grand or small, plays a major role when making the world better.

[@master_samwise]

I completely agree!

[@12classics39]

Sam is a personification of the true meaning of love, and thus, he is the antithesis of the Ring’s twisted, corrupted idea of love that it forces on Gollum and tries to force on Frodo in order to make each of them keep it. True love is not selfish, possessive or controlling. It’s selfless. It’s compassionate. It’s understanding. It’s empathetic. It’s a helping hand. It’s encouragement. It’s eyes that see and accept one for one’s own true self. It’s an ear always willing to listen. It’s a touch always there to provide comfort and safety. It’s support. It’s hope. It’s strength. It’s sacrifice. All of which Sam conveys in his devotion to Frodo.

[@plebisMaximus]

With your channel name, I've just been waiting for this exact video. It did not disappoint.

[@master_samwise]

I’m glad you liked it! It’s been a long time coming.

[@Greencastles23]

Sam was so pure and that alone made him strong and admirable.

[@Buten60]

I am sitting awake late at night with a very pregnant wife (with twins!) and I cannot think of a better video to be recommended. I've always loved Sam, he is one of my favorite characters in all fiction, and you really laid out exactly why in a much clearer way than I ever could.

[@master_samwise]

First off, congratulations times two! Second, I am so glad you liked the video!

[@assass7012]

Are you naming your twins Merry and Pippin, Boromir and Faramir, Bofur and Bombur, Dori and Nori/Ori, or Kili and Fili?

[@davenutt8914]

Sam IS the hero of the story. Tolkien said it himself.

[@michaelman957]

"Let the greatest among you be a servant to all." "He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, a man like us in all things but sin.

[@TheSuperQuail]

As I grow older I appreciate more and more how wonderful these characters are.

[@BenKimComics]

When I was a young child I liked Legolas the most because he was cool...But when I understood the story as a late teen I realized Samwise is the best.

[@MuricaTurkey]

Your videos are fantastic. I started homeschooling my kids this year, with a focus on literature and storytelling. I've decided to incorporate your videos into our lessons. Thank you!

[@master_samwise]

Wow that is high praise. Best of luck with your homeschooling endeavor! I was homeschooled and absolutely loved it.

[@Eilonwy95]

Yay homeschoolers!!

[@alvedonaren]

Sam actually did achieve great fame after his quest, though not immediately. By planting the seeds that Galadriel gave him he became extremely popular in the Shire and eventually got elected as mayor for 49 years in a row. The one who truly didn't get any fame or glory after the quest, or even a peaceful life in the Shire, was Frodo, who was largely overlooked by the Shire while the other three were hailed as heroes and needed to leave the Shire for the Undying Lands

[@commieswine]

Additionally, during the battle for the shire Frodo refused to take up arms and took a more supportive role which would also have contributed to the perception of the shire towards the three.

[@RamseyDewey]

Fantastic video. I just finished reading the LOTR trilogy to my daughter. Sam may not gain power or wealth at the end of the story, but he does get the last word in the book. And that's not nothing.

[@master_samwise]

I cannot wait to read LOTR to my kids! I love that it is still happening so many years after the books were published.

[@katyushamarikov8819]

"Never think a servant cannot fight alongside you, Never think those who serve cannot be heroes, too. Never think a servant cannot stand up for their right, Never think that those who serve can't also stand and fight!" - "Song of the Hertasi Water Killers" by Mercedes Lackey

[@SeñorFajita]

Speaking of virtues, your passion for your videos is definitely your greatest virtue.

[@master_samwise]

Lol I don’t know about greatest, but thank you!

[@konstakivinen4228]

​@@master_samwisei mean, this user is not wrong, but i have to point out that even you have slightly fallen from the peak of this virtue, and chosen guantity over guality with your latest videos, your iroh video had everything, music, wise insight, good structure and well made storytelling, but most videos you made after that mostly contain your wise insight and little if any of the other things that make a video greate

[@master_samwise]

I'm sorry you feel that way. I've dropped music from my videos mostly because I suck at picking it out. As far as structure, Iroh's was more organized into categories but I can't say I've noticed my storytelling change that much more.

[@konstakivinen4228]

​@@master_samwisei agree, the storytelling is still good, but i do think that the structuring into more organised categories could have been possible with the other videos as well, tho i admit it would have been significantly harder to make that for character growth video compared to character greateness video

[@mynyx1344]

What a detailed video into the one and only Samwise Gamgee. Your insights, good sir, are a breath of fresh air in this me-me-me world.

[@quinnomeed1458]

During a competition, we had a team the exact same number of members in the Fellowship, so we all gave each other one of the fellowship members name. I hadn't recieved a name yet by the end so I asked my friend who I was. "Oh no question, your the Sam of the group." I couldn't have been more happier to have that title.

[@brendangolledge8312]

Who was Bill the Pony?

[@quinnomeed1458]

@@brendangolledge8312 How did we forget best boy bill?! Nooool!

[@kristinetrott5087]

​@@brendangolledge8312 Bill the pony was the very smart, very brave pack pony loaned to them by Thom Bombadil whom they had to release when the going got too tough. (was it at the door to Moria or trying the mountain pass? Haven't read it in many years.) He was sent back to Thom. The movie left out the Thom Bombadil section because it was too much and did not add greatly to the story.

[@roomba2747]

I grew up believing I needed to be the sole hero in my story. I met the most incredible woman, with abilities beyond literally all of us mere mortals. She has had such a difficult education/career path for over 10 years now. I can confidently say I have been her Sam. At first this made me feel “less”. Now that we are approaching the end of this part of our journey, I see the strength and resilience this path has taught me. I can confidently say VERY few men or women could have supported her as well I have. My head is held quite high, chest out, ready to handle whatever comes our way. I love that woman. I love myself. I love Sam and your tribute to him. Thank you for this.

[@seregrian5675]

Well spoken, sir.... I grieve for a dear friend of mine, a combat veteran who remarried after being homeless. He loved the woman he met and married. He would've been her Samwise - but she wanted Dobby...

[@benjaminbravo5047]

It is so refreshing to see a video in praise of Samwise which is not at Frodo's expense. Well done all around, and thank you!

[@thetrapperest]

Serving is not humiliating. It is actually being a master of somethin you're responsible for

[@Laurelin70]

"The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it."

[@ArtyDeez]

"Love me friend, love me drink, love me garden. Simple as." -Samwise "the legend" Gamgee

[@JimmySmith-du7xz]

Great analysis. But, can I offer one little suggestion: I thought Frodo wanted to leave the Fellowship at Amon Hen, not because he thought it was too large to move unseen into Mordor. He left because he knew the ring would corrupt them one-by-one, like it did Boromir. He broke the Fellowship because he cared about its other members and he didn't want to see them fall under the corruption of the ring. He was sacrificing his own chances of success to save others.

[@kristinetrott5087]

I Agree. My recollection as well.

[@blottedcenter4348]

Sams line of I can’t carry the ring, but I can carry you, is probably top five best moments in lord of the rings hands down😮‍💨

[@cowlump]

"Are men and women interchangeable? No, of course not." As a man, I feel this deeply. I don't want my wife to take my responsibilities - they're mine, as a man. I feel the same love, fall into the same 'servant' role for her, as Sam does for Frodo. Anything else would be Wrong.

[@painunending4610]

Men and women are interchangeable. We are equal. Any responsibilities a man has can also be done by a woman and vice versa. They're a man's responsibility because YOU say so. Only place that doesn't apply is pregnancy Name literally anything Sam did that he couldn't have done if he were a woman

[@arthurdent3651]

Who says that a man must be the servant and protector? Don't judge women purely based on their smaller frame and think that they don't have enough strenght to carry the same burden of responsabilities that you do. There's no predetermined role, because we do not live in the wild anymore. A woman can choose whatever role she wants, and in her freedom a man isn't diminished, and remains a man.

[@callnight1441]

But a woman can very easily take up many if not all the responsibilities a man could. Even protector. Men and women arent monoliths. There are too many distictions between every individual that you cant really say that all men should be this and all women should be that

[@elfascisto6549]

Ignore all the cringeworthy replies, your comment is 100% correct. Man and women are different and have different specific roles to fill that are not by any means interchangeable. The abandoning of these roles is what partially lead society to this catastrophe we live in. Full of narcissistic, inconsiderate women and weak willed simps, beta providers and male feminists (sorry i just said the same thing three times)

[@momzwrite]

​@@painunending4610People like you are the reason why we have shows like Rings of Power

[@plantemor]

My boyfriend is my Sam. He has been there when he didnt have to. He stayed when i told him he could leave. Didnt ever expect anyone to stick by a person with depression, but be stayed. I am perpetually in awe of his love and kindness and loyalty. I will never know what i did to deserve it, but i do my best to be worthy of it. I love him so much. I wouldnt be here without him.

[@8BitCyberWarrior]

If only we could all be as humble and selfless and brave as Samwise, the world would be a much better place

[@ryan.1990]

Real

[@Rid3thetig3r]

What would Sam do? has become a standard question in our family.

[@Pandacous]

Sam is the real hero he represents the best friends that make us better. Each time i see sam i see my brother and friends that help us be better than we are.

[@PaladinCiel]

The concept of Brotherly and Sisterly love is sadly an alien concept to too many these days. There are few things in this world as good as serving under a leader who has your best interests in mind.

[@ThomasWake1]

It is also that noble leaders are lost. Now we are ruled by selfish gluttonous pigs that treat their soldiers like disposable numbers

[@Practitioner_of_Diogenes]

Sam embodies John 15:13. While he doesn't die in the story, his self sacrifices embodies this single verse to its fullest degree. He's put himself in numerous cases of mortal danger just to save his friend.

[@tiffanypersaud3518]

❤❤

[@williamfinch9858]

Heroism doesn’t depend on others being in mortal trouble so that you can die for them. And you’re probably not going to walk into such a situation anyway. “Small” acts of kindness, like cooking a free meal, define a hero more than “large” acts of kindness.

[@Practitioner_of_Diogenes]

@@williamfinch9858 I don't see how that changes what I said, as John 15:13 is about love. Doing something for someone else with no desire or expecting of a reward is a form of love. It be cooking someone a meal because that someone needs it, or laying down one's life protecting another.

[@catherinelw9365]

@@williamfinch9858 Cooking a meal for someone is hardly the same as sacrificing one's life to save them. Good Lord.

[@williamfinch9858]

@@catherinelw9365 “It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”-Gandalf.

[@attackmanatee02]

Sam was and is my childhood hero. I still tear up every time he says "but I can carry you" Sean Astin did such an amazing job and he should be extremely proud. I got his autograph on a picture of Sam and I love it. Sam's selflessness is inspiring

[@tobacc0tabak0]

just finished rewatching the films after so many years, and Samwise's character stood out to me the most. This video greatly describes the traits of this character and why I, and so many others love him

[@RoninXDarknight]

Honestly, the thing that makes some of these characters so great is their understanding that their lives are best used serving others. While Sam does this on a more micro scale, dedicating his life to a single individual throughout most TLotR, we also have Aragorn doing the same on a more macro scale: using his strength and power to serve a nation/people. I'd argue that the more heroic a character is considered can be directly linked to their willingness to set aside their own ego in the service of others. At the end of the day we all serve someone or something: a spouse, a friend, family, children, a cause or ideal or even just ourselves (though most would probably argue this last one does not usually make for a very compelling hero). While there are few things in our lives that are actually within our own control, who or what we serve is one of the few choices that is squarely in our hands.

[@Liam_Mellon]

"Love needs to be free to be true." Oh I am sooooo stealing that

[@mustlearnmore4884]

Your examination of the morals, philosophy and inspiration found in these movies is beautiful-and they are themes that seem to be very lacking in more recent movies and television. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, because you very effectively articulate what many of us viewers have felt on merely an intuitive level. Which is why your videos resonate with us so much. Thanks again, looking forward to your future content 🙏🏽🔥💪🏽

[@impp18]

A lovely, loving, and thoughtful diatribe. Most welcome. I love the positivity these discussions bring. Please, keep it up

[@master_samwise]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, and I will do my best to keep them coming.

[@homeonegreen9]

One last part of Sam, he was a historian who finished and read from the Red Book "so that people will remember the Great Danger and so love their beloved land all the more".

[@eneseve546]

Sam is like a bass guitar. Underrated, unappreciated but when you need him the most you realize he is the drive, the energy that keeps all together

[@sghuntting]

Sam reminds me so much of my husband. Pregnancy is so difficult for me. I'm pregnant for the second time. My husband cannot carry the baby for me, but he can take care of me while I carry the baby. Cleaning up my sick, rubbing my back, taking care of our first child... He's my Sam. And I cannot physically return the favor, but that's not the point of love.

[@Tyler.O]

"The greatest among you will be your servant" - Matthew 23:11

[@Oldsmobile69]

Modern western society creates and illusion of the main character and leaves people searching for a role in life they will never find. Society should be built around finding members of it a place they can be content, even happy with. We must reject the ideation of main characters and build structures that value contributing to the bigger picture, contributing for everyone. And by doing so, find everyone a role in society that suits their skills, abilities and background. People should not only be happy as a gardner, but take pride in it and understand that it's just as important a job as being king or a farmer or a shoemaker or baker or any number of other jobs that are actually critical for society to function.

[@ThomasWake1]

It’s only gotten worse with the hyper individualistic nature of influencers and content creators. They are liars and cowards that only serve themselves under the guise of “creating it for you”

[@daisukeakihito9832]

I find it fascinating how over the years of watching the movies/reading and re-reading the books my role model from these stories has slowly changed. When I was a kid and a teen I wanted to be strong, stoic and brave like Aragorn or Boromir. And slowly as I got older and got a family of my own, I realized I wanted to give my everything to it much like Sam did for Frodo.

[@rileyernst9086]

I may not be a master swordsman or master tactician, but I am MASTER GARDENER GOOD SIR!

[@nageladon9091]

Thank you, bro. You are the first person I've ever heard verbalize this, and it's very encouraging to hear. The world would be a better place with more 'Sams' in it.

[@sasha1mama]

As I've always seen it, Sam and Frodo didn't have the dynamic of a quaestor and his batman (servant), but that of lifelong friends. Grew up together in the Shire, probably got into more scrapes than two young hobbits by rights ought to have, and mellowed as adulthood and responsibility to their community took precedence in their lives. But they stayed good friends, brothers almost. And then the trilogy happened. To me it's always been more a demonstration of true brotherhood than anything - not by blood relation, but by mutual companionship. Because if you're willing to carry a man the last mile to the finish line, who can he be but your brother? Your friend? Who can you be but his? The modern day makes a joke of the idea of friendship. The word friend has become so diluted that most don't even have the intellectual capacity to distinguish between an actual friend, an acquaintance, or a request on their social media account. But I know the difference. I know what friendship is. It's brotherhood. It's sisterhood. It's having forged a bond equal to that of family - nay, even stronger. Because family can be taken for granted. But true friendship cannot, because it had to be made. It is iron, and unbreakable. That's how I've always seem Sam and Frodo. Not as a master and servant, not as good buddies, not as anything but two true companions. Friends. Brothers. Because if you're willing to lay down your life for a man, who can he be but your brother? Who can you be but his?

[@nathanporrata9274]

I watched The Return of the King with my 8yo son for the first time the other night, and that poor boy burst into tears when Sam lifted Frodo and carried him up the mountain. Myself, i have to hold the tears back. It's such a beautiful moment that makes me emotional every single time.

[@goofistmcnutty3280]

A huge part of masculinity is simply service. And like you said, the virtues of femininity and masculinity aren't different, just expressed differently, so it is for women as well. The saying every great man has a great woman behind him is an example of this. Women serve a man in the ways that they do, so that a man can better serve the woman, her kids, their community and their land. Being a man is incredibly hard when you understand your role in the world and try to live up to it, bearing the weight of much more than you can handle on your own. This is why a woman's love is so powerful, because it strengthens the man. Of course, this is just in the context of a man woman relationship, but men serve other men and women serve other women, and there is also more to life than simply serving for either men or women. Not only that, but in the perfect world, like Sam we should be able to freely choose whom and what we serve, so that we can serve those who we are best suited to and who have earned our time in service. Humans are social creatures, and we do best and live best when we humbly serve one another.

[@Eilonwy95]

100%

[@Debbie-henri]

Oh, lad. That was a lovely speech you wrote there. I couldn't agree more, and - yes - when Samwise carries Frodo despite his exhaustion and weariness, tears every time. Like Sam, I am a gardener (was my profession, but still my everyday work in my own garden in what looks much like Hobbit country). I never met a selfish gardener, to be honest with you. We all seem to be very keen to exchange information, plant cuttings, bulbs, seeds, lend each other a helping hand and the like, as if our foremost aim is to plant the world and keep it green and growing.

[@peytonbroce9811]

This may be the best one yet! Thank you for articulating these characters and virtues so well, Samwise!

[@LiveFreeOrDie2A]

Though he lacks nobility, sword skills, magic, etc.. Sam has what few, if any others possess- undying loyalty and incorruptibility. *”Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something. That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.”*

[@gerritvandenbosch4681]

Sam and Rosie's love story is also great

[@12classics39]

It’s much better in the book than in the movies. In the book, they grew up together and know each other inside and out, and have a sweet, teasing, witty repartee that we get brief glimpses of. It’s clear that they’re a good, comfortable match, and they both have known that for many years. But in the movie, the screenwriters, for some reason, took away that bit of depth and just made Rosie someone who Sam has been lusting after from afar for years but never really talked to, and then only works up the courage to ask her out after the Quest, which is an extremely shallow relationship compared to their relationship in the book.

[@D3NL1LL3P]

As a child i wanted to be Aragon and i tried to emulate his way of being, that gave me a role model who never did anything for glory, but for kindness and love. As a pre teen i looked up to the mighty dwarf, he taught me that despite my stubby stature i could be stout and still make friends with perceived enemies. As a young man i yearned for frodos experience as the one who changed the world, to be the hero and that gave me the drive to go out and seek my place. Now, as an adult, as a father, i get Sam, more than any others character. All i want is a normal life but i will step up for a loved ones adventure(problems) with assistance and support. LOTR have a big part of the man i have become and the view i have of masculinity.

[@gregorylieber8362]

How was the channels namesake not the first in the 'masculinity' line of character vids? Well done as always.

[@fistfullofsalt6311]

Samwise Gamgee, a true unsung hero if ever there was one. A true hero doesn't bask in fame or glory, a true hero does what's right and slowly fades from history.

[@EthanMallonee]

Your closing section here truly sets this video apart

[@master_samwise]

Just curious, in what way?

[@EthanMallonee]

@@master_samwise Your perspective. It's incredibly rare to hear someone who can engage with that argument and still stay rooted. Love your work. Btw, do you know what happened to the Breath of the Wild streams? I can't find the vods anywhere anymore, and those were such a fun time.

[@Eilonwy95]

@@EthanMalloneecompletely agree!

[@master_samwise]

What argument, exactly? Not sure if you're talking about masculinity/femininity or just the very, very end when I talk about fantasy affecting us. I think the VODs are currently unlisted on my second channel. I have been lax about deciding what exactly I want to do with streaming. I'll probably make them public again soon. I do want to do a weekly(ish) game stream but haven't decided when.

[@rosekopelowitz5069]

I would LOVE to see you talk about the women in the LOTR. I think they are undervalued a lot. Such a great video by the way

[@Dreckmal01]

I read the trilogy ever autumn, when the leaves would start falling. Before the movies. Sam was always my favorite character.

[@alexanderjohns3392]

Thank you for this. Humans are very social creatures, predisposed to service. That service is determined by the needs of those we love and draws the best of us forward. The refusal to serve our community and conscience leaves us to serve ourselves, revealing our most Base insecurities. You are helping to make good people. Keep up the good work.

[@master_samwise]

The tendency to turn inward, even with all the "connections" that we have available to us, seems to me to be more and more prevalent. People seem to have the attitude that "no one cares about me so I won't care about anyone else, and I'll just look out for #1", and no one wants to take the first step to be truly vulnerable, to serve, to offer themselves. It's truly sad.

[@nathanwatt5545]

"Are men and women interchangeable? Of course not." Please don't cancel this man 😢

[@screwgoogle4993]

M-man?! I'm calling the police

[@OGFox-fp1hb]

@@screwgoogle4993 W-Womennnnn?! I'm gonna hide and bitch about them in the safety of my cave about how they're the evil gender!!!!!!!! /s

[@ALJ9000]

I’ll personally hunt down the mob should they try anything

[@justaghostinthesea]

I don't think anyone would get mad at that statement (then again, I am an optimist). I don't 100% agree with it, but it's just one perspective.

[@dragonhale2026]

It certainly depends on the situation. Some situations require a man and a man only. Some situations require a woman. Some situations are trivial and it doesn't matter who is getting the job done.

[@Sylentmana]

The books and movies are full of fantastic role models for both men and women. Even someone as unassuming as Sam has excellent qualities that everyone should try to emulate.

[@annguyen.134]

I watched the first Lord Of The Rings movies when I was 3 years old with my family and we have rewatched all the films at least once every year ever since. I started reading the books at 18... and have started rereading them every year ever since. I feel so blessed to have grown up learning from the greatest men and women in Middle Earth. I adore all the characters that Prof. Tolkien have brought to life, but as I grew older, Sam definitely became one of my favorites. Thank you so much for such an amazing essay video, for organizing and articulating things I could not! I love all your other videos!! Keep up the good work!

[@master_samwise]

Thank you! Also, God bless your parents for introducing you to LotR when you were three lol. I watched them at 8, 9, and 10 and thought that was early.

[@Eilonwy95]

That’s awesome!!

[@Gearedfilm57]

This was definitely one of the best breakdowns of a character i have ever seen. PS Sam is definitely my favorite in lord of the rings

[@erikmartin2]

In the book, Sam's heroism and virtue was also honored in the end in that he used the gifts of Galadriel to restore ruined lands of the Shire and to plant the only mallorn tree (the elvish tree of the undying lands) to exist between the mountains and the sea, which would become famous throughout the region, and could be seen as a symbol of virtue.

[@welcometothemachine321]

I love your videos. Your intelligence and delivery of your content is refreshing. I wish we had more people like you.

[@pepperpeterpiperpickled9805]

"What's my reward for this all this self-giving?" "well, nothing.... and everything" I love this channel dude

[@jerkwagen6133]

This is top tier content and commentary, keep at it man!

[@master_samwise]

Thank you, that is the plan!

[@groverbrown5152]

I am soon glad that Sam finally got a spot of recognition for being a man of his word ! He is by Frodo's side always looking out for him. His strength and protection comes out screaming more and more as the journey gets tougher and Frodo's mind and body become weaker. He is a real true friend and gardner!

[@benjaminross7064]

I've been struggling with loss and my identity as a result. I always thought Sam and I shared common traits so I come back to this video time and again lately to ground myself once more