Frodo vs. Sam: The True Hero of The Lord of the Rings

[@kippy7883]

I think a lot of people are initially drawn to Sam’s character arc. But when I’m rewatching/rereading LOTR, it’s Frodo’s internal struggle that I find most compelling.

[@dedbaka]

Frodo. The further I get in my psychological studies, the more reasons I see for this. It would take an entire essay (or video 😏) to cover all them all, but suffice to say: Frodo suffered the weight of all evil of the entire world. Sam only suffered from seeing him suffer. Frodo couldn't have made it without Sam, but Sam couldn't have made it.

[@isabeltodoroff1071]

Sam had to bear the ring and wear it inside Mordor, he also suffers the evil.

[@maxsteffan5084]

Well, for a few adrenaline-driven hours where his mind was solely occupied with his rescue mission. Credit to him and his devotion to Frodo that it did not Seen to affect him, but that is no comparison.

[@slin2678]

I see a lot of people say that, but I don't think that's a valid statement. One is a hypothetical while Frodo not being able do it is a proven fact. Sam had to literally carry Frodo up Mt. Doom. At the end, he succumbed to the ring and could not willingly destroy it. There is no reason to say Sam couldn't do it either...unless the reason is he didn't have his own Sam to carry him. So who played a more critical role? He was a ring bearer for a short while and was able to willingly give it up, just like Frodo on the trip to Rivendale. There's nothing to say Sam didn't have the fortitude or strength to have carried it whole way.

[@maxsteffan5084]

Tolkien himself said that nobody would have been able to cast the ring into the fires of Mount Doom. Which I think even includes his favorite character Sam;) The moral of the story is that good things will happen „by chance“ (or divine providence) when good people band together and try their very best to accomplish something, something bigger than what one hero could have done alone. Besides, if Sam the Wise had called the shots, Gollum would have been killed in the first chapters of The Two Towers and they would have never seen Mordor from the inside;)

[@marveltard]

Their friendship was the hero all along! :)

[@lukeskywalkerthe2nd773]

birbfanchannel tighto I quite agree! :)

[@dannydelacruz7303]

frodo couldnt have done it with out sam but sam couldnt have done it

[@HiHi-lt1cb]

Your comment just blew my mind

[@Wolfwood8719]

I tell people all the time Sam might be convinced to take the ring to Rivendell but he wouldn't have volunteered to take it further.

[@rhyswallace3590]

This is the greatest answer!

[@slin2678]

I see a lot of people say that, but I don't think that's a valid statement. One is a hypothetical while Frodo not being able do it is a proven fact. Sam had to literally carry Frodo up Mt. Doom. At the end, he succumbed to the ring and could not willingly destroy it. There is no reason to say Sam couldn't do it either...unless the reason is he didn't have his own Sam to carry him. So who played a more critical role? He was a ring bearer for a short while and was able to willingly give it up, just like Frodo on the trip to Rivendale. There's nothing to say Sam didn't have the fortitude or strength to have carried it whole way.

[@XxiheartsupermanXx]

My ultimate answer is that Frodo and Sam are both true heroes, but if I really must pick one or the other, I would also pick Frodo, whether we are talking about the movies or the books, because he was the Ringbearer, which was such a tortuous role to take on - physically and psychologically, not only because of the Ring itself, but the other wounds he suffered on the quest. When I first read and watched LoTR, I was mostly taken by Sam's selfless attitude and his humility. Back then, I would have said that Sam is the "true hero." However, after a couple re-reads/re-watches and looking at more analyses of Frodo's character as well as the power of the Ring, I started to appreciate him a lot more. No matter how you cut it- Frodo isn't heroic because of any external actions or fighting; he is heroic because of his sacrifices, and how he fought that long internal battle against the Ring.

[@phoule76]

my vote, as always, goes to Farmer Maggot

[@TolkienLorePodcast]

Well he’s certainly the dark horse candidate! 😂

[@Leman.Russ.6thLegion]

AH YES.

[@MovieJustin]

being the more reluctant participant I find Sams actions more heroic. Bilbo had prepared Frodo in a sense for adventure. Sam was facing some of these things alone and really without knowing what they were.

[@Krakaet]

he protecc he attacc but most importantly . . . he boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew.

[@KS-xk2so]

I say it's both, but like you I'd give the tie to Frodo. Frodo carries the burden of the ring, Sam carries him. One doesn't succeed without the other. Where I give Frodo the tie is the aftermath. They both saved the world, but only one of them was whole enough to actually enjoy it afterwards. Frodo doesn't get a long marriage to his dream girl and seven beautiful children, leading the Shire in a new age of peace, just more suffering until he basically gives up his mortal life.

[@KS-xk2so]

@APATHY Yes. All Ringbearers have that honour. However, there is a reason why Frodo takes it as a still somewhat young hobbit, and Sam takes it after a long life, fully lived. Frodo is terribly wounded, and only in the pseudo-afterlife of The Undying Lands might he find peace.

[@ssejllenrad561]

The vote will almost always be: 1. Sam -purely movie watchers or those who read the books casually. 2. Frodo -those who actually dive deeply into the material and take the time to meticulously understand it. 3. Both -those who see the good in everybody like what Tolkien actually wants. 4. Me -Hail Melkor madafakas!!!!!

[@mrasaltero007bond2]

I go for the 3, none of them could have done it without each other: Frodo without Sam because there wouldn’t be anyone to do the physical things nor Sam without Frodo because Sam couldn’t have hold the torture plus the physical obstacles…

[@skatemetrix]

Frodo never failed at all because the task to purposefully destroy the ring was doomed to failure. No one could do it, not man nor hobbit nor the elves nor even the Maiar (Gandalf was one), without being eventually corrupted and desiring to master the ring itself. Get this- the ring's loyalty is not ultimately to Sauron but to whoever wields power and domination. This is why Saruman, Gandalf and even Galadriel could have been dark lords for they had the physical power to bend the ring to their will- but the ring bends the soul to its innate desires which are power and mastery of all life. What the ring, and Sauron, had not anticipated was a situation where two ring-bearers would fight for the one ring upon the very precipice of the Crack of Doom. Gollum, being Gollum, prevailed and having desired to possess the ring for decades and decades became utterly ecstatic dancing around and forgetting his surroundings- which caused him to fall over the edge and into the magma. Thus the ring was destroyed by one part bad luck and one part by its own essence- evil had destroyed itself.

[@silversnail1413]

To me it's kind of a moot point. Both of them were equally heroic and essential to the quest. Frodo was incredibly courageous and wise but he was so weakened and corrupted by the ring that he ultimately couldn't complete the journey on his own. Frodo's courage inspired Sam and allowed him to discover his true potential. He was just a timid farmer when he left the Shire but his love and loyalty for Frodo helped him grow and accomplish incredible deeds.

[@lukeskywalkerthe2nd773]

This is one great video truly digging deep into the argument of who was the true hero of The Lord of the Rings! If I must be honest: I am utterly undecided of who really is the Hero. Both Frodo and Sam (in the book at least) did so much and helped each other on their way to Mordor. But if I were to choose one, it would be Frodo as well! :)

[@yoshikagebuma7941]

For me Frodo will always be the main center character of the Lord of the Rings, but without the help of the fellowship, and their further efforts Sauron would have won. If Sam were the ring bearer he would not have been able to complete the mission because I believe he would have killed Smeagul rather than spare him like Frodo did, and although Frodo himself failed the quest it was his kindness in sparing Smeagul that led to the destruction of the one ring. Fordo would have never been able to complete the end of his quest without Sam supporting him, and reminding him of what he's fighting for. Although he's related to the adventurace Bilbo Baggins Frodo never wanted to leave his rural home in the Shire, but he would soon end up accepting his journey even trying to leave his friends behind because he dose not want them to get hurt until Sam convinced him to go with. At the end there is no one hero of the story because everyone played an active role, and the two main driving force was Frodo, and Sam.

[@erynn9968]

Frodo is smarter and more sensible (though affected by the ring), Sam is more ‘mentally default’, reckless and physically strong. Frodo had a task, Sam had someone to care about. That’s it really, I wonder why it’s discussed for so long. The fact they wouldn’t have done it without Sam doesn’t automatically make him the biggest hero because they wouldn’t have done it without anyone and anything that happened exactly as it happened.

[@johnh6524]

I like your content but in this you’re wrong - Faramir get’s the relationship between Frodo and Sam right when he tells Sam to be quite as he hasn’t the wit of his master. In the Return of the King when they are on Mount Doom when Gollum attacks, Frodo speaking from the ring of fire tells Gollum if you touch me again I will ordered you to cast yourself into the Crack of Doom - Sam recognises this and this is exactly what happens - Frodo can wield the ring. His failure is simultaneously his success - yes it is providence but not accident. Perhaps Frodo’s growth as a character is most recognised when Saruman, though fallen, is still Maiar recognises Frodo’s growth. We also must recognise that along with Eärendil, Frodo is one of the few mortals to enter the undying lands. Sam also grows in the quest and becomes a great leader of Hobbits but he does this through his relationship with Frodo and the quest. It is clear the hero of the story is Frodo who finds redemption for the world of mortals through his suffering.

People: Who is the hero, Sam or Frodo? Me: Gandalf

[@HiHi-lt1cb]

Me: Yes

[@jegraham440]

In the Fellowship: Sam is the first to volunteer to go with Frodo, even though we was not invited to the meeting. Also at the gates of Moria, if I remember correctly, it is Sam who severs the Watcher's tentacle thereby freeing Frodo from its hold. Also, for Frodo, it is he who resists the bartow Wight and call for Tom Bombadil.

[@TolkienLorePodcast]

Good point about the Watcher, I had forgotten that!

[@midnightbros2359]

Sam will always be the hero of the Lord of the Rings because the point of the Fellowship of the Ring was to get Frodo and the Ring safely to Mordor and Sam ended up doing that all by himself. My view on the matter.

[@Krommer1000]

I fully realize I'm over 5 years late on this, but man, (12:50 ) Sam's fight with Shelob was skimmed over here like it almost didn't matter. To me, that was straight up Sam almost being Robert E. Howard, Conan levels of standing on his own against a monstrous creature, that every orc in the area was frightened of, and not only standing his ground, but THOROUGHLY beating it, all by himself. This wasn't some quick fight with a minor foe, but an arduous physical excursion that no one thought Sam capable of achieving till they read it. To me, that fight was AMAZING. I'm talking the book, because I'm not even that big a fan of the films. The film did an okay job with it, but I'm one of those. Nothing holds up to the books for me.

[@jegraham440]

I think we should also remember that Sam was considerably younger than Frodo, also less aware of the "dangers" of the world--Sam was willing to risk his life for love and loyalty alone, with no idea whatsoever how incredibly difficult the task would be. Remember when, as they were approaching Caradras in the Fellowship, Sam thought they should be approaching Mount Doom by then.

[@sanguiniusi8187]

I would consider that a point against Sam being the hero though. He thought he was risking much less than he actually did when he joined Frodo. The decision therefore required much less heroism/courage.

[@redbloodbluemoon1423]

Frodo's *the* hero. Nothing could prove it otherwise. It doesn't matter what Tolkien said in a letter (in another letter he wrote years later, he called Sam son of a stupid peasant!) he wrote books keeping Frodo in mind as the main character. Frodo had a deeper awareness of the quest and sacrifices needed for the quest. He CHOSE to sacrifice himself, Sam didn't. He was no different than other hobbits in the outside world and he fought THEIR battle which cost him everything. Everyone got a happy life cuz he sacrificed his own. If this doesn't make him the hero of LOTR, I don't even know what does.

[@darrenferguson6504]

Frodo didn't even want to destroy the ring at the end, it was done by accident.

[@darwin0922]

Without Sam, the cycle of the ring will just be continued, and guess what? Frodo still became mad at the end the rings destruction is just an accident from Frodo and Gollums' fight.

[@TolkienLorePodcast]

That’s not how it ends in the book. It’s one of the worst changes in Jackson’s movies IMO.

[@KeldorDAntrell]

Sam didn't choose to sacrifice himself? He chose to go with Frodo. If it was big of Frodo to take on the quest, it was equally big of Sam to choose to go with him since there can be no question that his intent was to go wherever Frodo went and face whatever danger Frodo faced. Did Frodo ever risk his life to protect Sam because Sam risked his for Frodo when he leapt for the boat at the breaking of the fellowship. That he would risk certain death by drowning when Frodo wasn't even in any immediate danger shows just how much Sam was willing to sacrifice for his friend. Then, when Sam thought Frodo was dead, did he give up and lay with his master's body like a mourning dog until he too died in the manner of someone with no intention to make sacrifices? Did he attempt to turn back, carrying or dragging Frodo's body as might be expected by a hobbit "no different than other hobbits" with no intention to make sacrifices? He had choices here (as the title of the chapter points out); and he chose the sacrificial path, the one with the greatest personal danger. If Sam was the character that you see him as, he would have said to himself, 'I didn't make anyone any promises, I didn't elect to face any dangers. I'm outta here!' In fact, he wouldn't even have got as far as he had. Also, what about Sam's sacrifice of going without food so that Frodo could eat more? What about carrying Frodo? That was a sacrifice of a much-needed rest in the interests of completing the quest.

[@athalonARC]

@@KeldorDAntrell And what about Frodo, he carried the ring for months (it took smeagol and isildur a few seconds to be influenced by it, it took frodo months), even after getting stabbed (which never truly healed) he still was willing to take the ring.Sure,sam is brave, but frodo took a beating, and unlike sam there was nothing left for frodo to live for, he gave up his life in the shire and his happiness to save the world. Sam was happy in the end (getting a family), whilst frodo was miserable.

[@bielgaucho_real]

Considering that Sam was the less educated, the less prepared for adventures, and even still was willingly following and supporting his friend even though he was not capable of understanding Frodo's decisions... that makes him the greater hero. He was not only humble hobbit, but he really thought very little of himself... So it is quite understandable why he had such a passive role in the beginning. Sams character has to be the one with greatest growth in the story... when his friend has no strength to keep going, he did step it up to carry to the end. Also, he did give back the ring to Frodo at Mordor(!!!) "quite easily", compared to everyone who got hold of it... and that after spending so many months travelling alongside it. That, seems to me, the greatest testament to his character. Yes, following the ringbearer is not the same as being the ringbearer, I know. But I think I elaborated enough why I think Sam is a greater hero, even though his character would probably never notice it.

[@porksoda2543]

I know you wrote this 2 years ago. But Frodo's journey is that of one who suffers from depression/anxiety/PTSD. I think most who say Sam was better or more heroic haven't experienced or understand mental illnesses and the effort it takes to go through life. Not everyone can handle it. That being said they helped and needed each other. Oh one more thing. Frodo took on the burden of the ring willingly. Sam was charged by Gandolf to go with Frodo. In the movie Sam even states Gandolf told him not to leave Mr. Frodo and that he wasn't going to leave him. So in that aspect it was duty vs volunteering. Again they needed each other.

[@Frost11511]

Lol.

[@funkyhobbitsesnasstyhobbit9657]

No one is better or worse than the other....all that matters is that...the ring wouldn’t have been destroyed if either of them wasn’t there....since Frodo was the one who ACTUALLY volunteered to take it to mount doom but Sam volunteered to help him despite the peril.....

[@gianna526]

What does true hero even mean? There isn't a fake one, so how would there be a true one? They're all amazing, I hate when they try to pick favorites. You can acknowledge what Sam did without invalidating Frodo's immense struggles. I really like the way you talked about this, I finally found someone who thinks that they were both equally heroic.

[@KeldorDAntrell]

Sam. The reason for this is the fact that he is portrayed throughout as an inferior character. He is subservient to Frodo who is himself, as are all hobbits, 'only' a hobbit i.e. small and powerless. So Sam is depicted as the least of the hobbits. Pippin may be younger but he is of a noble family and, we can assume, relatively wealthy. He is also his own master. The same can be said of Merry who is clearly relatively wealthy given the existence of Brandy Hall, residence of the Brandybuck family. Even Sam's job, gardner, is one that 'anyone' could do without much training e.g. elderly people traditionally take up gardening so 'how hard can it be?' Sam is also depicted as uneducated and simple. Stout-hearted and loyal, yes, but those are traits commonly found in a pet dog. Can he read? A little, perhaps. Can he swim? No. Has he learned to do anything? He can sing a little and recite poetry, again, a little. Not much use really. Yet for all his shortcomings he has one requisite which places him amongst the greatest and most powerful of all beings in Middle earth: his wisdom. Wisdom is a trait that is commonly misunderstood as a mere synonym for intelligence but it's not that. It's the ability *to make the best use of* knowledge. A classic example to explain this is that a person may be intelligent enough to know that smoking is harmful yet lack the wisdom not to. Sam has little knowledge of things but what little he has he uses brilliantly. Another facet of wisdom is willpower. Taking the smoking example again, it takes a measure of willpower and self-control to resist peer pressure, for exmaple, and the basic temptation of curiosity; and Sam's willpower is peerless. It is this alone that drives him through the horrors of Mordor and powers his muscles when he picks up Frodo and staggers with him up the side of Mount Doom. The only time his wisdom failed him (and even then I'm not sure that it served him better than I can appreciate) was he chose to wear the ring but it was his wisdom, in the form of willpower, that enabled him to remove it again and function free of its influence afterwards. So I think Frodo, with his superior education and status, and even perhaps his superior health and strength from good eating and fine living, made him better able to cope with an adventure than Sam. Thus Sam's heroics are that bit more wonderful. Addendum: It bears remembering that it was Sam's willpower alone that saved the party from Old Man Willow. While we'll never know if any of the hobbits would ultimately have escaped the situation without Tom Bombadil's help it is without question that Sam alone realised the danger, saved Frodo from drowning, got the fire started, and kicked off their entire bid for survival without which efforts the mission to destroy the ring would have failed before they were hardly out of the Shire. Also, this was a case of Sam initiating action rather than merely following Frodo's orders.

[@tedwatson644]

Gollum is the true hero...he uncovered the ring, he moved Frodo on towards Mt. Doom....and he prevented Frodo from keeping the ring at the end instead of throwing it in the lava.A hero does not have to be the "good guy" thru the whole story.Without Gollum Sam and Frodo's parts are irellevant.

[@sammiller2637]

I wouls suggest swapping your prancing poney sign and whatever that is between the 2 swords. The size and shape of the 2nd piece too closely fits the outline of your head and looks off on camera.

[@Edward-nf4nc]

No doubt if you look deeper. Gollum/Smegol. The Ring bearer was lost? He got them out. He saved Frodo in the Dead Marshes, he got them into Mordor, he stopped Frodo from failing his quest by getting the ring back, it was Gollum who destroyed the Ring and Sauron and caused Sauron's armies to lose heart and ultimately allowed the Free People to win the War of the Ring! "Praise him! Praise him! Praise him Smegol the Sad, praise him with great praise!"

[@popularculture2890]

Hope was the hero.

[@adishanayana5323]

True

[@David.Bowman.]

What’s fun is we assume the “hero” means the one who succeeds, or performs the greatest acts of heroism. But Tolkien uses “hero” for Turin Turambar, the man who brought endless ruin with all his endeavours! What is a hero anyway?

[@ajl8975]

Sam is consistantly the main hero, and his final act is the most heroic act in the whole series. His freind’s will to go on has deserted him and he cannot continue on. So sam turns to frodo and says ‘I cannot carry it for you, but i can carry you.’ And he picks him up and carries. There is truly no greater act of heroism than to offer a freind who’s hope has run out a helping hand, and then if they refuse you, to pick them up and carry them until they are fit to carry themselves again.

[@Xhalonick]

What's your favorite beer?

[@TolkienLorePodcast]

I actually don’t like alcohol. Random question though lol

[@Xhalonick]

@@TolkienLorePodcast hahaha yeah I was watching your hobbit critique, mentioning how the dwarves were overly brutish. Got me thinking about spirits, lol, thanks for the answer though

[@abbeforsberg8496]

50-50

[@michaeltunnicliffe4935]

Frodo would have failed without Sam. Now if Sam was tasked with Frodo's task, and he was alone, he too would have probably failed. And if we had Sam carrying the ring and Frodo present to take the role of Sam then maybe they would have also succeeded, meaning the only way to succeed is by having the companion. So it really does come down to the companion being the real hero, who in the case of the story we got was Sam. So Sam is without a doubt the real mvp.

[@jamesbyrd5175]

How can you call what they did in Shelobs lair a wash? Sam defeated shelob and used the vial. It was most focused on individual combat scenes in lotr. You just didn't want to give two towers to Sam.

[@baabaabathsheba9107]

Frodo is carrying the ring which is a battle in itself - Sam did not have to cope with this corrupting influence so for me Frodo is the hero.

[@arkfounder7056]

It's Gollum, no really had he not messed with what happened at the Mordor then ring would of never been destroyed. He snapped the Frodo out of the temptation leaving Frodo to finish the mission for Gollum to fall off with the ring, it's ironic as Saurons temptation in corruption backfired on him incredibly, who would of thought that the dark lords plans were foiled by the most pathetic character in the story, that is amazing.

[@zacharyhonrud2673]

Sam because he saved Frodo’s life so many times and if he wasn’t there he would have probably died in the 2nd movie

[@lenamorrison3700]

I don’t think calling Sam (or Frodo) the real/true hero is a good way to phrase the question. Whether or not it’s intentional, it implies that the rest of the characters were not really heroes. That’s definitely not true. I’ve read that in one of Tolkien’s letters, he dubs Sam the “chief hero.” My theory is that he says that because of the Christian theology that states that the least/servant is the greatest. Sam certainly does not do the most, give up the most, or endure the most. But his small acts of devotion to Frodo slowly become the most important ones that keep the quest going when the most important player’s strength and will is failing. Frodo does the most for the quest, but Sam’s role is more sacred and is a higher calling. Personally, I like Frodo best, but they’re both heroes. It’s not a cop-out to say that.

[@somethingfromnothing8428]

Its pippin and sam

[@somethingfromnothing8428]

Pippin caused gandalfs death which caused gandalf the white to be reborn. He played a huge part in the defeat of saruman and also along with merry after his capture took sarumans attention off frodo and sam. He looked into the palentir which took saurons attention off frodo and sam and caused the premature attack of minas tirith. He saved faramir who without aragorn may not have been able to become king. And sam takes the hero role once frodo reaches the point of failure and carries him the last of the trip to mount doom

[@jaimelannister1797]

The real hero is Gollum lol

[@skilljoy9246]

Pippin is the true hero! Fight me

[@scottbennie8299]

Both.

[@giacomogatti3393]

I think you've made a bit of confusion between hero and protagonist in this video. Frodo is undoubtedly the protagonist (or one of the main protagonists) of the quest to destroy the one ring because of what he does and many of the (key) decisions he makes, starting from the one to accept willingly to take the ring to Mount Doom. But Sam is the real hero of the Lord of the Ring i.e. the character the story is foundamentally about, because of what he represents in Tolkien's vision. Tolkien himself explained that in his letter to Milton-Waldman (letter 131) - he called Sam the 'chief hero' of the LOTR.

[@dhruvbharija172]

Frodo was

[@strategywizard]

I was thinking Boromir. Hmmmm.....

[@ericrobertson3145]

I believe it is in "The Hero's Journey" that Joseph Campbell traces the seven stages of all heroes' journeys. Either number three or number four involves the hero receiving a boon (or gift of great significance that will aid the hero) from the Goddess. Galadriel's gift of soil and a Mallorn seed is the story's ultimate boon because her gift brings back life to the Shire. By the way, the first step is that an old man tells the hero not to go on the journey. “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." Gaffer to Sam. These are two clear signs that Sam is, as JRRT says in a letter, "the chief hero."

[@ignorant5369]

Its NOT a careful question Sam is OBVIOUSLY the hero

[@athalonARC]

No, its not that simple, both are the heroes.

[@donchegdl5428]

Lack of passion, plain, I"m talking about your narrative style, even do you do have some of the facts correct you should have a channel to make people sleep. Heey maybe thats an business advice! Great job bro!

[@samuelbattershell3413]

I kind of have to disagree, because the story doesn't really kick off until Gandalf pulls Sam from under the window when he was easedropping on Gandalf and Frodo and the story doesn't end until Sam returns home and says 'I'm back'.

[@QueenCloveroftheice]

The real hero is Gollum. He shows Frodo and Sam the way to Mordor AND he's the only reason the ring was destroyed in the end.

[@KeldorDAntrell]

According to the definition of 'hero', Gollum cannot possibly be one. He is an archetypal villain - the complete opposite. He was a serial killer (murderer of Deagol and numerous orcs) when Bilbo met him and intended to betray and murder him as well (and cannibalise him to boot)! His every action was selfish and even under the threat of The Precious his intention was always to betray Frodo. It's without question that he would have killed him (and especially Sam) to get the ring. No, it's not even possible to make the case that Gollum is an anti-hero such as the Marvel character, Deadpool.

[@omiorahman6283]

Gollum is the real hero

[@athalonARC]

You mean smeagol!

[@laperrio5562]

No matter if you seen just the movies or just read the books or both. Sam is the true hero in the defeat of Sauron and destruction of The One Ring. The reason being is that if Sam didn't go with Frodo, Frodo would have not made it to Mordor. He would have been killed by Smeagol/Gollum, and the quest would have ended right there. Not only that through out the journey Sam saves him a handful of times and does everything to help Frodo.

[@TolkienLorePodcast]

But if Frodo hadn’t gone, kept Sam from killing Gollum, etc. the quest would have failed too. It’s not as simple as “the Quest would have failed if not for...”

[@laperrio5562]

@@TolkienLorePodcast yeah your right. I was also thinking that all three Frodo,Sam and Smegol/Gollum all had a part in the defeat. Frodo having the courage and bravery to take the ring and take so much weary. If Sam hadn't gone with Frodo then the ring would have been taken and he would been killed. Smeagols part was if he didnt bite the ring off Frodo then also the ring would have not been destroyed and Frodo would have just been another Gollum. So like Gandalf said in Moria that Smeagol could have a part im all this for good or ill. So really them three all had a part to play.

[@samarmstrong3651]

@@laperrio5562 Frodo couldn't have done it without Sam, but Sam couldn't have done it. Its a really complicated question and both of them had several key choices and actions that wouldn't have happened without the other present. They're both "Heroes" but its hard to say which is the definitive hero of the story. I agree that the scale tips slightly in Frodo's favor.

[@laperrio5562]

@@samarmstrong3651 well according to the man himself Tolkien, he said it himself that Sam was the true hero of the story. Without Sam the Ring wouldn't have came even close to being destroyed. He needed Sam and honestly Sam probably would have been able to destroy the ring himself if Frodo had gotten killed by Shelob. Frodo wouldn't have gotten far without Sam.

[@laperrio5562]

@APATHY I'm not saying that Frodo wasn't being influenced by the ring later on in the journey and had the tourment of the ring being forced upon him. But Sam is the reason Frodo got to Mordor and up Mt. Doom to have the ring destroyed. Sam overall is stronger in mentally and physically. Also it's Tolkeins word and can't argue with the creator on who he says is the true Hero, You Dumbass!😎

[@bokvarv1926]

The hero of the Lord of the Rngs is neither, but of the two , then it is actually Sam. here is why, when sam carries the ring he is the only one that is not corrupted, you can say he is too "simpe" to really comprehend it, he is facing temptation like every one, but he does not fall for it in any way, Frodo does to a degree. Further more Sam is the only one to bear the ring who while reluctant dut the facing temptaion he is resisting by his pure simpleness he gives it away to frodo with a fair ease. In fact if we look at what Sam does when carrying the ring, the most improtant time of the Mordor adventure, we see that Frodo is the Ring CARRIER while it turns out that the ring Bearer was Sam, this and that Sam is the only one that actually has a the true happy ending as well indicate that he is in fac the hero, though he is the accidental one

[@ElffriendYT]

"Already the Ring tempted [Sam], gnawing at his will and reason. Wild fantasies arose in his mind; and he saw Samwise the Strong, Hero of the Age, striding with a flaming sword across the darkened land, and armies flocking to his call as he marched to the overthrow of Barad-dûr. And then all the clouds rolled away, and the white sun shone...He had only to put on the Ring and claim it for his own, and all this could be." (ROTK, "The Tower of Cirith Ungol")

[@bokvarv1926]

@@ElffriendYT and what happened, he simply didn't understand, and as such was not tempted, or rather resisted the temptation

[@garypoisson2733]

You don't keep to your own premise: You narrow it down to Frodo and Sam because they are the only 2 left at Mount Doom. Who is keeping it together at Mount Doom? Not Frodo.

[@Frost11511]

Wtf.

[@rogerl6212]

Didn’t Tolkien himself say that Sam was the hero of the story? How is this even a debate?

[@coys24]

He didn’t. He said that Sam was the chief hero when comparing his rustic love with Rosy and Aragon’s love with Arwen. He wasn’t saying that Sam was the chief hero compared to Frodo.

[@Frost11511]

No. Wtf.