![]() Dwight Longnecker writes the following in a recent article on how we need the ordinary heroism of people like Samwise Gamgee: That is, the friend who will quietly walk through life with you, without complaints, and seemingly without any glory. “ In a world where celebrities loom large and success seems to be measured by superhuman standards, we do well to stop, observe, and treasure all the Samwise Gamgees in our world. Why should we observe and honor the Samwise Gamgees? Because in real life, as in the epic tale, the Samwise Gamgees not only serve the hero, but they also provide the turning point of the plot and the crucial assistance on the quest. It is Sam who fights off Shelob, Sam who guards Frodo from the perfidious Gollum, Sam who rescues Frodo from the Tower of Cirith Ungol, and Sam who carries Frodo up the final ascent of Mount Doom. Had Frodo not been accompanied by the valiant Sam, would he not have fallen long since into some crack in Mordor, or been waylaid by the malevolent Gollum? There’s a scene from Peter Jackson’s retelling of the series that bears noting here. Led by Gollum, Frodo and Sam attempt the treacherous climb up the stairs to Cirith Ungol, where, unbeknownst to them, Shelob waits. Halfway up, they rest and take a short rest. While the hobbits are sleeping, Gollum takes the remainder of the precious lembas bread that is their only food and throws it away, sprinkling some crumbs on Sam. Upon the hobbits awaking, Gollum points a finger at Sam as having eaten the remainder of the waybread poor Sam, with the cards stacked against him, leaves at Frodo’s request and returns down the stairs weeping. Yet, he comes upon the waybread and, having proof of Gollum’s treachery, returns back up the stairs. ![]() The exchange between the two hobbits in the film upon Sam’s dismissal is a moving one for it’s a seeming break between two friends. In particular, for Sam, this is heartbreaking as he only wants to follow his friend Frodo into Mordor. Upon his reunion with Frodo, there is no angry outburst at his master, no wailing about things missed. Sam has already forgiven Frodo, knowing his friend has already repented (I perhaps read into the film a little, but such is the way of artistic license).īut such is the way of deep friendship it forgives and forgets easily even as it holds the other to greater things, helping them to destroy the Ring, even if that means carrying the weight of the other for a while. Sam undoubtedly displays true friendship towards Frodo, but he shows even more the servant’s heart that is a touchstone of sacrificial love. Such people are those who carry on without complaint, trudging steadily on the journey of life. Indeed, Samwise Gamgee truly displays such friendship when he takes the Ring from what he thinks is Frodo’s corpse with the intent to carry on the quest his friend had started. Even though he longs for his Rosie, his Shire, something greater calls and he puts his shoulder to the task. ![]()
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