Samwisdom “Sam” Gamgie is certainly one of the best-known Hobbits of the trilogy The Lord of the Rings. Imagined as Frodo's closest comrade by Tolkien, he is also one of the bravest heroes of the saga. From his place in Tolkien's writings to his role in Peter Jackson's films and the extended universe, here's a look back at 9 facts you (maybe) don't know about Sam:
#9 Tolkien himself called Sam the Batman for Frodo
Sam Gamgie embodies the courage and dedication at the heart of Tolkien's universe. This character finds its roots in a very real military figure: the “Batman”, a soldier personally serving an officer in the British Army. Tolkien, who was an officer in World War I, takes direct inspiration from this type of relationship to shape the bond between Sam and Frodo.
In a private letter, the author confirms: “My Sam Gamgee is a reflection of the English soldier, soldiers and batmen whom I knew in the war of 1914, and whom I recognized as being much superior to me. » In the books, Sam faithfully fulfills all the classic duties of a Batman: he cooks, carries luggage and supports Frodo. He thus embodies much more a model of loyalty and discipline than of friendship.
#8 Sam's father is a hero too often forgotten
The Shire and its people are described as a sort of nostalgic ideal by Tolkien. It is a region where life is good, populated by simple people. Obviously, just as some Hobbits have an extraordinary destiny, others are much more evil and corruptible, like Lothonwho will end up helping Saruman. But there are also simpler characters that the author describes with a certain accuracy and to whom it offers destinies that are certainly less epic than those of Sam and Frodo, but no less heroic. This is the case of Sam Gamgie's father: Hamfast Gamgie.
Hamfast worked for Bilbo for a long time and knows his adventures. When the Nazgûl discover the Shire and seek to locate the Baggins, Hamfast must face one of themwho asks him where Frodo is. Hamfast immediately understands what is at stake and sends the Black Riders on a false trail, thus saving Frodo. He then reports the conversation to his son Sam, who informs Frodo. Soon after, Gandalf recruits Sam to become Frodo's guardian. Later, when Lothon betrays the Shire and allows Saruman's invasion, Hamfast is among the most persecuted Hobbits. He courageously resists and sees his son return as a hero.
#7 Bilbo was Sam's guardian
Hamfast, Sam's father, was a gardener on Bilbo and Frodo Baggins' estate at Cul-de-Sac, for many years. It was there that he humbly taught his son his trade, but also where he was nourished by Bilbo's many adventure stories. Hamfast is also known for his storytelling skills and is often asked to tell stories about Bilbo. Realizing his son's ability to learn and the art of poetry, he asks Bilbo to become his tutor. Sam therefore had the unique opportunity to learn alongside Frodo everything Bilbo could convey. This special education has certainly contributed to intelligence, the wisdom that Sam shows throughout his adventures with Frodo and beyond.
#6 Sam had the privilege of looking into Galadriel's mirror
The Mirror of Galadriel is a sacred vessel, made of silver and filled with waterwhose origins still remain mysterious to this day. It is used in the elven kingdom of Lothlórien by one of the greatest figures of the elven population: Galadriel. The mirror allows those who contemplate it to observe elements of the past, present and possible futures. It can just as easily show images that the viewer wants to see, or those that the mirror wants to impose on them.
During the first year of the Quest for the Ring, just after the disappearance of Gandalf the Gray and before the Fellowship was broken, Galadriel gives Frodo the opportunity to consult the mirror, but also Sam. In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by Peter Jackson, only Frodo is invited to look in the mirror. However, in the books, Sam also enjoys this privilege. Frodo sees Saruman's invasion and purge of the Shire. Sam, for his part, sees a more personal version of this incursion. Indeed, he sees his father driven from his home and persecuted by the corrupt Hobbit Lothon Baggins of Besace, one of Bilbo's nephews.
#5 Sam may not have killed Shelob
During his heroic fight against Shelob, Sam appears to inflict fatal wounds on the giant spider. He weakened her with Galadriel's sacred artifact named the Star of Eärendil, pierced her with the sword named Sting, which belonged to the hero Bilbo, forcing her to retreat. However, nothing confirms that Shelob actually died. While wearing the One Ring, Sam hears a distant noise resembling “bubbling”, indicating that Shelob is still alive. Seriously injured, the spider disappeared into the depths of its lair, and its fate remains completely uncertain and unknown to the inhabitants of Middle-earth.
#4 Sam is the best Ring-bearer
Sam is one of the only characters in Middle-earth to voluntarily give up the Ring of Power. Although briefly in his possession, Sam manages to resist the item's corruption and influence and returns it to Frodo, the true Bearer, accomplishing a rare feat of will. Indeed, the Ring has succeeded in destroying most of those who approached it too closely, from the Hobbit Sméagol/Gollum to King Isildur, including the hero Boromir. Even Gandalf and Galadriel fear coming into contact with the object. The only other character to have accomplished this feat is Tom Bombadil, a mysterious being who, according to some theories, could be the incarnation of a god, which speaks volumes about Sam's potential.
#3 Sam changed his name after saving the Shire
Sam was imagined by Tolkien as a character of great kindness and extremely soft. Moreover, its name Gamgee (in original version) is inspired by Gamgee Tissue, a surgical dressing invented by Dr. Joseph Gamgee. He is in love with a Hobbit whose last name is Rose Cotton. However, after more than a year of a quest that put him through hell, Sam has obviously toughened up a bit. After being the most exemplary Ring-bearer, defeating monsters and helping to save the world, Sam also had to free the Shire.
Indeed, when Sam, Frodo, as well as the two other Hobbits of the adventure, Merry and Pippin, returned home, they discovered that Saruman had invaded the Shire. After a series of skillful maneuvers, the Hobbits managed to surround the enemy, capture Saruman and drive him from their region. Saddened by the state in which the wizard had left the Shire, Sam used his knowledge of plants and gardening to replant the destroyed trees. This act reinforced his status as a local hero, and Sam then decided to change his name to Sam Gardner (gardener).
#2 Sam became the Shire Leader
Having become a prestigious hero and a symbol of dedication to the preservation of his native country, Sam was very popular in the Shire after the War of the Ring. When the Shire mayor resigned, everyone encouraged Sam to run. THE Mayor of the Shire (also called Mayor of Grand'Cave) is a prestigious position since it makes you, neither more nor less, the head of the County. It is also a very respected position since it is the only one obtained by a vote of the population.
Sam was not only handily elected for his first seven-year term, but he was also re-elected seven times, thus ruling the County for 49 years. As Mayor, Sam also became head of the Shire Post Office and First Shirriff (chief of security). This consolidated his influence and embodied his role as a caring and dedicated leader. His title of Mayor, associated with his new last name, completed and consolidated Sam's metamorphosis: from a simple gardener to the hero and protector of the Shire.
#1 Sam was able to find Frodo before he died
After Frodo's departure for the Undying Lands of the Elves, Sam and his wife settle in Cul-de-Sac, the home of the Baggins. With Rosie, they then had 13 children. Sam devotes his final years to caring for the Shire and completing the work of Bilbo and Frodo, thus completing the famous Westmarch Red Bookwhich recounts in detail the adventures described by Tolkien In The Hobbit Then The Lord of the Rings.
When his wife Rosie dies, Sam, as the ancient and glorious Ringbearer, has the honor of being able to join the Undying Lands if he wishes. He then bids farewell to his family and, from Havre Gris, he sets sail and finds Frodo, who has been waiting for him all this time. Together, they spend their last days in the lands of the Elves and the Gods, where only the greatest heroes have been able to go.
Did you like this article and want to find out more about the members of the Fellowship of the Ring? So, you can also explore our files on Merry, Pippin, Boromir or Gandalf the Grey. But also the most terrible adversaries like The Witch King Of Angmar, The Nazgul, Gothmog, Saruman and of course Sauron.
