The Fellowship of the Ring

Samwise Gamgee is the unsung hero of the saga and an emblem of loyalty. He consistently refuses to let Frodo travel alone, and though most of the characters find his determination amusing and endearing, he turns out to be the most philosophical and crucial member of the fellowship. After encountering Gildor and the Elves, Sam tells Frodo, “If you don’t come back, sir, then I shan’t, that’s certain” (85). Though he is often regarded as impractical, packing cookware and salt while the others carry weapons, Sam’s devotion to Frodo is at the heart of the fellowship’s success. Gandalf perceives the strength of their friendship in Rivendell when he advises Elrond to trust in friendship. Gildor likewise advises Frodo to “[t]ake such friends as are trusty and willing” (83). At the end of the first volume, only Sam intuits Frodo’s intentions of traveling alone, and Frodo accepts his companionship with gratitude.

Sam also represents the power of songs and nature. Of all the hobbits, he is the most enamored with the legends of dragons and “Tree-men” (the Ents who will appear in The Two Towers) and is well-versed in the songs of ancient legends. The tales of Elves “had always moved him most deeply” (64), and Sam firmly believes in the stories of old despite being teased by Ted Sandyman, a skeptical and brash hobbit. Sam’s affinity with the Elves, figures of timeless good and wisdom, illustrates his optimism and appreciation of history. He experiences a profound transformation when he meets the Elves for the first time. Recognizing both their age and melancholy, he realizes they have seen and experienced much joy and pain in their immortality. Sam’s perspective then shifts: Rather than an adventure, he now sees their mission as a more poignant participation in a world larger than himself, and his moral duty to Frodo provides a sense of purpose. In his second meaningful encounter with Elves, Sam understands that though the Elves in Lórien resemble hobbits in their love of their land, he cannot stay in the paradisical home away from home while there is a larger quest to complete: “It’s wonderfully quiet here. Nothing seems to be going on, and nobody seems to want it to” (351). Lórien is an allusion to the Lotus-eaters of Homer’s Odyssey, as the Company do not realize until leaving that they remained in the blissful realm for a month. Though Frodo is safe in Lórien, Sam recognizes that his loyalty is also to Frodo’s mission and advises that they leave. Imbued with a wisdom and a deepened perspective he learns from the Elves and songs, Sam trusts in an overarching goodness in the world, which impels him to complete the quest.

Finally, Sam’s trade as a gardener represents his love of nature and his ability to nurture and renew. He is rewarded for his bond with the environment and passes through the Old Forest without nightmares or harm. On their first evening in the platforms high in the trees of Lothlórien, only Sam sleeps comfortably through the night, undeterred by the heights. His ability to sleep evinces a peace of mind, free from internal conflicts and at rest in nature’s surroundings. Sam’s love of nature is a power even Galadriel recognizes as she gifts him seed and soil, foreshadowing his role in rebuilding the Shire when the quest is complete. Sam embodies the life of the natural world, the oldest realm of all, and he represents the antithesis of Mordor’s wasteland.

Aragorn is the classic epic hero, endowed with the ideals of strength, integrity, and humility. Living as a loner in the wilderness among Rangers, he protects the lives of those victimized by Sauron’s encroaching forces. An essential part of Aragorn’s background is told in Appendix A, which did not appear until the publication of The Return of the King. Aragorn was raised by Elrond from the age of two, and his lineage was kept secret to prevent Sauron’s retribution. At 20, he learned of his heritage and fell in love with Arwen, Elrond’s daughter. Aragorn spent nearly 30 years fighting Sauron’s forces, hiding his true identity under different guises. He long awaits to prove his worth and reclaim the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor under the House of Elendil. His kingship of both realms is also a stipulation for Elrond’s permission to marry Arwen.

In The Fellowship of the Ring, Aragorn’s life of secrecy aids him in his role as protector, but it comes at the cost of others deeming him suspicious and uncouth. He bears his solitude not with resentment but with sadness, as he laments the lack of friendship. Despite being misconstrued by those he helps, Aragorn commits to fighting Sauron and values protecting others without the accolades and title of king. He tells Boromir,

And yet less thanks have we than you. Travellers scowl at us, and countrymen give us scornful names. [...] Yet we would not have it otherwise. If simple folk are free from care and fear, simple they will be, and we must be secret to keep them so. That has been the task of my kindred (242).

Aragorn understands that wearing a crown is not what honors the name of his ancestors; the honor lies in his devotion to protecting Middle-earth from evil. In doing so, he proves his worth as king.

Boromir is the eldest son of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor. Like Aragorn, he is valiant and committed to protecting Gondor’s citizens against the neighboring threat of Mordor, but Boromir has tragic flaws: pride and shallow judgment. Gondor’s forces need aid, yet Boromir repeatedly claims at the Council of Elrond that he does not seek military advice or assistance, only help in interpreting a dream: “I was not sent to beg any boon” (241). When Aragorn offers the legendary Sword of Elendil, Boromir accepts his help but with distrustful disparagement, saying he doubts “such a thing [Elendil’s Sword] could indeed return out of the shadows of the past” (241). Boromir’s suspicion toward Aragorn is rooted in two judgments: first, that the rough-looking Ranger could not truly be regal; and second, that as Isildur’s heir, Aragorn threatens his family’s stewardship in Gondor. A foil to Aragorn, Boromir judges on appearances and exalts his ego over the greater good.

Boromir’s arrogance takes multiple forms and often leads to his claiming knowledge despite his ignorance. On multiple occasions, he is told that he does not know of what he speaks. Gandalf, Aragorn, and Celeborn each take Boromir to task for his mistaken claims that the southern lands are safe, that Moria is evil, that Lady Galadriel is suspect, and that the mysteries in Fangorn Forest are just “old wives’ tales” (364). Boromir’s ignorance finds yet more emphasis in the detail that Isildur’s scroll has all along been stored in Minas Tirith: The knowledge of the One Ring and its inscription was in Gondor’s possession yet left neglected and unread despite Denethor’s claim to know every record. Boromir is also the only member of the fellowship who does not participate in song, signaling that he lacks the deeper knowledge of storytelling and oral histories. The only verse he recites is the one from his dream, and even then, the recitation is for “the unravelling of hard words” (239), for he does not understand its meaning.

Despite his faults, Boromir is at times courageous and cooperative. During the blizzard at Caradhras, his suggestion to bring firewood helps them find warmth, and when they retreat down the mountain, Boromir is the guide, having noticed certain landmarks in the blinding snow. Aragorn follows his lead, and Boromir appears not only as Aragorn’s complement but as his superior in working a path through the snow: “Aragorn was the tallest of the Company, but Boromir, little less in height, was broader and heavier in build” (284). Boromir gallantly furrows a path chest-deep in snow, “swimming or burrowing with his great arms” (284), and returns to carry Pippin and Sam at turns despite his exhaustion. The imagery depicts Boromir’s leadership and valor, and he is invaluable in their safe descent down the mountain.

Boromir is also portrayed with sympathy in his desire for the Ring, as he wishes at heart to be a benevolent leader and defeat Sauron. He openly declares his intentions of returning to Gondor to continue fighting, a motivation that the others acknowledge as noble. Nevertheless, his pride reveals a more sinister desire for absolute control when, in the thralls of the Ring’s influence, he proclaims, “The Ring would give me power of Command […] and all men would flock to my banner!” (389). When he realizes his betrayal to Frodo, he weeps with remorse. Boromir represents a repetition of the fall of great men, most notably Isildur’s refusal to destroy the Ring. And though he initially lies to the fellowship about his last interaction with Frodo, his tearful contrition offers a window for redemption in The Two Towers.

Gandalf is the oldest and wisest member of the fellowship, and the Company’s leader. He is an authority on the Ring’s power and history, second only to Saruman, who has long studied Ring-lore and the arts of the Enemy. From Gandalf’s initiative, the Ring’s course is traced from Isildur to Frodo, and he confirms the identity of the Ring just in time for Frodo to escape from the Black Riders. Gandalf is one of five members of the Order of Wizards, though only three appear in the novel (himself, Saruman the White, and Radagast the Brown). The remaining two Blue Wizards appear in Tolkien’s other works but are undeveloped characters.

Gandalf is a paternal figure and mentor, esteemed by not only by the individual members of the fellowship but also the entire peoples of Middle-earth. Tolkien’s Unfinished Tales (1980) explores Gandalf’s origins, explaining him to be one of the Istari, an emissary of the Valar (the first spirits of the Creator) sent to Middle-earth to aid in the resistance against Sauron. Gandalf is himself a “spirit” (378) and takes on the appearance of a mortal man to better “advise and persuade Men and Elves to good” (373). In The Fellowship of the Ring, he appears as “an old man [… with] a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, and a silver scarf. He had a long white beard and bushy eyebrows that stuck out from beyond the brim of his hat” (24).

The hobbits regard Gandalf more simply as a wise guardian with a skill in fireworks, though Aragorn, Elrond, and Galadriel know that he is far more powerful than he appears. Gandalf demonstrates his strength and integrity when he holds off the demonic Balrog and sacrifices his life for his friends’ escape. He also is a figure of compassion and humility and teaches Frodo that he cannot assume that Gollum deserves death. He warns, “[D]o not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. For even the very wise cannot see all ends” (58). Gandalf follows his own tenets of compassion and humility; although he is a powerful and superior being, he refuses the temptation of the Ring and fears its corruptive powers. He also insists on Gollum’s humanity and the possibility, however slim, that the creature may be cured. Gandalf is a figure of the highest authority, and he teaches his most effective lessons through example rather than command.

Gimli, son of Glóin, has a deep connection to his heritage. When the fellowship travels through Moria, he identifies all the mountains from memory as they have been etched in the Dwarves’ stone and metal works and in their songs. He is a figure of exilic longing and has never been to his ancient homeland. The experience of seeing Khazad-dûm, the once glorious underground city now deserted in ruins, brings him both joy and sorrow. Any hopes of reclaiming the realm from Orcs are dashed when he sees Balin’s tomb, but he continues to honor his ancestors by singing of Durin’s reign and performing the ritual of looking in Mirrormere. Gimli represents the solemnity of exile, and even Sam finds himself so moved by the lake’s reflection that he is speechless.

Gimli is also subject to the Elves’ prejudice and emerges as a figure of unification. When the Elves single him out and disallow his freedom to walk like the others, he asserts, “I will not walk blindfold, like a beggar or a prisoner. And I am no spy” (338). The incident only exacerbates the animosity between Elves and Dwarves, as Gimli and Legolas accuse each other of being stubborn. However, Gimli becomes the significant figure who ends the millennia-old feud by accepting Galadriel’s olive branch of empathy and befriending Legolas. His transformation is also poignant as he demonstrates he can be devoted to his past without perpetuating its long-standing prejudices.

Legolas is the Elf Prince and son of Thranduil, the King of Elves in Mirkwood. He arrives in Rivendell to report the escape of Gollum from Mirkwood’s prison, but he ends up joining the fellowship. During their passage through Lórien, he delights in the realm of his kin and develops a bond with Gimli, taking him on trips throughout the land. Legolas shows deep love for Lórien, and his melancholic song reveals his sadness at the inevitable flight of the Elves from Middle-earth. He will often enlighten his companions on the unique perspective of Elves, explaining that their experience of time, as immortals, means they change little. Consequently, Legolas’s character remains relatively unchanged throughout the novel, though his friendship with Gimli will be the most unique and lasting friendship between an Elf and a Dwarf.

Frodo’s friend and distant cousin, the “conspirator” Merry knew for years of Bilbo’s magic ring and had read portions of Bilbo’s memoirs but kept his knowledge secret. He is trustworthy, considerate, and skilled, particularly when he prepares Frodo’s decoy move to Crickhollow. When he joins the fellowship, he uses his background as a Brandybuck to guide them through the Old Forest. He is also vital in discovering that the Black Riders have entered Bree. As a young adult of 37 years (the age of maturity for Hobbits is 33), Merry is Sam’s peer, and his responsibility and maturity make him a reliable companion.

When the story begins, Pippin is the youngest hobbit at 28 years old. He is also Frodo’s friend and distant cousin, and like Merry, he is devoted to helping Frodo in his quest. Pippin is cheery and a bit cheeky, often craving beer and teasing Sam. Due to his immaturity, he is described as “the ridiculous young Took” (154) and often leads his companions into dangerous situations. In Bree, he almost reveals the name of Baggins to strangers, and in Moria, he drops a stone in a well and inadvertently alerts the orcs to their presence. However, Pippin’s petulance at his exclusion from the fellowship ends up convincing Gandalf and Elrond that his deep friendship with Frodo may be a greater asset than they realize.

Bilbo Baggins is Frodo’s older cousin and guardian. He devotes his retirement to writing his memoirs and composing poetry, and in his role as author, he believes that stories should have a happy ending. He is affable and one of the few characters (before the fellowship’s formation) who has close friendships with Gandalf, Dwarves, and Elves. He even composes songs with Aragorn. Bilbo represents a childlike quality of honesty and good-humor, and he is supportive and generous when Frodo volunteers to take the Ring to Mordor. He gifts Frodo the sword, Sting, and a mithril tunic, heirlooms from his adventures in The Hobbit. In many ways, Bilbo inspires Frodo, as Frodo will often compare his wanderlust with his cousin’s experiences. Bilbo and eventually Sam are the only ones in history who willingly give up the Ring, though Bilbo held it much longer.

Tom is the enigmatic, primordial spirit in the Old Forest and lives with the river-spirit, Goldberry. He is one of the more fanciful characters in the novel, dressed in yellow boots and sporting a blue feather in his hat, and the Ring has no effect on him. Tom is most associated with the power of song, and his nonsensical lyrics seem paradoxical to their extraordinary powers to save the hobbits from mortal danger. Though his origins are obscure, Tom claims he is older than living things in the world, and his character suggests that good and evil are innate forces of life.

Barliman Butterbur is the friendly but forgetful innkeeper at The Prancing Pony. Frodo thinks of him as “kind and stupid” (214), and Aragorn refers to him as a “fat man” (242). He is hardworking and honest, and he demonstrates the goodness of simple folk. Gandalf considers him “wise enough on his own ground” (215) and values his position at The Prancing Pony, a vital crossroads for obtaining news from across the lands. Butterbur demonstrates his fairness when he compensates the hobbits for their missing ponies and takes a loss, and he is later rewarded for his decency when the ponies are recovered and he gets to keep them. Butterbur is also a figure of local authority, and after the raid at the inn, he re-establishes order and puts Bill Ferny in his place.

Fatty Bolger is Frodo’s friend and fellow hobbit. Though he does not join their journey and fears the Old Forest, he plays an important role in Buckland by convincing the townspeople that Frodo lives there. Fatty also shows bravery and quick thinking when the Black Riders invade Crickhollow, and he alerts the townspeople to safety.

Farmer Maggot is an intimidating hobbit with three large dogs that protect his property, and he once beat a young Frodo for stealing mushrooms. Frodo fears Maggot but discovers that the farmer is generous, kind, and more than willing to help him travel safely. Like Butterbur and Bolger, Maggot deters the Black Riders and represents simple decency and neighborly assistance.

Ted is a surly hobbit who dismisses folklore and ridicules Sam for believing in legends. Ted’s ignorance and mean spirit illustrate the presence of enmity even in humble and peaceful realms like the Shire. When Sam gazes into Galadriel’s Mirror, he sees Ted cutting down trees and constructing a factory in the Shire, a vision that foreshadows Ted’s future disloyalty and collaboration with Saruman’s forces.

Bill Ferny is the foul and opportunistic Breelander who spies for Sauron’s forces and informs the Black Riders of the hobbits’ presence at the inn. Like Ted, Ferny represents betrayal and greed. He exploits the hobbits’ need for a pony and sells them his abused animal at an exorbitant price. His despicable character provokes Sam to throw an apple at his head, and the pony appears happier to join the dangerous journey than stay with Ferny. Both Ferny and Ted Sandyman are minor characters who illustrate that even on a smaller scale, in the little towns of Men and Hobbits, evil and malice exist. They are also foils to good neighbors like Bolger, Butterbur, and Maggot.

Gildor is the first Elf whom Frodo, Sam, and Pippin encounter when they leave the Shire. He establishes the Elves as allies, as their fortuitous crossing scares away Black Riders and provides the hobbits with an evening of food and safety. Impressed by Frodo’s use of the Ancient Speech, Gildor names him “Elf-friend” and promises to notify others to watch over their journey. Their exchange highlights how the speaking of other languages encourages alliance and hospitality.

Elrond is the half-Elven Lord of Rivendell and represents healing, wisdom, and sanctuary. He revives Frodo from his wound, and in his realm, Frodo reunites with Gandalf and Bilbo, and Aragorn with Arwen. He has witnessed three ages of Middle-earth and insists that all the members of the fellowship go willingly. Elrond’s stipulation symbolically emphasizes that free will plays an essential role in defeating evil.

Galadriel is the Lady of Lórien, and her wisdom, grace, and diplomacy inspire Gimli and Legolas to build a lasting friendship. She is also closely associated with the motif of perception. Her gaze has the power to see deep in the hearts of the fellowship, and with her mirror, she offers visions of possibilities—but not fates. Like Gildor and Elrond, she offers no counsel and places value on free will, telling Frodo and Sam not to base their actions on what the mirror shows. Her parting gifts to the Company reveal that she comprehends what each member longs for and what may sustain them on their journey.

Haldir is an Elf who guards the borders of Lórien. Unlike many of his kin, he speaks the Westron tongue and can communicate with the fellowship. Haldir shows interest in different lands and languages but upholds the laws of Lórien that require Dwarves to enter the realm blindfolded, stating that he has no authority to change the rule. He expresses dismay that Lórien has become so distrustful and isolated, and as soon as word is delivered that they may all walk freely, Haldir unblindfolds Gimli first and apologizes to him with a low bow. The scene illustrates the importance of dismantling prejudices and isolationism, and Haldir perceptively states that their estrangement and division would only serve Sauron.

Gollum is the tragic figure who wrestles with a paradoxical love and hate of the Ring. He is captured by Sauron’s forces and later Gandalf’s allies and is reviled by both. However, Gandalf maintains Gollum’s humanity and holds a dim hope that he can be cured. Gollum represents both the degradation caused by corruption and the necessity of empathy for suffering. His psyche encapsulates the struggle of good over evil, and his dual identity as Gollum and Sméagol will play a prominent role in The Two Towers and The Return of the King.

Saruman is the head of the Order of Wizards and represents corruption, authoritarianism, and connivance. He feigns aid to Sauron and secretly vies to take the Ring for himself to create a world of “Knowledge, Rule, [and] Order” (253). Saruman also represents the danger in pursuing knowledge, and his study of ring-lore and the Enemy’s arts plays a role in his corruption. Gandalf explains that “[h]is knowledge is deep, but his pride has grown with it” (47). Saruman renames himself “Saruman of Many Colours” (252), a reference to his duplicity toward Sauron and Gandalf. Gandalf sees through Saruman’s offer to share the Ring with him and is imprisoned when he refuses the collusion.

Sauron is the Dark Lord and creator of the One Ring. Vanquished in the Second Age, he exists as a diminished spirit that gradually regains force through the corruption of others. He is symbolized as an oppressive Eye “rimmed with fire, but […] itself glazed, yellow as a cat’s, watchful and intent, and the black slit of its pupil opened on a pit, a window into nothing” (355). The Eye of Sauron represents evil as an omnipresent, surveilling gaze that none can escape, suggesting that one cannot avert the force of evil or fathom its depths. However, Sauron was not always evil, and his corruption implies that innate goodness, however weak or strong, exists as well.

Isildur, the eldest son of Elendil, is responsible for vanquishing Sauron in the Second Age but fails to destroy the Ring. Isildur represents the weakness and downfall of Men, and the Ring is referred to as Isildur’s Bane. Aragorn calls himself Isildur’s heir and claims both the duty and disgrace of his ancestor. He helps Gandalf search for Gollum, for “it seemed fit that Isildur’s heir should labor to repair Isildur’s fault” (245). Aragorn’s motivation to claim the throne is, in part, to redeem his lineage and revive the House of Elendil.