[Aratlithiel]

I don't think you're giving Frodo enough credit here. It seems to me that if Frodo did not consider Sam a friend, his treatment of him would have been quite different. Frodo was very careful at the beginning of the journey to make certain that Sam did not carry any more than his fair share - as were the other hobbits. Also, when they arrived at Crickhollow, Sam was treated to the luxury of a hot bath along with Pippin and Frodo while Merry and Fatty took care of dinner. Hardly normal treatment for a servant - if Sam were considered 'just a servant' and not a friend by the other hobbits, he most certainly would have been in the kitchen preparing a meal for all the others while they enjoyed the baths.

This sort of equal treatment is repeated throughout the book and is not the sort of behavior one would expect to find between master and servant or officer and enlisted man during Tolkien's time. The only 'servant' work that was expected of Sam was that which he expected of himself.

Yes, I think there is an ENORMOUS amount of hero-worship involved, but I also think there is a great love between the two that the Quest only enhanced.

Sam's heroism is a direct result of his love for Frodo and if not for the injuries and dangers Frodo faced, that heroism would never have come to the forefront. I don't care how loyal a SERVANT someone is, only a FRIEND would face a giant spider and sneak INTO a tower full of orcs instead of run screaming away. And if Frodo did not love Sam, he wouldn't have tried to leave him behind with the rest of the company @ Rauros. I don't believe for a minute that the term 'friend of friends' would commonly be used lightly between a master and a servant. In fact, I don't believe that anything Frodo said to Sam can be taken lightly. Frodo never allowed Sam to take a danger onto himself unless Sam physically pushed Frodo out of the way.

And Frodo reciprocated as much as his circumstances allowed - he also advanced on Shelob, taking the danger to himself first rather than sending Sam.

I don't think you can read these books and examine this relationship with a critical eye and come away thinking that this was merely a master/servant relationship. The words exchanged between the two and the actions taken to protect each other speaks of a great love and loyalty.

I think the main difference between the two is that Sam would give up his life for Frodo but he would not sacrifice Frodo for the Quest (note his refusal to remove the Ring from danger when he realized Frodo was alive and in the tower). Frodo, on the other hand, would give his life for Sam as well, but he would also sacrifice Sam for the Quest, albeit reluctantly. Sam was there for FRODO - Frodo was there for Middle earth. It seems to me that that's the only circumstance where the officer/enlisted man analogy fits.