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The Frodo/Sam relationship was, to me, the obvious OTT. Considering the Prof's personal beliefs, I thought it was rather homoerotic! Then again, Catholics and small boys eh?
But seriously, I think it did somewhat cross the line from pure companionship at some point, although I doubt such things entered the mind of a religious man in the 1950s.
I will be shot for this but with the exception of a few which interested me only after I'd read the Sil, I hated (and always skipped) the poems and songs! BOR-ing. I should probably leave now.
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(No I am not going to shoot you [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] )
Today that type of relationship does seem very odd. And you are right this is the 1950's we are talking about.
Let me start by making a few points:
Point 1: Today things are perverted, words like queer and gay are put into a 'new-aged', slang context that change the pure meaning of the words.
Point 2: Sam calls Frodo, Mr.Frodo.
Point 3: J.R.R.T was from Bloemfontein South Africa.
*laughs* Now this where you say "SO What?"
Now why am I saying these things?
I have often wondered, because of the Professors religion how he felt about how bantu's were treated. (Bantu is 'black' is Africaans) It seems IMHO that Sam (his character anyway) has reflection of the times before the apartide took place.
Sam was Bilbo's gardener, he took care of his fieldly matters and was treated kindly by the Bagginses at Bag End. He was also given lessons by Bilbo himself.
Also we see Sam's family doesn't have money or it seems much education, (other than the 'wisdom' of the Gaffer)and he feels 'responsible' for Frodo. I know that Gandalf set a task for Sam, but maybe because Frodo and Bilbo took such kindness to Sam and gave him an education and friendship that is why we see loyalty and commitment. Sam acts like Frodo is some sort of master over him, but Frodo is not actually and looks on him as a friend and an equal. Maybe I am the only one that sees this. Me and my analytical mind [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]
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He himself says he would normally do as the master of the house, (even if it were a hovel) bid him *except* that this sword is Anduril. Later he insists on putting the sword into a corner with his own hands and solemnly warns the guards against touching it.
IMO Aragorn is genuinely worried about what might happen if somebody other than himself tries to meddle with this ancient and powerful talisman. It is very possible that Anduril is actually physically dangerous to anybody but its rightful owner.
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Morwen, I have to agree with you there. Kind of an Excalibur sort of deal.
I mean it is the sword that cut the One from Saurons hand. And perhaps, he didn't want to leave it because he revered it so. And we see how the blade cut Boromir, also the blade sliced through the Dark Lord himself, mayhap there is some sort of spell on it, wether for good or evil ( I think good because all of the other swords melted or turned to ash with a Morgul spell when the Nazgul were stabbed).
Any way, maybe I'm the only one that sees things this way. Great Topic by the way.
I think that as far as flaws are concerned, I see none really, other than the ones the Professor was working on before he passed on. And they really aren't that big a deal to me. I am not picky [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] It's LotR I LOVE it!