Who is the greatest hero of The Lord of the Ring?

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Is a question that i have asked myself and i list my opinion here. Its was however not an easy conclusion to come to as the book is full of great people.

Faramir, son of Denethor, Serverly tested by his father and the power of the Ring always prooved loyal and valiant however hard the task set to him. Eowyn both fair maiden and feresome warrior and her brother Eomer are also worthy of mention here as are others that i don't name.

Looking to the Company of the Ring, maybe the two young hobbits whose quiet footsteps brought down the might of The White Hand, one with his innocent mischief that put both doubt and fear in the heart of the enemy, the other with his wise head and valour in his aid in the slaying of the Witch-King with the Lady of Rohan.

Or the man, both proud and valiant, whose whole life had been devoted to defending his realm and his people, who knew the hand, if not the mind of the enemy more than most, he was overwealmed by the power of the Ring but repented his deads in his death, and gave his life in the defence of those less able.

Be it the Elf and Dwarf, once mistrustfull of each other but then the greatest of friend, both who proved to be great warriors in the War of the Ring.

Or the wild man of the North, perhaps the greatest member of the greatest line of mortal men, both grim and fair, proud and humble, deadly but gentle in both mind and of hand, both slayer and healer, Isildur's heir of the house of Valandil of the line of Earendil the Blessed.

Or perhaps the old wizard, The Grey Pilgrim and The White Rider, wonderfull and terrible, who fought the malice of the shadow for the best part on an age, without whose wisdom and counsel all we have long been lost.

Or to the Ringbearer, who took on the quest and through terror and darkness came further on the quest that any of the wise could have imagined, or indeed achieved themselves.

But no, my true hero of the tale is Samwise Gamgee, son of Hamfast, I will not list my reasons here but i am sure any who have read the tale would understand my reasoning if not agree with it


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[burrahobbit]

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Re: Who is the greatest hero of The Lord of the Ring?

I have to say Aragorn. It seems to me that he did the largest amount of heroic things of any character in the book, and many more in his past that are mentioned.

What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?</p>

[Drew2K1]

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Samwise Gamgee, son of Hamfast

I have to agree with Borthand. While others thought throughout the war of the rings, Sam thought more against Shelob than any Man or Elf, and when he could have left Frodo in Cirith Ungol he didn't. Then throughout Mordor he led Frodo to Orodruin (Mt Doom), and gave his master most of the food and water they had.


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[The X Phial]

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Mithrandir, The Grey Pilgrim

I vote for Gandalf as the greatest hero of the LotR. Without him the ring would almost certainly been seized from Frodo in the Shire. He was the first to discover the ring's power, the first to know of Saruman's treachery, the only one who could have fought the balrog, the one who convinced Theoden to join the fray, and the hope of the Gondorian people. He saved Faramir (with some help from Pippen and Aragorn) and he masterminded the entire plan to destroy the ring. In short, though everyone had an amazing role to play, his was the most overarching.

-*-The X Phial-*- You must believe in free will, you have no choice. Isaac Singer</p>

[Samwise of the shire]

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Re:mouth wide open

Oh wow very poetic Borthand wow,I seriously think you should turn that into an essay or something like that wow!!!!I've got a varioty of heroes,Sam-of course-because he helps in the most possible way to complete the quest,Frodo because he took the burden of saving the world on his shoulders,Pippin because he helps Merry to the houses of healing and kills that one troll and comes to relise Grishnak's plan for the Ring,Merry because he avenges Frodo's almost mortal wound at Weathertop and he saves Eowen,Eowen cause she kills the Nazgul,Theoden because he deffends his land,and believe it or not Gollum-now I still dont like him but you'll see why I say Gollum-because he is the one who took the Ring,and destroyed it along with himself so I should say that Gollum is a type of hero in his own sneaking way.
Samwise of the shire
Ps.Welcome to the BW forum Borthand,enjoy some arguments*winking*

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[the Lorien wanderer]

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One of the most difficult questions....

....and to choose between my personal 3 favourites is even worse. But out of Gandalf, Aragorn and Sam, I would have to go with the heir of Isildur for reasons that are known to every Tolkien reader.

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[Telchar]

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Re: One of the most difficult questions....

I 1956 JRRT recived a letter from a Sam Gamgee - And he was astonished!
(I havent got my books here - so I unfortunatly cant give the exact number)
In his reply to Mr. Gamgee Tolkiens says that he hope it to be some comfort for Mr. Gamgee that Sam (in the story) was proberly the most heroic caracter...

Only in resent year have I learned to appreciate Sams role in the story, as the intinite symbol of love and loyalty to his master, whereas when I was younger, it was alwas warriors like Aragorn or Wizards like Gandalf... Having grown up a bit I too vote Samvise Gamgee

Cheers Telchar

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[Mithrandir]

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Sam Gamgee all the way!!

As i have stated in many other discussions, Sam is my favorite hobbit, my favorite character, and the greatest hero in LotR. He is humble, forgiving, devoted, selfless, just plain someone that i would want to be my friend. Like Telchar, it too has taken me a while to come to this conclusion and to fully appriciate Sams loyalty and honesty and companionship. I could go on and on and on. . .

The Road goes ever on and on </p>

[Aldaron]

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Re: Sam Gamgee all the way!!

For the first several times that we read LotR Sam Gamgee is not a very exciting character, is he? We cheer for Frodo who takes on the task, then we see Aragorn as a mysterious character who shows up at The Prancing Pony and is much more than he at first seems. And always is Gandalf in the background. It takes a long time for us to figure out how important to the story Sam is and how faithful and unselfish he is. Yay, Sam!

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[KayQy]

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Re: Sam Gamgee all the way!!

I just want to say why, although so many vital and heroic parts were played in the War of the Ring, Sam goes above and beyond the rest...only everyone else already has! <img src=smile.gif ALT=""> But one thing that seems to have been overlooked, and is my favorite characteristic, is his down-to-earth hobbit sense and humility. Except for a brief temptation while wearing the Ring, he never aspires to being more than a gardener and Frodo's servant and friend. Even when he puts himself forward, he has Frodo's or someone else's (ie. Bill) well-being in mind. He keeps his mind on the task to be done and rarely gives in to despair, and I think that is what gets them to Oroduin in the end. Not to mention what he does afterwards to restore the Shire.

I do not know that we can have a heaven here on earth, but I am sure we need not have a hell here either. --Rich Mullins</p>

[Elanor]

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Re: Sam Gamgee all the way!!

I vote for Sam too. Everyone has already given the reasons very eloquently, but I'd just like to add one more point in his favour.

One of Sam's truly heroic qualities (in my opinion) is that he overcomes great fear and doubt to do what he knows in his heart is the right thing. On several occasions, he was almost paralysed by fear, but managed to overcome it.

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[Lady Eowyn]

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Re: Sam Gamgee all the way!!

It has to be sam..
His loyalty, friendship and courage make him
the hero for me!and you all stated whatever else
I could say

And he that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom</p>

gandalf(sp?) gave his life for the rest of the fellowship

I would have to go with Sam because he is loyal trustworthy and he has a sense of leadership about him.Also he knew what he had to do when Frodo was taken by the Orks after he was hurt by Shelob.He knew that Frodo would trust him and that the ring had to be desroyed. He also knew that it was up to him and if he didn't find a way the Dark Lord would get the ring.

I don't think i can chosse, because with out the bravery of all of them, the ring would never have been deystroyed. But i guess if i have to choose id say Frodo, because he was my favourite character in the book, because he somehow only just managed to resist the temptation of the ring. But then he couldn't ahve done that without Sam...Then i also like Legolas, such a brave Elf going to war.
[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Estelyn Telcontar]

This opinion topic has been moved to the Novices and Newcomers forum. Please read and post there.

[MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie]

Sam?!?!SAM?!?!?!!!!Are you serious?!?

Think about it. Frodo is definately more of a hero than Sam is. So why don't you people say Frodo instead of Sam? Believe me, Frodo fits the definition of a hero much better than Sam.

Samwise of the shire said

believe it or not Gollum-now I still dont like him but you'll see why I say Gollum-because he is the one who took the Ring,and destroyed it along with himself so I should say that Gollum is a type of hero in his own sneaking way.

Gollum is a hero, yes. But I see him as a hero because without some of his guideance, the quest would have failed. And Gollum showed courage by going further to the place he fears (Mordor), not only that, but facing the sun, moon, and all that other stuff he hates and fears. Yes, Gollum is a hero, not as much as Sam or Frodo or a lot of others, buthe is still a hero, for a while he was at least.

But my vote definately goes to Gandalf. He dedicated his life for the well being of others. Without his help, aid, advice, and decisions, many many and many times, there would be no peace or free will. It definately has to be Gandalf.

[Rynoah, the Overly-Happy]

Faramir, I say. And Gollum. He is, after all, the one who actually destroyed the Ring.

In the tradition of traditional movie heroes I'd say Aragorn and Gandulf.

But, in the every day, doing a dangerous job that you never get credit for Frodo and Sam.

I think the world needs both types.

[lathspell]

Aragorn. Gandalf too, of course, but he was sent to do that. Aragorn wasn't, yet he held his oath to Arwen and Elrond, and he did good.

[Meela]

faramir

[Meela]

faramir

[Aragorn2002]

I would say Sam or Aragorn
________
Temporomandibular join disorder (tmj) forums

[Lathriel]

I would say that all the members of the fellowship did something to make them heroes. But i think Frodo is one of the main heroes because he had to carry the most evil thing of middle earth all the way from the shire to Mount Doom.

i think it's a combination of all these wonderful characters which gives an overall hero. You see, if you combine Aragorn, Gandalf and Sam, you get a perfect hero!

I love Aragorn the most cos he's the typical hero, but Sam, in his nice hobbit ways, comes through as a hero...yeah, so Frodo takes the ring, but he wouldn't have managed it without Sam.

Also, can i just say that i think Legolas (due to the film) is the most over-rated character. I know that he's Thranduil's son, prince of Mirkwood, etc, and a great warrior in the war of the ring, but there were many of these! I just think that cos Orlando Bloom with his boyband looks attracts so many females, that he's over-rated! Give me Aragorn any day!