The Rule of Samwise Gamgee

Samwise Gamgee stands perhaps above all characters in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy as the supreme example of steadfast loyalty and humble service. Frodo, as the Ring-bearer, sometimes supersedes Sam in popular culture, but it is Sam, Frodo's humble gardener and companion, whose unwavering loyalty, love, and resilience are the greatest. His devotion to Frodo is the force that keeps the Ring out of the hands of Sauron, devotion which draws parallels to the dedication of a monk. Just as Saint Benedict had a rule to guide his action and compel him to virtue, Sam has a deep-seated sense of dedication, humility, and duty which allows him to serve Frodo, even when the night is darkest and his own life is in grave peril.

Unlike Frodo, Gandalf, or Aragorn, and like most monks, Sam is not of noble birth or blessed with magical abilities. He's a simple gardener, thrown into a terrifying quest by circumstance. Yet, despite his humble origins, Sam's faithfulness, courage, and capacity to love demonstrate that he is far from ordinary. He understands his role as an instrument in a far bigger quest, an ideal echoed by Tolkien in his letters: “The greatness I meant was that of a great instrument in God’s hands – a mover, a doer, even an achiever of great things, a beginner at the very least of large things… for the greatness I meant and tremblingly hoped for as ours is valueless unless steeped with the same holiness of courage, suffering, and sacrifice – but is of a different kind.” (Letter 5) The kind of courage, suffering, and sacrifice that Tolkien speaks of is the kind Samwise carries with him – the same kind that monks carry with them – that of a suffering servant.

Sam’s undying loyalty to Frodo is shown at Mount Doom when he says, “I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you." (Book 6, Chapter 3) Frodo, exhausted and demoralized from their arduous journey across Middle Earth, can no longer walk due to the weight of the Ring, yet despite being in the same, or worse (Sam is a tad plump) physical condition, Sam volunteers to carry Frodo.  Physical feeling does not matter to Sam – his rule guides him.  The Ring represents Frodo's burden, his duty, his pain - which Sam cannot relieve him of; however, Sam can offer support and suffer physical hardship instead. Sam’s readiness to bear his master’s physical weight underlines his unyielding commitment to Frodo’s mission and to Frodo himself.

Sam’s struggle with the concept of love is also evident throughout the story. His love for Frodo transcends the master-servant relationship, forging an enduring bond of friendship. He is also a lover of the Shire’s peace and normality, which becomes a central motivation in his journey. His romantic love for Rosie Cotton is another manifestation of his capacity for affection.

One of the most moving scenes in the trilogy encapsulates Sam's understanding of love in the face of dire circumstances. As he and Frodo approach Minas Morgul, Sam ponders on the stories of old. “Folk seem to have been just landed in them [stories], usually — their paths were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn't. And if they had, we shouldn't know, because they'd have been forgotten.” (Book 4, Chapter 8) Here, Sam’s comprehension of duty and love extends beyond individuals, embracing the whole world and the very essence of life.  Facing death is a frequent struggle for Sam.  And although he fears death, as it constantly follows him, he is willing to face it for the sake of Frodo and the quest.  His frequent run-ins with death bring him closer to Frodo, and as a result, one can imagine Sam uttering the words written by Tolkien in one of his letters: “I became aware of the dominance of the theme of death… but certainly Death is not an Enemy!” (Letter 208) Sam’s courage in the face of death is epitomized soon after the scene above Minas Morgul when he single-handedly infiltrates the orc stronghold of Cirith Ungol to rescue Frodo. Despite the near-certain prospect of death, Sam charges forth, driven by love and loyalty. 

Yet, Sam also wrestles with the concept of death in a metaphorical sense. He witnesses Frodo metaphorically dying, losing his essence and vitality due to the burden of the Ring. Sam must grapple with this gradual loss, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of death beyond its physical manifestation. He stands by Frodo, despite his master’s transformation, reinforcing his unwavering loyalty. One of Sam's most poignant quotes exemplifies his wisdom on the inevitability of death: "It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end… because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing… this shadow. Even darkness must pass." (Book 4, Chapter 8) Sam is not merely talking about stories here - he's referring to the full cycle of life, the battle between good and evil, despair and hope, and the human (or hobbit) capacity to weather adversity.  Sam, like a wise monk, is honest about his current circumstances, genuinely acknowledging his feelings of dread and despair.  It can be hard to envision a happy ending or even a return to normalcy when one is deeply entrenched in hardship, but despite recognizing the difficulty of their situation, Sam concludes with a note of profound hope. He believes that their current predicament, the “shadow,' is transitory, much like the darkness in the great stories. Just as night gives way to day, Sam believes that the darkness they are experiencing will eventually pass. This is his enduring optimism, asserting that no matter how challenging or impossible the situation may seem, it is not permanent. The dawn always follows the darkest hour.

Strength and power do not always manifest themselves physically through slaying dragons or wielding magical powers. There is such a thing as spiritual strength, a power that is honed by constant adversity and strict adherence to a set of principles – a strength known by many monks. It is found in the act of selfless service, in the capacity to love, and in the bravery to face death. Sam’s journey also underscores the concept of hope in the face of despair. Though Frodo may be known to some as the primary hero of the story, we ought to remember that behind the success of the Ring-bearer stands a devoted gardener, steadfast in his duty, who quietly carried the weight of the world.

- ACLL