Since reading the books and then enjoying the films in the early 2000s, Lord of the Rings is up there as a favourite of many. But, there is something that needs to be discussed. That is how much Samwise Gamgee is underestimated and underrated by his fellow LOTR characters – and maybe even some of the fans.

Let’s face it, he was the reason the job in hand was done! Not Frodo, despite his being the only name cheered as the ring dissolved within the fires of Mordor. Also, I have seen plenty of dogs and pets named after Frodo and Bilbo but vary rarely have I seen one called Samwise! This guy carried Frodo up a mountain! I mean, come on; someone could at least call their Pekingese terrier after him.

So, to prove our point that Samwise is one of the most important and underrated characters in LOTR. We’re going to point out where Sam was an absolute legend. And, quite frankly, deserves a lot more respect from the rest of the hobbits, men, wizards, elves, ents and other inhabitants of Middle Earth.

The Fellowship of the Ring

While there’s some action in the first film, The Fellowship of the Ring, it’s more about meeting the fellowship. About establishing relationships, building the story and friendships. One of the strongest friendships in the films is between Frodo and Sam (Samwise). Which is cemented right at the beginning. We meet the mild-mannered Sam trying to summon up the courage to dance with his hobbit love interest, Rosie Cotton, and Frodo throws him straight in, showcasing the brotherly bond between them.

To begin with, it may be perceived that Sam isn’t as adventures as Frodo. But what he lacks in being outgoing, he makes up in loyalty and love for his hobbit companions.

Now, you know you have a true friend when they are willing to hide in a bush and keep a watch. Rather than run for the hills when they hear strange noises. This is something that Sam did, just before Frodo was sent on his journey by Gandalf; however, this nosy act just got him involved in the quest ahead.

Nazgûl

There were also early signs of his badass nature. When Sam and Frodo had their first encounter with a Nazgûl (Black Rider/Ringwraith), just after they are joined by Pippin and Merry. While Frodo was getting sucked into putting the ring on his finger by the dark magic, Sam knocks him awake from the spell. And he distracts the Nazgûl by throwing the hobbits’ food, so they could make a run for it. Sam was also the first to come after Aragorn when he thought he was hurting Frodo in the Prancing Pony. And, again, at weather top, charging at the Nazgûl to try and protect Frodo, awakening his fighting spirit.

Sam’s loyalty was shown even more when he desperately wanted to go home as soon as Frodo put himself forward for the quest to Mordor. But, Sam was right by his side, vowing to come along too… Even though he was once again eavesdropping on a secret meeting.

Chamber of Mazarbul

Sam throws himself straight into the fight in the Chamber of Mazarbul, against the Orcs and cave troll. Which is quite a lot for a simple gardener from the shire. In a way, throughout the first instalment of the story, Sam becomes Frodo’s bodyguard and main confidant. Even when Frodo tries to push him away at the end, and travel alone. Sam puts himself in danger, nearly drowning. All so he can be by Frodo’s side and not let the fallen Gandalf down as he had promised him that he would not leave Frodo.

At the end of The Fellowship of the Ring, it’s clear to see who the positive one is out of the two. As Frodo already starts to get negative about the journey ahead. Sam tries to keep things on a more positive note. In short, making us realise that we all need a positive, loyal Samwise Gamgee in our lives.

The Two Towers

In the second instalment of LOTR, there’s a very healthy helping of action with the lead up to, and the actual battle for, Helm’s Deep. So much so, in fact, that Frodo and Sam face more quest disruptions than action. Yet, Sam still shows his worth and his importance within these chapters.

Firstly, even though we see snapshots of his own hope dwindling. Sam is always there with a funny quip to rase Frodo’s spirits, even when they realise they’ve been going around in circles and are being followed by a foul smell. Once they capture Gollum (the foul smell), Frodo’s trust builds for the new friend. Yet Sam always keeps a suspicious eye on Gollum, and so he should.

The power of the ring

As the ring starts to take over Frodo more and more, Sam is always there; cooking, being kind, even when snapped at, and looking out for the travelling trio, especially when the Nazgûl return. Even Faramir jokes that Sam is Frodo’s bodyguard. It also seems like it was one of Sam’s rants towards Faramir that helped to convince him to let Frodo, Gollum and Sam go on the rest of the quest. Well, it could have been that, or the fact that more Nazgûls arrive on their fell beasts. Who Sam had to save Frodo from once again as the ring takes over. How does Frodo thank Sam? By attacking him with a sword to his face (whilst he was under the rings spell). Think about it, if Sam wasn’t there, Frodo could have been dead, and the ring would have ended up in the bad guys’ hands.

At the end of Two Towers, it’s up to Sam once again to give Frodo another pep talk. To move them forward on their journey, reminding Frodo that they still have more of the journey to go and that they are part of a much bigger story.

Even Frodo himself said “Frodo wouldn’t have got far without Samwise the Brave”. FACT!

The Return of the King

So, this is the instalment where Sam really shines as the one true hero. Hear me out here, yes, everyone did have their part to play. But look at it this way: would the ring really have made it to the fires of Mordor without Sam?

From the start of this part of the tale, Sam is onto Gollum and his scheming ways. He even hears Gollum plotting with himself about killing both Sam and Frodo. But when brave Sam tries to confront him, an almost ring devoured Frodo sides with Gollum, instead of Sam. Gollum continues to poison Frodo’s mind with the idea that Sam wants to steal the ring for himself. But Sam sticks by Frodo’s side. He’s continually looking out for Frodo when he is being dragged into the rings dark magic, and when it comes to hiding from those pesky Nazgûls.

Unfortunately, even with all his devotion and protection, Gollum’s mind tricks and the weight of the ring gets the better of Frodo. And, when it comes to lembas-bread-gate, he once again believes Gollum over Sam and orders him to go home. But does Sam go? No! Well, okay, he does for a hot minute. But he comes to his senses as the true friend he is and tries to catch up with Frodo.

Shelob

When he does, he finds Frodo in Shelob’s clutches, after Gollum’s plan to lure Frodo to her lair had succeeded. Did Sam run away in fear? No, he held up Frodo’s sword and the Phial of Galadriel, and fights the spider off, until she runs away back into her cave. But, Sam believes he is too late, and that Frodo is dead. So he grabs the ring and hides as a couple of Orcs arrive. They suggest that Frodo is still alive, and carry him off to their tower.

Now, let’s just stop here and look at the situation. This is the second point in the story where, if it wasn’t for Sam, the ring would have been in the enemy’s hand and Frodo would have died. Frodo was the one that pushed Sam away he made him go home, but he came back. At this point, Sam could have just left Frodo to the Orcs and continued the journey on his own, as he had the ring. Yet he didn’t. He climbed a massive tower to save him.

Luckily, when Sam got to Frodo, he had a fairly clear path. As all the Orcs were fighting over Frodo’s shiny shirt. But, there were still some Orcs he had to fight to get to Frodo. When he rescues Frodo, and Frodo realises that the ring is missing, Sam gives him the ring pretty much straight back. I mean, come on, that ring has some powerful magic attached to it. It’s hard to just give back.

Mount Doom

After this, the pair get back on the journey to Mount Doom. And, arguably, Sam is given even more hero points as he even gives Frodo the last of his water. However, the biggest points scorer of all is when Sam really shows his worth. Right towards the end, when Frodo can no longer go on, Sam picks Frodo up and carries him up a bloody volcanic mountain. He could have just taken the little ring, but oh no, he carried a whole hobbit up to the top of Mount Doom. The one thing that is really a knife to the chest for us Sam fans is whilst Sam is struggling to carry Frodo up the hill. Aragorn and the others march into battle saying ‘For Frodo’, They could have easily said ‘For Frodo and Sam’. Sam was doing all the work, after all.

Once the pair were at the top by the fiery pit of Mordor, Sam’s work was still not done. He also had to fight off a returning Gollum, giving way to Frodo, so he could walk towards the lava and throw in the ring. But does Frodo put the ring in? No, he decides he wants to keep it. Sam watches him in disbelief and, as Sam is distracted, Gollum hits him over the head with a rock for his troubles. A fight breaks out between Gollum and Frodo, and both of them plus the ring fall off the edge towards the lava.

Luckily, Frodo holds on to the edge, whilst the ring and Gollum get absorbed and killed by the lava. Who comes to Frodo’s rescue? I hear you say. None other than our hero, Sam, who pulls him up. What a hero, we can just hear everyone cheer Sam’s name… oh no, we can’t… as Aragorn, Gandalf and the team are busy cheering for Frodo, who was going to keep the ring!

Battle of Bywater

So, even though this part of the story didn’t make it into the films, it is still important to note. Once again in this part of the story, we see Sam as Frodo’s driving force to get rid of Saruman and his army from the shire. To unite the folk of the shire together, ultimately bringing Rosie’s character (Sam’s love interest) and Sam’s love of the people of Hobbiton to the forefront.

Sam and Rosie

Once the adventure and the Battle of Bywater was over, our favourite Sam gave us the romantic storyline we all wanted. Working up the courage to talk to and marry Rosie Cotton. They had 13 children and he also became the Mayor of the Shire. Basically, Samwise Gamgee became a family man, a leader, a bass ass and the most underrated member of the fellowship of the ring.

We hope you enjoyed and jumped on board with our logic as to why Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings is the most underrated and important members of the story. If you have anything to add, or think someone else is worthy of the title, let us know in the comments below.

Read about what happened to the Fellowship after the ring was destroyed HERE.