A lot of people talk about Frodo's relationship with Sam (which is an absolutely beautiful one), but not a lot of people talk about Frodo's relationship with Gollum.

Obviously it wasn't exactly a friendship, like it was with Sam and Frodo, but a connection between the two was most definitely there because both of them knew what it was to bear the Ring. Frodo even says that he pities Gollum because he sees what the Ring has done to him. He feels that same suffering within himself. Frodo assumes the role of Gollum's "master" as well. He defends Gollum when Sam is cruel to him (although I admit that Sam definitely had good reasons to act the way he did). It's as though Frodo can see the struggle of the good and the evil within Gollum, and he believes that the good side will come out on top in the end. I think this relationship is important because it shows the compassionate and empathetic side of Frodo which we don't get to see a lot elsewhere, since usually Frodo is the one being pitied and not the pity-er.
I know there's more I want to say, but I can't think of anything at the moment. Does anyone have any thoughts on the subject, or anything they want to add? I'd like to hear what others have to say.
~T.T

I believe there exists a great understanding between Frodo and Gollum/Smeagol. Smeagol really tries to help Frodo not get in danger, for example in the movie at the Black Gate. On the other hand, Frodo supports him 'against' Samwise, as you said. I believe if it weren't for Gollum Smeagol would have never tried to do anything to Frodo, he even would've helped him with all his strength.

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That's true. The fact that Gollum is divided up into two people (Smeagol/Gollum) makes him even more difficult to fathom. It's impossible enough to fully understand one being, but two within the same person is even more impossible! And I think you're right. I think that if the Gollum half were out of the way, Smeagol really would be fine and he would truly do good to help Frodo. However, I don't think that was really possible for him. The Gollum half, the half consumed by the Ring, had to strong of a hold on the Smeagol half.
Gollum/Smeagol is a very interesting and intricate character to me. I completely loathe him, and yet, at the same time I pity him, and am even grateful to him. Because without him, Frodo would have been consumed by the Ring just as he was, and Sauron might have regained it and his power once more.

gollum wanted to be accepted as a friend and for a while was really loyal to frodo.but he belived frodo had betrayed him at the pool.after that he bitterly hated him.gollum and sam where also jealous of each other.

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proud to be a pipe smoker like JJRT

I think Frodo has pity for Gollum which leads him to take Gollum along on their journey. Because Gollum represents what could happen to Frodo, I also think Frodo kept him near as a reminder as to why they were on their mission. Frodo did not want to become like Gollum, and he needed that constant reminder that Gollum gave him.

^ That's a good point as well. Gollum was a constant reminder to Frodo of what he would become if he gave in to the Ring. I think it definitely helped to sustain Frodo a little on that long journey.
This relationship is so strange and interesting because there are so many threads and pieces and levels to it. They have all kinds of unusual bonds, merely because they both bore the Ring.
I think it's funny how Frodo knew to call Gollum Smeagol. It awakened something of his former self in him again, that Frodo must have known was there and was trying to touch. Very insightful of him. How did he know to do that? because there's a connection between them.

Funny you mention their connection Tinuviel. It's one of the most important points of the entire trilogy. I think Gandalf says it best when answering why Gollum should not have been killed.

Gandalf: "Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many. "

With this thought in his head, Frodo realises that he must keep Gollum close. If not for their connection with the Ring, but for something else.

This is true. Fate had Frodo and Golluk intertwined together. After all, we have to remember that if Gollum had not tried to take the Ring form Frodo and fallen into Mount Doom, the Ring very likely would not have been destroyed and perhaps would even return Sauron to power. Not to mentio that frodo and Sam might not have found the way to Mordor without his guidance. There were many opportunities for Frodo to kill Gollum or allow him to be killed, but always Frodo has this feeling that Gollum must yet play his part. It is one of the most important parts.
I sometimes wonder whether or not Gollum died making up for his mistake. His mistake being succumbing to the will of the Ring and being consumed by it, and also telling Sauron where the Ring might be found. But I wonder if he remedied those mistakes by causing the Ring to be destroyed in the end. I'm sure it was quite an accidental thing for him to fall, but at least he was part of the cause of destruction of evil after everythig evil he had done.
I always love when Gandlaf talks about Gollum's part to play because it's just enough foreshadowing to keep you wondering, but not so much that it gives it away. It's very.............. tantilizing, I suppose you might say.
Im interested in Frodo's relationships with different characters mainly because I am interested in Frodo and I think that his relationships with other characters say a lot about him as a person.

I don't think helping with the destroying of the Ring is such a redeemable thing as to begin calling Gollum "good". But he certainly did help, which does merit some credit. His death was a sad one, and ironic too. The fact that he had been searching for his Precious, and then to be killed upon finding it once again is enough irony for everyone. I agree though, even though he did not realise what he was doing would end up being good, he certainly did it anyway, and ended a lot of suffering.

I would by no means Gollum "good", but it was a good thing that he did, although he did not mean to do it. I think he died making up for his mistakes, but not wanting to or striving to make up for his mistakes, making any good sort of void. That's like saying you sorry for something you're not really sorry for, only about ten times worse. You would be forgiven if you meant it form your heart, but as it is, it's kind of like nothing, empty words or empty deeds.
His death was certainly ironic. It fairly dripped with irony. Throughout the whole story, all he'd wanted and strived for was this one thing, and when he finally gets it, he dies, and not only does he die, but he destorys the thing he worked so hard to get along with him. Wow. Irony of ironies. It did do a lot of people, a whole world in fact, a lot of good though.

I like how you put that. We all know that if given the chance Gollum would definitely not have destroyed the Ring. If he were right there by the fires of Mt.Doom itself, he would not be able to give it up. But, by "helping" Frodo along with destroying it his empty deed saved the lives of thousands.

I like how you put that as well. His empty deed saved the lives of thousands......... Very true. Very nice.
You made me realize that i forgot the word call in my sentence. I would not call Gollum good. Honestly. I'm so stupid sometimes.
I think that after the Ring was destroyed, Frodo might even have felt some envy for Gollum. We see him struggle against letting himself fall into Mount Doom after the Ring and death. if it wasn't for Sam, Frodo would have allowed himself to fall into Mount Doom and be lost forever. Gollum got to die and leave the pains and the hold of the Ring, while Frodo had to live in constant suffering and despair afterwards. Although it broke my heart to see him leave Middle Earth, I think that it was best because I find great comfort in the thought that his hurts were healed in Valinor.

Au contraire! I make mistakes like that all the time. Just remember who was the one to say that Saruman created the Ring of Power instead of Sauron.



If not envy, I'm sure he was feeling some kind of despair. Frodo had become very attached to that Ring, and almost attached to Gollum too. He doesn't want to have to live with the pain afterwards, and we can see in his eyes that he just wants to end it right there. Thankfully, Sam puts the hope of life back into him.

^ Aww. Thanks Larael. I guess we all have our moments. I don't feel so stupid any more.

I think Frodo was definitely feeling despair. In the Mount Doom scene, we can see and feel that all of his thoughts, his whole being really is centered on the Ring. The Ring has finally taken control of him, something he has struggled against throughout the story. So naturally, when the thing that his self was wholly centered on was destroyed, it felt as though he should be destroyed too. There was nothing of his spirit left any more. Iy had all fallen into the fires of Orodruin. His body might as well too. Thank Eru that Sam was there to make Frodo remember himself again. He reminded him that there was a part of him outside of the Ring, and that part was still dear to someone and shouldn't be destroyed.

Actually, we've all been straying a bit from the topic. This is supposed to be about Frodo and Gollum, not Frodo and Sam. But we always seem to get back to Sam and Frodo.

I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on the subject. I think thy're all excellent points.
I think that Frodo knew that taking the Ring would be dangerous, even very dangerous because he had already got it as far as Rivendell, but I don't think he understood just how dangerous and how hard it would actually be.
Sorry this post is so short, but I have so much to catch up on!