Real Hero

[Meganelf]

It is a very hard decision to make. Frodo is the traditional hero with Sam as his helper. Frodo truly wouldn't have made it without Sam, but without Frodo, there would be no journey to make in the first place. I think they are both heroes, just of different sorts.

I think I read a Tolkien essay about it once. I'll look again and get back to you...

[Glórindol]

It is true that Frodo would never survived without Sam. So I choose Sam.

[FRODOFAN]

But would Sam have been able to carry the ring? It's possible he would have been corrupted more quickly and more fully.

[mephiston, lord of death]

Both of these characters are heroic. It really depends on your perspective on Heroism as to who you prioritise, but IMHO, they are both equally heroes.

[Ardanwen]

there both hero's indeed. for example: if there were two rings, for both one to cary, would they ever reach mount doom? I don't think so...
Sam was a real hero for his help and loyalty to frodo, and frodo was a real hero because he carried the ring.

[[ m e m ]]

You should have put a "Both".

Without Sam, Frodo would have died.
But without Frodo, everyone would have died... Hmmmm....

[Aerwyn Telcontar]

It's a circle of support between them. And indeed, I don't think Sam would have chosen to bear the burden of the Ring like Frodo did. But looking at what happened, Sam played a major role and indeed did carry the Ring for a time. They both helped immensely; I don't think there's any one hero. Everyone was a hero, not only those two but the people who fought to divert Sauron, the people far away doing what they could... etc.

[Ellamearil]

My first response would be Sam, but then again Frodo is a hero in some ways too, as are all of the characters. Oh, what I would give to have someone like Sam! In "The Fellowship of the Ring", I thought it was so sweet how Sam flips out when he can't find Frodo in the corn husks. At Moria, he also tries to get Frodo to eat something, but Frodo coldy shrugs him off and says rudely, "I'm alright!" but Sam loves Frodo anyway and persists. "No, you're not alright." he says. "You're not eating. You're not sleeping either. Don't think I haven't noticed. I'm here to help you." You could never find anyone with a purer and more genuine heart than Sam.

[Lady Rinoa]

I would have to say that it isn't one or the other, it was the both of them. I'm sure most would say Frodo since he was the Ringbearer and he took the burden himself but I would have to agree with Aerwyn. They carried eachother through thick and thin on the journey making both of them a hero. The whole journey was possible due to the loyalty, love, and support they held in their hearts for eachother. If Sam was not there to support and help Frodo... I don't think Frodo could have made it through to the end.
I also agree with Aerwyn that everyone was a hero in thier own way not just Frodo and Sam.