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{{hobbit | {{hobbit infobox | ||
| image=[[Image:Stephen Hickman - Gaffer Gamgee and the Black Rider.jpg|250px]] | | image=[[Image:Stephen Hickman - Gaffer Gamgee and the Black Rider.jpg|250px]] | ||
| name=Hamfast Gamgee | | name=Hamfast Gamgee | ||
| othernames=Gaffer, [[Ranugad]] [[Galbasi | | pronun= | ||
| | | othernames=Gaffer, Old Gamgee, [[Ranugad]] [[Galbasi]] | ||
| | | titles= | ||
| position=Gardener | |||
| location=[[Hobbiton]] | | location=[[Hobbiton]] | ||
| affiliation= | |||
| language= | |||
| birth={{SR|1326}} | |||
| birthlocation= | |||
| rule= | |||
| death={{SR|1428}}<ref group=note>''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'' gives {{FoA|8}}</ref> | |||
| deathlocation= | |||
| age=102 | |||
| notablefor= | |||
| family=[[Gamgee Family|Gamgee]] | |||
| parentage=[[Hobson|Hobson Gamgee]] | |||
| siblings=[[Andwise Roper|Andy]], [[May (hobbit)|May]] and [[Halfred of Overhill|Halfred]] | |||
| spouse= | |||
| children=[[Hamson Gamgee|Hamson]], [[Halfred Gamgee|Halfred]], [[Daisy Gamgee|Daisy]], [[May Gamgee|May]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Samwise]] and [[Marigold Gamgee|Marigold]] | |||
| gender=Male | | gender=Male | ||
| hair= | | height= | ||
|}} | | hair=In later life, grey | ||
| eyes= | |||
| clothing= | |||
| weapons= | |||
| steed= | |||
}} | |||
{{quote|Elves and Dragons! Cabbages and potatoes are better for me and you.|[[Gaffer Gamgee|The Gaffer]]<ref>{{FR|Party}}</ref>}} | |||
'''Hamfast Gamgee''', better known as '''the Gaffer''', was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of [[the Shire]], and the father of [[Samwise Gamgee]]. | '''Hamfast Gamgee''', better known as '''the Gaffer''', was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of [[the Shire]], and the father of [[Samwise Gamgee]]. | ||
==History== | |||
= | Hamfast was born in 2926, the third son of [[Hobson|Hobson Gamgee]], who was a roper by trade.<ref name="Gamgee">{{App|Gamgee}}</ref> | ||
He entered the service of his relative, [[Holman Greenhand]], and became a gardener. One of his first jobs was tending the garden of [[Bag End]]. On [[22 June]], {{TA|2942}}, he and Holman tried frantically to keep the garden in order during the auction of the presumed-dead [[Bilbo Baggins]]. It is likely that at this time he already lived at Number 3, [[Bagshot Row]]. | |||
Hamfast became a gardener in his own right in about {{TA|2960}}<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 187</ref>, and a local expert on [[potatoes]]. He married [[Bell Gamgee|Bell Goodchild]], and they had six children: [[Hamson Gamgee|Hamson]], [[Halfred Gamgee|Halfred]], [[Daisy Gamgee|Daisy]], [[May Gamgee|May]], Samwise and [[Marigold Gamgee|Marigold]].<ref name="Gamgee"/> Sam became Hamfast's apprentice. | |||
Sam took over most of his father's work, who had become too old for the laborous work. He became known as the "Gaffer", a name Sam uses more often than "Hamfast". | |||
Prior to the [[Bilbo's Farewell Party|Farewell Party]], the Gaffer entertained a crowd at the [[Ivy Bush]]. Always a man of loquacity and knowledge, he argued with [[Sandyman]], [[Old Noakes]] and Ham's neighbor [[Daddy Twofoot]] about the [[Baggins Family|Bagginses]] and the [[Sackville-Baggins Family|Sackville-Bagginses]]. | |||
On [[22 September]], {{TA|3018}}, the night of the departure of [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and Sam from the Shire, [[Khamûl]], one of the [[Nazgûl]] rode up the lane, and asked the elderly hobbit about "[[Baggins Family|Baggins]]". A week later, he was visited by [[Gandalf]] who also informed about Frodo's whereabouts.<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref> | |||
When [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins|Lotho]] and eventually [[Sharkey]] took over the Shire, the Gaffer was evicted from Bagshot Row.<ref>{{RK|Scouring}}</ref> After the [[Battle of Bywater]], in which he only had a marginal role, he moved back into the newly restored [[New Row]], while Sam moved into Bag End. He was looked after by the [[Widow Rumble]], and died in [[Fourth Age 7]].<ref>{{RK|Havens}}</ref> | |||
His son, Sam, named his seventh child [[Hamfast Gardner|Hamfast]] after his father.<ref name="Gamgee"/> | |||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
The name ''Hamfast'' means "Stay-at-home", or literally, "Home-fast". It is a translation of his [[Westron]] name, [[Ranugad]] [[Galbasi]]. In the [[King's Letter]], the name is translated into [[Sindarin]] as [[Baravorn]]. | The name ''Hamfast'' means "Stay-at-home", or literally, "Home-fast". It is a translation of his [[Westron]] name, [[Ranugad]] [[Galbasi]].<ref>{{App|F2}}</ref> In the [[King's Letter]], the name (referring to [[Hamfast Gardner]], not the Gaffer) is translated into [[Sindarin]] as [[Baravorn]].<ref>{{SD|Epilogue}}</ref> | ||
"[[Wiktionary:gaffer|Gaffer]]" is a colloquial word for "old man". | |||
"Gaffer" is a word for " | |||
==Inspiration== | ==Inspiration== | ||
In [[Letter 257]], [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] recounts a holiday to Lamorna Cave in the early 1930's. To amuse his sons, he named a local Gaffer Gamgee. This "curious local character" was "an old man who used to go about swapping gossip and weather-fashion and such like". The surname was chosen because it alliterated with Gaffer. | In [[Letter 257]], [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] recounts a holiday to Lamorna Cave in the early 1930's. To amuse his sons, he named a local Gaffer Gamgee. This "curious local character" was "an old man who used to go about swapping gossip and weather-fashion and such like". The surname was chosen because it alliterated with Gaffer. | ||
Tolkien had several encounters with actual Gamgees, however. [ | Tolkien had several encounters with actual Gamgees, however. [[wikipedia:Gamgee Tissue|Gamgee Tissue]], a word young Ronald considered comical, was named after [[wikipedia:Sampson Gamgee|J. Sampson Gamgee]] (1828-1886), a famous [[Birmingham]] surgeon,<ref>{{L|72}}</ref> whilst in the Black Country dialect cotton wool was referred to as "gamgee".<ref>{{webcite|website=[http://sedgleymanor.com/ The Ancient Manor of Sedgley]|articleurl=http://sedgleymanor.com/dictionaries/dialect.html|articlename=Black Country Dialect|accessed=9 September 2014}}</ref> The Gamgees were notorious surgeons - years later, Dr. Leonard Gamgee tended those war-wounded, including Lieutenant Tolkien.{{fact}} | ||
==Portrayal in Adaptations== | ==Portrayal in Adaptations== | ||
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:''' | |||
:[[John Church]] plays Gaffer Gamgee. He used a thick peasant accent for the role. He is included in early episodes including a full dramatisation of his encounter with the Nazgul. He also features towards the end of the adaptation when he admonishes the returning Hobbits for wearing "ironmongery." | |||
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Gaffer Gamgee.jpg|Gaffer in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''|right|thumb|150px]] | |||
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':''' | |||
:Gaffer appears in the film's [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition)|Extended Edition]], where he is played by [[Norman Forsey]]. The conversation in the Ivy Bush is moved to the [[Green Dragon]] Inn, though the dialogue remains much the same. He does not appear at Sam's marriage in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''. | |||
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:''' | |||
:Gaffer appears twice; at first, he drinks at the Green Dragon, but during the night, he informs Frodo of the Ringwraith that stalks the Shire. He was voiced by an uncredited [[Jim Piddock]]. | |||
==Notes== | |||
<references group=note/> | |||
{{references}} | |||
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]] | |||
[[Category:Hobbits]] | [[Category:Hobbits]] | ||
[[Category:Gamgee]] | [[Category:Gamgee]] |
Revision as of 03:59, 17 January 2015
Hamfast Gamgee | |
---|---|
Hobbit | |
Biographical Information | |
Other names | Gaffer, Old Gamgee, Ranugad Galbasi |
Position | Gardener |
Location | Hobbiton |
Birth | S.R. 1326 |
Death | S.R. 1428[note 1] (aged 102) |
Family | |
Family | Gamgee |
Parentage | Hobson Gamgee |
Siblings | Andy, May and Halfred |
Children | Hamson, Halfred, Daisy, May, Samwise and Marigold |
Physical Description | |
Gender | Male |
Hair color | In later life, grey |
Gallery | Images of Hamfast Gamgee |
- "Elves and Dragons! Cabbages and potatoes are better for me and you."
- ― The Gaffer[1]
Hamfast Gamgee, better known as the Gaffer, was a Hobbit of the Shire, and the father of Samwise Gamgee.
History
Hamfast was born in 2926, the third son of Hobson Gamgee, who was a roper by trade.[2]
He entered the service of his relative, Holman Greenhand, and became a gardener. One of his first jobs was tending the garden of Bag End. On 22 June, T.A. 2942, he and Holman tried frantically to keep the garden in order during the auction of the presumed-dead Bilbo Baggins. It is likely that at this time he already lived at Number 3, Bagshot Row.
Hamfast became a gardener in his own right in about T.A. 2960[3], and a local expert on potatoes. He married Bell Goodchild, and they had six children: Hamson, Halfred, Daisy, May, Samwise and Marigold.[2] Sam became Hamfast's apprentice.
Sam took over most of his father's work, who had become too old for the laborous work. He became known as the "Gaffer", a name Sam uses more often than "Hamfast".
Prior to the Farewell Party, the Gaffer entertained a crowd at the Ivy Bush. Always a man of loquacity and knowledge, he argued with Sandyman, Old Noakes and Ham's neighbor Daddy Twofoot about the Bagginses and the Sackville-Bagginses.
On 22 September, T.A. 3018, the night of the departure of Frodo and Sam from the Shire, Khamûl, one of the Nazgûl rode up the lane, and asked the elderly hobbit about "Baggins". A week later, he was visited by Gandalf who also informed about Frodo's whereabouts.[4]
When Lotho and eventually Sharkey took over the Shire, the Gaffer was evicted from Bagshot Row.[5] After the Battle of Bywater, in which he only had a marginal role, he moved back into the newly restored New Row, while Sam moved into Bag End. He was looked after by the Widow Rumble, and died in Fourth Age 7.[6]
His son, Sam, named his seventh child Hamfast after his father.[2]
Etymology
The name Hamfast means "Stay-at-home", or literally, "Home-fast". It is a translation of his Westron name, Ranugad Galbasi.[7] In the King's Letter, the name (referring to Hamfast Gardner, not the Gaffer) is translated into Sindarin as Baravorn.[8]
"Gaffer" is a colloquial word for "old man".
Inspiration
In Letter 257, J.R.R. Tolkien recounts a holiday to Lamorna Cave in the early 1930's. To amuse his sons, he named a local Gaffer Gamgee. This "curious local character" was "an old man who used to go about swapping gossip and weather-fashion and such like". The surname was chosen because it alliterated with Gaffer.
Tolkien had several encounters with actual Gamgees, however. Gamgee Tissue, a word young Ronald considered comical, was named after J. Sampson Gamgee (1828-1886), a famous Birmingham surgeon,[9] whilst in the Black Country dialect cotton wool was referred to as "gamgee".[10] The Gamgees were notorious surgeons - years later, Dr. Leonard Gamgee tended those war-wounded, including Lieutenant Tolkien.[source?]
Portrayal in Adaptations
1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):
- John Church plays Gaffer Gamgee. He used a thick peasant accent for the role. He is included in early episodes including a full dramatisation of his encounter with the Nazgul. He also features towards the end of the adaptation when he admonishes the returning Hobbits for wearing "ironmongery."
2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:
- Gaffer appears in the film's Extended Edition, where he is played by Norman Forsey. The conversation in the Ivy Bush is moved to the Green Dragon Inn, though the dialogue remains much the same. He does not appear at Sam's marriage in The Return of the King.
2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):
- Gaffer appears twice; at first, he drinks at the Green Dragon, but during the night, he informs Frodo of the Ringwraith that stalks the Shire. He was voiced by an uncredited Jim Piddock.
Notes
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Long-expected Party"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix C, "The Longfather-tree of Master Samwise"
- ↑ Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, p. 187
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Scouring of the Shire"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "On Translation"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part One: The End of the Third Age: XI. The Epilogue"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 72, (dated 31 May 1944)
- ↑ "Black Country Dialect", The Ancient Manor of Sedgley (accessed 9 September 2014)