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Samwise Gamgee

2012-09-20T02:21:09Z

24.15.107.55: /* History */

{{Expansion}}
{{hobbit
| image=[[File:Lorraine Brevig - Sam in a Garden.jpg|250px]]
| name=Samwise Gamgee
| othernames=[[Banazîr]]
| birth=[[6 April]], {{TA|2980}}
| death=Unknown, after [[Fourth Age 61]]
| parentage=[[Gaffer Gamgee|Hamfast Gamgee]] and [[Bell Gamgee|Bell Goodchild]]
| location=[[Hobbiton]]
| gender=Male
| hair=
}}
<center>{{quote|I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam|[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] to Sam at the downfall of [[Sauron]].}}</center>

'''Samwise Gamgee''' ([[Third Age]] April 6, 2980<ref group="note">In the second edition of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Sam's year of birth was added to ''[[Appendix B|The Tale of Years]]''; it was, however, {{TA|2963}}. This contradicts both the ''[[Longfather Tree of Master Samwise]]'' and a later entry in ''The Tale of Years''. The incorrect date has been corrected in the [[The Lord of the Rings (50th Anniversary Edition)|50th anniversary edition]]. See also ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', p. 716.</ref> - [[Fourth Age]] 61; [[Shire Reckoning]]: 1380 - 1482; 99 years old when he sailed into the [[Aman|West]]) was [[Frodo Baggins]]' servant and the only original member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] to remain with him till the very end of the journey to [[Mount Doom]].

== History ==
He lived with his father, Hamfast Gamgee, better known as "[[The Gaffer]]", on [[Bagshot Row]] in [[the Shire]], close to [[Bag End]]. Sams mother was [[Bell Gamgee|Bell Goodchild]]; he had five siblings: [[Hamson Gamgee|Hamson]], [[Halfred Gamgee|Halfred]], [[Daisy Gamgee|Daisy]], [[May Gamgee|May]], and [[Marigold Gamgee|Marigold]].

A gardener by trade, Sam seemed to be a simple [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of plain speech. However, his love for [[Elves]], his gift for poetry, and his belief that the world contains greater wonders than most hobbits are aware of (all nurtured by his tutor [[Bilbo Baggins]]) set him apart from the beginning. It was Sam who first introduced the theme of the Elves' sailing from [[Middle-earth]], a subtle foreshadowing of Bilbo and Frodo's final journey across the Sea.

Sam was one of the "[[Conspirators]]" who were summoned by [[Merry Brandybuck]] in order to watch after [[Frodo Baggins]] and the [[One Ring|Ring]] inherited by Bilbo. Being the closest to Frodo, Sam was their "chief investigator" who eavesdropped on his talks with [[Gandalf]] the [[Wizard]].<ref>{{FR|Conspiracy}}</ref>

In [[April 13]], when Gandalf revealed to Frodo that Bilbo's ring is [[Sauron]]'s One Ring, they noticed Sam eavesdropping. Initially suspected as a spy, Sam feigned innocent curiosity. As "punishment", Sam was made Frodo's first companion on his journey to [[Rivendell]].<ref>{{FR|Shadows}}</ref> Sam and [[Pippin Took]] followed Frodo to his new house at [[Crickhollow]] where his and the Conspirators' role was revealed. Joined by Merry, they passed through the [[Old Forest]], the [[Barrow Downs]] and [[Bree]] where they were joined by "[[Strider]]".

When they reached [[Rivendell]], Sam was beside Frodo's bed while he was recovering from the [[Morgul-wound]] he was inflicted on [[Weathertop]]. Sam also was eavesdropping on the [[Council of Elrond]] and insisted to accompany Frodo on his [[Quest for the Ring]]. In [[Lothlórien]], [[Galadriel]] [[Gifts of Galadriel|gave]] Sam a [[Sam's garden box|box]] containing earth from her orchard, and also some [[elven rope]].

Sam saved Frodo's life more than once and he accompanied him all the way to [[Mount Doom]]. After the [[Breaking of the Fellowship]] he followed him down the [[Emyn Muil]] to [[Ithilien]].
[[File:John Howe - Sam and Shelob.jpg|thumb|[[John Howe]] - Sam and Shelob.jpg]]
After [[Shelob]] attacked and seemingly killed Frodo, Sam took the Ring, intending to complete the quest. Because he held the Ring for a time, he is considered one of the [[Ring-bearers]].
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Sam and Rosie Cotton.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - Sam and Rosie Cotton]]
After the [[War of the Ring]], and the [[Scouring of the Shire]], Sam planted saplings in all the places where specially beautiful and beloved trees had been destroyed, and he put a grain of Galadriel's soil at the root of each. He planted a silver nut in the [[Party Field]] where the [[Party Tree]] had once been, and the nut grew into a [[Mallorn]] tree.

He married [[Rose Cotton|Rose "Rosie" Cotton]]. In honor for restoring the Shire his family was given the name [[Gardner Family|Gardner]].

They had thirteen children: [[Elanor Gardner|Elanor the Fair]], [[Frodo Gardner|Frodo]], [[Rose Gardner|Rose]], [[Merry Gardner|Merry]], [[Pippin Gardner|Pippin]], [[Goldilocks Gardner|Goldilocks]], [[Hamfast Gardner|Hamfast]], [[Daisy Gardner|Daisy]], [[Primrose Gardner|Primrose]], [[Bilbo Gardner|Bilbo]], [[Ruby Gardner|Ruby]], [[Robin Gardner|Robin]], and [[Tolman Gardner|Tolman]]. When Frodo sailed on the [[White Ship]], at the end of the Third Age, he was entrusted the [[Red Book of Westmarch]].

After [[Will Whitfoot]] resigned his post as [[Mayor of Michel Delving]] (the largest town in the Shire and the "unofficial capital"), in {{FoA|6}}, Sam was elected Mayor of the Shire for seven consecutive 7-year terms.

After his wife died in {{FoA|61}}, Sam entrusted the Red Book to Elanor and left [[Middle-earth]] to sail across the Sea and be reunited with Frodo in the [[Undying Lands]].

==Etymology==
Samwise means "simple minded" or "half-minded". Gamgee is a corruption of the name [[Gammidgy]], a village in the Shire. Both names are presented as translations of the [[Westron]] form of Sam's name '''[[Banazîr]] [[Galbasi]]''' (''also spelled Banazîr Galpsi'') (q.v. for more information).<ref>{{App|Translation}}</ref>

Tolkien's English translation, ''Samwís Gamwich'', could have come to ''Samwise Gamgee'' in modern English.

The [[Sindarin]] version of Samwise is '''[[Perhael]]'''.

== Inspiration==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] took the name from ''Gamgee Tissue'', a surgical dressing invented by a 19th century [[Birmingham]] surgeon called Joseph Sampson Gamgee. "Gamgee" became the colloquial name in Birmingham for cotton wool. Here, Tolkien describes why he had chosen that name for his character:
{{quote|The choice of Gamgee was primarily directed by alliteration; but I did not invent it. It was caught out of childhood memory, as a comic word or name. It was in fact the name when I was small (in Birmingham) for 'cotton-wool'. (Hence the association of the Gamgees with the Cottons.) I knew nothing of its origin.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

It is possible that Tolkien may have subconsciously recalled Dr. Gamgee (who died in 1886 but is commemorated by a plaque at the Birmingham Medical Institute, only yards from Tolkien's childhood home) but he claimed to be genuinely surprised when, in March 1956, he received a letter from one Sam Gamgee, who had heard that his name was in ''The Lord of the Rings'' but had not read the book. Tolkien replied on March 18:
{{quote|Dear Mr. Gamgee,It was very kind of you to write. You can imagine my astonishment when I saw your signature! I can only say, for your comfort, I hope, that the 'Sam Gamgee' of my story is a most heroic character, now widely beloved by many readers, even though his origins are rustic. So that perhaps you will not be displeased at the coincidence of the name of this imaginary character of supposedly many centuries ago being the same as yours.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]:'' [[Letter 184]]}}

He proceeded to send Mr Gamgee a signed copy of all three volumes of the book. However, the incident sparked a nagging worry in Tolkien's mind, as he recorded in his journal:
{{quote|For some time I lived in fear of receiving a letter signed 'S. Gollum'. That would have been more difficult to deal with.|''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]''}}

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
<center><gallery>
File:Sam Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings 1978.png|Sam in ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]''
File:Rankin-Bass' Samwise Gamgee.jpg|Sam in ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]''
File:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|Sam in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]''
File:Lego - Sam mini figure.png|Sam as a ''[[Lego]] mini figure''
</gallery></center>

'''1955: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Victor Platt]] provided the voice of Sam.
'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]'':'''
:[[Michael Scholes]] was the voice of Sam, and [[Billy Barty]] played him in rotoscoped footage.

'''1979: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|Mind's Eye's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The voice of Sam is provided by [[Lou Bliss]].

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]'':'''
:[[Roddy McDowall]] provided the voice of Sam.

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:A young [[Bill Nighy|William Nighy]] portrays Sam as a warm and caring person. No dialectical or social difference was made.

'''1992: ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm (1992 radio series)|Tales from the Perilous Realm]]'':'''
:In the two episodes of "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil", [[Jonathan Adams]] portrayed Sam with a very rustic accent.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Scott Menville]] provided the voice for Sam in all but the X-box version; there, [[Cliff Broadway]] took over. The role of Sam is greatly diminished: after being caught eavesdropping by Gandalf, Sam is to be Frodo's companion, but he does not appear again until Frodo reaches [[Farmer Maggot]].

'''2001-3: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':'''
:Sam is played by [[Sean Astin]].

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)]]'':'''
:Sam is a playable characters in several missions: escape from [[Osgiliath]], Shelob's Lair, Cirith Ungol and the Crack of Doom.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Samwise only makes a single appearance in the Lothlorien mission.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Unlike most other characters, Frodo and Sam make no appearance in Skirmish battles - they only appear in the storyline campaign.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Sam and other Hobbits are no longer permanent units, they are now a temporary power boost available to Free People forces.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Samwise is first found in Rivendell, preparing for the departure. Later, he is found on [[Cerin Amroth]] in Lothlorien, alongside Frodo. The game's "Guardian" class ("Tank" in MMO terms) is based on Samwise due to the dedication he showed Frodo. This leads to an interesting occurrence: at some point each player gets to talk to a major character, who inspired his class. But while Legolas can teach a lot to a Hunter and Bilbo can show much to a Burglar, Sawmwise insists that he is no Guardian and not fit to be one - because his heroic deeds have not happened yet. The player has to double-check and discovers that whoever talked of Sam as a great Guardian, apparently had misheard the word "Gardener".

== Commentary ==
Sam Gamgee is by many regarded as the "true hero" of Tolkien's story. Tolkien himself expressed this view in one of his letters: Sam is referred to as the "chief hero", and special emphasis is placed on Sam's "rustic love" for Rosie.<ref>{{L|131}}</ref> The quest to destroy the Ring only succeeds because of Sam, who repeatedly saves Frodo from disaster (such as rescuing him at [[Cirith Ungol]] and carrying him up [[Mount Doom]]). He was one of three Ring-bearers strong enough to surrender the Ring voluntarily.

The relationship between Frodo and Sam is, in many respects, at the center of ''The Lord of the Rings''. To the modern reader, it seems archaic, as it is extremely class-oriented. Sam's humbleness and "plain speaking" is frequently emphasised in contrast to Frodo's "gentility", and he often shows deference to Frodo, calling him "Mister Frodo" or "Master". At the same time, a strong bond of love and trust grows between them, portrayed most poignantly during the events of Cirith Ungol, where Sam vows to return to his (apparently) dead master, to be reunited with Frodo in death.

[[Tolkienists]] regard Sam as Frodo's ''[[wikipedia:Batman (army)|batman]]''. In the British Army, a batman was an orderly who acted as the personal servant of an officer. It was a role with which Tolkien (who served as an Army officer in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I First World War]) would have been extremely familiar. Sam undertakes all of the typical roles of a batman — he runs errands for Frodo, he cooks, he transports him (or at least carries him), and he carries his luggage. Tolkien confirmed this interpretation when he wrote in a private letter that:
{{quote|My Sam Gamgee is indeed a reflexion of the English soldier, of the privates and batmen I knew in the 1914 war, and recognized as so far superior to myself|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

Compare to the relation between [[wikipedia:Don_Quixote|Don Quixote]] and his squire [[wikipedia:Sancho Panza|Sancho Panza]], and the gradual "Quixotization" of Sancho.

{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=hobbit
| house=[[Gamgee Family]]
| born=[[6 April]] {{TA|2980}}
| died=After {{FoA|61}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Frodo Baggins]]
| list=[[Ring-bearer]]
| dates=[[13 March|13]]-[[14 March]], {{TA|3019}}
| next=[[Frodo Baggins]]
}}
{{seq-end}}
{{fellowship}}

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Samwise Gamgee|Images of Samwise Gamgee]]

{{References|n}}

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Gamgee]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[de:Samweis Gamdschie]]
[[fa:سم‌وایز گمجی]]

Frodo Baggins

2012-09-20T02:19:30Z

24.15.107.55: /* The War of the Ring */

{{Cleanup}}
{{Disambig-two|the Ring-bearer|the son of [[Samwise Gamgee]]|[[Frodo Gardner]]}}
{{Hobbit
| image = [[File:Jenny Dolfen - Frodo Baggins.jpg|250px]]
| name = Frodo Baggins
| othernames = See ''[[#Names|Names]]'' below
| birth = [[22 September|September 22]], [[Third Age 2968|T.A. 2968]]
| death = Date unknown, [[Valinor]]
| parentage = [[Drogo Baggins]] and [[Primula Brandybuck]]
| location=[[Bag End]], [[Hobbiton]], [[Valinor]]
| race = [[Hobbits]]
| gender = Male
| height =Taller than most Hobbits
| hair = Brown
}}
'''Frodo Baggins''' was a [[Hobbits|hobbit]] of the [[Third Age]], the most famous of all Hobbits in the histories for his leading role in the [[Quest of the Ring]]. During this epic quest, he bore [[the One Ring]] to [[Mount Doom]] and there destroyed it, giving him renown like no other [[Hobbits|Halfling]] throughout [[Middle-earth]]. He is also peculiar for being, as a [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]], one of the three Hobbits who sailed from Middle-earth to [[Aman]], there to die in peace.

==History==
===Childhood and youth===
Frodo was the child of the respectable [[Drogo Baggins]] and [[Primula Brandybuck]], born on [[22 September]] of [[Shire Reckoning]] {{SR|1368}}. Despite his solid [[Baggins Family|Baggins]] paternity, after his parents died in a boating accident he went to live in [[Brandy Hall]] with his mother’s relatives, under the guardianship of [[Rorimac Brandybuck|Rorimac]] "Goldfather" [[Brandybuck]]. In Brandy Hall he soon developed a reputation as a troublemaker, stealing [[mushrooms]] and causing a general fuss. He was raised by Rory until his uncle [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] took him in to live at his estate in [[Hobbiton]] called [[Bag End]].

He enjoyed life with his "queer" Uncle Bilbo, who taught him to read, and told him stories of the past, even giving him some instruction in the elvish tongue. It is possible Bilbo even took his young cousin to see the [[elves]] that wandered about outside [[the Shire]]. Frodo developed a profound affection for his mentor. The liking was mutual, and Bilbo made him his heir, frustrating the attempts of the disagreeable [[Sackville-Baggins Family|Sackville-Baggins]]es who coveted the inheritance.

Frodo and Bilbo got on like this until {{TA|3001}}. At this time Bilbo threw an enormous [[Bilbo's Farewell Party|birthday party]] for himself, as he was turning one hundred and eleven. Frodo shared birthdays with Bilbo, so he was turning thirty-three at this same time - the coming-of-age for hobbits. Frodo helped to manage the preparations, and Bilbo told him that he would be leaving the Shire after his party. This is indeed what happened, though Bilbo disappeared suddenly during the party to the shock of the Hobbits assembled. Frodo returned to Bag End, where he found that Bilbo had left him the "[[The One Ring|magic ring]]". Frodo now was the Master of Bag End.

===Master of Bag End===
[[File:Eric Faure-Brac - Bag End.jpg|thumb|left|220px|''Bag End'' by Eric Faure-Brac]]Frodo took charge of distributing the presents Bilbo had left for the other hobbits, a long and tiring task. The Baggins' old friend [[Gandalf]] the [[wizard]], who had come for the festivities, warned Frodo not to use the magic ring, and to keep it secret and safe. He then left back into the wide world, curiosity nagging his mind about the ring.

Frodo, meanwhile, was pretty well off. He lived in peace and respectability for seventeen years, when Gandalf returned with the dreadful revelation that the "magic ring" was really [[the One Ring]] of [[Sauron]], a thing of evil power thousands of years old. Furthermore, the Dark Lord was now aware of its survival, and would be searching for it. [[Gollum]] had told under torture where it was. After a long discussion and a test by fire of Gandalf's conclusions, the two agreed that Frodo would have to leave the Shire for his own safety and [[Samwise Gamgee]] the gardener would go with him. Gandalf recommended Rivendell as a destination, as the road was likely safe and the haven good. He told Frodo to take the alias [[Mr. Underhill|Underhill]] abroad. Frodo was reluctant, but bought a house in [[Crickhollow]] as an excuse to head east.

Gandalf stayed for two months while Frodo worked out the details. At the end of that time he left to "get some news", as rather disturbing tidings had come to his ears. He promised to be back for the farewell party.

But as autumn passed Gandalf did not return, and Frodo grew quite anxious. His friends, [[Fredegar Bolger|Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger]], [[Folco Boffin]], [[Peregrin Took|Peregrin "Pippin" Took]], and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck]] helped him to pack. Merry and Fatty later drove the cart of Frodo's belongings ahead to Crickhollow, while Frodo still waited for Gandalf. At the last possible day he departed, having sold Bag End to the Sackville-Baggins. Pippin and Sam went with him.

===Hobbiton to Crickhollow===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Last Sight of Hobbiton.jpg|thumb|right|220px|''Last Sight of Hobbiton'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]] Almost a day into their journeying, Frodo, strangely nervous, requested that the threesome hide upon the approach of a horseman. The rider was dressed in black, upon a black horse, making queer sniffing noises. Frodo felt the urge to put on the Ring and vanish, but just as he was giving in the rider departed at a trot. Samwise (or Sam as he was usually called) then remarked upon the [[Nazgûl|Black Rider]] that had spoken to his father, [[Gaffer Gamgee]], some time earlier. This made Frodo wary, curious, and frightened at the same time. He wished that he had waited for Gandalf.

That night, they were again overtaken by a Black Horseman. This time it seemed to be able to sniff out their hiding place. But as it approached, it was driven away by the song of a group of [[Elves]]. Frodo, knowing the most about Elves, identified them as [[High Elves]], and suggested that they wait to meet them. Their leader, [[Gildor]], greeted the hobbits warmly, and lauded Frodo for his knowledge of their tongue. Frodo tried to get information from Gildor on the Black Riders, but the elf would tell him very little. Gildor foresaw that Frodo would have many dealings with the Riders in the future, and urged him to flee them whenever he met them. He and his party left the Hobbits before daybreak, while they slept.

The next day the threesome agreed to stay off the road. After a brief scare when Sam sighted a Rider, they worried about losing their way. That evening they heard a terrible wail, and Frodo distinguished words in it. Before long they came to [[Bamfurlong]], the property of [[Farmer Maggot]]. Although Pippin knew Maggot, Frodo recalled a scare he had received at a young age after caught stealing the farmer’s mushrooms, being threatened with the dogs. He froze when [[Grip]], [[Fang]], and [[Wolf (dog)|Wolf]] came forth from the house, but Maggot's hospitality soon won him over. When Maggot told of a Black Rider who had stopped at his house asking for "Baggins," and made several shrewd guesses, Frodo grew uncomfortable. Maggot took them to [[Bucklebury Ferry]] in his wagon. There they joined up with Meriadoc. As they were ferried across into [[Buckland]], they caught sight of a dark shape on the landing from which they had come.

===Crickhollow to Bree===
[[File:Brothers Hildebrandt - Tom Bombadil.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''Tom Bombadil'' by [[the Brothers Hildebrandt]]]]When they reached the house in Crickhollow, Frodo was pleased to find that Merry and Fatty had made everything very homey, and three hot baths were waiting. After relaxing and eating, the other hobbits reveal their knowledge of the One Ring, and promise to stick with him on the road to [[Rivendell]]. The next morning, leaving Fatty to keep house, they plunged into the [[Old Forest]]. In time they were driven by the trees down to the [[Withywindle]], where they were ensnared by [[Old Man Willow]]. Rescued by [[Tom Bombadil]], the hobbits came to his house. There they met Tom's wife, [[Goldberry]], and Frodo was moved to poetry over her loveliness. He was interested in Bombadil himself, and several times tried to learn who he was. That night he dreamed of a white-haired figure on a pinnacle of stone, borne away by an eagle.

The next day Frodo tried on the Ring, after finding it had no effect on Bombadil. Tom nevertheless could see him, for he was not subjected to the Ring’s power. That night he dreamed once more, a dream he never forgot.

{{Blockquote|Frodo heard a sweet singing running in his mind: a song that seemed to come like a pale light behind a grey rain-curtain, and growing stronger to turn the veil all to glass and silver, until at last it was rolled back, and a far green country opened before him under a swift sunrise.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Fog on the Barrow-downs]]}}

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Under the Spell of the Barrow-wight.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Under the Spell of the Barrow-wight'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]After bidding Goldberry and Tom farewell, the Hobbits went on and passed through the [[barrow-downs]]. Getting lost in the mist, however, they were taken by the [[barrow-wights]], Frodo last of all. Frodo woke in the barrow to find the barrow-wight bending over his three friends. He rose and in a tremendous act of bravery and resilience took a sword and smote off the wight's hand. Then he summoned Bombadil with a song taught him, and Bombadil drove the wight away. Bombadil helped him wake Merry, Pippin, and Sam, gave them their ponies, and escorted them all to the road before turning his face back toward Withywindle. The hobbits, meanwhile, entered Bree and took lodging (at Bombadil’s recommendation) at [[The Prancing Pony]] inn, Frodo under the name of [[Mr. Underhill|Underhill]], as Gandalf had suggested.

===Strider and Weathertop===
[[File:Timothy Ide - Frodo at the Prancing Pony.jpg|thumb|right|220px|''Frodo at the Prancing Pony'' by Timothy Ide]]While Merry went out to take a walk in the night air, the other hobbits came down to the common-room and were introduced by the landlord [[Barliman Butterbur]] to the gathering, Frodo under his alias and with the story that he was writing a book and came to Bree to gather information. Frodo also asked if Gandalf was present in Bree, only to learn that he had not yet arrived. While Pippin and Sam enjoyed the drink and conversation, Frodo remained withdrawn, soon falling into conversation with a curious [[Rangers of the North|ranger]] called [[Aragorn|Strider]], who gave him a warning about letting his friends talk to much. Pippin began to tell about [[Bilbo's Farewell Party|Bilbo's Birthday Party]], and Frodo, at Strider’s encouragement and in an attempt to prevent the name of Baggins from being raised, began to sing ''[[The Man in the Moon Stayed Up Too Late]]''. This proved popular with the gathering, but unfortunately, as Frodo relaxed, he fell from the table and the Ring slipped on his finger, causing him to vanish.

Frodo crawled over to Strider's corner and slipped off the Ring. Then he tried to make the best of a bad situation, saying that he had rolled quickly to the side. The suspicious Breelanders, however, grew angry or frightened, and eventually all left the common-room. Frodo and his comrades retired to their room, where they found Strider waiting to talk to them. Strider was honest and blunt, telling what he had overheard and what he knew of them, as well as warning them of the Black Riders and traitors in Bree. He urged them to accept his aide by inviting him into the company. Frodo was leaning to believe the ranger when Butterbur broke in, giving Frodo the long-awaited letter from Gandalf, undelivered by Butterbur’s forgetfulness. After some little bit of light was shed on the situation to the innkeeper, he swore to help the hobbits in any way he could, as a friend of Gandalf and one very much afraid of Mordor. Frodo, reading the letter, learned that Gandalf recommended Strider as one to whom Frodo could go for help. After some further debate, Frodo agreed to let Strider lead them to Rivendell.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Attack of the Wraiths.jpg|thumb|left|220px|''The Attack of the Wraiths'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]Strider arranged for a deception which saved the hobbits’ lives, by moving them to a different room. The next morning, their ponies were gone and the room was ravaged. Butterbur paid for a replacement pony, and the four hobbits and ranger set out into the Wilds. They passed through [[Chetwood]] and [[Midgewater]], and finally to the [[Weather Hills]] before coming up to [[Weathertop]]. Black Riders were sighted from the top of the cairn, and Strider counseled to remain where they were. That night, around a fire, Frodo began to tell of [[Gil-galad]] but was cut off by Strider, who chose instead to chant a part of the [[Lay of Leithian]]. Shortly after the Black Riders came, and Frodo was stricken down. In desperation he put on the Ring and saw the [[Nazgûl]] in their true forms. Frodo then tried to attack in [[Varda|Elbereth]]’s name, but their leader, the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]], stabbed Frodo in the chest before fleeing with his minions from Weathertop.

===The War of the Ring===
{{Expansion}}
Frodo almost faded and became a servant of the Dark Lord, but he was brought to [[Rivendell|House of Elrond]], Elrond healed him. There, at Elrond's Council, it was decided that the Ring must be destroyed by casting it into the [[Crack of Doom]]. A [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] was formed to protect Frodo as the [[Ring-bearer]]. His quest to destroy the Ring forms a large portion of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. Eventually, he succeeded in reaching [[Orodruin]], where, at the last moment, he attempted to claim the Ring, whose power had grown too great for him. However, at that moment he was attacked by [[Gollum]], who seized the Ring and then fell into the fire with it, thus destroying the Ring.

Two years after the destruction of the Ring, still troubled by the wounds he received during the War of the Ring, Frodo and Bilbo as Ring-bearers were given the right to travel to [[Valinor]] where, though remaining mortal, they might rest and be healed, together with [[Gandalf]], [[Elrond]] and [[Galadriel]]. They boarded a ship from the [[Grey Havens]] and passed over the sea on September 29, T.A. 3021. Having no children of his own, Frodo left his estate and passed on the [[Red Book of Westmarch|Red Book]] to [[Sam Gamgee]] who followed Frodo across the sea 61 years later, following the death of his wife [[Rose Cotton|Rose (nee) Cotton]].

==Description and equipment==
The only real description of Frodo's appearance is given only once by Gandalf in his letter to Barliman Butterbur, in which he is declared a "stout fellow with red cheeks, taller than some [hobbits], and fairer [more light-haired] than most", with a cleft chin, a bright eye, and a perky personality.

Frodo carried a small Elven sword (actually a dagger) called [[Sting]] and wore a coat of Dwarven chainmail made of [[Mithril]] under his clothes, both given to him by Bilbo. At [[Lothlórien]], [[Galadriel]] gave him an Elven cloak that blends him in with the natural surroundings and a phial carrying the light of the star [[Eärendil]] to aid him on his quest.

Before Frodo went back to the Shire (after the Quest of the Ring was completed), Arwen Evenstar, wife of Aragorn and daughter of Elrond, gave Frodo a white stone to wear around his neck.

==Etymology and translations==
The name ''Frodo Baggins'' is an English translation of his [[Westron]] name '''[[Maura]] [[Baggins Family|Labingi]]'''. The name ''Maura'' has the element ''maur-'' (wise, experienced), which Tolkien equivalated to the Germanic element ''frod-'' of the same meaning. Frodo's name in [[Sindarin]] was '''''[[Iorhael]]''''' ("old-wise") although in some instance he is mentioned as '''Daur''' (probably [[lenition|lenited]] form of ''[[taur]]'').

In the German translation he is called ''Frodo Beutlin'', in Spanish, ''Frodo Bolsón'', in French, ''Frodon Sacquet'', in Norwegian, ''Frodo Lommelun'', in Danish, ''Frodo Sækker'', in Faroese, ''Fróði Pjøkin'' in Finnish, ''Frodo Reppuli'' and in Dutch, ''Frodo Balings''. In one of three Polish translations he is called ''Frodo Bagosz'', but he keeps his original name in the other two.
===Names and epithets===
* Frodo Baggins - ''fród'' means "wise by experience" in [[Old English]]. Baggins may have been a reference to [[Bag End]] or may come from "bagging" which means "eating between meals" in northern England.
* [[Ring-bearer]] - he bore [[the One Ring]] to [[Mount Doom]].
* [[Elf-friend]] - given to him by [[Gildor|Gildor Inglorion]].
* [[Mr. Underhill]] - used during his stay in the [[Prancing Pony]] to conceal his identity.
* [[The Halfling]] - a name used for him from [[Boromir]]'s dream.
* [[Master]] - given to Frodo by both [[Samwise Gamgee]] as Sam was his gardener, and [[Gollum]], as Frodo was the Master of the Precious.
* Nine-fingered Frodo\Frodo of the Nine Fingers - given to Frodo after Gollum bit off his finger.
* Deputy Mayor of [[Michel Delving]] - he was the Deputy from November 3019 through Mid-Year's Day in 3020
* [[Taur|Daur]] - which translates to "noble" and was given to Frodo at the [[Field of Cormallen]].
* [[Iorhael]] - the [[Sindarin]] name for Frodo which comes from [[ior]] meaning "old" and [[hael]] meaning "wise,"
* [[Maura]] [[Baggins Family|Labingi]] - the Hobbit name for Frodo.

* [[Bingo Baggins]] - Frodo's name in the early drafts of [[The Lord of the Rings]].
* Bronwe athan Harthad - a name given to Frodo by Gandalf in an early version of [[The Lord of the Rings]], revealed in [[The History of Middle-earth]]. It means "Endurance beyond Hope".

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | |BAL|y|BER| |BAL=[[Balbo Baggins]]|BER=[[Berylla Baggins|Berylla Boffin]]}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree|MUN| | | |LAR|y|TAN|MUN=[[Mungo Baggins]](grandfather of Bilbo)|LAR=[[Largo Baggins]]|TAN=[[Tanta Hornblower]]}}
{{familytree| | | | |,|-|-|-|v|^|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| | | |DOR| |DRO|y|PRI| |DUD|DOR=[[Dora Baggins]]|DRO=[[Drogo Baggins]]|PRI=[[Primula Brandybuck]]|DUD=[[Dudo Baggins]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | |!|}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | |FRO| | | |DAI|~|GRI|FRO='''Frodo Baggins'''|DAI=[[Daisy Baggins]]|GRI=[[Griffo Boffin]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Frodo Baggins in adaptations
|width=170
|height=170
|lines=3
|File:Frodo.png|Frodo in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
|File:Frodo Rankin Bass.png|Frodo in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
|File:Frodo Elijah Wood.png|Frodo in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]''
|File:Frodo One Ring viv lotr.JPG|Frodo in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:Lego LOTR logo.png|Frodo as a ''[[Lego]]'' minifigure
}}
===Films===
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Frodo was voiced by [[Christopher Guard]]. [[Sharon Baird]] was the model for Frodo in the live-action recordings Bakshi used for rotoscoping.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:Frodo was voiced by [[Orson Bean]], who had previously played Bilbo in ''[[The Hobbit (1977 film)]]''.

'''2001-3: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':'''
:Frodo is played by [[Elijah Wood]]. He is portrayed as slightly younger than his character in the book. He is also depicted with black hair, though the one (very brief) description of Frodo in the books said that he had fairer hair than most Hobbits (i.e. from light brown to dirty blonde).

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit films|''The Hobbit'' films]]:'''
:[[Elijah Wood]] will reprise his role as Frodo Baggins.<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150168211921558|articlename=Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit|dated=20-March-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref>

===Radio series===
'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Oliver Burt]] provided the voice of Frodo.

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Frodo is provided by [[James Arrington]].

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Frodo is voiced by [[Ian Holm]].

'''1992: [[Tales from the Perilous Realm (1992 radio series)|''Tales from the Perilous Realm'' (1992 radio series)]]:'''
:In two episodes telling of the meeting of Frodo and [[Tom Bombadil]], [[Nigel Planer]] provided the voice of Frodo.

===Games===
'''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)]]:'''
:Frodo is one of the playable characters, his story doesn't significantly differ from the book. He is voiced by [[Steve Staley]].

'''2003: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]:'''
:Frodo is present in all missions from Sam's perspective: escape from [[Osgiliath]], Shelob's Lair, Cirith Ungol and the Crack of Doom. Completing the game allows to replay those missions from Frodo's perspective.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Frodo is a "Hero" unit of the Free People, his ability to use the Ring and turn invisible make him ideal for scout missions.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Unlike most other characters, Frodo and Sam make no appearance in Skirmish battles - they only appear in the storyline campaign.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Frodo and other Hobbits are no longer permanent units, they are now a temporary power boost available to Free People forces.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Frodo can be first met in Rivendell, preparing for departure. Later, he is found on Cerin Amroth in Lothlorien, weary from the loss of Gandalf. As a notable event, a Hobbit actor portrays Frodo Baggins in a Hobbit-made theater play "The Disappearance of Mad Baggins".

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Frodo is mentioned as '''"Frodo the Ringbearer"''', one of the much honored heroes of the [[War of the Ring]], in the introduction of the game. In [[The Prancing Pony]] [[Aragorn]] tells that he is waiting on a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] with [[One Ring|an important burden]], this refers to Frodo and the One Ring.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'', ''Prologue''</ref>
:Latter in the game, Frodo appears in [[Rivendell]], but interactions with him do not affect the main plot.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Frodo Baggins|Images of Frodo Baggins]]
*[[Timeline of Frodo Baggins]]
{{sequence
|prev=[[Bilbo Baggins]]
|next=[[Samwise Gamgee]]
|list=[[Ring-bearer]] [[22 September|September 22]], [[Third Age 3001|T.A. 3001]] - [[13 March|March 13]], [[Third Age 3019|3019]]}} 
{{sequence
|prev=[[Samwise Gamgee]]
|next=[[Gollum]]
|list=[[Ring-bearer]] [[14 March|March 14]], 3019 - [[25 March|March 25]], 3019}}{{fellowship}}

{{References}}

[[Category:Baggins]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]

[[de:Frodo Beutlin]]
[[fa:فرودو بگینز]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hobbits:sacquet:frodo_sacquet]]
[[fi:Frodo Reppuli]]