Frodo and sam gay
Published in:July-August 2003 issue.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS gives a significant purpose and meaning to enduring male-male partnerships that many more overtly gay narratives complete not. In both the original three-part novel by J. R. R. Tolkien and its recent cinematic adaptation, a hobbit named Frodo Baggins is qualified to realize his potential as a hero and conserve the world from ruination only by relying on the loving bond he develops with his steadfast companion, Samwise Gamgee. What’s more, this primary transformative relationship occurs in the context of many other abiding same-sex attachments—whether between hobbit and wizard, elf and dwarf, man and elf, or hobbit and man—that contribute to the hero’s accomplishment of this mission.
The homoerotic aspects of this motif of male partnership are strikingly evident in Tolkien’s novel, in which Sam is portrayed as much more than just a close ally to Frodo. He is Frodo’s ever-present servant, bodyguard, champion, and inspiration. Whether they’re fleeing winged serpents, battling a giant spider, or escaping from murderous orcs, Sam is always at Frodo’s side, repeatedly risking his own animation to protect that of his master.
Reading these scenes through a literal and historical lens makes it seem like Sam’s dedication to Frodo is nothing more than mere servitude. Sam is trustworthy, employable, and easy to instruct. His commitment to Frodo can be looked at as an end to the means of destroying the Ring. Certainly, J.R.R. Tolkien saw Sam in this way, with many scholars and critics mentioning the two hobbits were inspired by soldiers in World War I. Frodo would represent a soldier with higher authority, while Sam would be that man’s subordinate.
This historical reading of the text doesn’t signify Frodo and Sam aren’t infused with a tenderness that perhaps wasn’t originally intended to live though. The acting and script writing of Jackson’s films rotate the Frodo and Sam dynamic into something truly special. The climactic peaks of Frodo and Sam’s journey shine bright and deserve a chance to be discussed as queer in nature.
Frodo and Sam’s Tangible Tenderness
The potential queerness embedded in Frodo and Sam’s interaction resides in their heartachingly beautiful physical kinship. Sam and Frodo sob for each other, laugh for one another, and even move to the literal ends of Middle-earth intertw
Stop Sexualizing the Beautiful Friendship of Frodo and Sam
It’s easy for modern eyes to read J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy epic, The Lord of the Rings, and question the relationship of Frodo and Sam. If you’ve never read the books or seen the movies, I would support you to do so; they’re both brilliant works of narrative (although, I prefer the books) and have won dozens of awards. Despite their timelessness, the emotional connection and intimate interactions between Frodo and Sam have driven many to ascribe gay undertones into the story. The internet is flooded with progressive theories, memes, articles, and videos supporting such nonsense. Such conduct is an indicator that our culture has develop so delusional in correctly identifying biblical sexuality and masculinity, that an entire generation is missing the beauty in their emotive, platonic bond. To express my point in the positive: the bond between Frodo and Sam is a worthy demonstration of biblical masculinity. In evidence, I think the average modern American male would benefit from an examination of the sexuality and masculinity of Frodo and Sam.
If you’re unfamiliar with the story, the fundamental premise is this: Fro
For as long as there has been literature, there contain been queer readings and interpretations of iconic fictional characters. The Lord of the Rings’ plethora of close-knit male friendships made the classic book series rife for potential queer readings among eagle-eyed fans — there just wasn’t any internet or an easy way for a collective to talk about these interpretations. For years, Sam and Frodo’s affectionate connection was one of literature’s most passionate (but not always acknowledged) ships. With the debut of TheLord of the Rings films, Hollywood brought a vital piece of queer-coded literature to the big screen, whether it was intentional or not. Not only did The Lord of the Rings bring Sam/Frodo, Gimli/Legolas, and a gaggle of other slash ships to the attention of mainstream audiences — it also created one of the most passionate and fan communities on the internet, one that’s alive and well today.
It’s hard to discern the exact roots of where Sam and Frodo as a ship truly began, because unlike so many of the most popular slash ships today, Sam/Frodo predates the reality of the internet itself. It even precedes the well-liked fanzines that popped up when Kirk/