Tolkien’s secondary world is one in which predestination and free will operate in constant counterbalance. Though the individual is born to play a particular role in the divine plan, the choice to accept or reject the appointed task remains always with the individual. The experiences of the Ringbearer’s faithful servant, Samwise, repeatedly illustrate this state of metaphysical equilibrium. Sam Gamgee has been placed at the center of the drama of the Ring to aid and support Frodo, whose own mission has been foretold in prophecy. As with his master, Sam is regularly offered the opportunity to relinquish his burden, yet willingly he chooses to continue on the path to Mordor. Upon first acquaintance, there is little about Sam to set him apart from other hobbits of his social class. He is fond of his food, his ale, his pipe and the regular predictable routines of Shire life. Yet first impressions are often deceptive, and Tolkien himself stated that, as with all his diminutive heroes, Sam is an exceptional rather than typical hobbit.

Providence early on places Sam in a position from which he may transcend common experience. As apprentice gardener at Bag End, Sam’s connection to the eccentric Bagginses opens up previously unimagined worlds to the young hobbit. Not only does Bilbo share his tales of adventure with the lad, but he also teaches Sam to read. In Frodo, Sam finds a hero, a friend and his first great love. It is love for Frodo which compels Sam to make those choices which keep him moving along his predetermined path.

Aware of Sam’s devotion to Frodo, Gandalf appoints the young gardener Frodo’s travelling companion. Sam accepts even though it means leaving home and family. The morning after their encounter with the High Elves at Woody End, Frodo warns Sam that the road ahead looks dark and dangerous. Frodo offers Sam the option of turning back, but Sam will not hear of this.

"If you don’t come back, then I shan’t either, sir," said Sam.

It is at this point, that Sam first begins to understand that they are all involved in something far greater than their own individual lives. This he haltingly expresses to Frodo.

Though Sam begins to conceive of the expansiveness of the tale they have entered, his practicality and humility keep him focused on the small bit that is his task — caring for Frodo. In order to accomplish this Sam must summon up more strength, courage and wits than he himself supposed he possessed. In the Old Forest, Sam fights off the sleepiness that overcomes his companions and by doing so is able to save Frodo from drowning. At Weathertop, Sam tries to protect Frodo from the Ringwraiths, bravely standing between these horrors and his master. With Strider’s help, Sam cares for the wounded Frodo, even singing to him to soothe him. Frodo is impressed by his servant’s resourcefulness and unsuspected talents. At the close of Book 1, Frodo freely chooses to take the Ring to Mordor, and Sam freely chooses to go with him.

Repeatedly, throughout Book 2, Frodo must choose to accept his role as Ringbearer. Just as frequently, Sam must reaffirm his resolve to remain at Frodo’s side, even if this means losing something else which he holds dear. At the entrance to Moria, Sam abandons his beloved pony Bill in order to follow Frodo into the long dark.

"I had to choose, Mr. Frodo. I had to come with you."

In Lothlorien, Galadriel first tempts Sam to leave Frodo by placing in his mind images of the things he loves: the Shire, his home, family and garden. When this does not move Sam in his resolve, she confronts him with visions of a devastated Shire — trees cut down, the land scarred, his father homeless. This time the decision is heartbreaking for the young hobbit, but he remains true to his master and to his own path.

Frodo feels the bond of attachment between he and Sam as deeply as does his companion. It is only to Sam that Frodo sings his lament for Gandalf. As they travel down to great river, Sam spots " a log with eyes" following them. He and Frodo choose not to tell the others, but to alternately keep watch. Only Sam sees the way that Boromir looks at Frodo, and only Sam understands Frodo’s apparent indecision at the road which the company should pursue. When Frodo disappears and all set out to find him, it is Sam’s greater knowledge of his master’s heart which allows him to be the one to prevent Frodo from setting off to Mordor alone.

Frodo’s destiny is to take the Ring to Mordor. This he knows and fully accepts. To protect Sam, whom he loves dearly, Frodo would leave him. However, Sam has a destiny of his own, and it is bound to Frodo. Though Frodo releases Sam from his promise to accompany him, Sam reaffirms the vow.

In the opening of Book 4, the reader finds the relationship between Sam and Frodo at its most mutually supportive. In many ways, they compliment each other well. Frodo’s tendency to despair is countered by Sam’s cheerfulness and basic faith; Frodo’s insight balances Sam’s lack of imagination; Frodo can conceive a plan, but it often requires Sam’s practical hobbit sense to bring that plan to fruition. Their concern for each other’s wellbeing is ever evident, as is their great affection. And so between these devoted friends, fate places Gollum.

Remembering Gandalf’s words of long ago, Frodo considers that Gollum might be redeemed, and so he believes that the wretch must be allowed to live in hope of this possibility. However, even when Gollum is at his most helpful and fawning, Sam distrusts the creature. In addition to all the other evils out to hurt his master, Sam now feels that he must protect Frodo from the object of his own compassion.

As the trio journey onwards, Sam notes changes in both his companions. For Frodo, Sam is greatly worried. The burden of the Ring is wearing heavily upon its bearer. At times Frodo is nearly bent double by its weight and is so weak he can barely walk. Sam supports him physically and emotionally and slows the rapid progress of Gollum so that ‘their’ master can keep up. Initially, Sam’s fear of Gollum was that the ravenous creature would eat his master. As their journey progresses, Sam realizes that Gollum’s real threat to Frodo is in relation to the Ring. Sam’s concerns keep him ever vigilant.

At last they reach the Black Gates. Frodo is determined to complete his mission, even if he has to walk through his enemy’s front door. Frodo does not expect Sam to come with him, but Sam reaffirms his intent to stick by his master to the very end — which by all outward appearances, they seem to have reached. However, Gollum reveals that he knows a secret, safer way into Mordor. Sam distrusts the creature, but Frodo tells Gollum to lead them to this alternate path. Whatever his misgivings, Sam follows his master.

Sam’s ministrations to Frodo continue as they travel through the country surrounding Mordor. In order to ensure Frodo’s wellbeing, Sam even collaborates with Gollum. However, their progress is interrupted by the arrival of Faramir and the Gondorian Rangers.

Sam is proud of how well Frodo handles himself with Faramir. Frodo’s tone is at once courteous and proud, and he will not be intimidated into revealing his mission. However, when Faramir becomes increasingly threatening, all but accusing Frodo of collusion with Sauron, Sam speaks up in defense of his master. Farmir is both impressed and amused by little Sam. He bids Sam to sit and be quiet and to let Frodo, whose "wit is greater", speak on the hobbits’ behalf.

Providence has endowed Sam with many fine and useful qualities, but "wit" is not his strength. It is a witless remark on Sam’s part which reveals Frodo’s secret to the young captain of Gondor. In a moment of thoughtlessness, Sam puts his own mission to protect Frodo at jeopardy. However, here Providence intervenes. Faramir does not desire the Ring and the knowledge he acquires from Sam moves him to feel both respect and pity for the Ringbearer. He promises to help Frodo in any way he is able, and the hobbits part company from Faramir, their supplies and energies somewhat restored.

As they draw nearer to the Stairs of Cirith Ungol, the effect of the Ring again begins to cripple Frodo and Sam must once more act as support to his master. As Frodo’s concern for Gollum deepens so too does Sam’s dislike and distrust for the creature. Sam has never truly understood the bond that exists between his beloved master and the vile Gollum. He has not the imagination to conceive of the possibility that Gollum’s fate might befall anyone, even Frodo, nor that so ruined a soul as Smeagol’s might still be capable of love. It is in fact Sam who destroys Gollum’s last chance for salvation. Waking suddenly, Sam finds Gollum’s hand upon Frodo. Misinterpreting the gesture, Sam accuses Gollum of evil intent.

The relationship between Sam and Gollum is founded upon their deep hatred of each other and, perhaps, upon their joint love of Frodo. Yet in the dark of Mordor, hate has dominion over both. Gollum betrays the hobbits, and in his blind fury, Sam for a time abandons Frodo. Sam sets out after Gollum, leaving Frodo alone and undefended. It is only after Gollum gives him the slip that Sam’s thoughts again return to his master. He rushes back, but it is too late; Shelob has attacked Frodo. Sam defeats Shelob, yet it seems to have all been for nought; Frodo lies lifeless on the stone floor.

At this point Sam is again faced with a choice. Should he remain faithful to what is his assigned task, and stay with Frodo or should he take up his master’s burden and try to complete Frodo’s mission? This is a most difficult decision, for heart and head are in opposition. Faith is an act of the heart, it defies all logical considerations. Here logic pulls on Sam Gamgee. With Frodo dead, there is no one left to take the Ring to Mount Doom but Sam. Head wins out over heart. Sam takes the Ring from Frodo and leaves his master. By doing so, Sam deviates from his predetermined path. He freely chooses, but his choice is incorrect for him.

The further he moves away from Frodo, the less sure Sam feels about his decision. He fights a battle in his mind as great as that which he fought in the flesh with Shelob. Sam knows that for the greater good of Middle-Earth, he was right to leave Frodo. However, the vow he has repeated throughout his journey has been to remain at Frodo’s side. When Sam, cloaked by the power of the Ring, encounters a company of Orcs rushing to retrieve the unconscious (not dead) body of Frodo, Sam knows that he has made the wrong decision.

Yet here again, Providence intervenes to set right mortal blunders. The Orcs capture Frodo and take him within the Black Gates. Were Frodo still bearing his burden, the Ring would have at last attained its goal. Sam would not have been able to prevent its seizure by the Orcs. By having the Ring in Sam’s custody, its discovery is prevented, and Sam may use this instrument of the enemy to both rescue Frodo and bring the Ring closer to its destruction.

The Ring is restored to the Ringbearer and both Frodo and Sam return to their preordained roles. The journey through Mordor is nightmarish and each of the hobbits feels the full weight of the burden he is asked to carry. At this point, hope at last abandons Sam. A voice in his mind tells Sam it is time to give up, to lie down now beside Frodo and to slip off into the peaceful sleep of death. To this dark thought, Sam cries out defiantly:

Sam does have to carry Frodo up the last excruciating miles of Mount Doom. Sam is surprised at how light Frodo is and wonders if the suffering that he has endured body and soul have worn his master down so or if, somehow, he, Sam has been granted the strength to do this task.

Nearing the Cracks of Doom, the hobbits are attacked by Gollum. None of gentle Smeagol now remains; Gollum will have the Ring from Frodo. Sam fights the murderous creature, and at last the chance to slay this loathsome enemy is within Sam’s power. Yet like Frodo before him, Sam now pities Gollum and, with a kick and a curse, lets him go. This is a mistake if one considers only Sam’s role as Frodo’s protector. For at once Gollum sets upon Frodo, tearing not just the Ring from Frodo’s finger but the finger from his hand. Sam has allowed Frodo to be harmed, and yet by this maiming both Frodo and the Ringbearer’s mission are saved. Good is drawn from evil by a divine hand.

Yet, this is not the end of tale, for neither master nor servant has walked the full length of his predetermined road. To care for, defend and love Frodo has been Sam’s appointed task. Repeatedly, he has chosen Frodo above all other attachments and duties. However, for Sam to continue on with his life, this bond must be broken. Sam could not break this bond without completely undermining all that he is, and so fate and Frodo intervene. Frodo makes the choice to leave Middle-earth and sail to the undying lands. By so doing, he releases Sam from his vow and sets his servant free to continue on a new path unburdened by his master’s sorrow and pain. Fate eases Sam’s own grief by restoring to the hobbit all of that which he lost while caring for Frodo.

Upon the final page of the narrative, Sam has one last choice to make: to be consumed by the loss of Frodo or to carry on with his life despite the pain. The choice which he makes is evident in the final lines of the book,

And he went on, and there was yellow light, and fire within; and the