20 Gollum Quotes That Sum Up Lord of the Rings’ Most Tragic Character

by

Features an extensive cast of characters, each reacting differently to the malevolence of the Ring and the epic struggle of their era. Their individual histories are captivating, and their personalities are intricately developed, creating a holistic portrayal of the inhabitants in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Among the most intricate characters is Gollum, formerly a Stoor Hobbit, who has undergone significant transformation.

One of the saddest figures in this tale is undoubtedly Gollum, whose life took an entirely different course once he encountered the One Ring. Over the course of many centuries, the transformation from Smeagol to Gollum became complete. The internal dialogues between him and others offer a glimpse into his intentions, while also highlighting how the Ring affects Frodo.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

In the storyline of “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”, Gollum grapples with his two contrasting selves. As the movie progresses, Smeagol starts gaining dominance over Gollum. In a crucial self-dialogue, Gollum attempts to persuade Smeagol that he’s past redemption, recalling his deceitful and thieving nature. When Smeagol tries to object, Gollum points out that he is also a murderer.

As a die-hard Lord of the Rings fan, I can’t help but notice the chilling reference to Smagol’s longtime companion, Daegol. Centuries ago, in a dark twist, he took Daegol’s life for possessing the Ring – a secret audiences weren’t privy to until ‘The Two Towers.’ However, that film masterfully laid the groundwork for revealing Gollum’s haunting past, with his most heinous act being just the beginning. It remains unclear how many more lives he claimed after Daegol, but it’s clear his Stoor friend wasn’t his only victim.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

As I delve into the intricate world of Middle-earth cinema, I find myself confronted with the enigmatic mindscape of Gollum – a labyrinth of memories and mantras that, at times, defy logical comprehension for us more rational beings. On his perilous journey to Mordor alongside our Hobbit companions, this peculiar creature occasionally regurgitates verses of uncertain origin. Among these cryptic utterances is a chilling prophecy that hints ominously towards the land of Mordor – a place where the sun has lost its luster and the moon hangs lifeless in the sky.

The rhyme that emanates from Gollum is fittingly sinister, given his slippery and deceitful nature. It appears to foreshadow his intentions to deceive the Hobbits, guiding them towards their destruction in Mordor. This quote may not be the only rhyme spoken by Gollum in the Lord of the Rings films, but it is certainly the most impactful.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Following an encounter on the road to Mordor, Gollum is captured and compelled to beg for his existence. Frodo proposes that the creature serve as their guide for the remainder of the journey, but Sam objects. However, Gollum consents to behave kindly toward the Hobbits if they do the same in return. None of them, neither Gollum nor the Hobbits, could have foreseen how accurate this statement would prove to be.

Generally speaking, Gollum tended to be faithful to the Hobbits, particularly Frodo, when they maintained his trust. As Frodo exhibited uncommon compassion towards him, the Smeagol aspect of Gollum became more evident. However, once he believed that Frodo had deceived him by revealing himself to the soldiers of Gondor, Gollum’s darker nature resurfaced, this time driven by a desire for revenge against his supposed master.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Ultimately, Gollum turns against the Hobbits in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”. Guiding Frodo into Shelob’s lair, Gollum abandons his master, seemingly leaving him for dead. Following a close call, thanks to Sam, the Hobbits face another threat as Gollum attacks them. In a struggle over the Ring, Frodo attempts to remind Gollum of their past bond, but Gollum cruelly retorts that “Smeagol had deceived him.

These two words lock Smeagol’s destiny, ensuring his previous self is imprisoned forever within the creeping form of his malevolent aspect. In that instant, Frodo realizes that relying on Gollum might have been a lethal blunder. From then on, Smeagol is never seen again, with Gollum emerging as the dominant force until his demise shortly thereafter.

Gollum’s Song, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

In “The Two Towers” movie, a song titled “Gollum’s Ballad” is played during the end credits. This song is narrated from Gollum’s point of view, expressing his long years of isolation and his fixation on the Ring. One line in this mournful tune speaks of Gollum crying over his loneliness, which mirrors a later statement he makes in “Return of the King,” where he expresses his regret that he can never return home.

Gollum’s Song” provides a profound look into the troubled psyche of the title character, brimming with self-hatred and crushing solitude. The words ring true; Gollum is not just geographically lost but also spiritually adrift. Beyond the possibility of returning to his banished home, he has also misplaced his identity in the chaotic jumble of his fragmented mind. These losses force him into a state of mourning for his own self-inflicted woes.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Peter Jackson’s decision to depict Smeagol’s fall as the opening scene in The Return of the King, rather than at the start of The Fellowship of the Ring (as depicted in the book), was a brilliant move. It effectively establishes the somber tone for the final installment of the series. Through Gollum’s chilling narrative, we witness his harrowing metamorphosis, which instills dread rather than pity and evokes a sense of horror.

Originally, the movies didn’t provide recaps of previous films before the current one, which some people criticized. However, this particular scene serves as a sort of recap, even if it’s symbolic. Smeagol’s transformation represents the progression of the story from peaceful Shire to the corrupt Mordor, and given his role as guide for the Hobbits, it makes sense that he would be instrumental in this narrative shift. After watching this scene, viewers should brace themselves for the looming evil yet to unfold.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Gollum, a character from ‘The Lord of the Rings’, is a tragic figure because there remains within him a naive, playful side of his former self, Smeagol, despite being corrupted by the Ring’s power. Andy Serkis and motion capture technology excellently convey this complexity. In ‘The Two Towers’, we witness the transformation of the almost canine-like Smeagol into Frodo’s loyal companion.

In “The Two Towers,” the pivotal scene involving Gollum could be seen as the main focus. This scene primarily consists of an exchange between Gollum and his former self, Smeagol. Director Jackson highlights the division in their personalities and the inner turmoil that Smeagol endures. Despite the overall sadness, Smeagol experiences a fleeting victory when he tells Gollum to leave him alone.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Gollum’s cunning is often depicted as malevolent or excessively possessive. His discovery of a passage through the Dead Marshes undoubtedly fits this pattern. It’s reasonable to assume that he discovered this route as a means to evade the vigilant Orcs. Interestingly, this action also hints at the intelligence that could potentially be unleashed by Smeagol’s redemption.

This quote sheds light on the secretive and miserable existence that Gollum endured beyond his cave-dwelling days. Indeed, he was secretive and wretched within those caves as well, but it seems to suggest a multitude of perils in the outside world, from orcs to humans, even common dangers like sunlight. Gollum’s life was a sordid and pitiful one.

The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

As a film enthusiast, I find myself reflecting on the transient nature of Smeagol’s victory in ‘The Two Towers’. Despite his temporary triumph over Gollum, the darkness within him is equally ephemeral. In the closing scenes, Gollum begins devising a cunning plan to seize the Ring from the Hobbits permanently. However, Smeagol, filled with apprehension, whispers, “But the plump Hobbit, he’s wise.” He senses the ever-watchful eyes. Yet, in a surprising turn of events, Gollum discards the risk, reasoning that the pursuit of the Ring may not be worth the danger after all.

In the story, Gollum manages to guide Frodo into Shelob’s lair, only for Frodo to later discover he’s been deceived. Not too long after, Frodo finds himself ensnared in a web. Gollum then reveals himself to taunt Frodo, thinking he’s safe from harm. However, Gollum’s moment of victory is brief (luckily). As Frodo starts to break free, Gollum watches his plan fall apart. The sad part is that if Smeagol had been patient, he could have served a beneficial purpose. But just like his wickedness, Gollum’s foresight was limited.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

The reactions between Frodo and Sam towards Gollum are starkly contrasting, akin to oil and water. While Sam harbors an obvious mistrust towards Gollum, he openly urges Frodo not to trust him. This distrust is unwavering except for a brief moment at the end of “The Two Towers.” However, Frodo, who has been bearing the Ring for several months, perceives a reflection of himself in Gollum.

The relationship between Frodo and Gollum in the movies is arguably the most intricate among all characters. Gollum’s feelings for Master Frodo fluctuate wildly, ranging from plots to murder him to an extreme devotion that leaves Frodo feeling let down. On the other hand, Frodo feels compassion towards Gollum due to the immense burden of the Ring he carries.

Read More

2025-05-06 05:24