Posted on 06/24/2005 7:13:06 AM PDT by hispanichoosier
I need help with LOTR. Two friends and I were discussing the books and movies last weekend. Friend 1 observed that the relationship between Frodo and Sam (in the movies) had homosexual overtones. Friend 2 retorted that the relationship is based on the master/servant relationship of old England and that Friend 1 was looking at it through American eyes, where rugged individualism is more prized. I--caught in the middle--had to admit that I thought that Sean Astin overplayed Sam at times but was great overall.
So, was Friend 1 right about the gay overtones, or was Friend 2's explanation correct? I'm rather at a loss over the whole debacle.
What's a Hoosier?.......
ping
Isn't it a kind of vacuum cleaner??
None of the above.. they were friends (you could correctly say drinking buddies..) What people should take from this is Sam's sense of loyality to his friends, even willing to lay down his life for them..
Yes, I think that Sean Astin is gay.
The relationship between Sam and Frodo was a take on the relationship between a WWII British officer and his assistant (the title of which escapes me at the moment).
Friend 1 has repressed homosexual tendencies. (/sarc)
The whole of the Rings reflects an order within and without the universe. Obedience and hope, not disobedience and despair are central to the Rings. I have a poor understanding of the whole and there are those who have much more understanding of theology and literature who have discussed it.
Look on the some of the Ring sites.
Viewing the relationship on some sexual level reflects poorly on those critical thinking skills IMHO.
batman
Friend #2 is on the mark. Tolkien is probably rolling in his grave with the way today's society has twisted the beautiful relationship between Sam and Frodo the way Friend #1 has.
Gay Hobbits.....
Dwarves of San Francisco.
Freidn 1 is a nut. Absolutely a nut. It's not there.
The relationship between Sam and Frodo has its base in the master/servant relationship but there's more to it than that. Tolkien had a very high regard for male friendship.
ecurbh, I don't know if this should even get a ring ping but we could come dump on this poor guy.
WWI I think, but you are correct. It was not about homosexuality at all.
ping
Why do all friendly male relationships have to be about homosexuality?
Friend 2 was sort of right. Sam was given the task to protect Frodo and having accepted that task and being an honorable man, took that task very seriously indeed. His love was the brotherly love of warriors.
"Friend 1 observed that the relationship between Frodo and Sam (in the movies) had homosexual overtones. "
Stupid, ignorant POV that completely ignores the fact that Sam marries a big-boobed Hobbit Hottie at the end of the movie trilogy.
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