On Love in Lord of the Rings

Verses:

John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Proverbs 17:17: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 

Romans 12: 9-10: Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor

Thoughts:

What does it mean to love someone? As I’ve said before, love is an action, not just a feeling. I’d like to take this model of love and look at a favorite book of mine: Lord of the Rings.

Tolkien does a brilliant job of showing the action of love through his characters. So let’s jump in, looking at Samwise Gamgee, Gandalf, and Strider. 

Starting off with the beloved character of Samwise Gamgee, Frodo’s companion, we can see Sam always looking out for Frodo. Sam isn’t selfishly centered on his own care. When Frodo is taken by the orcs after being stung by Shelob, Sam ran after him and “his love for Frodo rose above all other thoughts” (899). He forgets his own safety and quickly goes to help his friend. And, Sam also gives Frodo food and opts to go hungry and gives Frodo his last drink in Mordor (928). And when Frodo can’t even walk, Sam carries Frodo up Mount Doom (940).

Sam’s entire goal in the story is to help Frodo. He shows the strength of servitude. As many argue and I would agree with, Frodo would not have accomplished his task if Sam was not there. 

Now onto Gandalf: He is quick to help and serve those around him. He shows strong servant leadership through his guidance and care for the fellowship. 

Specifically, at the beginning of the book in Frodo's house, Gandalf listens to Frodo and gives him wisdom: “‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo. ‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us’” (51). Gandalf hears Frodo and acknowledges his fear. He does not push him down or minimize his fear. But, Gandalf then encourages Frodo with truth and wisdom. 

And when the fellowship is fleeing the Balrog in the Mines of Moria, Gandalf serves his fellows to the point of sacrificing his life so that they might fly and be safe (331). 

Lastly, looking at Strider, we can see his care for the hobbits and his humility and desire to honor them. When he first meets them in Bree, he is quick to guide them and protect them (174). And, before the hobbits are sent home and while they are still in Isengard, Strider, now King Aragorn, bows to them and sits them upon the throne (954). Aragorn is deserving of great honor and this day is technically for him and his coronation. But, he humbles himself and honors his beloved friends, those who some might say were a small and insignificant people. 

Summary: Tolkien brilliantly shows his strong christian beliefs, not through outright preaching in his texts, but rather through the actions of his characters. Through Sam’s selfless love, we are encouraged to die to self and carry one another’s burdens. Through Gandalf’s wisdom and sacrifice, we learn to encourage and die for others. Through Aragorn's humility and honor, we learn to honor all people and every person as important, even the seeming least of people. Each of these characters shows a powerful love for each other that we would do well to emulate. 

Ask Yourself: Who are characters that you love in movies or shows? How do they show their love? How might you emulate them? 

#18

29 Aug 2025

Works Cited

Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings. Boston, HarperCollins Publishers, 2004