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* TheHero: Is Sam the "real" hero of ''The Lord of the Rings?'' While Tolkien's "Letters" certainly favored Sam as the 'chief hero', he obviously started out with Frodo in mind for the role. It's probably safest to say that the story is so big that it contains a willingly-martyred Byronic hero ''and'' a plucky Horatio Alger hero.
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* TheHero: Is Sam the "real" hero of ''The Lord of the Rings?'' While Tolkien's "Letters" certainly favored Sam as the 'chief hero', "chief hero", he obviously started out with Frodo in mind for the role. It's probably safest to say that the story is so big that it contains a willingly-martyred Byronic hero ''and'' a plucky Horatio Alger hero.
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* NoSell: While several characters are able to resist the temptation of the ring, only Sam shrugs it off entirely. It can't offer anything he wants.
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* NoSell: While several characters are able to resist the temptation of the ring, only Sam shrugs it off entirely. It Because his ambitions are very modest and he has no desire whatsoever to rule over others, it can't offer him anything he wants.
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* CallToAgriculture: After the War of the Ring Sam returns to his old gardener's life, also helping restore the Shire's trees, and marries a farmer's daughter. But he prospers enough to become Mayor.
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* CallToAgriculture: After the War of the Ring Sam returns to his old gardener's life, also helping restore the Shire's trees, and marries a farmer's daughter. But he prospers enough to become Mayor. The Ring even tries to tempt him with it at one point, promising him to give him the power to turn Mordor into a beautiful garden. Sam rejects this, as he doesn't hold any desire to rule over others, and coming to the obvious, but logical conclusion that tending to such a large garden simply wouldn't be practical in any sense.
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* NothingLeftToDoButDie: The appendix reveals that after just over 120 years of successful rule, Aragorn finally began to feel his age. He figured he had done all that could be expected of him, his son was ready to take his place as king, and he had nothing to look forward to except increasing decrepitude and senility. Since his Númenórean ancestry allowed him to die at will, he said his goodbyes and willingly laid down in his tomb.
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Fix
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* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler: After realizing what was doing after trying to take the Ring from Frodo.]]
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* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler: After realizing what he was doing after trying to take the Ring from Frodo.]]
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* ShoutOut: His great horn and some aspects of his character is a homage to the medieval French epic ''Literature/TheSongOfRoland'', where the paladin Roland, nephew of Charlemagne, bears the horn Olifant. [[spoiler:Like Boromir, Roland blows his horn to summon help when surrounded by enemies, but still dies. Roland's fatal flaw is also pride, as he refused to sound his horn earlier thinking that he could defeat his foes by his own power. Boromir is convinced of his and Gondor's ability to defeat Sauron on their own if the Ring was allowed to be used.]]
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* ShoutOut: His great horn and some aspects of his character is a an homage to the medieval French epic ''Literature/TheSongOfRoland'', where the paladin Roland, nephew of Charlemagne, bears the horn Olifant. [[spoiler:Like Boromir, Roland blows his horn to summon help when surrounded by enemies, but still dies. Roland's fatal flaw is also pride, as he refused to sound his horn earlier thinking that he could defeat his foes by his own power. Boromir is convinced of his and Gondor's ability to defeat Sauron on their own if the Ring was allowed to be used.]]
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YMMV
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* TheFinalTemptation: At the pass of Cirith Ungol, when he takes up the Ring [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome and then puts it down]]. All he wants is to be a gardener; so when the Ring tempts him, he has no ambition it can use to persuade him. [[CrowningMomentOfFunny It's also implied the Ring is grasping at straws to stay alive]].
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* TheFinalTemptation: At the pass of Cirith Ungol, when he takes up the Ring [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome and then puts it down]].down. All he wants is to be a gardener; so when the Ring tempts him, he has no ambition it can use to persuade him. [[CrowningMomentOfFunny It's also implied the Ring is grasping at straws to stay alive]].alive.
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* ChekhovsGun: Unlike the identical {{Cool Sword}}s that the other three hobbits received from Tom Bombadil at the Barrow Downs, Merry's sword ends up being extremely instrumental to his CrowningMomentOfAwesome.
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* ChekhovsGun: Unlike the identical {{Cool Sword}}s that the other three hobbits received from Tom Bombadil at the Barrow Downs, Merry's sword ends up being extremely instrumental to his CrowningMomentOfAwesome.taking down the Witch-King.
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* TheDulcineaEffect: Galadriel has this impact on him, despite her being a completely different species. He has ''strong'' words with anyone who repeats the usual rumors of how dangerous and witchlike the Lady of Lorien is.
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* TheDulcineaEffect: Galadriel has this impact on him, despite her being a completely different species.species; not solely for her appearance, but because she's the only Elf he's met to show an appreciation and respect for Dwarven culture. He has ''strong'' words with anyone who repeats the usual rumors of how dangerous and witchlike the Lady of Lorien is.
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* ElvesVsDwarves: Initially, but subverted when he becomes friendly with Legolas and admires Galadriel's beauty.
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* ElvesVsDwarves: Initially, but subverted when he becomes friendly with Legolas and admires Galadriel's beauty.Galadriel.
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* TheTeamNormal: Downplayed, but of the three hunters, Gimli is by far the most 'average,' being only a brave and skilled Dwarf while Legolas is an immortal Elf prince and Aragorn a Númenórean King. Most clearly scene during the Paths of the Dead, where the other two are more or less unfazed while Gimli is barely able to stand for sheer terror.
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* TheTeamNormal: Downplayed, but of the three hunters, Gimli is by far the most 'average,' being only a brave and skilled Dwarf while Legolas is an immortal Elf prince and Aragorn a Númenórean King. Most clearly scene seen during the Paths of the Dead, where the other two are more or less unfazed while Gimli is barely able to stand for sheer terror.
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* TheTeamNormal: Downplayed, but of the three hunters, Gimli is by far the most 'average,' being only a brave and skilled Dwarf while Legolas is an immortal Elf prince and Aragorn a Númenórean King. Most clearly scene during the Paths of the Dead, where the other two are more or less unfazed while Gimli is barely able to stand for sheer terror.
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* LargeAndInCharge: He's 6'6" and becomes King of Gondor.
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* OlderSidekick: He's older than most of the rest of the Fellowship, and largely serves a supporting roll until they escape Moria.
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* OlderSidekick: He's older than most of the rest of the Fellowship, and largely serves a supporting roll role until they escape Moria.
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* TheGoodKing: Of Gondor, once he claims the throne.
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* {{Homage}}: Aragorn is a ShoutOut to both KingArthur and Charlemagne.
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* {{Homage}}: Aragorn is a ShoutOut to both KingArthur Myth/KingArthur and Charlemagne.UsefulNotes/{{Charlemagne}}.
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* BashBrothers: with Legolas, once they get past the [[ElvesVsDwarves dwarf-elf rivalry]].
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* BashBrothers: with With Legolas, once they get past the [[ElvesVsDwarves dwarf-elf rivalry]].
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* DeadpanSnarker : Has his moments.
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* DeadpanSnarker : DeadpanSnarker: Has his moments.
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* IncorruptiblePurePureness: He's tempted by the Ring to become a great lord, but he rejects it since he doesn't want to boss others around -- even when the Ring plays on his love for gardening by telling him he could transform Mordor into a giant beautiful flower bed if he so wished.
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* IncorruptiblePurePureness: He's tempted by the Ring to become a great lord, but he rejects it since he doesn't want to boss others around -- even when the Ring plays on his love for gardening by telling him he could transform Mordor into a giant beautiful flower bed if he so wished. He's the only one it's exposed to other than Faramir to not fall to it, and the only one other than Bilbo to give it up willingly after possessing it.
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* TheFinalTemptation: At the pass of Cirith Ungol, when he takes up the Ring [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome and then puts it down]].
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* TheFinalTemptation: At the pass of Cirith Ungol, when he takes up the Ring [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome and then puts it down]]. All he wants is to be a gardener; so when the Ring tempts him, he has no ambition it can use to persuade him. [[CrowningMomentOfFunny It's also implied the Ring is grasping at straws to stay alive]].
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Gandalf is generally considered to be one of the *greater* Maiar, just a step or two below the likes of Ossë or Sauron.
-->"It will be my turn to get angry soon. If you say that again, I shall. Then you will see Gandalf the Grey uncloaked."
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* BadassBookworm: Though one of the lesser Maiar, he was one of the wisest.
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* BadassBookworm: Though Renowned to be one of the lesser Maiar, he was one of the wisest.wisest Maiar.
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* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: The Peter Jackson films play this up a bit, but even early on Pippin gets dangerous or smart when things get ugly. He's the first hobbit to kill an orc in Moria, leaves his broach for Aragorn and company to follow when captured, and he tricks the Uruk-Hai by sawing his bindings when they're arguing amongst themselves then pretending he's still bound until he and Merry can escape. The Peter Jackson adaptation of ''Fellowship'' even has him, Legolas, and Gandalf as the only ones to come out unscathed from the troll battle in Moria.
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* HumansAreBastards: Not a ''huge'' part of his personality, but it's definitely there to some degree. He's much slower to trust other Men than he is other beings, and the primary reason he runs away from his responsibilities as rightful king is because of his awareness of human failings and the [[BoomerangBigot realization those failings are in himself as well]]: he doesn't want to be king for fear of becoming a tyrant. Certainly doesn't help that the whole Mordor expedition is happening because of one of his own ancestor's fuckups, and he's a Númenórean, a race of Men [[AndManGrewProud who grew so proud]] [[Literature/TheSilmarilion they picked a fight with the Valar]] and got whupped by [[TopGod Eru Iluvitar]] so hard the world became a sphere: not an ancestry to be overly proud of.
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* HumansAreBastards: Not a ''huge'' part of his personality, but it's definitely there to some degree. He's much slower to trust other Men than he is other beings, and the primary reason he runs away from his responsibilities as rightful king is because of his awareness of human failings and the [[BoomerangBigot realization those failings are in himself as well]]: he doesn't want to be king for fear of becoming a tyrant. Certainly doesn't help that the whole Mordor expedition is happening because of one of his own ancestor's fuckups, and he's a Númenórean, a race of Men [[AndManGrewProud who grew so proud]] [[Literature/TheSilmarilion [[Literature/TheSilmarillion they picked a fight with the Valar]] and got whupped by [[TopGod Eru Iluvitar]] so hard the world became a sphere: not an ancestry to be overly proud of.
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* HumansAreBastards: Not a ''huge'' part of his personality, but it's definitely there to some degree. He's much slower to trust other Men than he is other beings, and the primary reason he runs away from his responsibilities as rightful king is because of his awareness of human failings and the [[BoomerangBigot realization those failings are in himself as well]]: he doesn't want to be king for fear of becoming a tyrant. Certainly doesn't help that the whole Mordor expedition is happening because of one of his own ancestor's fuckups, and he's a Númenórean, a race of Men [[AndManGrewProud who grew so proud]] [[Literature/TheSilmarilion they picked a fight with the Valar]] and got whupped by [[TopGod Eru Iluvitar]] so hard the world became a sphere: not an ancestry to be overly proud of.
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* TookALevelInKindness: Again, after becoming Gandalf the White, most evident in his interactions with Pippin, who remarks that Gandalf laughs more often and is more willing to indulge his curiosity.
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* TookALevelInKindness: TookALevelInKindness:
** Again, after becoming Gandalf the White, most evident in his interactions with Pippin, who remarks that Gandalf laughs more often and is more willing to indulge hiscuriosity.curiosity.
** Even in the film version of ''Fellowship of the Ring'' when he's still Gandalf the Grey, he's quite a bit less stern than in the original book.
** Again, after becoming Gandalf the White, most evident in his interactions with Pippin, who remarks that Gandalf laughs more often and is more willing to indulge his
** Even in the film version of ''Fellowship of the Ring'' when he's still Gandalf the Grey, he's quite a bit less stern than in the original book.
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Wrong page, sorry
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** He also shows this towards the Hobbits, teaching Merry and Pippin how to fight, apologizing when he accidentally cuts Pippin's hand (and laughing when they tackle him), telling Gandalf that they should turn back when they are trying to cross the mountain because the Hobbits will die if they continue, asking Aragorn to give them a moment to grieve after [[spoiler: Gandalf dies, being the one who carries Frodo out after the death, and trying to cheer him up afterwards. He's also shown placing a comforting hand on Gimli's shoulder when he's crying at the tomb of his father, and holding him back as he tries to charge back into Moria]].
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** He also shows this towards the Hobbits, teaching Merry and Pippin how to fight, apologizing when he accidentally cuts Pippin's hand (and laughing when they tackle him), telling Gandalf that they should turn back when they are trying to cross the mountain because the Hobbits will die if they continue, asking Aragorn to give them a moment to grieve after [[spoiler: Gandalf dies, being the one who carries Frodo out after the death, and trying to cheer him up afterwards. He's also shown placing a comforting hand on Gimli's shoulder when he's crying at the tomb of his father, and holding him back as he tries to charge back into Moria]].
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* TheGardener: Is Frodo's Mundane Gardener [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment gardener]].
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* TheFinalTemptation: At the pass of Cirith Ungol, when he takes up the Ring [[CrowningMomnetOfAwesome and then puts it down]].
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* TheFinalTemptation: At the pass of Cirith Ungol, when he takes up the Ring [[CrowningMomnetOfAwesome [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome and then puts it down]].
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* HiddenDepths: Starts off as a BookDumb gardener but shows signs of this just four chapters later when he starts philosophizing about Elves and the the future of the quest. Even Frodo is surprised.
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* HiddenDepths: Starts off as a BookDumb gardener but shows signs of this just four chapters later when he starts philosophizing about Elves and the the future of the quest. Even Frodo is surprised.
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* IJustWantToBeNormal: The Ring tries tempts him by showing him a vision of Mordor as a garden. It doesn't work because Sam only wants his own, small garden that he can tend by himself. This trope is also the reason that a giant garden is the only straw the Ring can grasp at in the first place.
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* IJustWantToBeNormal: The Ring tries tempts to tempt him by showing him a vision of Mordor as a garden. It doesn't work because Sam only wants his own, small garden that he can tend by himself. This trope is also the reason that a giant garden is the only straw the Ring can grasp at in the first place.
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** It should be noted that it's a case of TranslationConvention, and his name, in [[ConLang Westron]], would be Banazîr Galbasi. Samwise Gamgee is just the English translation of Banazîr Galbasi...sort of[[note]][[WordOfGod Tolkien]] says the strict English translation would be Samwís Gamwich, with Samwise Gamgee being what it would evolve into in Modern English. Fun fact, Tolkien was a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philology philologist]][[/note]].
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* FatalFlaw: His pride, which eventually drives him to folly and [[spoiler: leads to his death]].
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* {{Pride}}: One of his defining trait. [[spoiler:and one which leads to his downfall]].
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* {{Pride}}: One of his defining trait. [[spoiler:and traits. [[spoiler: And one which leads to his downfall]].
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* RedemptionEqualsDeath: [[spoiler:See DyingAsYourself. He atoned for his attack on Frodo by sacrificing himself trying to safe the other Hobbits.]]
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* RedemptionEqualsDeath: [[spoiler:See DyingAsYourself. He atoned for his attack on Frodo by sacrificing himself trying to safe the other Hobbits.]] Also note that, unlike Isildur and Denethor, two other characters whose fatal flaw is pride and whose deaths are ignoble, Boromir's death is dignified, and he dies with a smile]].
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* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: Borrows a shield for pitched battles, but otherwise goes without one. Amusingly, his height means he's given a ''child-sized'' shield which may even have been a young Theoden's (functional) plaything.
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* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: Borrows a shield for pitched battles, but otherwise goes without one. Amusingly, his height means he's given a ''child-sized'' shield which may even have been made for a young Theoden's (functional) plaything.Theoden.
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* LuckilyMyShieldWithProtectMe: Borrows a shield for pitched battles, but otherwise goes without one. Amusingly, his height means he's given a ''child-sized'' shield which may even have been a young Theoden's (functional) plaything.
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* LuckilyMyShieldWithProtectMe: LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: Borrows a shield for pitched battles, but otherwise goes without one. Amusingly, his height means he's given a ''child-sized'' shield which may even have been a young Theoden's (functional) plaything.
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* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: Borrows a shield for pitched battles but otherwise goes without one.
* WreckedWeapon: The Shards of Narsil before they were reforged.
* LuckilyMyShieldWithProtectMe: Borrows a shield for pitched battles, but otherwise goes without one. Amusingly, his height means he's given a ''child-sized'' shield which may even have been a young Theoden's (functional) plaything.
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* PintSizedPowerhouse: Dwarves are very strong for their size.
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* PintSizedPowerhouse: Dwarves are very strong for their size. He's the only one to wear armor openly, while the others went light for stealth.
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* WeaponOfChoice: Axe. [[CrazyPrepared Several of them.]]
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* WeaponOfChoice: Axe. [[CrazyPrepared Several of them.]]
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* TheDeterminator: You could pretty much rename this trope 'The Boromir' and it would still be accurate.
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* TheDeterminator: You could pretty much rename this trope 'The Boromir' and it would still be accurate. Before the quest of the Ring even starts he goes to Rivendell, where he had never been to before, on foot after losing his horse on the way.
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* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: The only one in the Fellowship who has his own shield. It's wrecked in his final battle.
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* WreckedWeapon: His sword, shield and horn were all smashed or broken by the end.
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Badass Grandpa is no longer considered a trope and in correspondence with this thread
, all links to it are being deleted.
, all links to it are being deleted.Deleted line(s) 202 (click to see context) :
* BadassGrandpa: Takes the guise of an old man when he comes to Middle-Earth.
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!!For the main character index, see [[AC:[[Characters/TheLordOfTheRings here]]]]
!The Fellowship of the Ring
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fellowship_of_the_ring.jpg]]
-->"''"The Company of the Ring shall be Nine; and the Nine Walkers shall be set against the Nine Riders that are evil.''"\\
--'''Elrond'''
Nine companions, including members of each of the free peoples (Men, Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits), who were united at the Council of Elrond. Though their paths diverge, they remain always bound together by friendship and by a vow to destroy the One Ring and rid the land of Sauron's corruption, no matter how difficult that may prove to be.
----
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Frodo Baggins]]
->''"I should like to save the Shire, if I could - though there have been times when I thought the inhabitants too stupid and dull for words, and have felt that an earthquake or an invasion of dragons might be good for them. But I don't feel like that now. I feel that as long as the Shire lies behind, safe and comfortable, I shall find wandering more bearable: I shall know that somewhere there is a firm foothold, even if my feet cannot stand there again."''
Frodo Baggins is an adventurous hobbit of the Shire who inherits a seemingly-harmless magic ring from his eccentric cousin Bilbo after the latter's disappearance, only discovering what it [[ArtifactOfDoom actually is]] many years later. Despite his lack of experience and the dangers ahead, Frodo volunteers to carry the Ring to Mount Doom and there destroy it.
----
* AcheyScars: Frodo's tend to ache on the anniversary of their infliction.
* ActualPacifist: Frodo is willing to use violence in self-defense early in the story (for instance, against the Barrow-wight), but after his ordeal with the Ring, he is unwilling even to draw weapons in the scouring of the Shire.
* AlphabeticalThemeNaming: Frodo is the son of Drogo Baggins son of Fosco Baggins son of Largo Baggins son of Balbo Baggins.
* AntiHero: As ''Return of the King'' progresses he fails to destroy the Ring, is tormented by his physical and emotional scars, and drifts into a more and more passive role, especially in "The Scouring of the Shire."
* AsleepForDays: Frodo does this in Rivendell after being near-fatally wounded by the Nazgûl. It happens again to both him and Sam after getting rescued from Mount Doom, due to their near starving, wounded state.
* ArmorIsUseless: Mostly averted, since Bilbo's ''mithril'' chainmail armor from ''The Hobbit'' saves his life several times, until Shelob stings him on the neck.
* BadassAdorable: Frodo is a Hobbit and is as small and cute as they tend to be;
%%* BadassBoast: An example is from Frodo to the Nazgûl at the ford.
* BadDreams: Frodo is stated to have these throughout the quest, though they get worse as he approaches Mount Doom and the effect of the Ring increases.
* BenevolentBoss: Technically he is Sam's employer (although Sam's duties were really more oriented toward weeding gardens and trimming hedges, not saving the world.)
* BreakTheCutie: The story is largely an exercise in torturing him physically and mentally. [[spoiler:He does not get better.]]
* TheChosenOne: The trope is flip-flopped. This seems to be his role in the first part of the trilogy - Gandalf even says he was 'meant' to have the Ring - but TheCorruption of the Ring is so strong that even a particularly steadfast, resilient Chosen One carrying it for the best of motives, with the fate of his homeland and all his friends at stake, may not have the strength to fulfill his destiny. [[spoiler: In the end, after a long and horrible struggle, it breaks him.]]
* CoolSword: First the dagger/short sword from the Barrow Downs that Tom Bombadil gave him, which the Nazgûl [[BreakableWeapons shattered]] at the Ford of Bruinen. Later he also got Sting, an ancient Elvish blade given to him by Bilbo. Though it's really a knife, hobbits are just that small compared to Elves (and Men).
* TheCorruption: Linked to the Ring. It slowly wears away all his forms of resistance, even his memories of good things, in its effort to make him its slave. By the time Sam suggests that they carry it in relays to slow the terrible process, Frodo can no longer give it up.
* {{Determinator}}: Despite the increasingly horrible things that happen to him, Frodo never stops trying to reach Mount Doom, and never gives in to the Ring's temptation [[spoiler:until the very end.]]
* DisneyDeath: He survives being bitten by Shelob. Of course, in this case, they actually give an explanation for why he survived via the Orcs when they discover him.[[note]]To put it bluntly, biting him and thus injecting him with her venom was only the ''first'' part of the process of ingestion, and the venom acted more as a paralyzing agent than an actual fatal substance.[[/note]]
* DubNameChange: "Frodon Sacquet" in French ("sac" meaning "bag"). Or "Frodo Bessac" in the new translation.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: In the second chapter, Frodo couldn't even throw the One Ring into his own fireplace. [[spoiler:This foreshadowed his failure to throw the One Ring into the Cracks of Doom.]]
* GentlemanAdventurer: Despite enjoying a rather comfortable lifestyle in the Shire, he inherited from his uncle Bilbo a thirst for adventures.
* GoodIsNotSoft: Frodo tells Gollum that he must obey him, because if not, Frodo will put on the Ring, and order Gollum to jump off a cliff or the like. This astounds Sam, who had always assumed that Frodo's goodness made him soft, and reduces Gollum to whimpering terror.
--> '''Frodo:''' "In the last need, Sméagol, I should put on the Precious; and the Precious mastered you long ago. If I, wearing it, were to command you, ''you would obey,'' even if it were to leap from a precipice or to cast yourself into the fire. And such ''would be'' my command."
* TheHerosJourney: Frodo undergoes the tragic version of the trope at the same time that Aragorn is undertaking the triumphant version: [[spoiler: He ultimately fails his final temptation and rather than bringing him enlightenment, the journey leaves him shell-shocked.]]
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Sam.
* HiddenDepths: His willingness to sacrifice himself for his country (see the folder quote above) surprises even Gandalf.
-->‘My dear Frodo!’ exclaimed Gandalf. ‘Hobbits really are amazing creatures, as I have said before. You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you at a pinch.…’
* IJustWantToBeNormal: Laments that he wished the Ring had never come to him at one point (before he's anywhere near his darkest hour), [[DiscussedTrope prompting Gandalf to respond that all who live to see such times wish this]], and that all he has to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to him.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a traveler's hooded cloak. Later, it's replaced by one of Elven make.
* IShouldWriteABookAboutThis: Frodo is the in-universe author of ''The Lord of the Rings'' (though based on recountings from his friends and comrades, and the final chapter is hinted to have been written by Sam.)
* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: While he could've meant in-universe, he says "...it is all too likely that some will say at this point: 'Shut the book now, dad; we don't want to read any more.'"
* TheLoad: A ''tragic and completely justified'' example. By the time the time he and Sam reach Mordor, the poor guy is just so beaten down from all the injuries he's taken and from carrying the ring that he begins to rely more and more on Sam just to get around.
* MessianicArchetype: Carries a great burden, dies and gets resurrected, and is generally a very sweet guy? Check. Though he differs from most in that he is flawed and fallible.
* MoreHeroThanThou: He attempts to abandon all the rest so he doesn't drag them into danger, and almost succeeds entirely.
* MusicForCourage: He sings while he is held prisoner in the Tower of Cirith Ungol.
* NamedWeapons: The aforementioned Sting.
* OlderThanHeLooks: Due to the Ring's power, Frodo looks like a thirty-three-year-old Hobbit (which is what he was when he initially received the Ring) until at least his fiftieth birthday. [[AllThereInTheManual The Appendices reveal]] that he’s actually ten years older than ''Boromir''. Thus, in terms of age, he’s exactly in the middle of the Fellowship (Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn are older; Boromir, Sam, Merry, and Pippin are younger).
* ParentalAbandonment: His parents drowned in the Brandywine River, leaving him to be raised by Bilbo.
* ThePowerOfFriendship: Sam's unwavering commitment to helping him is ultimately what sees the quest through to Mount Doom.
%%* PowerTrio: Frodo represents the Ego.
* TheProtagonist: Frodo is the central and focal character of the series. It focuses on his journey and development.
* TheQuest: He volunteers to be the one to take the One Ring across the continent to its destruction in Mordor - not from a love of adventure but from a sense of responsibility.
* RedOniBlueOni: He's the Blue Oni to Sam's Red Oni. Most noticeable with Gollum: Frodo is always calm and polite while Sam bristles at him.
* ShipperOnDeck: He's a big supporter of Sam/Rosie. He even invites them to move into his house, since they can't afford one of their own.
* StrangerInAFamiliarLand: Frodo realises after returning to Bag End that he cannot call the Shire his home, nor indeed any place in Middle-Earth. He's been changed too much.
* SupportingProtagonist: Frodo is technically 'the hero' of the story as the story does centre around him, even though the WordOfGod has favored Sam as the more conventional hero of the story.
* ThouShaltNotKill: Already the least violent member of the Fellowship, he adopts this philosophy by the end of ''The Return of the King'', even towards Saruman.
* TragicHero: Tolkien has said that Frodo cannot be called TheHero, as he failed and that he was doomed to fail from the start. Part of this is because he wanted to be a hero.
* TrueCompanions: Sam brings Pippin and Merry into the group to help Frodo: as their adventure continues they gain and lose other companions, but Sam's with him the entire way.
* TurnTheOtherCheek: He's merciful towards both Gollum/Sméagol and Saruman.
* WeaponOfChoice: An elven knife [[NamedWeapons named Sting]], large enough compared to him to be his sword.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Samwise "Sam" Gamgee]]
->''"'Don't you leave him!' they said to me. 'Leave him!' I said. 'I never mean to. I am going with him, if he climbs to the Moon, and if any of those Black Riders try to stop him, they'll have Sam Gamgee to reckon with.'"''
Sam is Frodo's gardener and loyal friend, and the only working-class hobbit in the Fellowship. Even when uninvited, Sam is determined to follow his master wherever he goes and make sure he's taken care of, no matter how dark the situation. His practicality, devotion, and [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers culinary skills]] make him a very big help as the quest goes on.
----
* ActOfTrueLove: The entirety of the book is one of these for Samwise. He followed [[TheNotLoveInterest Frodo]] into Mordor, being his keeper for the whole trip.
* AllThereInTheManual: You may know that Sam eventually built a ship and headed to the Undying Lands, but did you know that he changed his family name to Gardner? Or that he was elected Mayor of the Shire for seven consecutive terms? Or that he, his wife, and his oldest daughter lived in Gondor for a year?
* AuthorAvatar: In some ways inspired by the personal assistants assigned to British officers (i.e. {{Battle Butler}}s) during UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, who were known as "batmen".
* BadassBookworm: Bilbo taught Sam to read and write, abilities that are relatively rare in the Shire outside uppercrust families like the Bagginses. (Sam’s dad hopes that “no harm will come of it.”) Sam proceeds to [[HiddenDepths surprise his fellow hobbits with his book-lore]], and Frodo winds up leaving the Red Book to him to finish.
* BadassNormal: Like all the other hobbits in the Fellowship, Sam has no magical powers or ancient lineages aiding him. He's just a random Hobbit.
* BattleButler: He's Frodo's groundskeeper. Not the most skilled fighter in the Fellowship, but dauntless.
* BerserkButton: Go ahead, try and hurt Frodo. But you'll regret it. [[LetsGetDangerous If you live long enough.]]
* CallToAgriculture: After the War of the Ring Sam returns to his old gardener's life, also helping restore the Shire's trees, and marries a farmer's daughter. But he prospers enough to become Mayor.
* CoolSword: Like Frodo, he got a cool sword/dagger from the Barrow Downs courtesy of Tom Bombadil. Later he also wields Sting in Frodo's defence.
* DeadpanSnarker: Usually he's rather polite, but when he gets angry, annoyed or impatient with someone, he displays a surprising creativity in thinking up biting comments. Unsurprisingly, he's at his snarkiest when dealing with Gollum.
* {{Determinator}}: By the time they reach Mount Doom, Frodo is too weak to climb. Sam is little better, but he still ''carries Frodo'' up the punishing slopes on his shoulders.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: Did a hobbit just kick the crap out of a [[EldritchAbomination half-demonic]] GiantSpider? [[Awesome/TheLordOfTheRings Oh yes.]]
* TheEveryman: Just a normal hobbit of the Shire, not even a gentlehobbit. Lampshaded by Faramir.
-->'''Faramir''': Your land must be a realm of peace and content, and there must gardeners be in high honour.
* TheFinalTemptation: At the pass of Cirith Ungol, when he takes up the Ring [[CrowningMomnetOfAwesome and then puts it down]].
* TheGardener: Is Frodo's Mundane Gardener [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment gardener]].
* TheHero: Is Sam the "real" hero of ''The Lord of the Rings?'' While Tolkien's "Letters" certainly favored Sam as the 'chief hero', he obviously started out with Frodo in mind for the role. It's probably safest to say that the story is so big that it contains a willingly-martyred Byronic hero ''and'' a plucky Horatio Alger hero.
* HeavySleeper: Definitely.
-->''As far as he could remember, Sam slept through the night in deep content, if logs are contented.''
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Frodo. There's no question that Sam is unfailingly... maybe even obsessively... devoted to Frodo. Their parting at the end of the book is a moment of terrible grief.
* HiddenDepths: Starts off as a BookDumb gardener but shows signs of this just four chapters later when he starts philosophizing about Elves and the the future of the quest. Even Frodo is surprised.
* HotBlooded: The contrast between Sam and his more reserved master is pretty clear, especially during the talk with Faramir. Sam is more likely to speak and act without thinking, is prone to LooseLips, and quicker to strike out at threats.
* IJustWantToBeNormal: The Ring tries tempts him by showing him a vision of Mordor as a garden. It doesn't work because Sam only wants his own, small garden that he can tend by himself. This trope is also the reason that a giant garden is the only straw the Ring can grasp at in the first place.
* IncorruptiblePurePureness: He's tempted by the Ring to become a great lord, but he rejects it since he doesn't want to boss others around -- even when the Ring plays on his love for gardening by telling him he could transform Mordor into a giant beautiful flower bed if he so wished.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a traveler's hooded cloak. Later, it's replaced by one of Elven make.
* JumpedAtTheCall: Indeed, Gandalf gave him [[CallToAdventure the call]] seeing how eager he was.
* MeaningfulName: As Tolkien states in the Appendices, it's Old English (Anglo-Saxon) for "some-wise", that is "halfwit", given ironically because he appears to be BookDumb but is full of HiddenDepths.
* NoSell: While several characters are able to resist the temptation of the ring, only Sam shrugs it off entirely. It can't offer anything he wants.
* TheNotLoveInterest: To Frodo. There's obviously strong affection and emotion between the two, and incredible devotion, especially on Sam's side.
* OddNameOut: "Sam" is a normal name in our world, so it stands out a little among Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, etc... (even if it is short for "Samwise").
* ThePowerOfFriendship: Sam loves Frodo somewhat like a brother, and his unwavering commitment to that friendship is ultimately what gets Frodo through all the horrors of Mordor to the Cracks of Doom.
%%* PowerTrio: Samwise represents the Superego.
* RedOniBlueOni: He's the Red Oni and Frodo is the Blue. Sam's temper often gets the best of him, while Frodo is almost always calm.
* TheReliableOne: Indeed, he's the only one of the Fellowship who doesn't leave the path to Mount Doom.
* {{Sidekick}}: He remains by Frodo's side for the entirety of the story, in which Frodo is clearly the protagonist as he bears the greatest burden and is bound for the worst place. Then he stops being the sidekick and becomes TheHero.
* SimplemindedWisdom: Sam is protected by the power of just a little Hobbit common-sense.
* SpannerInTheWorks: Sam's presence averts the failure of the quest. Yet he was not part of anybody's plan. Even ''Frodo'' had no intention of taking Sam with him.
* SupremeChef: All hobbits can cook, and they're such gourmands one imagines that most hobbits are good cooks, but Sam is a good cook even by hobbit-reckoning -- able to whip up a good meal with just a brace of coneys (that is, a couple of rabbits) and herbs of Ithilien.
* TeamChef: It's genuinely sad when he finally has to abandon his cooking equipment in Mordor.
* TenderTears: Though pretty macho by hobbit standards, Sam's prone to ManlyTears.
* TheMole: Frodo, already astonished to learn that his friends have been spying on him, is even more bewildered to learn that his ''gardener'' has been feeding them information all along.
* TookALevelInBadass: Went from a timid gardener who had never wandered further than a few miles from home to outfighting giant demon-spiders and beating orcs in a fight.
* UndyingLoyalty: Sam almost defines this trope. He will follows and serve Frodo into Hell or to the ends of the Earth. His motivation is his simple loyalty, more than a desire to save the world (though that's part of it).
* WeaponOfChoice: A short sword/knife.
* WhatASenselessWasteOfHumanLife: Sam feels this way when he sees Men killing Men (Rangers of Ithilien vs. the Haradrim) for the first time. He wonders about a dead Southron's name and family, and whether he was really an evil man or if Sauron tricked him or drafted him against his will.
* WorkingClassHero: Out of the four main hobbits, two are the sons of chieftains (Merry and Pippin) and the other is a very wealthy heir (Frodo); Sam is the only one who is not a "gentlehobbit."
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck]]
->''"You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin - to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours - closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo."''
Meriadoc Brandybuck is a sensible, take-charge hobbit and one of Frodo's closest friends. Concerned about Frodo's safety, he joins the quest early on and organizes some conspiracies and shortcuts, some of which go better than others. Plagued by feelings of self-doubt, he nevertheless goes on to become a knight of Rohan and participates in the War of the Ring.
----
* BadassBookworm: Authored a variety of books, including a history of pipe-weed (''Herblore of the Shire''). In one version of the posthumously published epilogue, Sam remarks that he needs Merry’s help to finish writing the Red Book.
* BadassNormal: Merry, just a normal hobbit, is the one who defeats the Witch-King alongside Éowyn, out of all the trained soldiers, [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Proud Warrior Race Guys]] and other larger-than-life figures present at the Battle.
* BrokeYourArmPunchingOutCthulhu: He, along with Éowyn (who also literally breaks her arm), nearly dies from contact with the Witch-King.
* ChekhovsGun: Unlike the identical {{Cool Sword}}s that the other three hobbits received from Tom Bombadil at the Barrow Downs, Merry's sword ends up being extremely instrumental to his CrowningMomentOfAwesome.
* CoolSword: One he receives from Tom Bombadil at the Barrow Downs; see ChekhovsGun above.
* DeadpanSnarker: By far the snarkiest of the four Hobbits in the story; he's got a smart comment for every occasion.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: The Witch-King of Angmar vs a Hobbit. Merry (teamed up with Éowyn) won.
* GoingNative: Merry embraced Rohan's culture, swore fealty to King Theoden and received a name among the Men of the Mark, ''Holdwine.'' (The pun in English was probably intentional.)
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Has a scar on his forehead from injuries sustained at Parth Galen.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Pippin, inseparable friends they are.
* IJustWantToBeBadass: He feels left out and useless when the Grey Company and the Riders of Rohan leave him behind because of his physical weakness, until Éowyn sneaks him into the cavalry with her.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: He and the aged King Theoden become close friends over the space of a few weeks.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a traveler's hooded cloak. Later, it's replaced by one of Elven make.
* LetsGetDangerous: Most notably at the Battle of the Pellenor, against the Witch-King.
* LetterMotif: Meriadoc is the son of Saradoc Brandybuck, and in a letter to a fan Tolkien said his son is named Periadoc.
* TheMagnificent: Later named Meriadoc the Magnificent as Master of Buckland.
* RedOniBlueOni: Pippin is impulsive and readily distracted: Merry shares his adventurous, fun-loving nature but is more of a planner.
* TheSmartGuy: Of the hobbit foursome, Merry has the most common sense and is the most likely to think of what didn't occur to the others. Until they meet up with Aragorn, he's the planner (and the only one with much experience at traveling).
* TheStraightMan: He's far more levelheaded than Pippin.
* ThoseTwoGuys: Merry and Pippin appear together most of the time.
* TookALevelInBadass: At the start of the series, he's very perceptive and capable, but not much good in a fight. By the third book, he helps take down the Witch-King.
* WeaponOfChoice: A leaf-shaped dagger wrought by the Men of Arnor long ago, large enough in his hands to qualify as a short sword. Destroyed on the Pelennor Fields.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Peregrin "Pippin" Took]]
->''"You must go - and therefore we must too. Merry and I are coming with you. Sam is an excellent fellow, and would jump down a dragon's throat to save you, if he did not trip over his own feet; but you will need more than one companion in your dangerous adventure."''
Pippin, the youngest of the hobbits, is a cheerful tweenager and a bit of a rascal. His curiosity gets him into trouble at times, but his buoyant spirit helps carry him and his companions through the darkest parts of the War. He grows up quickly during the quest and later becomes a knight of Gondor.
----
* AlliterativeFamily: Peregrin is the son of Paladin and the brother Pearl, Pimpernel and Pervinca.
* BadassBoast: When Saruman's lackeys mock Frodo and company when they return to the Shire, Pippin lets them know whom they're dealing with.
-->"I am a messenger of the King. You are speaking to the King's friend, and one of the most renowned in all the lands of the West. You are a ruffian and a fool. Down on your knees in the road and ask pardon, or I'll set this troll's bane in you!"
* BadassNormal: He takes down a troll in the final battle, and he's just a hobbit.
* BigEater: Even more than most hobbits are. To the point that after ''nearly dying'' his first question isn't for medical aid or rest, but just ''food''.
* ConstantlyCurious: Pippin is the one who drops a rock into an empty well in Moria just to hear how deep it is... with catastrophic consequences. He's also the one first drawn to the Palantír of Orthanc, although to be fair [[spoiler:Sauron had made it almost irresistible to anyone who looked at it or handled it for too long.]]
* CoolSword: The dagger from the Barrow Downs that Tom Bombadil gave him.
* DeadpanSnarker: Not to the extent of Merry, or even Sam, but he can snark with the best of them when the mood takes him.
* DisneyDeath: A troll falls on him in the battle at the Black Gates, and the narration from his [=POV=] has him thinking about the fact that he is dying. [[spoiler:Gimli finds him and gets him out in time, but after Pippin has blacked out.]] Tolkien actually did consider killing off Pippin at that moment, but [[spoiler: ultimately decided against it.]]
* TheFool: Pippin tends to act without thinking, and this can cause a ''lot'' of trouble (see Constantly Curious), but he's lucky and likeable, both qualities of the classic Fool.
* GoingNative: To repay the debt he and Merry owe to the deceased Boromir, Pippin enters the service of the steward Denethor. He doesn't fit in as well as Merry does in Rohan, but makes many friends in Gondor. And as King Elessar reminds him when he's headed back to the Shire, "You are going home now on leave... but I ''may'' recall you."
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Merry, friends since childhood who are never apart.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a traveler's hooded cloak. Later, it's replaced by one of Elven make.
* JumpedAtTheCall: Pippin is naively eager to follow Frodo's quest, and very unhappy at the thought that he won't "get" to follow him to Mordor.
* LetsGetDangerous: Like Merry, Pippin discovers his inner courage when he saves Beregond by killing a massive troll at the Battle of the Black Gates.
* OddFriendship: He seems to have a particular gift for entering these. He develops a very close friendship with Gandalf, and once he's brought to Gondor, he befriends both Faramir, Beregond and Bergil, a child of the city.
* PluckyComicRelief: By far the most bumbling and comical of the main characters. [[TookALevelInBadass He becomes less so as the story progresses,]] though his cheerfulness and eternal optimism remain.
* RedOniBlueOni: He and Merry are both fun-loving and adventurous, but Merry is the thoughtful plan-making sort, while Pippin is impulsive.
* ShoutOut: His name is an allusion to the Frankish king Pepin the Short (known as Pippin in English), father of the more famous Charlemagne (who was famed in legend for his twelve Paladins, including [[Literature/TheSongOfRoland Roland]] who Boromir evokes, see below; Pippin's father is also named Paladin).
* ThoseTwoGuys: He and Merry almost always appear together.
* TookALevelInBadass: From foolish young Took to hero.
* TricksterArchetype: An innocent version, as he's harmless but mischievous, though this is toned down as he makes his transition to [[BadassNormal badass]].
* WeaponOfChoice: A short sword/knife from Arnor.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Gandalf]]
->Gandalf! If you had heard only a quarter of what I have heard about him, and I have only heard very little of all there is to hear, you would be prepared for any sort of remarkable tale. Tales and adventures sprouted up all over the place wherever he went, in the most extraordinary fashion.
-->--'''''Literature/TheHobbit'''''
The modern [[WizardClassic archetypal wizard]] in appearance and style, he also is the UrExample of the MagicKnight. In the Third Age, the Valar (CelestialParagonsAndArchangels) sent five Maiar (rank-and-file angels) to Middle-Earth to aid the struggle against Sauron, clothed in the forms of men and forbidden from using their power directly or trying to rule over Men and elves. Of these, two travelled far into the East: their tales are unknown. Of the remainder, Gandalf embodied wisdom, Saruman knowledge, and Radagast nature. Though Saruman is the head of the Council of the Wise, Gandalf was a wiser and greater Maia, but declined the position of leadership. The wise elf Círdan entrusted him with Narya, the Ring of Fire (one of the three mightiest Rings of Power created by the elves).
Known as the Grey Pilgrim, throughout both ''The Hobbit'' and this book (along with the prior thousand years), Gandalf went from place to place in the world, giving counsel and guidance, but never calling one place home. He ends up being a chessmaster of sorts, motivating many of the key players to their purposes while keeping his plays close to hand. This also serves as a justification for separating Gandalf from the other heroes time and again so that they don't have access to his storybreaking abilities.
----
* AngelUnaware: He's actually a [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Maia]] from the Uttermost West.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: One of Middle Earth's most trusted advisers and one of Middle Earth's greatest ass kickers.
* BackFromTheDead: He was properly dead from the fight with the Balrog, but his [[{{God}} boss]] dropped him back on top of the mountain where he died 'cause he's not allowed to stay dead until he's finished the job with Sauron.
* BadassBeard: He ''is'' a wizard after all, and has quite impressive facial hair.
* BadassBoast: He has several of these throughout the story, where he makes it quite clear that he is one of the most powerful people active in Middle-Earth.
-->"I have written ''Gandalf is here'' in signs that all can read from Rivendell to the mouths of Anduin."[[note]]He is actually ''annoyed'' when he says this, because he's giving away the Fellowship's position when he uses his powers to create a fire so they don't freeze to death, as they are menaced by a blizzard in the Misty Mountains.[[/note]]
--> "You cannot pass. I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass."
-->"I am dangerous... far more dangerous than anyone you are likely to meet, unless you are brought before the feet of the Dark Lord himself."
-->"Trapped! Why did I delay? Here we are, caught, just as they were before. But I was not here then."
* BadassBookworm: Though one of the lesser Maiar, he was one of the wisest.
* BadassGrandpa: Takes the guise of an old man when he comes to Middle-Earth.
* BearerOfBadNews: The Rohirrim gave him the name Stormcrow, for his habit of appearing out of nowhere to announce some calamity. Wormtongue names him 'Láthspell'; "ill news is an ill guest."
* BigGood: Gandalf is the main "power behind the scenes" manipulating and directing events to help people resist Sauron, and make sure that they have the information and allies they need, as much as he can.
* BigOlEyebrows: That stick out past the wide brim of his hat, somehow. It's like a superpower.
* BrokeYourArmPunchingOutCthulhu: He [[spoiler:dies from the ordeal of fighting a Balrog. (Don't worry, [[CameBackStrong he gets better]].)]]
* ButNowIMustGo: In ''The Hobbit'' he leaves the dwarves and Bilbo to try to persuade the White Council to attack Dol Guldur and destroy Sauron while he was still weak. He does this in the ''Fellowship of the Ring'', not that he planned to be missing for so many chapters -- that was Saruman's fault.
* CameBackStrong: [[spoiler:He dies after defeating the Balrog. As he hasn't yet completed his task of aiding the free peoples of Middle Earth in defeating Sauron, he is sent back as Gandalf the White. He is far more powerful, as the restrictions previously placed on his power (to prevent over-reliance or corruption) are relaxed]].
* TheChessmaster: He has been playing chess with Sauron over Middle-Earth for ''centuries''.
* CoolOldGuy: An old man noted for his skill in creating fireworks, smoke-rings and sarcastic comments. There are hints that he'd prefer BecomingTheMask rather than racing around the continent trying to thwart evil, but his time is not his own to spend.
* CoolSword: Glamdring, which he found in a troll-cave during ''The Hobbit''. This is the sword that once belonged to the king of Gondolin, one of the famous {{Hidden Elf Village}}s of the First Age.
* DeadpanSnarker: Gandalf's temper is ''usually'' expressed through fairly harmless but snappy lines, such as telling Pippin to knock the Gate of Moria open with his head if he can't shut up long enough for Gandalf to figure out the password.
* {{Determinator}}: He fought the Balrog for ten days straight. ''Ten days.'' Heck, his entire story is an example of this trope. By the end of the books, he's the ''only'' Wizard who remained fully committed to the purpose of opposing Sauron (although WordOfGod has waffled on whether or not Radagast abandoned his mission or not). Sarumon ended up being made into Sauron's lackey and TheStarscream. No one knows what happened to the Blue Wizards. For centuries, Gandalf wandered all across Middle Earth by himself, working to bring about Sauron's downfall.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: Old guy vs. Balrog. Old guy wins. (And dies, but he gets resurrected and the Balrog isn't.)
* DotingParent: Towards Frodo, mostly, whom he always tries to protect and help. He does the same for most Hobbits, but Frodo seems to be his most beloved Hobbit.
* DyingMomentOfAwesome: [[spoiler:YouShallNotPass]], where he goes up against a Balrog for ''ten days straight.''
* EccentricMentor: To Bilbo and Frodo. Aragorn even lampshades that he's "always speaking in riddles."
* ElementalBaggage: [-"I cannot burn snow."-]. So says Gandalf when asked to burn away a snowstorm.
* ElementalPowers: Fire, [[spoiler:possibly thanks to Narya, The Ring of Fire (though its fire might be only metaphorical).]]
* ElvesVsDwarves: {{Lampshade}}s the conflict during the Council of Elrond:
-->'''Gandalf''': If all the grievances that stand between Elves and Dwarves are to be brought up here, we may as well abandon this Council.
* FamousLastWords: "Fly, you fools!" [[spoiler:He comes back later in the story, of course, but those remain the last words spoken by Gandalf the Grey.]]
%%* FreudianTrio: With Saruman and Radagast; is the Ego in the group.
* GoodIsNotNice: He's described as cantankerous and grouchy, is a ManipulativeBastard and whilst his bark is worse than his bite he is not above emitting a few growls from time to time and letting his reputation do the rest.
* GoodSmokingEvilSmoking: Definitely Good Smoking. When he's relaxing he'll usually get out his pipe and start making smoke rings.
* GrumpyOldMan: It's an affectation, see JerkassFacade.
* GuileHero: He's expressely forbidden from using his own raw power against Sauron, or to dominate the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth. Everything that he accomplishes is done via wits and persuasion.
* HarbingerOfImpendingDoom: Implied by [[ShootTheMessenger his critics]] to be this, hence the unflattering epithets "Láthspell" and "Stormcrow". It really isn't fair, though -- he just wants to warn people when something bad is coming their way!
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:In Moria, to save the rest of the Fellowship from the Balrog.]]
* HiddenDepths: Particularly to the Hobbits of the Shire.
-->...[Gandalf’s] fame in the Shire was due mainly to his skill with fires, smokes, and lights. His real business was far more difficult and dangerous, but the Shire-folk knew nothing about it. To them he was just one of the ‘attractions’ at [Bilbo Baggins’s 111th birthday] Party.
* IHaveManyNames: "Many are my names in many countries. Mithrandir among the Elves, Tharkûn to the Dwarves; Olórin I was in my youth in the West that is forgotten, in the South Incánus, in the North Gandalf; to the east I go not." Then there's these names too, Gandalf Greyhame, Gandalf the Gray, Gandalf the White, Gray Pilgrim, Gray Wanderer, Greybeard, White Rider, and The Enemy of Sauron. Plus the insults Gray Fool, Láthspell, and Stormcrow.
* IncorruptiblePurePureness: Resisted the temptation of the One Ring at Bag End. Notably, he is a PhysicalGod (more accurately, angel-like being) just like Sauron.
* JerkassFacade: Even at best of times, Gandalf tends to be a grumpy old man, but he likes to encourage people's perception of him as unpredictable and even dangerous person. Frodo, who has known him for decades and considers him a friend is at one point briefly convinced that he burned poor Barliman Butterbur alive for failing to deliver (a vitally important) letter. He also clearly enjoys scaring the crap out of Sam (who's afraid Gandalf will turn him into something "unnatural") when he catches him eavesdropping on his conversation with Frodo about the Ring.
* KnightTemplar: Wearing the One Ring would make him far worse than Sauron, while being convinced of his own righteousness, [[DefiedTrope which is why he puts it in Frodo's care instead]].
--> "Understand. I would use this ring out of a desire to do good. But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine!"
* MagicKnight: With a magic staff ''and'' his magic sword Glamdring.
* ManInWhite: After [[CameBackStrong he comes back stronger]] in ''The Two Towers'', Galadriel outfits him with white robes and gives him a new staff.
* ManipulativeBastard: [[ThePlan He pulls all manner of gambits]], and is not above using both friend and foe as [[TheChessmaster pieces on his chess board]].
* MeaningfulName: Old Norse for "wand-elf". Was given that name by Men since he carries a staff (being a wizard and all) but was often mistaken for an Elf due to his long life and magic powers.
* TheMentor: He serves as a mentor figure for Frodo - and Bilbo before him - and is killed by the Balrog.
* MentorOccupationalHazard: [[spoiler:Though he [[BackFromTheDead gets better]].]]
* MessianicArchetype: Although Tolkien himself said that this was ''not'' intended, nobody listens because Gandalf dies and then gets sent back to finish his work.
* MissedHimByThatMuch: Happens to (or at least involves) him fairly often, [[AllThereInTheManual per the Appendices]]:
** He returns to Bag End after escaping Isengard, only to find that Frodo had left six days earlier.
** He then proceeds to travel to Bree, arriving somewhere around ''twelve hours'' after Frodo and co.'s departure.
** He rides to Weathertop, gets ambushed by the Nazgûl, and drives them off -- three days before Frodo and co. arrive.
** After his [[BackFromTheDead resurrection]], Gwaihir flies him to Lothlórien, and he arrives the day after the Fellowship left.
* MrExposition: Unlike other {{Big Good}}s who withhold crucial information until ''after'' it would have been useful to know, Gandalf tells Frodo absolutely all he knows about the Ring and its history once he's done enough research to be sure of what it is, around the second or third chapter of ''Fellowship''.
* NamedWeapons: Glamdring, meaning "foe-hammer" in [[ConLang Sindarin]].
* NiceHat: His wide-brimmed, conical hat is iconic to the character and appears in virtually all artwork and, of course, the films; it's likely the TropeCodifier for [[RobeAndWizardHat giving that sort of hat to wizards]].
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Gandalf is always taking care of far and away threats which are usually given indirect or passing mentions. His incursions against the Necromancer of Dol Guldur and his fending off of the Nazgûl at Weathertop are prominent examples.
* OlderThanTheyLook: He looks like he's about 80, but he's been in Middle-Earth for upwards of 2000 years and is in fact older than the universe.
* OurAngelsAreDifferent: The Wizards are really angels disguised as humans.
* PersonalityPowers: Specializes in fire magic and has a quick temper.
* ThePlan: He and Aragorn (and sometimes Frodo) are the chief planners of the Fellowship’s route. Subverted when Aragorn suggests that even Gandalf wasn’t sure of what path the Fellowship should take after Lothlórien.
* PsychicPowers: He communicates without speaking with Galadriel, Celeborn and Elrond using {{Telepathy}} at the end of the book.
* RasputinianDeath: Like the Balrog with whom he struggled, it took a ''lot'' to kill Gandalf. And even then, he came back.
* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: Really Older Than The World.
* RingOfPower: He reveals he wields the elven Ring of Fire, explaining his proficiency with flame magic. It was given to him by Círdan the Shipwright when the Wizards first came to Middle Earth, and one of the reasons Saruman was jealous of him.
* RobeAndWizardHat: One of the most memorable, and likely the TropeCodifier.
* StoryBreakerPower: He's a Maia, an angelic being of the same order as Sauron, but he's actually forbidden from using his full power by the Valar. The victory over Sauron must come from ordinary people; Gandalf and the other Istari are only permitted to act as their guides and advisors. There is good reason for this; last time the Valar and Maiar used their full strength against the forces of evil, they ''shattered'' the subcontinent of Beleriand and it sank into the sea. (More on that in ''Literature/TheSilmarillion''.)
* TheStrategist: He's not allowed to use his powers (the last time the Maia did so, they broke a continent), so instead he's been carefully searching and manipulating for... ever.
* TakingYouWithMe: [[spoiler:He and the Balrog both die in their fight, [[OnlyMostlyDead but only he returns to life.]] ]]
* TeamDad: He's the leader of the Fellowship (until he dies and Aragorn takes over) and the oldest member, and despite his gruffness, he cares deeply for the others and has a particular soft spot for the hobbits.
* TheThreeFacesOfAdam: Aragorn is The Hunter, seeking a place for himself in this world and to prove himself worthy to get what he wants, Elrond is The Lord, well-established, striving to maintain a balance and preserve what he has, Gandalf is The Prophet, the guide who tries to impress his wisdom on the young ones.
* TimeAbyss: He's older than time itself. Doesn't stop Treebeard from calling him "young Gandalf".
* TokenSuper: Downplayed. Gandalf is an [[AngelUnaware angelic spirit in human form]], traveling with the otherwise non-magical Fellowship. His exalted origins are largely unknown to the party and his displays of power are minimal, since his [[PhysicalGod Valar]] masters require that the victory over Sauron be won by the people of Middle-Earth.
* TooCleverByHalf: It took him longer than one might expect to figure out how to open the Doors of Durin. "I had only to speak the Elvish word for ''friend'' and the doors opened. Quite simple. Too simple for a learned loremaster in these suspicious days."
* TookALevelInBadass: After becoming Gandalf the White.
* TookALevelInKindness: Again, after becoming Gandalf the White, most evident in his interactions with Pippin, who remarks that Gandalf laughs more often and is more willing to indulge his curiosity.
* WalkingTheEarth: He's not called "The Grey Wanderer" for nothing, being possibly even more well-traveled than Aragorn is.
* WeaponOfChoice: Staff and Sword.
* WizardClassic: One of the most iconic modern examples and a TropeCodifier.
* YouShallNotPass: TropeNamer. [[BeamMeUpScotty In the book it's "You ''cannot'' pass."]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Aragorn]]
Aragorn is the chief of the Dúnedain, Rangers of the North. One of the dying breed of Númenóreans, Aragorn is raised in secret by Elrond in Rivendell, unaware of his true identity as the Heir of Isildur. When he comes of age Elrond reveals all to him, and he meets and falls in love with Elrond's daughter Arwen. After she reciprocates, some 30 years later, Elrond tells Aragorn that he can only have her hand in marriage if he becomes the King of Gondor and Arnor. Aragorn spends the next few decades battling orcs and aiding Gandalf in tracking and opposing the agents of Sauron, particularly Gollum. In his youth he also travels far and wide, notably as a [[TheCaptain captain]] of Gondor and Rohan (under a pseudonym, Thorongil), to be the best he can in order to pursue his destiny.
As a ranger, Aragorn takes the alias of "Strider" and seems a rough, coarse man but can shed this facade to unleash a great lordly presence which is part of his heritage as the last heir to the Númenórean kingdoms, and that stems in part from his people's trace of Elvish blood. As is mentioned elsewhere, in a normal epic, Aragorn would be TheHero and would defeat Sauron himself; Tolkien's decision to focus on the lowly and boot Aragorn to a supporting role was a conscious and deliberate subversion of that longstanding trope.
----
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: He's the Heir of Isildur and rightful King of the Dúnedain. He's a better tracker and woodsman than the Wood-elf Legolas, a deadly warrior, a skilled battlefield medic, strong-willed enough to use a Palantír and even wrench it out of Sauron's control, and wise enough to know he can't and must not use the One Ring.
* BadassBoast: "I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, Dúnadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor. Here is the Sword that was Broken and is forged again! Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swiftly!"
* BashBrothers: He becomes this with Éomer.
* BigDamnHeroes: When he arrives with an army behind him on the Enemy's own ships to save the day, just as Éomer and his Rohirrim were getting in a really bad position.
* TheCaptain: Of the Rangers of the North, and of the Fellowship after Gandalf's passage. Also serves as one to the army and navy of Gondor as "Thorongil."
* CombatMedic: A lot heavier on the combat side of things than most examples, but as is said in Gondorian legend, "the hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known."
* CoolSword: Andúril, reforged from the shards of Narsil, an ancient heirloom of his line.
* DeathGlare: He frightened the Mouth of Sauron.
--> Aragorn said naught in answer, but he took the other’s eye and held it, and for a moment they strove thus; but soon, though Aragorn did not stir nor move hand to weapon, the other quailed and gave back as if menaced with a blow.
* TheDulcineaEffect: For Éowyn, though he doesn't reciprocate her feelings.
* EarnYourHappyEnding: He must have the Enemy overthrown before he can become king and marry Arwen.
* EngagementChallenge: To win Elrond's permission to marry Arwen, he first needs to help make sure Middle-Earth is a safe place for her to stay after her father leaves.
* FamilyThemeNaming: The names of the chieftains of the Dúnedain of the North and of the kings of Arthedain following Argeleb I (his ancestors from father to son) all starts with the prefix "Ar(a)-" (meaning high or royal in Sindarin) until Aragorn.
* FisherKing: His return to Gondor is supposed to bring healing to land, as symbolized by the old dead White Tree of Minas Tirith being replaced by a young sapling that will grow and bloom.
* TheGadfly: His sense of humor takes the form of screwing around with his friends. Like the time when he agrees with Sam's continuing suspicions (even after getting Gandalf's letter that says "trust Strider") and then jumps at the hobbits. Or, when Merry asks for a pipe in the Houses of Healing, telling him all the learned things the herbmaster would say about pipeweed and that there is not any in keeping. (The pipeweed is in Merry's own pack at the foot of his bed.)
* GoodIsNotNice: The first time he appears, he berates and frightens Frodo. As he puts it himself, 'I look foul and feel fair'.
* HealingHands: As Ioreth, a wise-woman of Gondor says, "The hands of the King are the hands of a healer and so shall the rightful king be found." It's ambiguous as to whether he has supernatural healing powers from his distant Elvish ancestry or if it's because he's the only guy in Middle-earth who knows what kingsfoil is for.
* HeroicLineage: Going back though umpteen heroic Rangers of Arnor, Kings of Arnor, Isildur, Elendil, the Lords of Andúnië, the early (good) kings of Númenor, Elrond's brother Elros, Eärendil the Morning Star, Dior, Beren and Lúthien, Tuor and Idril, Turgon, Fingolfin, and Thingol and Melian, and to generations of heroic Edain of the Houses of Bëor, Hador, and Haleth.
* {{Homage}}: Aragorn is a ShoutOut to both KingArthur and Charlemagne.
* IHaveManyNames: Aragorn has been called the Dúnadan ("Man of the West/Númenórean"), Longshanks, Strider, Wingfoot, Elessar Telcontar ("Elfstone Strider"), Envinyatar ("the renewer"), Estel (Hope), and Thorongil ("Eagle of the Star"), among other things.
* IncorruptiblePurePureness: Like Faramir, Aragorn rejects the One Ring out of principle without needing to see it.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a traveler's hooded cloak. Later, it's replaced by one of Elven make. In his first appearance it's used to play up his mysterious nature, as he has the hood pulled up even when inside.
* TheJuggernaut: During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields he (along with two others) was unstoppable, didn't even get wounded, and the enemy was literally running away from his wrath.
* KingIncognito: ''Way'' incognito, to the point where he's considered a rather shabby and disreputable character, and living in the wilderness.
* KissingCousins: Somewhat justifiably. Although he married a first cousin, the fact that she's a first cousin ''sixty-seven times removed'' makes it something of a moot point from a genetic standpoint.[[note]]In case you're confused, this sort of thing can only happen if your cousin is 2700 years old.[[/note]]
* TheLancer: When Gandalf's leading, Aragorn tends to be the practically minded and cautious second-in-command. He was particularly worried about Gandalf's personal safety when the decision was made to enter Moria.
%%* LovedINotHonorMore: Towards Arwen.
* MeaningfulName: His name is translated from Sindarin as "kingly valour".
* TheMedic: He has HealingHands and other special healing abilities due to his lineage and training by Elrond.
* MementoMacGuffin: The Ring of Barahir, over ''six thousand'' years old, originally given to Aragorn's very distant ancestor by [[TheWisePrince Finrod]] [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure Felagund]], Elvenking of Nargothrond; it had many bearers, always leaders of the Dúnedain, and of the 'faithful' factions who never listened to Sauron (like Ar-Pharazôn did), and it was given to Aragorn by Elrond when the former was told his real name and ancestry.
* ManlyTears: He weeps openly whenever there's something to justify it. He was crying so hard over Boromir's death that Legolas thought he was mortally wounded himself.
* MysteriousStranger: The first time the reader meets him as Strider he's hooded and lurking in the shadows of the Prancing Pony (before that kind of thing became a cliche).
* NamedWeapons: Andúril, "Flame of the West."
* NatureVersusNurture: Touched on when he displays kingly abilities like commanding the shades of the dead and healing people. He alone can do this because of his Númenórean royal bloodline, but he acts the way he does because he was raised to be a good and noble man. Many kings of Númenor and Gondor, no less royal, fell into evil.
* OlderThanTheyLook: Thanks to Númenórean descent, he is at his prime at 87.
* OlderSidekick: He's older than most of the rest of the Fellowship, and largely serves a supporting roll until they escape Moria.
* PsychicPowers: Not an actual telepath (unless one counts the example under Death Glare above), but when channeling through a device like a ''palantir'' his will is unconquerable. His special gifts in healing may also be an example. He openly demonstrates prescience - he's frequently able to accurately predict that something will happen in the future.
--> ‘Thus we meet again, though all the hosts of Mordor lay between us,’ said Aragorn. ‘Did I not say so at the Hornburg?’
--> ‘So you spoke,’ said Éomer, ‘but hope oft deceives, and I knew not then that you were a man foresighted.’
%%* RedOniBlueOni: The Blue to Éomer's Red.
* RequisiteRoyalRegalia: He starts with the Ring of Barahir, a remnant of the North-Kingdom's regalia, and the shards of Narsil, the (royal) Sword that was Broken. He later receives the scepter of Annúminas, the winged crown of Gondor, and (in the Unfinished Tales) the Elendilmir of Valandil and of Isildur.
* RightfulKingReturns: [[ItWasHisSled The best-known one in literature, except possibly King Arthur]]. Gondor's been waiting hundreds of years for The Return of the King. It's worth noting however, that although it is his birthright to do so, he ''refuses'' to enter Gondor as a king and just take the throne, believing that doing so would be the act of a tyrant. He only sets foot in the city when he is willingly invited and welcomed by the people.
* RoyalBlood: The purest now left, at least for the Dúnedain. Frequently, the narration points out Aragorn's kingly bearing that makes him seem taller and the other man smaller, along with something like a "white flame" appearing over his brow (i.e. the shadow of a crown).
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: A WarriorPrince, healer, and tracker, and entirely willing to sacrifice his own life if necessary to help defeat Sauron.
* ScarilyCompetentTracker: To the point of being able to read ''individual blades of grass''. Though it's a remark by Gimli, he isn't exaggerating that much.
* StandardHeroReward: The throne of Gondor and Arwen's hand in marriage, for defeating Sauron.
* SupportingLeader: Former TropeNamer. Aragorn may be more impressive than the Hobbits, but he's really mostly there to back up the Mannish kingdoms and distract Sauron long enough for Frodo to destroy the Ring.
* TheThreeFacesOfAdam: Aragorn is The Hunter, seeking a place for himself in this world and to prove himself worthy to get what he wants, Elrond is The Lord, well-established, striving to maintain a balance and preserve what he has, Gandalf is The Prophet, the guide who tries to impress his wisdom on the young ones.
* UnevenHybrid: Aragorn has some elven ancestry a few thousand years prior to the events in the story due to him being the last heir of Gondor. He's also part-Maiar via Lúthien's mother.
* WalkingTheEarth: As a Ranger he's patrolled the old regions of Arnor with the purpose of staying hidden until the right time and protecting their inhabitants, including those in Bree and the Shire. He's also served in Gondor and Rohan under an alias and journeyed as far as Harad, the south lands controlled by Sauron.
* WarriorPrince: Like most princes of the Men, Elves, and Dwarves.
* WeaponOfChoice: His sword Andúril, reforged from Narsil.
* YoungAndInCharge: Of the Three Hunters, [[AllThereInTheManual per the Appendices]]: compared to Legolas’s hundreds of years and Gimli’s age of 139[[note]]Appendix A lists Gimli’s birth year as 2879, and the Hunters were active in 3019, making Gimli’s age at the time either 139 or 140.[[/note]], Aragorn is a relative tyke at the tender young age of 87. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in-universe due to Aragorn’s [[WalkingTheEarth extensive travels]] and [[ScarilyCompetentTracker superior tracking abilities]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Legolas]]
Legolas is the son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood, and is sent by his father to Rivendell to deliver news of Gollum's escape. There he becomes one of the Nine Walkers of the Fellowship. Compared to the rest of the Fellowship, he is rather lighthearted as is shown by his dialogue. He and Gimli do not get along well due to the longstanding animosity between dwarves and elves, but before the War of the Ring is over, they have become friends. After the breakup of the Fellowship, Legolas is warned by Galadriel that if he hears the cry of a gull, he will be drawn to the sea. True to Galadriel's prediction, he hears the cry of a gull and becomes overwhelmed with a desire to sail West. It is not until many years after the War of the Ring ends, however, that Legolas builds a ship and sails to Valinor.
----
* ArcherArchetype: He uses a bow almost exclusively -- the only other weapon he ever carries is a knife. Like most Elves he's elegant and graceful with his chosen weapon. He also comes across as somewhat haughty.
* BashBrothers: with Gimli.
* BodyCountCompetition: UrExample, with Gimli.
* BowAndSwordInAccord: He has both a bow and a long knife for combat, although he prefers the bow.
* DeadpanSnarker: In the books, as [[CaptainObvious opposed to the films]]. "Obviously, the hobbit grew wings and flew away to escape the orcs. All we need to do is grow wings ourselves!"
* ElvesVsDwarves: To start with, but subverted as he and Gimli become close friends.
* TheEmpath: Sort of. Not for people, but for plants and animals and the land in general. He can hear the "thoughts" of stones and trees and grass. He can talk to horses and can understand how they feel from their neighs. And a few days in to the chase in Rohan when Aragorn comments that it is almost as though there is some power working against them in the land, Legolas tells him that there is in fact, and he noticed it the very moment they set foot on the plains.
* ExposedToTheElements: The Fellowship has been crossing miles of wild terrain, as well as climbing a mountain, and instead of wearing boots like a normal person Legolas only has light shoes, and is just fine. And that snow storm that nearly killed everyone else? It "troubled him little".
* FriendToAllLivingThings: Apparently elves in general are this, provided that animal itself is good. (Wood-elves, anyway. High Elves like Glorfindel apparently use saddles.)
--> "A smaller and lighter horse, but restive and fiery, was brought to Legolas. Arod was his name. But Legolas asked them to take off saddle and rein. 'I need them not,' he said, and he leaped lightly up, and to their wonder Arod was tame and willing beneath him, moving here and there with but a spoken word: such was the elvish way with all good beasts."
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Gimli.
* IncorruptiblePurePureness: Implied. When Galadriel is testing the fellowship, only Legolas and Aragorn could look her in the eye for long.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a Elven hooded cloak given by the Lady Galadriel. Though it's not said if he had his own cloak before this, like the others.
* KnifeNut: When he runs out of arrows, e.g. at Amon Hen.
* NatureLover: When the Three Hunters come down from the rocky and barren Emyn Muil and step onto the plains of Rohan:
--> "Legolas took a deep breath, like one that drinks a great draught after long thirst in barren places. 'Ah! the green smell!' he said. 'It is better than much sleep. Let us run!'"
* OddFriendship: With Gimli, which probably weirds out both their fathers and countrymen.
* OhCrap: He ''completely'' loses it when he sees the Balrog. Made all the more powerful by the fact that this is the only point of the series where he's afraid, and he is full on terrified.
--> "Ai, Ai! A Balrog is come!"
* OlderThanTheyLook: Calls Aragorn and Gimli, both of particularly long-lived races, "children." His exact age is never given, but it's more than 500.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: The aforementioned OhCrap. Legolas even laughed off an angry, sentient mountain trying to bury them in an avalanche, but not this. (And for good reason: Balrogs are well-known {{Hero Killer}}s. Even those who defeat them always end up mortally injured.)
* OutOfFocus: This tends to happen to him most among the Fellowship, especially during the first part of their journey. From the time they see crows in Hollin until the end of the storm on Caradhras he is not mentioned once. Partly justified as Legolas walked behind everyone else as the rearguard, so Frodo, the viewpoint character, would be much less likely to notice what he's doing.
* PrettyBoy: "Legolas was fair of face beyond the measure of Men."
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething[=/=]WarriorPrince: He's the prince of Mirkwood.
%%* TheSmartGuy
* SuperSenses: This is common with elves. They have better sight and possibly hearing than mortals. Legolas can see much farther than anyone else in the fellowship. He can also hear the thoughts of trees and grass and stones... possibly. It might be figurative.
--> "But the Elves of this land were of a race strange to us of the silvan folk, and the trees and the grass do not now remember them. Only I hear the stones lament them: ''deep they delved us, fair they wrought us, high they builded us, but they are gone.'' They are gone."
** He can also walk on top of snow drifts leaving hardly an imprint in the snow, and walk on grass without bending the blades.
* VitriolicBestBuds: With Gimli. The fact that Legolas's father kept Gimli's father captive in ''The Hobbit'' doesn't help.
* WeaponOfChoice: Bow and long knife.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Gimli]]
The token dwarf. Gimli son of Glóin attends the council at Rivendell and is chosen as the representative for his race within the Fellowship. After that he primarily runs around as a BoisterousBruiser, forming an OddFriendship with Legolas. Legolas even took him with him across the sea to Eressëa near the end of his life, making Gimli the only Dwarf to dwell in that land.
----
* AlliterativeFamily: Gimli son of Glóin son of Gróin.
* AnAxeToGrind: His weapon of choice is a battle-axe he inherited from his father.
* BadassBeard: Like all dwarves, even the female ones.
* BashBrothers: with Legolas, once they get past the [[ElvesVsDwarves dwarf-elf rivalry]].
* BerserkButton: Insults to Lady Galadriel.
* BigDamnHeroes: When Éomer is tripped up and ambushed in Helm's Deep, Gimli appears out of nowhere to chop up his attackers.
* TheBigGuy: Despite being a dwarf. He's a very strong fighter with great endurance and a powerful weapon.
* BodyCountCompetition: UrExample, with Legolas.
* DeadpanSnarker : Has his moments.
-->"Well, (the horses) are gone," said Aragorn at last. "We cannot find them or catch them; so that if they do not return of their own will, we must do without. We started on our feet and we have those still.
-->"Feet!" said Gimli. "But we cannot eat them as well as walk on them." He there some fuel onto the fire and slumped down beside it.
-->"Only a few hours ago you were unwilling to sit on a horse of Rohan," Legolas laughed."You will make a rider yet."
-->"It seems unlikely I shall have the chance," said Gimli.
* OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame: Gimli is the TropeCodifier. Dwarfs in older myths were not too different from TheFairFolk. Tolkien's dwarves in ''Literature/TheHobbit'' established that his 'dwarves' were prosaic folk, with a tendency toward {{Greed}} but a strong sense of personal loyalty and family honor: it also established their ancient hatred of goblins/orcs. Gimli's characterization expanded on the fixtures of the trope: the dwarves' ProudWarriorRaceGuy code, their tendency to go armed and armored in ''all'' situations, their preference for axes, and a personality that's gruff and often ComicallySerious.
* DuelToTheDeath: When Éomer speaks ill of 'the Sorceress of the Golden Wood,' Gimli immediately challenges Eomer to such a duel. Events call for a postponement. The honorable Éomer’s the one who reminds Gimli of this appointment after they've triumphed, but Gimli decides to call it off.
* TheDulcineaEffect: Galadriel has this impact on him, despite her being a completely different species. He has ''strong'' words with anyone who repeats the usual rumors of how dangerous and witchlike the Lady of Lorien is.
* FireForgedFriends: Gets along much better with Éomer after they've fought alongside each other in Helm's Deep.
* ElvesVsDwarves: Initially, but subverted when he becomes friendly with Legolas and admires Galadriel's beauty.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Legolas, as they travel Middle Earth together after Aragorn becomes king. Gimli even accompanies Legolas to the Isles of the Blessed.
* HiddenDepths: Though he often behaves in a fashion typical of dwarfs (that is to say, boisterous and standoffish), he frequently surprises others - especially elves - with his silver tongue and reverence for natural beauty. He does it often enough to qualify as a RunningGag, but the very best examples are with Éomer and Galadriel.
* HypocriticalHumor: Gimli proudly declares that dwarves like him can out-endure the other races. After that day's trek, Boromir jests that they're all ready to drop except "our sturdy dwarf", who is nodding where he sits.
* ImplacableMan: Although it turns out that Gimli ''still'' has enough energy to battle the ambushing Uruk-Hai and follow Aragorn for four days in the hopes of rescuing or avenging Merry and Pippin.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a traveler's hooded cloak just like the Dwarves in ''The Hobbit''. Later, it's replaced by one of Elven make.
* JumpedAtTheCall: He wanted to join the original Quest for Erebor from The Hobbit, but at "only" 62, was thought to be too young.
* LadyAndKnight: He essentially becomes Galadriel's knight, since she gives him a type of favour in the shape of three of her hairs, he's ready to defend her honour, and he nearly fights a duel with Éomer when he insults her.
* OddFriendship: With Legolas. Considering what went on between their fathers in ''The Hobbit'', one wonders how Glóin's going to feel about this.
* OhCrap: Unlike his companions (except perhaps Gandalf), Gimli knows the history of Moria. He's appalled when he learns "Durin's Bane" is approaching.
* PintSizedPowerhouse: Dwarves are very strong for their size.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Marginally: Gimli is a cousin of Dáin II, King of Durin's Folk and King Under the Mountain, but he's not the heir to that title.
* VitriolicBestBuds: With Legolas.
* WarriorPoet: Especially when he's describing the Glittering Caves beneath Helm's Deep, or the beauty of Galadriel. When the Fellowship leaves Lothlórien to continue its quest, he is heartbroken:
--> "Torment in the dark was the danger that I feared, and it did not hold me back. But I would have never come, had I known the danger of light and joy."
* WeaponOfChoice: Axe. [[CrazyPrepared Several of them.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Boromir]]
The favorite son and heir of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor. Boromir is a mighty warrior of his people and their champion, more focused on feats of arms than his wiser and more bookish brother Faramir.
----
* AncestralWeapon: Rather, item - as Heir of the Steward, he carries the Horn of Gondor at all times. [[spoiler:Becomes a TragicKeepsake for his father after he dies.]]
* AnnoyingArrows: [[spoiler:Subverted. It takes a hell of a lot, but they do eventually kill him.]]
* AntiHero: The reason he tries to claim the One Ring is to bring glory to Gondor.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Loves his younger brother deeply, and tries to protect him from the harsh treatment of their father.
* TheBigGuy: He's tall and broad enough to serve as a human snowplow when trying to cross Caradhas. Stated as the physically strongest member of the Felloswhip.
* BlueBlood: The Stewards have always been very powerful Blue Bloods in Gondor (which is why they managed to keep the title in the family at all, until it eventually became hereditary), without ever being "royalty".
* BoisterousBruiser: As most Gondorian men, he was quite fond of battle and boisterous about it.
* BrokenAce: He was a proud, gallant warrior but the pressure put on him as the Steward's heir to protect his people and his despair of winning without using the power of the Ring eroded his common sense. This made him a perfect target for the One Ring.
* TheChosenWannabe: He wants to use the ring to save Gondor. The ring plays on these feelings until he finally assaults Frodo to take the ring.
* TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong:
** He tends to raise objections, suggest alternate (and infeasible) plans, raise issues and generally grumble. [[SourSupporter He's brave and reliable, but he's not cheerful about it.]]
** When he is right though (regarding firewood in the mountains), he probably saves the Fellowship's lives.
* TheDeterminator: You could pretty much rename this trope 'The Boromir' and it would still be accurate.
* DyingAsYourself: [[spoiler:As soon as Frodo flees and takes the Ring with him, its effect on him wears off and he instantly repents his attempt to steal it. His HeroicSacrifice trying to save Merry and Pippin is his atonement.]]
* DyingMomentOfAwesome: [[spoiler:Slays dozens of orcs defending Merry and Pippin until he is riddled by arrows.]]
* FallenHero: He was a valiant warrior trying to save his country, his people's champion, but he couldn't resist the temptation of the Ring.
* FamilyThemeNaming: Boromir and Faramir.
* {{Foil}}: To Faramir, who's less militaristic and more studious. Also, Faramir is able to resist temptation.
* GlorySeeker: Unlike Faramir. Boromir loves Gondor and wants to save it for its own sake, but he also wants the renown of being its savior.
* GoOutWithASmile: After Aragorn promises to take up the defense of Gondor in his stead, Boromir smiles and passes.
* HalfHumanHybrid: Several (dozen) generations removed. He and Faramir (as well as their maternal uncle, Prince Imrahil) actually are descended from elf maiden Mithrellas, the legendary handmaiden of Nimrodel who married a Prince of Dol Amroth. May explain why many characters think they appear noble and regal like the ancient Dúnadan kings.
* HonorBeforeReason: A twisted variation of it. What dooms Boromir in the end is his honorbound oath to protect Gondor, which the Ring uses to twist his mind until he tries to claim the Ring for itself.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears an Elven hooded cloak given by the Lady Galadriel.
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:He is only member of the Fellowship that doesn't have a fake death, nor does he come back to life. He's the only one that dies permanently.]]
* TheLancer: He never tries to assert leadership, but he regularly suggests alternate courses of action - usually good, solid advice, but clearly centered on his own concern: saving Gondor.
* LargeAndInCharge: Tall and broad-shouldered: he often led the forces of Gondor in battle, and was slated to replace his father as Steward eventually.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler: After realizing what was doing after trying to take the Ring from Frodo.]]
* ManlyTears: [[spoiler: As he lays dying, in remorse for attacking Frodo and then being unable to prevent Merry and Pippin's capture.]]
* MeaningfulName: His name means "faithful jewel" from Sindarin "bôr" and Quenya "mírë".
* {{Pride}}: One of his defining trait. [[spoiler:and one which leads to his downfall]].
* TheProudElite: The Steward's heir, tall, fit, good-looking, his people's champion: men used to say he was the best in Gondor, and [[{{Pride}} he agreed]].
* PsychicDreamsForEveryone: His brother had a lot of those, and Boromir at least one: it drove him to seek Rivendell and the counsel of Elrond.
* RavenHairIvorySkin: A Númenórean trait. Both he and his brother are said to be attractive.
* RedemptionEqualsDeath: [[spoiler:See DyingAsYourself. He atoned for his attack on Frodo by sacrificing himself trying to safe the other Hobbits.]]
* RedOniBlueOni: The Red to Faramir's Blue. He was the vivacious charismatic warrior while Faramir was the more reserved intellectual.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Ruling Stewards' firstborns, rather.
* SanitySlippage: Happens gradually as his desire for the Ring slowly drives him mad until he finally snaps and attacks Frodo. [[spoiler:He gets better though, for a short time.]]
* SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan: Boromir is a warrior born, strong, proud, and a favorite of the {{Proud Warrior Race Guy}}s of Rohan. This is in contrast to his equally brave, but more thoughtful and less prideful brother.
* SenselessSacrifice: [[spoiler:Tried to pulled off a HeroicSacrifice to atone for trying to steal the One Ring, but it ended up being a SenselessSacrifice to his despair, as he couldn't stop Merry and Pippin from being captured in the end]]. [[spoiler: [[RedemptionEqualsDeath Pretty much everyone still gives him credit for trying, though.]]]]
* ShoutOut: His great horn and some aspects of his character is a homage to the medieval French epic ''Literature/TheSongOfRoland'', where the paladin Roland, nephew of Charlemagne, bears the horn Olifant. [[spoiler:Like Boromir, Roland blows his horn to summon help when surrounded by enemies, but still dies. Roland's fatal flaw is also pride, as he refused to sound his horn earlier thinking that he could defeat his foes by his own power. Boromir is convinced of his and Gondor's ability to defeat Sauron on their own if the Ring was allowed to be used.]]
* SiblingYinYang: He's the opposite of his brother Faramir, though that doesn't spoil their close friendship.
* TallDarkAndHandsome: Both he and his brother.
* TheThreeFacesOfAdam: The Hunter in the Steward family (Denethor and his sons). He used to dream of being King despite it not being an option. Now he is trying to find his place in the world and is ready to take risks to further his goals.
* TragicHero: He is desperate to save his homeland, but cannot see how it can be done. The One Ring seems to present a way to do it.
* WarriorPrince: Unlike his brother he's particularly enamoured of the warrior ethos and the "glory" of warfare, as he sees it. The Rohirrim, who knew him well, thought he was more like themselves than a man of Gondor.
* WeaponOfChoice: Sword and shield.
[[/folder]]
!The Fellowship of the Ring
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fellowship_of_the_ring.jpg]]
-->"''"The Company of the Ring shall be Nine; and the Nine Walkers shall be set against the Nine Riders that are evil.''"\\
--'''Elrond'''
Nine companions, including members of each of the free peoples (Men, Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits), who were united at the Council of Elrond. Though their paths diverge, they remain always bound together by friendship and by a vow to destroy the One Ring and rid the land of Sauron's corruption, no matter how difficult that may prove to be.
----
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Frodo Baggins]]
->''"I should like to save the Shire, if I could - though there have been times when I thought the inhabitants too stupid and dull for words, and have felt that an earthquake or an invasion of dragons might be good for them. But I don't feel like that now. I feel that as long as the Shire lies behind, safe and comfortable, I shall find wandering more bearable: I shall know that somewhere there is a firm foothold, even if my feet cannot stand there again."''
Frodo Baggins is an adventurous hobbit of the Shire who inherits a seemingly-harmless magic ring from his eccentric cousin Bilbo after the latter's disappearance, only discovering what it [[ArtifactOfDoom actually is]] many years later. Despite his lack of experience and the dangers ahead, Frodo volunteers to carry the Ring to Mount Doom and there destroy it.
----
* AcheyScars: Frodo's tend to ache on the anniversary of their infliction.
* ActualPacifist: Frodo is willing to use violence in self-defense early in the story (for instance, against the Barrow-wight), but after his ordeal with the Ring, he is unwilling even to draw weapons in the scouring of the Shire.
* AlphabeticalThemeNaming: Frodo is the son of Drogo Baggins son of Fosco Baggins son of Largo Baggins son of Balbo Baggins.
* AntiHero: As ''Return of the King'' progresses he fails to destroy the Ring, is tormented by his physical and emotional scars, and drifts into a more and more passive role, especially in "The Scouring of the Shire."
* AsleepForDays: Frodo does this in Rivendell after being near-fatally wounded by the Nazgûl. It happens again to both him and Sam after getting rescued from Mount Doom, due to their near starving, wounded state.
* ArmorIsUseless: Mostly averted, since Bilbo's ''mithril'' chainmail armor from ''The Hobbit'' saves his life several times, until Shelob stings him on the neck.
* BadassAdorable: Frodo is a Hobbit and is as small and cute as they tend to be;
%%* BadassBoast: An example is from Frodo to the Nazgûl at the ford.
* BadDreams: Frodo is stated to have these throughout the quest, though they get worse as he approaches Mount Doom and the effect of the Ring increases.
* BenevolentBoss: Technically he is Sam's employer (although Sam's duties were really more oriented toward weeding gardens and trimming hedges, not saving the world.)
* BreakTheCutie: The story is largely an exercise in torturing him physically and mentally. [[spoiler:He does not get better.]]
* TheChosenOne: The trope is flip-flopped. This seems to be his role in the first part of the trilogy - Gandalf even says he was 'meant' to have the Ring - but TheCorruption of the Ring is so strong that even a particularly steadfast, resilient Chosen One carrying it for the best of motives, with the fate of his homeland and all his friends at stake, may not have the strength to fulfill his destiny. [[spoiler: In the end, after a long and horrible struggle, it breaks him.]]
* CoolSword: First the dagger/short sword from the Barrow Downs that Tom Bombadil gave him, which the Nazgûl [[BreakableWeapons shattered]] at the Ford of Bruinen. Later he also got Sting, an ancient Elvish blade given to him by Bilbo. Though it's really a knife, hobbits are just that small compared to Elves (and Men).
* TheCorruption: Linked to the Ring. It slowly wears away all his forms of resistance, even his memories of good things, in its effort to make him its slave. By the time Sam suggests that they carry it in relays to slow the terrible process, Frodo can no longer give it up.
* {{Determinator}}: Despite the increasingly horrible things that happen to him, Frodo never stops trying to reach Mount Doom, and never gives in to the Ring's temptation [[spoiler:until the very end.]]
* DisneyDeath: He survives being bitten by Shelob. Of course, in this case, they actually give an explanation for why he survived via the Orcs when they discover him.[[note]]To put it bluntly, biting him and thus injecting him with her venom was only the ''first'' part of the process of ingestion, and the venom acted more as a paralyzing agent than an actual fatal substance.[[/note]]
* DubNameChange: "Frodon Sacquet" in French ("sac" meaning "bag"). Or "Frodo Bessac" in the new translation.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: In the second chapter, Frodo couldn't even throw the One Ring into his own fireplace. [[spoiler:This foreshadowed his failure to throw the One Ring into the Cracks of Doom.]]
* GentlemanAdventurer: Despite enjoying a rather comfortable lifestyle in the Shire, he inherited from his uncle Bilbo a thirst for adventures.
* GoodIsNotSoft: Frodo tells Gollum that he must obey him, because if not, Frodo will put on the Ring, and order Gollum to jump off a cliff or the like. This astounds Sam, who had always assumed that Frodo's goodness made him soft, and reduces Gollum to whimpering terror.
--> '''Frodo:''' "In the last need, Sméagol, I should put on the Precious; and the Precious mastered you long ago. If I, wearing it, were to command you, ''you would obey,'' even if it were to leap from a precipice or to cast yourself into the fire. And such ''would be'' my command."
* TheHerosJourney: Frodo undergoes the tragic version of the trope at the same time that Aragorn is undertaking the triumphant version: [[spoiler: He ultimately fails his final temptation and rather than bringing him enlightenment, the journey leaves him shell-shocked.]]
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Sam.
* HiddenDepths: His willingness to sacrifice himself for his country (see the folder quote above) surprises even Gandalf.
-->‘My dear Frodo!’ exclaimed Gandalf. ‘Hobbits really are amazing creatures, as I have said before. You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you at a pinch.…’
* IJustWantToBeNormal: Laments that he wished the Ring had never come to him at one point (before he's anywhere near his darkest hour), [[DiscussedTrope prompting Gandalf to respond that all who live to see such times wish this]], and that all he has to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to him.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a traveler's hooded cloak. Later, it's replaced by one of Elven make.
* IShouldWriteABookAboutThis: Frodo is the in-universe author of ''The Lord of the Rings'' (though based on recountings from his friends and comrades, and the final chapter is hinted to have been written by Sam.)
* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: While he could've meant in-universe, he says "...it is all too likely that some will say at this point: 'Shut the book now, dad; we don't want to read any more.'"
* TheLoad: A ''tragic and completely justified'' example. By the time the time he and Sam reach Mordor, the poor guy is just so beaten down from all the injuries he's taken and from carrying the ring that he begins to rely more and more on Sam just to get around.
* MessianicArchetype: Carries a great burden, dies and gets resurrected, and is generally a very sweet guy? Check. Though he differs from most in that he is flawed and fallible.
* MoreHeroThanThou: He attempts to abandon all the rest so he doesn't drag them into danger, and almost succeeds entirely.
* MusicForCourage: He sings while he is held prisoner in the Tower of Cirith Ungol.
* NamedWeapons: The aforementioned Sting.
* OlderThanHeLooks: Due to the Ring's power, Frodo looks like a thirty-three-year-old Hobbit (which is what he was when he initially received the Ring) until at least his fiftieth birthday. [[AllThereInTheManual The Appendices reveal]] that he’s actually ten years older than ''Boromir''. Thus, in terms of age, he’s exactly in the middle of the Fellowship (Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn are older; Boromir, Sam, Merry, and Pippin are younger).
* ParentalAbandonment: His parents drowned in the Brandywine River, leaving him to be raised by Bilbo.
* ThePowerOfFriendship: Sam's unwavering commitment to helping him is ultimately what sees the quest through to Mount Doom.
%%* PowerTrio: Frodo represents the Ego.
* TheProtagonist: Frodo is the central and focal character of the series. It focuses on his journey and development.
* TheQuest: He volunteers to be the one to take the One Ring across the continent to its destruction in Mordor - not from a love of adventure but from a sense of responsibility.
* RedOniBlueOni: He's the Blue Oni to Sam's Red Oni. Most noticeable with Gollum: Frodo is always calm and polite while Sam bristles at him.
* ShipperOnDeck: He's a big supporter of Sam/Rosie. He even invites them to move into his house, since they can't afford one of their own.
* StrangerInAFamiliarLand: Frodo realises after returning to Bag End that he cannot call the Shire his home, nor indeed any place in Middle-Earth. He's been changed too much.
* SupportingProtagonist: Frodo is technically 'the hero' of the story as the story does centre around him, even though the WordOfGod has favored Sam as the more conventional hero of the story.
* ThouShaltNotKill: Already the least violent member of the Fellowship, he adopts this philosophy by the end of ''The Return of the King'', even towards Saruman.
* TragicHero: Tolkien has said that Frodo cannot be called TheHero, as he failed and that he was doomed to fail from the start. Part of this is because he wanted to be a hero.
* TrueCompanions: Sam brings Pippin and Merry into the group to help Frodo: as their adventure continues they gain and lose other companions, but Sam's with him the entire way.
* TurnTheOtherCheek: He's merciful towards both Gollum/Sméagol and Saruman.
* WeaponOfChoice: An elven knife [[NamedWeapons named Sting]], large enough compared to him to be his sword.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Samwise "Sam" Gamgee]]
->''"'Don't you leave him!' they said to me. 'Leave him!' I said. 'I never mean to. I am going with him, if he climbs to the Moon, and if any of those Black Riders try to stop him, they'll have Sam Gamgee to reckon with.'"''
Sam is Frodo's gardener and loyal friend, and the only working-class hobbit in the Fellowship. Even when uninvited, Sam is determined to follow his master wherever he goes and make sure he's taken care of, no matter how dark the situation. His practicality, devotion, and [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers culinary skills]] make him a very big help as the quest goes on.
----
* ActOfTrueLove: The entirety of the book is one of these for Samwise. He followed [[TheNotLoveInterest Frodo]] into Mordor, being his keeper for the whole trip.
* AllThereInTheManual: You may know that Sam eventually built a ship and headed to the Undying Lands, but did you know that he changed his family name to Gardner? Or that he was elected Mayor of the Shire for seven consecutive terms? Or that he, his wife, and his oldest daughter lived in Gondor for a year?
* AuthorAvatar: In some ways inspired by the personal assistants assigned to British officers (i.e. {{Battle Butler}}s) during UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, who were known as "batmen".
* BadassBookworm: Bilbo taught Sam to read and write, abilities that are relatively rare in the Shire outside uppercrust families like the Bagginses. (Sam’s dad hopes that “no harm will come of it.”) Sam proceeds to [[HiddenDepths surprise his fellow hobbits with his book-lore]], and Frodo winds up leaving the Red Book to him to finish.
* BadassNormal: Like all the other hobbits in the Fellowship, Sam has no magical powers or ancient lineages aiding him. He's just a random Hobbit.
* BattleButler: He's Frodo's groundskeeper. Not the most skilled fighter in the Fellowship, but dauntless.
* BerserkButton: Go ahead, try and hurt Frodo. But you'll regret it. [[LetsGetDangerous If you live long enough.]]
* CallToAgriculture: After the War of the Ring Sam returns to his old gardener's life, also helping restore the Shire's trees, and marries a farmer's daughter. But he prospers enough to become Mayor.
* CoolSword: Like Frodo, he got a cool sword/dagger from the Barrow Downs courtesy of Tom Bombadil. Later he also wields Sting in Frodo's defence.
* DeadpanSnarker: Usually he's rather polite, but when he gets angry, annoyed or impatient with someone, he displays a surprising creativity in thinking up biting comments. Unsurprisingly, he's at his snarkiest when dealing with Gollum.
* {{Determinator}}: By the time they reach Mount Doom, Frodo is too weak to climb. Sam is little better, but he still ''carries Frodo'' up the punishing slopes on his shoulders.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: Did a hobbit just kick the crap out of a [[EldritchAbomination half-demonic]] GiantSpider? [[Awesome/TheLordOfTheRings Oh yes.]]
* TheEveryman: Just a normal hobbit of the Shire, not even a gentlehobbit. Lampshaded by Faramir.
-->'''Faramir''': Your land must be a realm of peace and content, and there must gardeners be in high honour.
* TheFinalTemptation: At the pass of Cirith Ungol, when he takes up the Ring [[CrowningMomnetOfAwesome and then puts it down]].
* TheGardener: Is Frodo's Mundane Gardener [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment gardener]].
* TheHero: Is Sam the "real" hero of ''The Lord of the Rings?'' While Tolkien's "Letters" certainly favored Sam as the 'chief hero', he obviously started out with Frodo in mind for the role. It's probably safest to say that the story is so big that it contains a willingly-martyred Byronic hero ''and'' a plucky Horatio Alger hero.
* HeavySleeper: Definitely.
-->''As far as he could remember, Sam slept through the night in deep content, if logs are contented.''
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Frodo. There's no question that Sam is unfailingly... maybe even obsessively... devoted to Frodo. Their parting at the end of the book is a moment of terrible grief.
* HiddenDepths: Starts off as a BookDumb gardener but shows signs of this just four chapters later when he starts philosophizing about Elves and the the future of the quest. Even Frodo is surprised.
* HotBlooded: The contrast between Sam and his more reserved master is pretty clear, especially during the talk with Faramir. Sam is more likely to speak and act without thinking, is prone to LooseLips, and quicker to strike out at threats.
* IJustWantToBeNormal: The Ring tries tempts him by showing him a vision of Mordor as a garden. It doesn't work because Sam only wants his own, small garden that he can tend by himself. This trope is also the reason that a giant garden is the only straw the Ring can grasp at in the first place.
* IncorruptiblePurePureness: He's tempted by the Ring to become a great lord, but he rejects it since he doesn't want to boss others around -- even when the Ring plays on his love for gardening by telling him he could transform Mordor into a giant beautiful flower bed if he so wished.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a traveler's hooded cloak. Later, it's replaced by one of Elven make.
* JumpedAtTheCall: Indeed, Gandalf gave him [[CallToAdventure the call]] seeing how eager he was.
* MeaningfulName: As Tolkien states in the Appendices, it's Old English (Anglo-Saxon) for "some-wise", that is "halfwit", given ironically because he appears to be BookDumb but is full of HiddenDepths.
* NoSell: While several characters are able to resist the temptation of the ring, only Sam shrugs it off entirely. It can't offer anything he wants.
* TheNotLoveInterest: To Frodo. There's obviously strong affection and emotion between the two, and incredible devotion, especially on Sam's side.
* OddNameOut: "Sam" is a normal name in our world, so it stands out a little among Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, etc... (even if it is short for "Samwise").
* ThePowerOfFriendship: Sam loves Frodo somewhat like a brother, and his unwavering commitment to that friendship is ultimately what gets Frodo through all the horrors of Mordor to the Cracks of Doom.
%%* PowerTrio: Samwise represents the Superego.
* RedOniBlueOni: He's the Red Oni and Frodo is the Blue. Sam's temper often gets the best of him, while Frodo is almost always calm.
* TheReliableOne: Indeed, he's the only one of the Fellowship who doesn't leave the path to Mount Doom.
* {{Sidekick}}: He remains by Frodo's side for the entirety of the story, in which Frodo is clearly the protagonist as he bears the greatest burden and is bound for the worst place. Then he stops being the sidekick and becomes TheHero.
* SimplemindedWisdom: Sam is protected by the power of just a little Hobbit common-sense.
* SpannerInTheWorks: Sam's presence averts the failure of the quest. Yet he was not part of anybody's plan. Even ''Frodo'' had no intention of taking Sam with him.
* SupremeChef: All hobbits can cook, and they're such gourmands one imagines that most hobbits are good cooks, but Sam is a good cook even by hobbit-reckoning -- able to whip up a good meal with just a brace of coneys (that is, a couple of rabbits) and herbs of Ithilien.
* TeamChef: It's genuinely sad when he finally has to abandon his cooking equipment in Mordor.
* TenderTears: Though pretty macho by hobbit standards, Sam's prone to ManlyTears.
* TheMole: Frodo, already astonished to learn that his friends have been spying on him, is even more bewildered to learn that his ''gardener'' has been feeding them information all along.
* TookALevelInBadass: Went from a timid gardener who had never wandered further than a few miles from home to outfighting giant demon-spiders and beating orcs in a fight.
* UndyingLoyalty: Sam almost defines this trope. He will follows and serve Frodo into Hell or to the ends of the Earth. His motivation is his simple loyalty, more than a desire to save the world (though that's part of it).
* WeaponOfChoice: A short sword/knife.
* WhatASenselessWasteOfHumanLife: Sam feels this way when he sees Men killing Men (Rangers of Ithilien vs. the Haradrim) for the first time. He wonders about a dead Southron's name and family, and whether he was really an evil man or if Sauron tricked him or drafted him against his will.
* WorkingClassHero: Out of the four main hobbits, two are the sons of chieftains (Merry and Pippin) and the other is a very wealthy heir (Frodo); Sam is the only one who is not a "gentlehobbit."
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck]]
->''"You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin - to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours - closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo."''
Meriadoc Brandybuck is a sensible, take-charge hobbit and one of Frodo's closest friends. Concerned about Frodo's safety, he joins the quest early on and organizes some conspiracies and shortcuts, some of which go better than others. Plagued by feelings of self-doubt, he nevertheless goes on to become a knight of Rohan and participates in the War of the Ring.
----
* BadassBookworm: Authored a variety of books, including a history of pipe-weed (''Herblore of the Shire''). In one version of the posthumously published epilogue, Sam remarks that he needs Merry’s help to finish writing the Red Book.
* BadassNormal: Merry, just a normal hobbit, is the one who defeats the Witch-King alongside Éowyn, out of all the trained soldiers, [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Proud Warrior Race Guys]] and other larger-than-life figures present at the Battle.
* BrokeYourArmPunchingOutCthulhu: He, along with Éowyn (who also literally breaks her arm), nearly dies from contact with the Witch-King.
* ChekhovsGun: Unlike the identical {{Cool Sword}}s that the other three hobbits received from Tom Bombadil at the Barrow Downs, Merry's sword ends up being extremely instrumental to his CrowningMomentOfAwesome.
* CoolSword: One he receives from Tom Bombadil at the Barrow Downs; see ChekhovsGun above.
* DeadpanSnarker: By far the snarkiest of the four Hobbits in the story; he's got a smart comment for every occasion.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: The Witch-King of Angmar vs a Hobbit. Merry (teamed up with Éowyn) won.
* GoingNative: Merry embraced Rohan's culture, swore fealty to King Theoden and received a name among the Men of the Mark, ''Holdwine.'' (The pun in English was probably intentional.)
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Has a scar on his forehead from injuries sustained at Parth Galen.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Pippin, inseparable friends they are.
* IJustWantToBeBadass: He feels left out and useless when the Grey Company and the Riders of Rohan leave him behind because of his physical weakness, until Éowyn sneaks him into the cavalry with her.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: He and the aged King Theoden become close friends over the space of a few weeks.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a traveler's hooded cloak. Later, it's replaced by one of Elven make.
* LetsGetDangerous: Most notably at the Battle of the Pellenor, against the Witch-King.
* LetterMotif: Meriadoc is the son of Saradoc Brandybuck, and in a letter to a fan Tolkien said his son is named Periadoc.
* TheMagnificent: Later named Meriadoc the Magnificent as Master of Buckland.
* RedOniBlueOni: Pippin is impulsive and readily distracted: Merry shares his adventurous, fun-loving nature but is more of a planner.
* TheSmartGuy: Of the hobbit foursome, Merry has the most common sense and is the most likely to think of what didn't occur to the others. Until they meet up with Aragorn, he's the planner (and the only one with much experience at traveling).
* TheStraightMan: He's far more levelheaded than Pippin.
* ThoseTwoGuys: Merry and Pippin appear together most of the time.
* TookALevelInBadass: At the start of the series, he's very perceptive and capable, but not much good in a fight. By the third book, he helps take down the Witch-King.
* WeaponOfChoice: A leaf-shaped dagger wrought by the Men of Arnor long ago, large enough in his hands to qualify as a short sword. Destroyed on the Pelennor Fields.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Peregrin "Pippin" Took]]
->''"You must go - and therefore we must too. Merry and I are coming with you. Sam is an excellent fellow, and would jump down a dragon's throat to save you, if he did not trip over his own feet; but you will need more than one companion in your dangerous adventure."''
Pippin, the youngest of the hobbits, is a cheerful tweenager and a bit of a rascal. His curiosity gets him into trouble at times, but his buoyant spirit helps carry him and his companions through the darkest parts of the War. He grows up quickly during the quest and later becomes a knight of Gondor.
----
* AlliterativeFamily: Peregrin is the son of Paladin and the brother Pearl, Pimpernel and Pervinca.
* BadassBoast: When Saruman's lackeys mock Frodo and company when they return to the Shire, Pippin lets them know whom they're dealing with.
-->"I am a messenger of the King. You are speaking to the King's friend, and one of the most renowned in all the lands of the West. You are a ruffian and a fool. Down on your knees in the road and ask pardon, or I'll set this troll's bane in you!"
* BadassNormal: He takes down a troll in the final battle, and he's just a hobbit.
* BigEater: Even more than most hobbits are. To the point that after ''nearly dying'' his first question isn't for medical aid or rest, but just ''food''.
* ConstantlyCurious: Pippin is the one who drops a rock into an empty well in Moria just to hear how deep it is... with catastrophic consequences. He's also the one first drawn to the Palantír of Orthanc, although to be fair [[spoiler:Sauron had made it almost irresistible to anyone who looked at it or handled it for too long.]]
* CoolSword: The dagger from the Barrow Downs that Tom Bombadil gave him.
* DeadpanSnarker: Not to the extent of Merry, or even Sam, but he can snark with the best of them when the mood takes him.
* DisneyDeath: A troll falls on him in the battle at the Black Gates, and the narration from his [=POV=] has him thinking about the fact that he is dying. [[spoiler:Gimli finds him and gets him out in time, but after Pippin has blacked out.]] Tolkien actually did consider killing off Pippin at that moment, but [[spoiler: ultimately decided against it.]]
* TheFool: Pippin tends to act without thinking, and this can cause a ''lot'' of trouble (see Constantly Curious), but he's lucky and likeable, both qualities of the classic Fool.
* GoingNative: To repay the debt he and Merry owe to the deceased Boromir, Pippin enters the service of the steward Denethor. He doesn't fit in as well as Merry does in Rohan, but makes many friends in Gondor. And as King Elessar reminds him when he's headed back to the Shire, "You are going home now on leave... but I ''may'' recall you."
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Merry, friends since childhood who are never apart.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a traveler's hooded cloak. Later, it's replaced by one of Elven make.
* JumpedAtTheCall: Pippin is naively eager to follow Frodo's quest, and very unhappy at the thought that he won't "get" to follow him to Mordor.
* LetsGetDangerous: Like Merry, Pippin discovers his inner courage when he saves Beregond by killing a massive troll at the Battle of the Black Gates.
* OddFriendship: He seems to have a particular gift for entering these. He develops a very close friendship with Gandalf, and once he's brought to Gondor, he befriends both Faramir, Beregond and Bergil, a child of the city.
* PluckyComicRelief: By far the most bumbling and comical of the main characters. [[TookALevelInBadass He becomes less so as the story progresses,]] though his cheerfulness and eternal optimism remain.
* RedOniBlueOni: He and Merry are both fun-loving and adventurous, but Merry is the thoughtful plan-making sort, while Pippin is impulsive.
* ShoutOut: His name is an allusion to the Frankish king Pepin the Short (known as Pippin in English), father of the more famous Charlemagne (who was famed in legend for his twelve Paladins, including [[Literature/TheSongOfRoland Roland]] who Boromir evokes, see below; Pippin's father is also named Paladin).
* ThoseTwoGuys: He and Merry almost always appear together.
* TookALevelInBadass: From foolish young Took to hero.
* TricksterArchetype: An innocent version, as he's harmless but mischievous, though this is toned down as he makes his transition to [[BadassNormal badass]].
* WeaponOfChoice: A short sword/knife from Arnor.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Gandalf]]
->Gandalf! If you had heard only a quarter of what I have heard about him, and I have only heard very little of all there is to hear, you would be prepared for any sort of remarkable tale. Tales and adventures sprouted up all over the place wherever he went, in the most extraordinary fashion.
-->--'''''Literature/TheHobbit'''''
The modern [[WizardClassic archetypal wizard]] in appearance and style, he also is the UrExample of the MagicKnight. In the Third Age, the Valar (CelestialParagonsAndArchangels) sent five Maiar (rank-and-file angels) to Middle-Earth to aid the struggle against Sauron, clothed in the forms of men and forbidden from using their power directly or trying to rule over Men and elves. Of these, two travelled far into the East: their tales are unknown. Of the remainder, Gandalf embodied wisdom, Saruman knowledge, and Radagast nature. Though Saruman is the head of the Council of the Wise, Gandalf was a wiser and greater Maia, but declined the position of leadership. The wise elf Círdan entrusted him with Narya, the Ring of Fire (one of the three mightiest Rings of Power created by the elves).
Known as the Grey Pilgrim, throughout both ''The Hobbit'' and this book (along with the prior thousand years), Gandalf went from place to place in the world, giving counsel and guidance, but never calling one place home. He ends up being a chessmaster of sorts, motivating many of the key players to their purposes while keeping his plays close to hand. This also serves as a justification for separating Gandalf from the other heroes time and again so that they don't have access to his storybreaking abilities.
----
* AngelUnaware: He's actually a [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Maia]] from the Uttermost West.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: One of Middle Earth's most trusted advisers and one of Middle Earth's greatest ass kickers.
* BackFromTheDead: He was properly dead from the fight with the Balrog, but his [[{{God}} boss]] dropped him back on top of the mountain where he died 'cause he's not allowed to stay dead until he's finished the job with Sauron.
* BadassBeard: He ''is'' a wizard after all, and has quite impressive facial hair.
* BadassBoast: He has several of these throughout the story, where he makes it quite clear that he is one of the most powerful people active in Middle-Earth.
-->"I have written ''Gandalf is here'' in signs that all can read from Rivendell to the mouths of Anduin."[[note]]He is actually ''annoyed'' when he says this, because he's giving away the Fellowship's position when he uses his powers to create a fire so they don't freeze to death, as they are menaced by a blizzard in the Misty Mountains.[[/note]]
--> "You cannot pass. I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass."
-->"I am dangerous... far more dangerous than anyone you are likely to meet, unless you are brought before the feet of the Dark Lord himself."
-->"Trapped! Why did I delay? Here we are, caught, just as they were before. But I was not here then."
* BadassBookworm: Though one of the lesser Maiar, he was one of the wisest.
* BadassGrandpa: Takes the guise of an old man when he comes to Middle-Earth.
* BearerOfBadNews: The Rohirrim gave him the name Stormcrow, for his habit of appearing out of nowhere to announce some calamity. Wormtongue names him 'Láthspell'; "ill news is an ill guest."
* BigGood: Gandalf is the main "power behind the scenes" manipulating and directing events to help people resist Sauron, and make sure that they have the information and allies they need, as much as he can.
* BigOlEyebrows: That stick out past the wide brim of his hat, somehow. It's like a superpower.
* BrokeYourArmPunchingOutCthulhu: He [[spoiler:dies from the ordeal of fighting a Balrog. (Don't worry, [[CameBackStrong he gets better]].)]]
* ButNowIMustGo: In ''The Hobbit'' he leaves the dwarves and Bilbo to try to persuade the White Council to attack Dol Guldur and destroy Sauron while he was still weak. He does this in the ''Fellowship of the Ring'', not that he planned to be missing for so many chapters -- that was Saruman's fault.
* CameBackStrong: [[spoiler:He dies after defeating the Balrog. As he hasn't yet completed his task of aiding the free peoples of Middle Earth in defeating Sauron, he is sent back as Gandalf the White. He is far more powerful, as the restrictions previously placed on his power (to prevent over-reliance or corruption) are relaxed]].
* TheChessmaster: He has been playing chess with Sauron over Middle-Earth for ''centuries''.
* CoolOldGuy: An old man noted for his skill in creating fireworks, smoke-rings and sarcastic comments. There are hints that he'd prefer BecomingTheMask rather than racing around the continent trying to thwart evil, but his time is not his own to spend.
* CoolSword: Glamdring, which he found in a troll-cave during ''The Hobbit''. This is the sword that once belonged to the king of Gondolin, one of the famous {{Hidden Elf Village}}s of the First Age.
* DeadpanSnarker: Gandalf's temper is ''usually'' expressed through fairly harmless but snappy lines, such as telling Pippin to knock the Gate of Moria open with his head if he can't shut up long enough for Gandalf to figure out the password.
* {{Determinator}}: He fought the Balrog for ten days straight. ''Ten days.'' Heck, his entire story is an example of this trope. By the end of the books, he's the ''only'' Wizard who remained fully committed to the purpose of opposing Sauron (although WordOfGod has waffled on whether or not Radagast abandoned his mission or not). Sarumon ended up being made into Sauron's lackey and TheStarscream. No one knows what happened to the Blue Wizards. For centuries, Gandalf wandered all across Middle Earth by himself, working to bring about Sauron's downfall.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: Old guy vs. Balrog. Old guy wins. (And dies, but he gets resurrected and the Balrog isn't.)
* DotingParent: Towards Frodo, mostly, whom he always tries to protect and help. He does the same for most Hobbits, but Frodo seems to be his most beloved Hobbit.
* DyingMomentOfAwesome: [[spoiler:YouShallNotPass]], where he goes up against a Balrog for ''ten days straight.''
* EccentricMentor: To Bilbo and Frodo. Aragorn even lampshades that he's "always speaking in riddles."
* ElementalBaggage: [-"I cannot burn snow."-]. So says Gandalf when asked to burn away a snowstorm.
* ElementalPowers: Fire, [[spoiler:possibly thanks to Narya, The Ring of Fire (though its fire might be only metaphorical).]]
* ElvesVsDwarves: {{Lampshade}}s the conflict during the Council of Elrond:
-->'''Gandalf''': If all the grievances that stand between Elves and Dwarves are to be brought up here, we may as well abandon this Council.
* FamousLastWords: "Fly, you fools!" [[spoiler:He comes back later in the story, of course, but those remain the last words spoken by Gandalf the Grey.]]
%%* FreudianTrio: With Saruman and Radagast; is the Ego in the group.
* GoodIsNotNice: He's described as cantankerous and grouchy, is a ManipulativeBastard and whilst his bark is worse than his bite he is not above emitting a few growls from time to time and letting his reputation do the rest.
* GoodSmokingEvilSmoking: Definitely Good Smoking. When he's relaxing he'll usually get out his pipe and start making smoke rings.
* GrumpyOldMan: It's an affectation, see JerkassFacade.
* GuileHero: He's expressely forbidden from using his own raw power against Sauron, or to dominate the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth. Everything that he accomplishes is done via wits and persuasion.
* HarbingerOfImpendingDoom: Implied by [[ShootTheMessenger his critics]] to be this, hence the unflattering epithets "Láthspell" and "Stormcrow". It really isn't fair, though -- he just wants to warn people when something bad is coming their way!
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:In Moria, to save the rest of the Fellowship from the Balrog.]]
* HiddenDepths: Particularly to the Hobbits of the Shire.
-->...[Gandalf’s] fame in the Shire was due mainly to his skill with fires, smokes, and lights. His real business was far more difficult and dangerous, but the Shire-folk knew nothing about it. To them he was just one of the ‘attractions’ at [Bilbo Baggins’s 111th birthday] Party.
* IHaveManyNames: "Many are my names in many countries. Mithrandir among the Elves, Tharkûn to the Dwarves; Olórin I was in my youth in the West that is forgotten, in the South Incánus, in the North Gandalf; to the east I go not." Then there's these names too, Gandalf Greyhame, Gandalf the Gray, Gandalf the White, Gray Pilgrim, Gray Wanderer, Greybeard, White Rider, and The Enemy of Sauron. Plus the insults Gray Fool, Láthspell, and Stormcrow.
* IncorruptiblePurePureness: Resisted the temptation of the One Ring at Bag End. Notably, he is a PhysicalGod (more accurately, angel-like being) just like Sauron.
* JerkassFacade: Even at best of times, Gandalf tends to be a grumpy old man, but he likes to encourage people's perception of him as unpredictable and even dangerous person. Frodo, who has known him for decades and considers him a friend is at one point briefly convinced that he burned poor Barliman Butterbur alive for failing to deliver (a vitally important) letter. He also clearly enjoys scaring the crap out of Sam (who's afraid Gandalf will turn him into something "unnatural") when he catches him eavesdropping on his conversation with Frodo about the Ring.
* KnightTemplar: Wearing the One Ring would make him far worse than Sauron, while being convinced of his own righteousness, [[DefiedTrope which is why he puts it in Frodo's care instead]].
--> "Understand. I would use this ring out of a desire to do good. But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine!"
* MagicKnight: With a magic staff ''and'' his magic sword Glamdring.
* ManInWhite: After [[CameBackStrong he comes back stronger]] in ''The Two Towers'', Galadriel outfits him with white robes and gives him a new staff.
* ManipulativeBastard: [[ThePlan He pulls all manner of gambits]], and is not above using both friend and foe as [[TheChessmaster pieces on his chess board]].
* MeaningfulName: Old Norse for "wand-elf". Was given that name by Men since he carries a staff (being a wizard and all) but was often mistaken for an Elf due to his long life and magic powers.
* TheMentor: He serves as a mentor figure for Frodo - and Bilbo before him - and is killed by the Balrog.
* MentorOccupationalHazard: [[spoiler:Though he [[BackFromTheDead gets better]].]]
* MessianicArchetype: Although Tolkien himself said that this was ''not'' intended, nobody listens because Gandalf dies and then gets sent back to finish his work.
* MissedHimByThatMuch: Happens to (or at least involves) him fairly often, [[AllThereInTheManual per the Appendices]]:
** He returns to Bag End after escaping Isengard, only to find that Frodo had left six days earlier.
** He then proceeds to travel to Bree, arriving somewhere around ''twelve hours'' after Frodo and co.'s departure.
** He rides to Weathertop, gets ambushed by the Nazgûl, and drives them off -- three days before Frodo and co. arrive.
** After his [[BackFromTheDead resurrection]], Gwaihir flies him to Lothlórien, and he arrives the day after the Fellowship left.
* MrExposition: Unlike other {{Big Good}}s who withhold crucial information until ''after'' it would have been useful to know, Gandalf tells Frodo absolutely all he knows about the Ring and its history once he's done enough research to be sure of what it is, around the second or third chapter of ''Fellowship''.
* NamedWeapons: Glamdring, meaning "foe-hammer" in [[ConLang Sindarin]].
* NiceHat: His wide-brimmed, conical hat is iconic to the character and appears in virtually all artwork and, of course, the films; it's likely the TropeCodifier for [[RobeAndWizardHat giving that sort of hat to wizards]].
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Gandalf is always taking care of far and away threats which are usually given indirect or passing mentions. His incursions against the Necromancer of Dol Guldur and his fending off of the Nazgûl at Weathertop are prominent examples.
* OlderThanTheyLook: He looks like he's about 80, but he's been in Middle-Earth for upwards of 2000 years and is in fact older than the universe.
* OurAngelsAreDifferent: The Wizards are really angels disguised as humans.
* PersonalityPowers: Specializes in fire magic and has a quick temper.
* ThePlan: He and Aragorn (and sometimes Frodo) are the chief planners of the Fellowship’s route. Subverted when Aragorn suggests that even Gandalf wasn’t sure of what path the Fellowship should take after Lothlórien.
* PsychicPowers: He communicates without speaking with Galadriel, Celeborn and Elrond using {{Telepathy}} at the end of the book.
* RasputinianDeath: Like the Balrog with whom he struggled, it took a ''lot'' to kill Gandalf. And even then, he came back.
* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: Really Older Than The World.
* RingOfPower: He reveals he wields the elven Ring of Fire, explaining his proficiency with flame magic. It was given to him by Círdan the Shipwright when the Wizards first came to Middle Earth, and one of the reasons Saruman was jealous of him.
* RobeAndWizardHat: One of the most memorable, and likely the TropeCodifier.
* StoryBreakerPower: He's a Maia, an angelic being of the same order as Sauron, but he's actually forbidden from using his full power by the Valar. The victory over Sauron must come from ordinary people; Gandalf and the other Istari are only permitted to act as their guides and advisors. There is good reason for this; last time the Valar and Maiar used their full strength against the forces of evil, they ''shattered'' the subcontinent of Beleriand and it sank into the sea. (More on that in ''Literature/TheSilmarillion''.)
* TheStrategist: He's not allowed to use his powers (the last time the Maia did so, they broke a continent), so instead he's been carefully searching and manipulating for... ever.
* TakingYouWithMe: [[spoiler:He and the Balrog both die in their fight, [[OnlyMostlyDead but only he returns to life.]] ]]
* TeamDad: He's the leader of the Fellowship (until he dies and Aragorn takes over) and the oldest member, and despite his gruffness, he cares deeply for the others and has a particular soft spot for the hobbits.
* TheThreeFacesOfAdam: Aragorn is The Hunter, seeking a place for himself in this world and to prove himself worthy to get what he wants, Elrond is The Lord, well-established, striving to maintain a balance and preserve what he has, Gandalf is The Prophet, the guide who tries to impress his wisdom on the young ones.
* TimeAbyss: He's older than time itself. Doesn't stop Treebeard from calling him "young Gandalf".
* TokenSuper: Downplayed. Gandalf is an [[AngelUnaware angelic spirit in human form]], traveling with the otherwise non-magical Fellowship. His exalted origins are largely unknown to the party and his displays of power are minimal, since his [[PhysicalGod Valar]] masters require that the victory over Sauron be won by the people of Middle-Earth.
* TooCleverByHalf: It took him longer than one might expect to figure out how to open the Doors of Durin. "I had only to speak the Elvish word for ''friend'' and the doors opened. Quite simple. Too simple for a learned loremaster in these suspicious days."
* TookALevelInBadass: After becoming Gandalf the White.
* TookALevelInKindness: Again, after becoming Gandalf the White, most evident in his interactions with Pippin, who remarks that Gandalf laughs more often and is more willing to indulge his curiosity.
* WalkingTheEarth: He's not called "The Grey Wanderer" for nothing, being possibly even more well-traveled than Aragorn is.
* WeaponOfChoice: Staff and Sword.
* WizardClassic: One of the most iconic modern examples and a TropeCodifier.
* YouShallNotPass: TropeNamer. [[BeamMeUpScotty In the book it's "You ''cannot'' pass."]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Aragorn]]
Aragorn is the chief of the Dúnedain, Rangers of the North. One of the dying breed of Númenóreans, Aragorn is raised in secret by Elrond in Rivendell, unaware of his true identity as the Heir of Isildur. When he comes of age Elrond reveals all to him, and he meets and falls in love with Elrond's daughter Arwen. After she reciprocates, some 30 years later, Elrond tells Aragorn that he can only have her hand in marriage if he becomes the King of Gondor and Arnor. Aragorn spends the next few decades battling orcs and aiding Gandalf in tracking and opposing the agents of Sauron, particularly Gollum. In his youth he also travels far and wide, notably as a [[TheCaptain captain]] of Gondor and Rohan (under a pseudonym, Thorongil), to be the best he can in order to pursue his destiny.
As a ranger, Aragorn takes the alias of "Strider" and seems a rough, coarse man but can shed this facade to unleash a great lordly presence which is part of his heritage as the last heir to the Númenórean kingdoms, and that stems in part from his people's trace of Elvish blood. As is mentioned elsewhere, in a normal epic, Aragorn would be TheHero and would defeat Sauron himself; Tolkien's decision to focus on the lowly and boot Aragorn to a supporting role was a conscious and deliberate subversion of that longstanding trope.
----
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: He's the Heir of Isildur and rightful King of the Dúnedain. He's a better tracker and woodsman than the Wood-elf Legolas, a deadly warrior, a skilled battlefield medic, strong-willed enough to use a Palantír and even wrench it out of Sauron's control, and wise enough to know he can't and must not use the One Ring.
* BadassBoast: "I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, Dúnadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor. Here is the Sword that was Broken and is forged again! Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swiftly!"
* BashBrothers: He becomes this with Éomer.
* BigDamnHeroes: When he arrives with an army behind him on the Enemy's own ships to save the day, just as Éomer and his Rohirrim were getting in a really bad position.
* TheCaptain: Of the Rangers of the North, and of the Fellowship after Gandalf's passage. Also serves as one to the army and navy of Gondor as "Thorongil."
* CombatMedic: A lot heavier on the combat side of things than most examples, but as is said in Gondorian legend, "the hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known."
* CoolSword: Andúril, reforged from the shards of Narsil, an ancient heirloom of his line.
* DeathGlare: He frightened the Mouth of Sauron.
--> Aragorn said naught in answer, but he took the other’s eye and held it, and for a moment they strove thus; but soon, though Aragorn did not stir nor move hand to weapon, the other quailed and gave back as if menaced with a blow.
* TheDulcineaEffect: For Éowyn, though he doesn't reciprocate her feelings.
* EarnYourHappyEnding: He must have the Enemy overthrown before he can become king and marry Arwen.
* EngagementChallenge: To win Elrond's permission to marry Arwen, he first needs to help make sure Middle-Earth is a safe place for her to stay after her father leaves.
* FamilyThemeNaming: The names of the chieftains of the Dúnedain of the North and of the kings of Arthedain following Argeleb I (his ancestors from father to son) all starts with the prefix "Ar(a)-" (meaning high or royal in Sindarin) until Aragorn.
* FisherKing: His return to Gondor is supposed to bring healing to land, as symbolized by the old dead White Tree of Minas Tirith being replaced by a young sapling that will grow and bloom.
* TheGadfly: His sense of humor takes the form of screwing around with his friends. Like the time when he agrees with Sam's continuing suspicions (even after getting Gandalf's letter that says "trust Strider") and then jumps at the hobbits. Or, when Merry asks for a pipe in the Houses of Healing, telling him all the learned things the herbmaster would say about pipeweed and that there is not any in keeping. (The pipeweed is in Merry's own pack at the foot of his bed.)
* GoodIsNotNice: The first time he appears, he berates and frightens Frodo. As he puts it himself, 'I look foul and feel fair'.
* HealingHands: As Ioreth, a wise-woman of Gondor says, "The hands of the King are the hands of a healer and so shall the rightful king be found." It's ambiguous as to whether he has supernatural healing powers from his distant Elvish ancestry or if it's because he's the only guy in Middle-earth who knows what kingsfoil is for.
* HeroicLineage: Going back though umpteen heroic Rangers of Arnor, Kings of Arnor, Isildur, Elendil, the Lords of Andúnië, the early (good) kings of Númenor, Elrond's brother Elros, Eärendil the Morning Star, Dior, Beren and Lúthien, Tuor and Idril, Turgon, Fingolfin, and Thingol and Melian, and to generations of heroic Edain of the Houses of Bëor, Hador, and Haleth.
* {{Homage}}: Aragorn is a ShoutOut to both KingArthur and Charlemagne.
* IHaveManyNames: Aragorn has been called the Dúnadan ("Man of the West/Númenórean"), Longshanks, Strider, Wingfoot, Elessar Telcontar ("Elfstone Strider"), Envinyatar ("the renewer"), Estel (Hope), and Thorongil ("Eagle of the Star"), among other things.
* IncorruptiblePurePureness: Like Faramir, Aragorn rejects the One Ring out of principle without needing to see it.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a traveler's hooded cloak. Later, it's replaced by one of Elven make. In his first appearance it's used to play up his mysterious nature, as he has the hood pulled up even when inside.
* TheJuggernaut: During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields he (along with two others) was unstoppable, didn't even get wounded, and the enemy was literally running away from his wrath.
* KingIncognito: ''Way'' incognito, to the point where he's considered a rather shabby and disreputable character, and living in the wilderness.
* KissingCousins: Somewhat justifiably. Although he married a first cousin, the fact that she's a first cousin ''sixty-seven times removed'' makes it something of a moot point from a genetic standpoint.[[note]]In case you're confused, this sort of thing can only happen if your cousin is 2700 years old.[[/note]]
* TheLancer: When Gandalf's leading, Aragorn tends to be the practically minded and cautious second-in-command. He was particularly worried about Gandalf's personal safety when the decision was made to enter Moria.
%%* LovedINotHonorMore: Towards Arwen.
* MeaningfulName: His name is translated from Sindarin as "kingly valour".
* TheMedic: He has HealingHands and other special healing abilities due to his lineage and training by Elrond.
* MementoMacGuffin: The Ring of Barahir, over ''six thousand'' years old, originally given to Aragorn's very distant ancestor by [[TheWisePrince Finrod]] [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure Felagund]], Elvenking of Nargothrond; it had many bearers, always leaders of the Dúnedain, and of the 'faithful' factions who never listened to Sauron (like Ar-Pharazôn did), and it was given to Aragorn by Elrond when the former was told his real name and ancestry.
* ManlyTears: He weeps openly whenever there's something to justify it. He was crying so hard over Boromir's death that Legolas thought he was mortally wounded himself.
* MysteriousStranger: The first time the reader meets him as Strider he's hooded and lurking in the shadows of the Prancing Pony (before that kind of thing became a cliche).
* NamedWeapons: Andúril, "Flame of the West."
* NatureVersusNurture: Touched on when he displays kingly abilities like commanding the shades of the dead and healing people. He alone can do this because of his Númenórean royal bloodline, but he acts the way he does because he was raised to be a good and noble man. Many kings of Númenor and Gondor, no less royal, fell into evil.
* OlderThanTheyLook: Thanks to Númenórean descent, he is at his prime at 87.
* OlderSidekick: He's older than most of the rest of the Fellowship, and largely serves a supporting roll until they escape Moria.
* PsychicPowers: Not an actual telepath (unless one counts the example under Death Glare above), but when channeling through a device like a ''palantir'' his will is unconquerable. His special gifts in healing may also be an example. He openly demonstrates prescience - he's frequently able to accurately predict that something will happen in the future.
--> ‘Thus we meet again, though all the hosts of Mordor lay between us,’ said Aragorn. ‘Did I not say so at the Hornburg?’
--> ‘So you spoke,’ said Éomer, ‘but hope oft deceives, and I knew not then that you were a man foresighted.’
%%* RedOniBlueOni: The Blue to Éomer's Red.
* RequisiteRoyalRegalia: He starts with the Ring of Barahir, a remnant of the North-Kingdom's regalia, and the shards of Narsil, the (royal) Sword that was Broken. He later receives the scepter of Annúminas, the winged crown of Gondor, and (in the Unfinished Tales) the Elendilmir of Valandil and of Isildur.
* RightfulKingReturns: [[ItWasHisSled The best-known one in literature, except possibly King Arthur]]. Gondor's been waiting hundreds of years for The Return of the King. It's worth noting however, that although it is his birthright to do so, he ''refuses'' to enter Gondor as a king and just take the throne, believing that doing so would be the act of a tyrant. He only sets foot in the city when he is willingly invited and welcomed by the people.
* RoyalBlood: The purest now left, at least for the Dúnedain. Frequently, the narration points out Aragorn's kingly bearing that makes him seem taller and the other man smaller, along with something like a "white flame" appearing over his brow (i.e. the shadow of a crown).
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: A WarriorPrince, healer, and tracker, and entirely willing to sacrifice his own life if necessary to help defeat Sauron.
* ScarilyCompetentTracker: To the point of being able to read ''individual blades of grass''. Though it's a remark by Gimli, he isn't exaggerating that much.
* StandardHeroReward: The throne of Gondor and Arwen's hand in marriage, for defeating Sauron.
* SupportingLeader: Former TropeNamer. Aragorn may be more impressive than the Hobbits, but he's really mostly there to back up the Mannish kingdoms and distract Sauron long enough for Frodo to destroy the Ring.
* TheThreeFacesOfAdam: Aragorn is The Hunter, seeking a place for himself in this world and to prove himself worthy to get what he wants, Elrond is The Lord, well-established, striving to maintain a balance and preserve what he has, Gandalf is The Prophet, the guide who tries to impress his wisdom on the young ones.
* UnevenHybrid: Aragorn has some elven ancestry a few thousand years prior to the events in the story due to him being the last heir of Gondor. He's also part-Maiar via Lúthien's mother.
* WalkingTheEarth: As a Ranger he's patrolled the old regions of Arnor with the purpose of staying hidden until the right time and protecting their inhabitants, including those in Bree and the Shire. He's also served in Gondor and Rohan under an alias and journeyed as far as Harad, the south lands controlled by Sauron.
* WarriorPrince: Like most princes of the Men, Elves, and Dwarves.
* WeaponOfChoice: His sword Andúril, reforged from Narsil.
* YoungAndInCharge: Of the Three Hunters, [[AllThereInTheManual per the Appendices]]: compared to Legolas’s hundreds of years and Gimli’s age of 139[[note]]Appendix A lists Gimli’s birth year as 2879, and the Hunters were active in 3019, making Gimli’s age at the time either 139 or 140.[[/note]], Aragorn is a relative tyke at the tender young age of 87. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in-universe due to Aragorn’s [[WalkingTheEarth extensive travels]] and [[ScarilyCompetentTracker superior tracking abilities]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Legolas]]
Legolas is the son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood, and is sent by his father to Rivendell to deliver news of Gollum's escape. There he becomes one of the Nine Walkers of the Fellowship. Compared to the rest of the Fellowship, he is rather lighthearted as is shown by his dialogue. He and Gimli do not get along well due to the longstanding animosity between dwarves and elves, but before the War of the Ring is over, they have become friends. After the breakup of the Fellowship, Legolas is warned by Galadriel that if he hears the cry of a gull, he will be drawn to the sea. True to Galadriel's prediction, he hears the cry of a gull and becomes overwhelmed with a desire to sail West. It is not until many years after the War of the Ring ends, however, that Legolas builds a ship and sails to Valinor.
----
* ArcherArchetype: He uses a bow almost exclusively -- the only other weapon he ever carries is a knife. Like most Elves he's elegant and graceful with his chosen weapon. He also comes across as somewhat haughty.
* BashBrothers: with Gimli.
* BodyCountCompetition: UrExample, with Gimli.
* BowAndSwordInAccord: He has both a bow and a long knife for combat, although he prefers the bow.
* DeadpanSnarker: In the books, as [[CaptainObvious opposed to the films]]. "Obviously, the hobbit grew wings and flew away to escape the orcs. All we need to do is grow wings ourselves!"
* ElvesVsDwarves: To start with, but subverted as he and Gimli become close friends.
* TheEmpath: Sort of. Not for people, but for plants and animals and the land in general. He can hear the "thoughts" of stones and trees and grass. He can talk to horses and can understand how they feel from their neighs. And a few days in to the chase in Rohan when Aragorn comments that it is almost as though there is some power working against them in the land, Legolas tells him that there is in fact, and he noticed it the very moment they set foot on the plains.
* ExposedToTheElements: The Fellowship has been crossing miles of wild terrain, as well as climbing a mountain, and instead of wearing boots like a normal person Legolas only has light shoes, and is just fine. And that snow storm that nearly killed everyone else? It "troubled him little".
* FriendToAllLivingThings: Apparently elves in general are this, provided that animal itself is good. (Wood-elves, anyway. High Elves like Glorfindel apparently use saddles.)
--> "A smaller and lighter horse, but restive and fiery, was brought to Legolas. Arod was his name. But Legolas asked them to take off saddle and rein. 'I need them not,' he said, and he leaped lightly up, and to their wonder Arod was tame and willing beneath him, moving here and there with but a spoken word: such was the elvish way with all good beasts."
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Gimli.
* IncorruptiblePurePureness: Implied. When Galadriel is testing the fellowship, only Legolas and Aragorn could look her in the eye for long.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a Elven hooded cloak given by the Lady Galadriel. Though it's not said if he had his own cloak before this, like the others.
* KnifeNut: When he runs out of arrows, e.g. at Amon Hen.
* NatureLover: When the Three Hunters come down from the rocky and barren Emyn Muil and step onto the plains of Rohan:
--> "Legolas took a deep breath, like one that drinks a great draught after long thirst in barren places. 'Ah! the green smell!' he said. 'It is better than much sleep. Let us run!'"
* OddFriendship: With Gimli, which probably weirds out both their fathers and countrymen.
* OhCrap: He ''completely'' loses it when he sees the Balrog. Made all the more powerful by the fact that this is the only point of the series where he's afraid, and he is full on terrified.
--> "Ai, Ai! A Balrog is come!"
* OlderThanTheyLook: Calls Aragorn and Gimli, both of particularly long-lived races, "children." His exact age is never given, but it's more than 500.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: The aforementioned OhCrap. Legolas even laughed off an angry, sentient mountain trying to bury them in an avalanche, but not this. (And for good reason: Balrogs are well-known {{Hero Killer}}s. Even those who defeat them always end up mortally injured.)
* OutOfFocus: This tends to happen to him most among the Fellowship, especially during the first part of their journey. From the time they see crows in Hollin until the end of the storm on Caradhras he is not mentioned once. Partly justified as Legolas walked behind everyone else as the rearguard, so Frodo, the viewpoint character, would be much less likely to notice what he's doing.
* PrettyBoy: "Legolas was fair of face beyond the measure of Men."
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething[=/=]WarriorPrince: He's the prince of Mirkwood.
%%* TheSmartGuy
* SuperSenses: This is common with elves. They have better sight and possibly hearing than mortals. Legolas can see much farther than anyone else in the fellowship. He can also hear the thoughts of trees and grass and stones... possibly. It might be figurative.
--> "But the Elves of this land were of a race strange to us of the silvan folk, and the trees and the grass do not now remember them. Only I hear the stones lament them: ''deep they delved us, fair they wrought us, high they builded us, but they are gone.'' They are gone."
** He can also walk on top of snow drifts leaving hardly an imprint in the snow, and walk on grass without bending the blades.
* VitriolicBestBuds: With Gimli. The fact that Legolas's father kept Gimli's father captive in ''The Hobbit'' doesn't help.
* WeaponOfChoice: Bow and long knife.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Gimli]]
The token dwarf. Gimli son of Glóin attends the council at Rivendell and is chosen as the representative for his race within the Fellowship. After that he primarily runs around as a BoisterousBruiser, forming an OddFriendship with Legolas. Legolas even took him with him across the sea to Eressëa near the end of his life, making Gimli the only Dwarf to dwell in that land.
----
* AlliterativeFamily: Gimli son of Glóin son of Gróin.
* AnAxeToGrind: His weapon of choice is a battle-axe he inherited from his father.
* BadassBeard: Like all dwarves, even the female ones.
* BashBrothers: with Legolas, once they get past the [[ElvesVsDwarves dwarf-elf rivalry]].
* BerserkButton: Insults to Lady Galadriel.
* BigDamnHeroes: When Éomer is tripped up and ambushed in Helm's Deep, Gimli appears out of nowhere to chop up his attackers.
* TheBigGuy: Despite being a dwarf. He's a very strong fighter with great endurance and a powerful weapon.
* BodyCountCompetition: UrExample, with Legolas.
* DeadpanSnarker : Has his moments.
-->"Well, (the horses) are gone," said Aragorn at last. "We cannot find them or catch them; so that if they do not return of their own will, we must do without. We started on our feet and we have those still.
-->"Feet!" said Gimli. "But we cannot eat them as well as walk on them." He there some fuel onto the fire and slumped down beside it.
-->"Only a few hours ago you were unwilling to sit on a horse of Rohan," Legolas laughed."You will make a rider yet."
-->"It seems unlikely I shall have the chance," said Gimli.
* OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame: Gimli is the TropeCodifier. Dwarfs in older myths were not too different from TheFairFolk. Tolkien's dwarves in ''Literature/TheHobbit'' established that his 'dwarves' were prosaic folk, with a tendency toward {{Greed}} but a strong sense of personal loyalty and family honor: it also established their ancient hatred of goblins/orcs. Gimli's characterization expanded on the fixtures of the trope: the dwarves' ProudWarriorRaceGuy code, their tendency to go armed and armored in ''all'' situations, their preference for axes, and a personality that's gruff and often ComicallySerious.
* DuelToTheDeath: When Éomer speaks ill of 'the Sorceress of the Golden Wood,' Gimli immediately challenges Eomer to such a duel. Events call for a postponement. The honorable Éomer’s the one who reminds Gimli of this appointment after they've triumphed, but Gimli decides to call it off.
* TheDulcineaEffect: Galadriel has this impact on him, despite her being a completely different species. He has ''strong'' words with anyone who repeats the usual rumors of how dangerous and witchlike the Lady of Lorien is.
* FireForgedFriends: Gets along much better with Éomer after they've fought alongside each other in Helm's Deep.
* ElvesVsDwarves: Initially, but subverted when he becomes friendly with Legolas and admires Galadriel's beauty.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Legolas, as they travel Middle Earth together after Aragorn becomes king. Gimli even accompanies Legolas to the Isles of the Blessed.
* HiddenDepths: Though he often behaves in a fashion typical of dwarfs (that is to say, boisterous and standoffish), he frequently surprises others - especially elves - with his silver tongue and reverence for natural beauty. He does it often enough to qualify as a RunningGag, but the very best examples are with Éomer and Galadriel.
* HypocriticalHumor: Gimli proudly declares that dwarves like him can out-endure the other races. After that day's trek, Boromir jests that they're all ready to drop except "our sturdy dwarf", who is nodding where he sits.
* ImplacableMan: Although it turns out that Gimli ''still'' has enough energy to battle the ambushing Uruk-Hai and follow Aragorn for four days in the hopes of rescuing or avenging Merry and Pippin.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears a traveler's hooded cloak just like the Dwarves in ''The Hobbit''. Later, it's replaced by one of Elven make.
* JumpedAtTheCall: He wanted to join the original Quest for Erebor from The Hobbit, but at "only" 62, was thought to be too young.
* LadyAndKnight: He essentially becomes Galadriel's knight, since she gives him a type of favour in the shape of three of her hairs, he's ready to defend her honour, and he nearly fights a duel with Éomer when he insults her.
* OddFriendship: With Legolas. Considering what went on between their fathers in ''The Hobbit'', one wonders how Glóin's going to feel about this.
* OhCrap: Unlike his companions (except perhaps Gandalf), Gimli knows the history of Moria. He's appalled when he learns "Durin's Bane" is approaching.
* PintSizedPowerhouse: Dwarves are very strong for their size.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Marginally: Gimli is a cousin of Dáin II, King of Durin's Folk and King Under the Mountain, but he's not the heir to that title.
* VitriolicBestBuds: With Legolas.
* WarriorPoet: Especially when he's describing the Glittering Caves beneath Helm's Deep, or the beauty of Galadriel. When the Fellowship leaves Lothlórien to continue its quest, he is heartbroken:
--> "Torment in the dark was the danger that I feared, and it did not hold me back. But I would have never come, had I known the danger of light and joy."
* WeaponOfChoice: Axe. [[CrazyPrepared Several of them.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Boromir]]
The favorite son and heir of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor. Boromir is a mighty warrior of his people and their champion, more focused on feats of arms than his wiser and more bookish brother Faramir.
----
* AncestralWeapon: Rather, item - as Heir of the Steward, he carries the Horn of Gondor at all times. [[spoiler:Becomes a TragicKeepsake for his father after he dies.]]
* AnnoyingArrows: [[spoiler:Subverted. It takes a hell of a lot, but they do eventually kill him.]]
* AntiHero: The reason he tries to claim the One Ring is to bring glory to Gondor.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Loves his younger brother deeply, and tries to protect him from the harsh treatment of their father.
* TheBigGuy: He's tall and broad enough to serve as a human snowplow when trying to cross Caradhas. Stated as the physically strongest member of the Felloswhip.
* BlueBlood: The Stewards have always been very powerful Blue Bloods in Gondor (which is why they managed to keep the title in the family at all, until it eventually became hereditary), without ever being "royalty".
* BoisterousBruiser: As most Gondorian men, he was quite fond of battle and boisterous about it.
* BrokenAce: He was a proud, gallant warrior but the pressure put on him as the Steward's heir to protect his people and his despair of winning without using the power of the Ring eroded his common sense. This made him a perfect target for the One Ring.
* TheChosenWannabe: He wants to use the ring to save Gondor. The ring plays on these feelings until he finally assaults Frodo to take the ring.
* TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong:
** He tends to raise objections, suggest alternate (and infeasible) plans, raise issues and generally grumble. [[SourSupporter He's brave and reliable, but he's not cheerful about it.]]
** When he is right though (regarding firewood in the mountains), he probably saves the Fellowship's lives.
* TheDeterminator: You could pretty much rename this trope 'The Boromir' and it would still be accurate.
* DyingAsYourself: [[spoiler:As soon as Frodo flees and takes the Ring with him, its effect on him wears off and he instantly repents his attempt to steal it. His HeroicSacrifice trying to save Merry and Pippin is his atonement.]]
* DyingMomentOfAwesome: [[spoiler:Slays dozens of orcs defending Merry and Pippin until he is riddled by arrows.]]
* FallenHero: He was a valiant warrior trying to save his country, his people's champion, but he couldn't resist the temptation of the Ring.
* FamilyThemeNaming: Boromir and Faramir.
* {{Foil}}: To Faramir, who's less militaristic and more studious. Also, Faramir is able to resist temptation.
* GlorySeeker: Unlike Faramir. Boromir loves Gondor and wants to save it for its own sake, but he also wants the renown of being its savior.
* GoOutWithASmile: After Aragorn promises to take up the defense of Gondor in his stead, Boromir smiles and passes.
* HalfHumanHybrid: Several (dozen) generations removed. He and Faramir (as well as their maternal uncle, Prince Imrahil) actually are descended from elf maiden Mithrellas, the legendary handmaiden of Nimrodel who married a Prince of Dol Amroth. May explain why many characters think they appear noble and regal like the ancient Dúnadan kings.
* HonorBeforeReason: A twisted variation of it. What dooms Boromir in the end is his honorbound oath to protect Gondor, which the Ring uses to twist his mind until he tries to claim the Ring for itself.
* InTheHood: Like most of the Fellowship, he wears an Elven hooded cloak given by the Lady Galadriel.
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:He is only member of the Fellowship that doesn't have a fake death, nor does he come back to life. He's the only one that dies permanently.]]
* TheLancer: He never tries to assert leadership, but he regularly suggests alternate courses of action - usually good, solid advice, but clearly centered on his own concern: saving Gondor.
* LargeAndInCharge: Tall and broad-shouldered: he often led the forces of Gondor in battle, and was slated to replace his father as Steward eventually.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler: After realizing what was doing after trying to take the Ring from Frodo.]]
* ManlyTears: [[spoiler: As he lays dying, in remorse for attacking Frodo and then being unable to prevent Merry and Pippin's capture.]]
* MeaningfulName: His name means "faithful jewel" from Sindarin "bôr" and Quenya "mírë".
* {{Pride}}: One of his defining trait. [[spoiler:and one which leads to his downfall]].
* TheProudElite: The Steward's heir, tall, fit, good-looking, his people's champion: men used to say he was the best in Gondor, and [[{{Pride}} he agreed]].
* PsychicDreamsForEveryone: His brother had a lot of those, and Boromir at least one: it drove him to seek Rivendell and the counsel of Elrond.
* RavenHairIvorySkin: A Númenórean trait. Both he and his brother are said to be attractive.
* RedemptionEqualsDeath: [[spoiler:See DyingAsYourself. He atoned for his attack on Frodo by sacrificing himself trying to safe the other Hobbits.]]
* RedOniBlueOni: The Red to Faramir's Blue. He was the vivacious charismatic warrior while Faramir was the more reserved intellectual.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Ruling Stewards' firstborns, rather.
* SanitySlippage: Happens gradually as his desire for the Ring slowly drives him mad until he finally snaps and attacks Frodo. [[spoiler:He gets better though, for a short time.]]
* SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan: Boromir is a warrior born, strong, proud, and a favorite of the {{Proud Warrior Race Guy}}s of Rohan. This is in contrast to his equally brave, but more thoughtful and less prideful brother.
* SenselessSacrifice: [[spoiler:Tried to pulled off a HeroicSacrifice to atone for trying to steal the One Ring, but it ended up being a SenselessSacrifice to his despair, as he couldn't stop Merry and Pippin from being captured in the end]]. [[spoiler: [[RedemptionEqualsDeath Pretty much everyone still gives him credit for trying, though.]]]]
* ShoutOut: His great horn and some aspects of his character is a homage to the medieval French epic ''Literature/TheSongOfRoland'', where the paladin Roland, nephew of Charlemagne, bears the horn Olifant. [[spoiler:Like Boromir, Roland blows his horn to summon help when surrounded by enemies, but still dies. Roland's fatal flaw is also pride, as he refused to sound his horn earlier thinking that he could defeat his foes by his own power. Boromir is convinced of his and Gondor's ability to defeat Sauron on their own if the Ring was allowed to be used.]]
* SiblingYinYang: He's the opposite of his brother Faramir, though that doesn't spoil their close friendship.
* TallDarkAndHandsome: Both he and his brother.
* TheThreeFacesOfAdam: The Hunter in the Steward family (Denethor and his sons). He used to dream of being King despite it not being an option. Now he is trying to find his place in the world and is ready to take risks to further his goals.
* TragicHero: He is desperate to save his homeland, but cannot see how it can be done. The One Ring seems to present a way to do it.
* WarriorPrince: Unlike his brother he's particularly enamoured of the warrior ethos and the "glory" of warfare, as he sees it. The Rohirrim, who knew him well, thought he was more like themselves than a man of Gondor.
* WeaponOfChoice: Sword and shield.
[[/folder]]
