Dynamics of Frodo, Sam, Gollum, and the Ring

In the Thursday discussion, we talked a lot about the dynamics between Frodo, Sam, Gollum, and the Ring.  Frodo's possession of the Ring causes him to sympathize with Gollum and be kinder to him, because he knows what he suffered as a Ring-Bearer.  Sam's eyes are more opened to the treachery of Gollum's character, so he treats him more harshly.  Sam is also focused on protecting Frodo, so he is inclined to distrust a deceptive being like Gollum.  Frodo's knowledge of the Ring is what gives him the idea of making Gollum swear by it as their guide.  He knows that it is as treacherous as Gollum, but that it will be a binding oath.  Sam and Frodo both pity Gollum for his wretchedness, but Sam is the only one that does not allow this pity to blind him.  Even when Sam becomes a Ring-Bearer himself, he does not sympathize with Gollum nearly as much as Frodo, probably because Gollum had just betrayed them to Shelob and almost gotten Frodo killed.  All of these various factors, coupled with the desperate importance of the Quest, allow the three of them to work together for a certain amount of time.  Gollum, even though he had his own treacherous plans, was just enough of a guide to allow Frodo and Sam success with the Quest.