Gollum (Sméagol) Character Analysis in The Two Towers

Gollum is a thin, hobbit-like creature who’s obsessed with the Ring, which he carried for many years while living on an underground lake. During the events of The Hobbit, the Ring abandoned Gollum and was picked up by Bilbo Baggins, who passed it on to Frodo. In the following years, Gollum was captured by Sauron and tortured for information about the Ring, and then released in the hopes that he might find it and bring it to Mordor. Gollum, compelled by his desire for the Ring, follows Frodo and Sam as they travel toward Mordor and eventually swears on the Ring to guide them to the Black Gate. The dreams the Ring tempts Gollum with are uncomplicated: he longs to be powerful enough that no one can take the Ring from him and have plenty of fish to eat. Gollum’s years with the Ring warped both his body and mind, giving him two distinct personalities: the conniving Gollum who would do anything to reclaim the Ring, and the cringing, fawning Sméagol who wants to be loyal to Frodo. Gollum acts more like Sméagol around Frodo, who shows him kindness and shares some kinship with him as a bearer of the Ring. Though Frodo believes Gollum can be saved, ultimately the Ring’s temptation is too strong, and Gollum wins the argument with Sméagol. Gollum leads Sam and Frodo into Shelob’s lair and offers them up as a meal, planning to take the Ring from Frodo once he’s dead.

Gollum (Sméagol) Quotes in The Two Towers

The The Two Towers quotes below are all either spoken by Gollum (Sméagol) or refer to Gollum (Sméagol). For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

I do not feel any pity for Gollum. He deserves death.

Deserves death! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give that to them? Then be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends.

‘Very well,’ he answered aloud, lowering his sword. ‘But still I am afraid. And yet, as you see, I will not touch the creature. For now that I see him, I do pity him.”

Related Characters: Frodo Baggins (speaker), Gandalf (speaker), Gollum (Sméagol), Samwise “Sam” Gamgee

Related Symbols: The Ring

Page Number and Citation: 246

Explanation and Analysis:

‘No, no! Not that way!’ wailed Sméagol.

‘Yes! We wants it! We wants it!’

Each time that the second thought spoke, Gollum’s long hand crept out slowly, pawing towards Frodo, and then was drawn back with a jerk as Sméagol spoke again. Finally both arms, with long fingers flexed and twitching, clawed towards his neck.

Related Characters: Gollum (Sméagol) (speaker), Samwise “Sam” Gamgee, Sauron, Frodo Baggins

Related Symbols: The Ring

Page Number and Citation: 268

Explanation and Analysis:

‘It was an evil fate. But he had taken it on himself in his own sitting-room in the far-off spring of another year, so remote now that it was like a chapter in a story of the world’s youth, when the Trees of Silver and Gold were still in bloom. This was an evil choice. Which way should he choose? And if both led to terror and death, what good lay in choice?’

Related Characters: Frodo Baggins (speaker), Gollum (Sméagol), Samwise “Sam” Gamgee

Related Symbols: The Ring

Page Number and Citation: 281

Explanation and Analysis:

Gollum disappeared. He was away some time, and Frodo after a few mouthfuls of lembas settled deep into the brown fern and went to sleep. Sam looked at him. […] Frodo’s face was peaceful, the marks of fear and care had left it; but it looked old, old and beautiful, as if the chiseling of the shaping years was now revealed in many fine lines that had before been hidden, though the identity of the face was not changed. Not that Sam Gamgee put it that way to himself. He shook his head, as if finding words useless, and murmured: ‘I love him.’

Related Characters: Samwise “Sam” Gamgee (speaker), Gollum (Sméagol), Frodo Baggins

Page Number and Citation: 291

Explanation and Analysis:

Gollum (Sméagol) Character Timeline in The Two Towers

The timeline below shows where the character Gollum (Sméagol) appears in The Two Towers. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...looking for the Ring and wonders if he can use Grishnákh’s desire to escape. Impersonating Gollum, Pippin tells Grishnákh that “It” isn’t easy to find, and then adds “my precious.” Pippin... (full context)

In the morning, after they’ve rested, Sam asks Frodo if he’s seen Gollum, who’s been following them. Frodo hasn’t seen him for two nights, and Sam hopes they’ve... (full context)

As they continue down Emyn Muil, Sam hopes that they’ve confused Gollum enough by disappearing down the cliff that he won’t be able to find them again.... (full context)

Gollum mutters to himself that he hates the hobbits and is looking for his “Precious” Ring.... (full context)

Sam suggests they tie Gollum up, but that would mean leaving him to die. Frodo remembers the conversation he once... (full context)

The hobbits rest, but only pretend to sleep, on guard for what Gollum might do. Gollum attempts to bolt as soon as he thinks they’re asleep, but Sam... (full context)

They remove the rope after Gollum swears, and a change comes over him. He speaks directly to the hobbits rather than... (full context)

As Gollum leads Sam and Frodo to a narrow gully that heads towards the marshes, he sings... (full context)

Near sunrise, Gollum leads them to a hiding place in the gully to hide from orcs during the... (full context)

When they wake, Gollum is gone, and Sam feels a little bad for assuming Gollum would try to hurt... (full context)

Gollum, covered in mud and chewing on something, returns to lead them on down the gully,... (full context)

In the dark, the hobbits keep close to Gollum, and Sam begins to see wisps of light over the marshes. Finally, after the lights... (full context)

Gollum explains that there was once a great battle on the Dead Marshes. Sam argues that... (full context)

Late that night, they come to the end of the marshes and reach solid ground. Gollum urges them to press on to keep Frodo away from the lights, and smells something... (full context)

Sam notices another change in Gollum—he’s still fawning, but he returns to his old speech patterns and looks strangely at Frodo.... (full context)

...they press on towards the mountains through the stinking air. On their fifth morning with Gollum, they reach the hills at the foot of the mountains of Mordor, where nothing lives... (full context)

...the hobbits taking turns watching and sleeping. Sam wakes up to find Frodo asleep and Gollum having a conversation with himself, arguing in two voices. One side of him, called Sméagol,... (full context)

Sméagol’s primary argument against Gollum is that he promised to be good to Frodo, who is... (full context)

Sméagol whines that there are two hobbits, so if he tries to take the Ring, they’ll... (full context)

Sam, secretly watching, realizes that Gollum’s desire isn’t as simple as ordinary hunger. He doesn’t want to eat them, as Sam... (full context)

Frodo wakes up refreshed by pleasant dreams, and Gollum greets him with “doglike delight.” Frodo promises that if Gollum takes them to the Black... (full context)

Gollum says he knew that they couldn’t get in through the gate but brought them there... (full context)

...his forces. Suddenly aware of how dangerous the Gate is, Frodo agrees to hear about Gollum’s alternative path into Mordor. He says that Gollum has served him well the two previous... (full context)

However, Frodo warns Gollum not to let his desire for the Ring get him in trouble. As a last... (full context)

Gollum, terrified by Frodo’s threat, begins mumbling and groveling out an explanation of the alternative path... (full context)

Gollum explains that Sauron won’t expect them to pass by the Moontower because he’s conquered that... (full context)

Sam and Frodo are suspicious of how easy the path sounds. Gollum claims to have discovered it when he escaped from Mordor, and Frodo asks if he... (full context)

After prompting from Frodo, Gollum also admits that the path he’s taking them to, Cirith Ungol, might be guarded, since... (full context)

...then speeding back to Mordor. As Frodo stands, he notices more men entering Mordor nearby. Gollum crawls up to look. Sam asks if there were “oliphaunts” and recites an old Shire... (full context)

They rest until dark, only drinking a little of their water, and Gollum tells them there is drinkable water ahead in streams running down from the Great River.... (full context)

...and plentiful. The smell of the herbs in the air calms the hobbits and makes Gollum retch. At the ruins of an ancient stone basin, they wash and drink water, then... (full context)

...deciding that they should save the lembas for when they’re in real need, and asks Gollum if he can find food fit for a hobbit. Gollum replies that he always helps... (full context)

While Gollum is gone, Frodo eats some lembas and falls asleep in the ferns. Sam remembers how... (full context)

Gollum returns with two rabbits and Sam sends him to fetch water as he sets up... (full context)

...resting and for lighting a fire, but he’s hungry and glad for the food. Though Gollum is still gone, Sam warns Frodo not to let his guard down and doze off... (full context)

...Ithilien and asks where the third member of their company is. Frodo doesn’t know where Gollum has gone but asks Faramir to spare him if he finds him. (full context)

...to Sauron, but they refuse to let it happen without a fight. Sam wonders where Gollum is, then dozes off. At noon, he’s woken up by horns blowing and the noise... (full context)

Sam listens to the conversation but doesn’t participate, glad that they weren’t discussing Gollum and hopeful that they might leave him behind. Feeling as though he’s being watched, he... (full context)

...speak to his men. The men saw no orcs, but they did see a strange animal—Gollum. Faramir calls it a bad omen, and Sam keeps quiet, unsure if they can trust... (full context)

...Frodo reveals that he never mentioned his other companion, who evaded capture by Faramir’s guards. Gollum has trespassed and, consequently, Faramir should kill him. Frodo answers that Gollum doesn’t know the... (full context)

As they watch, Gollum swims out of the water and begins chewing on a silver fish. Frodo tells Faramir... (full context)

Frodo creeps down carefully towards Gollum, who talks to his fish about the Ring. As he goes, Frodo is disgusted and... (full context)

Frodo fears that, if Faramir ties Gollum up, Frodo’s efforts to bring Gollum inside will look to Gollum like treachery. Still, he... (full context)

Gollum is brought to speak to Faramir and begs to be released, whining that he’s “done... (full context)

...they and anyone under their protection will be protected by himself and Gondor. Frodo takes Gollum under his protection, which makes Sam sigh. Faramir tells Gollum that he is safe as... (full context)

Faramir tells Frodo that his intended path is unwise and that Gollum is wicked. He offers to give Gollum safe passage to the border of Gondor if... (full context)

...is gone. Faramir asks that Frodo at least remember his warnings and be wary of Gollum, who has certainly killed before. Faramir says he doesn’t think he’ll ever see Frodo again... (full context)

Faramir blindfolds Gollum as they leave but offers to let Sam and Frodo see the way out. Frodo... (full context)

As they travel on, Frodo cautions Gollum not to speak ill of Faramir and his men, who were merciful to him. They... (full context)

...that it’s only midday. There’s a throbbing in the air like thunder or drumming, and Gollum still hasn’t returned. (full context)

Sam tells Frodo that he can’t stand Gollum, who never did anything useful for them. Frodo reminds him of the Dead Marshes, but... (full context)

As Frodo sleeps restlessly, muttering about Gandalf, Gollum reappears, urging them on. He seems excited or afraid, and Sam is suspicious, asking why... (full context)

Impatient, Gollum pulls them onwards. Frodo is once again heavy-hearted under the weight of the Ring as... (full context)

The hobbits, following Gollum, are exhausted. When they can’t walk any more, Frodo sits on a stone and wonders... (full context)

The hobbits follow Gollum into a narrow opening of rock and series of steep staircases. Sam and Frodo feel... (full context)

Sam doesn’t like it when Gollum sneaks off, but Frodo doesn’t believe he’d betray them now, when he had so many... (full context)

Gollum returns to find the hobbits sleeping peacefully and looks suddenly tired, like an old hobbit,... (full context)

Frodo asks Gollum if he had a good rest, but Gollum calls himself a sneak, parroting Sam, and... (full context)

Gollum leads the way towards a looming wall and the hobbits follow side by side. Sam... (full context)

...hand in hand. They reach a fork in the tunnel and realize that they’ve lost Gollum. There’s no answer when Frodo calls for him, and Sam figures that he’s finally left... (full context)

...blocked, and they must take the right. Sam has a feeling that something worse than Gollum is looking at them. As they head down the righthand tunnel, a gurgling noise and... (full context)

...lashes his hand. Sam wishes Faramir’s curse (death if he doesn’t serve Frodo well) on Gollum. Frodo hands the phial to Sam and tries cutting the web himself. Sting has more... (full context)

...live there, but she was there eating men and elves before Sauron came. Years ago, Gollum found her there and worshipped her, promising to bring her food. She doesn’t care about... (full context)

On the road with Frodo, Gollum often considered bringing the hobbits to Shelob, letting her eat them, then picking through their... (full context)

As Sam yells to Frodo to look behind him, Gollum clamps a hand over Sam’s mouth and pulls him backwards off his feet, hissing “got... (full context)

When Sam raises his sword again, Gollum flees back towards the tunnel. Sam tries to pursue, forgetting everything but his rage, but... (full context)

...motivate himself to continue his journey by stoking his anger and thinking of vengeance on Gollum but decides that that wouldn’t be worth leaving Frodo. It wouldn’t bring him back. Sam... (full context)

...to be guarding the stairs, saw strange lights, as well as Shelob and her “sneak,” Gollum. Shagrat thought that Gollum, who is allowed to pass through Cirith Ungol, was just bringing... (full context)

The Two Towers

Gollum (Sméagol) Character Analysis

Gollum (Sméagol) Quotes in The Two Towers

Book 4, Chapter 1 Quotes

Book 4, Chapter 2 Quotes

Book 4, Chapter 3 Quotes

Book 4, Chapter 4 Quotes

Gollum (Sméagol) Character Timeline in The Two Towers