by Jay Carmody
Since J.R.R. Tolkien first published The Lord of the Rings trilogy nearly 70 years ago, authors and fans have published a wealth of articles exploring Tolkien’s characters and universe. One topic worth revisiting for military leaders is the importance of friendship, which pervades all three books. In his article, Get To Know Each Other: The Art and Power of Friendship, Caleb Miller invites us to build connections as a key component of the “People First” strategy. Learning how friendship changed the fate of three hobbits – Smeagol, Bilbo, and Frodo – forces leaders to ask if their own circle of friends is enabling, apathetic toward, or helping destroy their vices and lead lives of virtue.
For military leaders, developing and maintaining virtue is at the forefront of the profession. “The Army Ethic” white paper helps inform Army professionals on which set of values they should embody, but merely learning which values one should embody is not enough. It takes individual fortitude to live lives of virtue, based on values, every day.
In both personal and professional life, leaders are confronted with temptation. Whether it is losing your temper on a subordinate or letting someone else take the blame for your mistake, opportunities to violate The Army Ethic abound. Similarly, in Tolkien’s universe, the ring of power, which represents sin and corruption, is strong enough to tempt almost any creature away from virtue. All three hobbits – Smeagol, Bilbo, and Frodo – share a common background and, likely, a similar set of values. Yet, their individual virtue, buttressed or weakened by their friends, differed greatly. Consequently, their resilience against temptation and their strength to embody virtue differed.
The Hobbits
When Smeagol, who Gandalf describes as being “of hobbit-kind,” takes possession of the ring, his first act is to kill his friend Deagol to maintain possession of the ring. Smeagol continues to utilize the ring to commit theft and murder. His self-isolation from society begins before his banishment, and, without the support of friends, he quickly succumbs to the ring’s power. This leads to his eventual exclusion from society and, finally, total seclusion in a mountain. As Smeagol covets the ring in isolation, no family, friends, or companions can help him return to a virtuous life.
Generations later, Bilbo Baggins encounters Smeagol, now known as Gollum, in the caves of the Misty Mountains and gains possession of the ring. Over the next 60 years, he keeps it while sustaining strong friendships, most especially with his nephew, Frodo. These bonds help stave off the corrupting power of the ring, but even Bilbo would have succumbed eventually since he had no desire to destroy it. He was happy to let the ring’s power fester, as it didn’t appear to cause any harm. Only when it came time to part with the ring in The Fellowship of the Ring, does Bilbo admit, “Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, like butter that has been scraped over too much bread. That can’t be right.” The corruption of the ring was taking hold. Fortunately, due to the wise advice of his wizard friend, Gandalf, Bilbo parts with the ring and rids himself of its corrupting influence.
The final hobbit is Frodo, who must undergo a treacherous journey to Mount Doom to destroy the ring. Yet, unlike Gollum, Frodo does not journey alone. Friends with deep-rooted moral character accompany him to Mordor. As the journey grows darker and more treacherous, Frodo’s temptation to keep and use the ring grows. He succeeds in reaching Mount Doom only because his virtuous and devoted friend, Samwise Gamgee, literally carries him the last steps. During the final hour of reckoning in Mount Doom, Frodo claims the ring, succumbing to its influence. Even then, his steadfast friend, Sam, stands by to try to change Frodo’s mind and convince him to destroy the ring. The ring is only destroyed when Frodo encounters Gollum in a final struggle. After the ring’s destruction, Sam forgives Frodo and helps him to safety, and both Hobbits are able to return home.
What Can Smeagol, Bilbo, and Frodo Teach Us About Friendship?
First, we must choose friends who exercise virtue, especially in the areas where we may lack. Smeagol’s relationship reminds us of this truth—that we must surround ourselves with virtuous friends. When Deagol finds the ring, the two begin to bicker immediately, arguing over who should own it. Eventually, the argument ends in murder when Smeagol strangles Deagol. Smeagol’s friendship with Deagol leads to his demise.
When Bilbo finds the ring, he confides in Gandalf, who has the foresight to avoid touching it and eventually encourages Bilbo to relinquish possession of it.
Best of all is Frodo’s confidant Sam, who, in Tolkien’s series, is the epitome of friendship and loyalty. Sam never tries to possess the ring for himself or use it for his own benefit. When he has a chance to take the ring, after Frodo is kidnapped in the Tower of Cirith Ungol, Sam returns it to Frodo at the first opportunity. Additionally, Sam does not abandon Frodo when Frodo succumbs to vice but helps him recover, destroy the ring, and return to a happy life. Smeagol, Bilbo, and Frodo’s selection of friends leads to their own downfall or redemption.
Second, we become the people we are surrounded by. Smeagol becomes a wretch through centuries of isolation. Without anyone to admire, confide in, or emulate, his selfishness drives him to madness. In contrast, Bilbo’s acts of valor in The Hobbit are supported by his brave dwarven friends, and he only receives the strength to leave the ring to Frodo through his association with Gandalf. Frodo begins the trilogy as a regular hobbit with an affinity for adventure but ends as the hero of Middle Earth. How does he do this? He emulates the virtue that surrounds him. The loyalty of Sam, the wisdom of Gandalf, and the bravery of Aragorn all provide Frodo with the role models he needs. By surrounding himself with friends of virtue, he becomes more virtuous.
Finally, our friends must help us destroy what is worst in us, our vices. Smeagol and his friend, Deagol, each only desire the power of the ring for themselves. Deagol’s friendship with Smeagol enables vice—their friendship fails to move one another toward virtue. Bilbo’s friendships are largely apathetic. Bilbo’s dwarf and hobbit friends do not know about the ring, and those who do don’t understand why it’s a problem. Even Gandalf discovers the corrupting influence of the ring in time to save Bilbo from its power, but while Bilbo has possession of it, Gandalf does not probe deep enough to realize the ring itself must be destroyed. These friendships signify apathy toward Bilbo’s burden, neither harming him nor helping him destroy it. Only Frodo is surrounded by friends who actively lead him toward virtue. They help him destroy the worst part of himself, and of Middle Earth, by taking him down the treacherous road to Mordor. Friends like these make us better, often despite our own efforts.
Throughout his journey to Mordor, Frodo attempts to leave his companions and journey alone. Fortunately, Frodo’s friends understand that no one person can shoulder the weight he bears. His companions support Frodo’s journey physically, emotionally, and spiritually as he travels to what seems to be his inevitable demise on Mount Doom. In the end, through the power of friendship, Frodo’s journey to Mount Doom signals the beginning of a new life for him and all of Middle Earth.
The Bottom Line
To be a leader of character involves becoming the most virtuous version of yourself. By learning from these three hobbits, Smeagol, Bilbo, and Frodo, we can surround ourselves with friends of virtue that help us destroy our worst parts and develop what is best in all of us.
Captain Jay Carmody is the commander of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 19th Engineer Battalion at Fort Knox, KY. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Syracuse University and an MBA from the University of Maryland, Global Campus. He has published in From The Green Notebook, The Military Engineer, and Army Engineer magazines.
DOD disclaimer: “The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD.”
