Frodo and Sam: Friends or Master Servent Realtionship

[sun-star]

Originally posted by Hasty Ent
When I think of Frodo's and Sam's relationship, I think of World War I, and the officers who went to war accompanied by a servant from their household. The world changed irrevocably with this war, and one of the casualties was a deeply divided class system. The officers found new respect for the servants who fought with them. When they returned to their estates, the officers/heirs had a hard time going back to treating these servants/soldiers the way they used to.

Frodo and Sam were soldiers, they experienced combat and hardship together. This created a bond that they shared with no one else. Frodo was Sam's 'officer' -- he cared deeply for Sam's welfare, and Sam would die to save Frodo's.

I agree with this, especially since Tolkien would most likely have witnessed such relationships in WW1. I also think that going through such a terrible experience made them more than master/servant (although such relationships have sometimes historically been very close - the servant is the perfect person to confide in, because he can't judge you and you can sack him if he tells your secrets ) but that Sam's respect of and love for Frodo made him want to maintain his role as servant.