34 Lord of the Rings Memes That Were Forged in the Fires of Mount Doom (December 19, 2024)

John Summers • Contributor

Dec 19, 2024 11:00 PM EST

When people talk about The Lord of the Rings, they often focus on Frodo, Gandalf, or Aragorn—but let me tell you, the real MVP of Middle-earth is Samwise Gamgee. No joke, Sam is the heart and soul of the entire story. He's loyal, brave, selfless, and, honestly, way tougher than anyone gives him credit for. I mean, this guy soloed Shelob while wielding Sting and the Phial of Galadriel. If that's not hero material, I don't know what is.

Sam's heroism isn't flashy—it's quiet, steady, and rooted in his love for his friends and his unshakable determination to do what's right. He's the kind of person you'd want by your side, no matter the challenge. I non-ironically try to channel my inner Sam in my everyday life. Whether it's supporting my friends and family or just staying grounded when life gets hard, I ask myself, "What would Samwise do?"