The truth comes to light. Honesty prevails. However, not every honest confession leads to absolution. The truth does set us free, in a sense that it takes the burden off our shoulders. But it also does not have to meet the understanding of others.
Smeágol`s confession
Faramir: “Where are you leading them? Answer me.”
Gollum: “Smeágol. Why does it cry, Sméagol?”
Sméagol: “Cruel Men hurts us. Master tricksed us.”
Gollum: “Of course he did. I told you he was tricksy. I told you he was false.”
Sméagol: “Master is our friend. Our friend.”
Gollum: “Master betrayed us.”
Sméagol: “No. Not its business. Leave us alone.”
Gollum: “Filthy little Hobbitses! They stole it from us!”
Sméagol: “No. No.”
Faramir: “What did they steal?”
Gollum: “My precious!”
Sméagol curls up into a ball against the cave wall, sobbing, crying in pain, turning his back to the Men that hurt him, protecting himself. Frodo`s betrayal triggers the reappearance of Gollum.
He starts up another dialogue between his two personas. He is vulnerable and in need of a true, loyal friend, even if it be his own twisted wretched self. But Gollum never let him down.
Sméagol tries to use the same arguments he already raised once to have Gollum leave. This time, however, these arguments cannot hold. Sméagol himself does not believe in them anymore. The situation has changed, and these points of argument are now moot. Without a leg to stand on, Sméagol is overrun by Gollum.
In his current pained, hurt and betrayed position, he is not able to hold onto anything positive about his relationship with Frodo. Sméagol`s last attempt is crushed by a simple question from Faramir.
The hate with which Gollum answers Faramir and the ensuing yell had been boiling inside him ever since he lost the Ring to Bilbo. It reveals Gollum`s wrath in a way we haven`t seen before. This is his true expression.
Faramir, on the other hand, remains bewildered all the while Sméagol and Gollum are conversing. He cannot fathom what this creature is and why he is acting in this peculiar manner.
However, Sméagol-Gollum conversation brings him to the true purpose of the little company of three. This information is more valuable to him than he thought would be when he first captured them.
Frodo`s confession
Sam: “You go. Go, now. You can do it. Use the Ring, Mr. Frodo. Just this once. Put it on. Disappear.”
Frodo: “I can`t. You were right, Sam. You tried to tell me but…I`m sorry. The Ring`s taking me, Sam. If I put it on he`ll find me. He`ll see.”
The tables have turned. Sam is willing Frodo to use the Ring in order to escape and go on by himself into the land of Mordor. He is not even counting himself into his company anymore, he only wants Frodo to save himself from possible hurt and pain these Men may inflict upon him. A noble deed to do.
Although, knowing Frodo, might not be able to finish his quest alone, Sam still wants him to flee this dire situation. He wants to protect him in any way possible, even if it means to suffer himself.
Here we see that Sam could not possibly understand what the Ring is doing to Frodo. Even though he kept Frodo from using it in dangerous situations before, this time the use of the Ring would be for self-protection, therefore, something positive. However, Sam cannot know that the Ring has but only one use. And if Frodo were to put it on now, as he himself says, Sauron would find him.
The fact that Frodo now confesses and apologizes to Sam, is a huge step towards a closer relationship with Sam. Frodo is still himself, wearing out slowly, but his character traits are still there. He is honest with his friend about the influence of the Ring. He is weakened, burdened, troubled.
Sam`s arguments about the influence of the Ring he voiced by the river, has now become an accepted truth. Frodo could not have known the extent of the power the Ring has on him, without an objective observer by his side.
Now that Frodo fears the Void and Sauron`s piercing Eye, he does not dare put the Ring on his finger. Even though he would never be able to catch himself in time to rid himself of the influence of the Ring, the fact that he now recognizes its power and is truly afraid of becoming a creature forever bound to it is a great step forward.
For even when he is driven to madness because of it, when snapping out of it, he still knows what needs to be done with the Ring. Frodo might swerve and even falter at times, but the right thing to do is still pushing him forward, still clearing his head enough to stand his weak ground and continue on his path.
Faramir`s confession
So, this is the answer to all the riddles. Here in the Wild I have you…two Halflings…and a host of men at my call. The Ring of Power within my grasp. A chance for Faramir, Captain of Gondor, to show his quality.
Faramir
The power of the Ring draws Faramir in as he mirrors it in the blade of his sword, but before it takes effect, Frodo hides it in his hand and seeks comfort in a small indentation in the stone wall. The Ring wants to go to Faramir but as soon as it started calling for him, Frodo`s pain and obsession drive him to protect the Ring from anyone else.
No!
Frodo
In this sequence there was a little snippet filmed whereby Frodo is cradling the Ring, lulling back and forth, with the characteristics of Gollum overtaking him.
The creative team went a bit further and made him up as Gollum, with a few hairs on his head, ruined skin, and teeth. However, for some reason, it did not make it into the final cut, but the scene as it is does the same without blatantly showing the audience the transition from Frodo into Gollum.
Sam`s confession
Stop it. Leave him alone. Don`t you understand? He`s got to destroy it! That`s where we`re going, into Mordor. To the Mountain of Fire! Please it`s such a burden. Will you not help him?
Sam
Sam, upon seeing his Mr. Frodo lulling back and forth against the stone wall, decides to tell it all. He wants to protect him, but he knows he is powerless against the power of Men. The only thing he can do, and the thing he does, it to rashly explain what their mission is.
He tries to make Faramir understand why he should leave Frodo alone. He divulges the effect the Ring has on its carrier and subsequently pleads Faramir for help.
The Ring will go to Gondor.
Faramir
Sam is at his wits` end. He has no strength to repel Faramir if he tries to overcome him, so the truth would have to be enough. Sadly, the Ring`s call to Faramir was strong enough for him to decide to take them both to Gondor. Firstly, he may yet get the respect he craves from his father.
And secondly, the call of the Ring cannot go unanswered in the midst of the troubles that have begun to spread across his land. Faramir might think of using the Ring to their advantage, as his brother did.
The Ring moves closer to Gondor, and into the possession of Men as Faramir takes Frodo, Sam, and Gollum to Osgiliath. The darkness is clouding over the last free land of Men. It moves in a more forceful and dangerous pace. The race of Men stands on the brink of extinction. But there is a light of hope, for the Ranger from the North has returned. Read on in my next post.
Featured photo by Ian Chen on Unsplash.
I always admire Faramir for his charakter – he could just take the ring for his own, and yet he decided to bring it to his father. Your posts are very interesting, keep working 🙂
Thank you 🙂