Gollum is an iconic yet tragic character in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary Middle-earth saga. Originally known as Sméagol, he is utterly transformed after discovering the One Ring deep under the Misty Mountains. But what was Gollum like in the days before the Ring corrupted him?
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Before finding the One Ring, Gollum was a normal hobbit-like creature named Sméagol who lived happily with his friend Déagol. He was curious and skilled at fishing, rowing, and swimming.
However, once he murdered Déagol for the Ring, it began twisting him into the wretched, cave-dwelling Gollum.
Sméagol’s Origins and Early Life
Stoor Hobbit Ancestors
Before he became Gollum, Sméagol was a Stoor Hobbit, a branch of hobbits known for their distinct features and characteristics. Stoor hobbits were often described as being taller and having a more adventurous spirit compared to their other hobbit counterparts.
They were also known to have a fascination with water and lived near rivers and lakes. Sméagol’s Stoor heritage played a significant role in shaping his personality and physical attributes.
Birth and Upbringing in Gladden Fields
Sméagol was born and raised in the Gladden Fields, a region located near the banks of the river Anduin. This lush area was known for its abundant wildlife and natural beauty. Growing up in such a serene environment, Sméagol developed a love for nature and the outdoors.
He spent a great deal of his childhood exploring the meadows, forests, and caves of the Gladden Fields, honing his survival skills and nurturing his curiosity.
Skills and Interests
As a young hobbit, Sméagol displayed various skills and interests. He had a natural aptitude for fishing and was highly skilled at catching fish using his bare hands or improvised tools. His knowledge of the local flora and fauna was impressive, and he often used his expertise to forage for food and find hidden treasures.
Sméagol also had a talent for storytelling and would entertain his friends and family with his imaginative tales.
Friendship with Déagol
One of the most significant events in Sméagol’s early life was his friendship with Déagol, his cousin. The two shared many adventures together, exploring the Gladden Fields and embarking on daring escapades.
It was during one of these adventures that Déagol stumbled upon the One Ring while fishing in the river. This discovery would change the course of Sméagol’s life forever, leading him down a dark and treacherous path.
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How the Ring Corrupted Sméagol
Before finding the One Ring, Sméagol, later known as Gollum, was a completely different creature. He was a hobbit-like creature who lived a peaceful and uneventful life in the river valleys of the Misty Mountains.
However, everything changed when he stumbled upon the powerful and corrupting influence of the One Ring.
Discovery of the Ring
Sméagol’s life took a dark turn when he discovered the Ring during a fishing trip with his cousin, Déagol. The Ring, with its allure and power, quickly consumed Sméagol’s mind. He became obsessed with it, craving its possession and the power it promised.
The Ring had the ability to make its bearer invisible, which undoubtedly intrigued and entranced Sméagol.
Murder of Déagol
Driven by his newfound obsession, Sméagol’s desire for the Ring turned into a sinister and murderous intent. When Déagol refused to give up the Ring, Sméagol’s dark nature took over, and he killed his cousin in cold blood.
This act marked the beginning of his transformation into Gollum, a creature consumed by darkness and driven by an insatiable desire for the Ring.
Banished from Family
After the murder of Déagol, Sméagol’s family and community were horrified by his actions and the unfathomable evil that had taken hold of him. They rejected him, banishing him from their society and casting him out to live a life of isolation and loneliness.
This rejection further fueled Sméagol’s descent into darkness and madness.
Physical and Mental Decline
As the years went by, the corrupting influence of the Ring took its toll on Sméagol. His physical appearance changed drastically, his body becoming emaciated and twisted. He became hunched over, with pale skin and glowing eyes.
Mentally, he became obsessed with the Ring, referring to it as “my precious” and engaging in conversations with himself as if he was two separate beings.
The Ring had completely consumed Sméagol’s identity, turning him into Gollum, a tormented and wretched creature. He became a slave to the Ring’s power, willing to do anything to possess it again. Gollum’s transformation serves as a cautionary tale about the corrupting nature of power and the destructive effects it can have on even the most innocent of beings.
Transformation into Gollum
Gollum, originally known as Sméagol, underwent a profound transformation after coming into possession of the One Ring. This transformation was not only physical but also psychological, as the power and influence of the Ring consumed his very being.
Let’s delve into the details of Gollum’s transformation and the impact it had on his character and identity.
Exile Under the Mountains
After discovering the One Ring while fishing in the Misty Mountains, Sméagol’s life took a dark turn. The Ring’s corrupting influence began to take hold, leading to his exile from his community and the loss of his previous identity.
Forced to live in the darkness of the caves, he became a shadow of his former self.
Obsession with the Ring
As time went on, Gollum’s obsession with the Ring grew stronger. He became fixated on its power and desperate to possess it at all costs. The Ring became his sole focus, consuming his thoughts and driving him to commit unspeakable acts in order to keep it within his grasp.
His obsession transformed him into a creature consumed by greed and deceit.
Forgetting His True Name
Under the influence of the Ring, Gollum gradually forgot his original name, Sméagol. The Ring’s power eroded his sense of self, leaving behind only the twisted and corrupted creature known as Gollum. This forgetting of his true name symbolizes his complete transformation and loss of identity.
Remaining Traces of Sméagol
Despite his transformation into Gollum, some traces of Sméagol’s former self remained. In moments of vulnerability, Gollum would speak to himself in the first person as Sméagol, indicating a lingering connection to his previous identity.
These glimpses of his former self serve as a reminder of the tragedy and inner turmoil that Gollum experienced.
Conclusion
Long before becoming the worn-down creature Gollum, Sméagol lived a peaceful life as one of the River-folk. The chance discovery of the One Ring set in motion his tragic transformation. However, glimmers of his former self remained, surfacing when Frodo showed him mercy.
Sméagol’s origins reveal how even the most good-hearted soul can be corrupted by evil.
