Homosexual Themes in the Lord of the Rings

[Lomadia]

My Tolkien class was discussing this topic today, and I'm interested to hear your ideas:
Are Frodo and Sam in love with one another? Their relationship is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable in literature, but are there romantic undertones to their friendship? Below are a few commonly-referenced points regarding this issue:

Argument: Frodo and Sam are not homosexual
Evidence:
-Sam marries Rosie Cotton and appears to have a very happy marriage with her
-Tolkien was a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church, which opposes homosexuality (though not all its followers do)

Argument: Frodo and Sam are homosexual
Evidence:
-Numerous instances of physical signs of affection (eg- stroking hands/hair, sleeping in each others' arms)
-They demonstrate deep loyalty to one another, and often profess this loyalty in words reminiscent of marriage vows
-Frodo never marries
-Sam's "I love him" speech in 'Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit"

Which argument, if either, do you support? Why do you believe this?
Please feel free to rationally discuss your own beliefs on homosexuality, but let's keep our focus. Any posting of political attacks will not be allowed, and such posts will be deleted or modified to remove such material.

[mireandune]

For me, the deep and abiding love that Frodo and Sam share is one of the reasons that I love LotR. And I read it as a non-sexual, brotherly love....the kind of relationship that trancends the earthly shackles.

I imagine the sort of shared looks between the two....the unspoken knowledge that each holds of the other's innermost psyche. And that knowledge is to me so spiritual, to sully it with mere physicality diminishes it somehow.

Sam and Frodo's relationship is so deep and pure. True loyalty and friendship. True self-sacfifice to the bitter end. True selflessness. Yes, there's a certain amount of physicality. We all need the comfort of a warm hug when the going gets tough. But I do believe The Professor was trying to convey a friendship and loyalty that trancends the mere physical. And I think he portrayed it beautifully.

[Beren Erchamion]

Not homosexual at all. Their wonderful relationship is supposed to be, not only extremely deep and knowing as mireandune said, but of a real and pure innocence that is found in the Shire. So Sam and Frodo never would have been abashed at making affectionate contact; that's just part of a beautiful companionship.

[Gil-galen]

I have to basicly agree with the two above responses. I believe, within the context of who Tolkien was and the times he came from, that heterosexual is the likely answer. I've read in material from his bio, the letters, and such, that Tolkiens own friendships with men and then with his wife show two different but equally deep affections, not trying to overtly sexualize either type in his life is very important to factor in. I can't speak for other cultures but in the United States we have this tough guy, relationally and physically distant image that is promoted as what should be "normal" hetero male relations. Yes, I know the metro-sexual male and other more emotionally in touch variations are much more prominant but the "tradition" is still deeply implanted (we'll have to see what results from the "culture wars"). I think this says something sad about our modern western culture, especially in the United States (assuming most people on this site are from North America and Europe). We have some very unfortunate stereotypes on how heterosexual men should behave in their relationships with eachother. Anything that goes beyond what I described above as the "normal" is automaticly placed in the catagory of the efeminate. This wrongly leads to nessitating some kind of homosexual orientation, then being equated to sexual desire as the ultimate result (supposedly adding two and two together). I think this tends to be a very narrow minded view of heterosexual male relationships and I'm sure it is the source of much damage in our society as well as in individuals. I guess if I go for much longer this will become some sort of diatribe, in summary I think that it is a reinterpretation of the through modern western culture and society of the last 50 years that causes this question to be asked in the first place. While it may be "okay" to reinterpret to some degree, it is very important to not lose sight of the times that helped create this piece of literature and its author to truely begin to understand its meaning in context.

[Beren Erchamion]

Good post. Excuse me for saying so, but F my country's culture.

[Lomadia]

I definitely didn't mean to paint this issue as a simple one.... I truly apologize if I made it seem that way. I agree that it probably isn't best to approach this matter in terms of "gay" or "straight" or even in terms of sexuality at all. Let me try to explain my view as best I can.
To me, to be in love with someone is to single out that person as the one human being on earth whose every action matters to you simply because it originates with them, whose life path you want to share, for whose good you will do anything at all, and upon whom your existence seems to depend. Yes, it is a romantic interpretation of love, but the simple fact is that that is how I (and, whether they'll admit it or not, most people) define being in love.
In this sense, then, Frodo and Sam are in love. They are each other's soulmates, if you don't mind the cheapened term. I agree with you that their relationship is not a sexual one, but I also think that love and sexuality don't necessarily go hand in hand. When we think of the ideal romantic relationship, we think of two people who admire one another, who are loyal to one another, who profoundly understand one another, and who overcome obstacles together. Doesn't this perfectly describe Frodo and Sam's relationship? Isn't this why Tolkien tells us that after Rosie's death, Sam doesn't spend the rest of his days mourning his loss, but rather crosses the sea to rejoin Frodo, his life's companion, his "soul mate", his (as I see it) one real love?

[mireandune]

Oh, I completely agree that Frodo and Sam are soulmates. Who else could either know that would ever appreciate the struggles and suffering that they have endured together? And who else could know the depth of their commitment to the good of all...their willingness to sacrifice themselves at all costs?? I just can't help but feel that it's an easy answer to put a gay connotation to their relationship. I truly believe Tolkien was attempting to show a more spiritual love between these two. And we all know how much importance spirituality played in Tolkien's life.

[Beren Erchamion]

part of what he wanted to do was portray europe as it was before innocence and magic left the world. what more artful way to do so? this theme of soul-friendship fits so well, i would hardly imagine he was just trying to show some gay hobbits.