Ranking the Fellowship out of 10
Photo courtesy of New Line Cinema/Wikimedia Commons
In JRR Tolkien’s iconic Lord of the Rings (1954-1955) trilogy, readers are met with a core cast of nine characters known as the Fellowship of the Ring. Here, they will be evaluated out of 10, spoiler free. Everyone should read these famous books, and hopefully unfamiliar readers will connect with a character rated here!
Frodo: Frodo has, objectively, the biggest burden placed on his small Hobbit shoulders. The story is, at its center, Frodo’s story and Frodo’s quest. Despite having no prior experience with swords, monsters, or kings, he handles his great task steadfastly with grace, truly giving his everything for the world. Overall, he follows in the footsteps of his uncle Bilbo to prove that even a humble cottage-dweller can make a difference in the world. Rating: 8/10.
Sam: Frodo’s loyal gardener and companion has always been a fan favorite, and it's easy to see why. His presence throughout the series doesn't just bring comfort to Frodo—Sam lets every reader take a breath of fresh air. Sweet and incorruptible, it could be said that he steals the show away from the fighters and kings of the story, pulling the focus back to what those warriors actually fight for. Rating: 9/10.
Merry: Merry and Pippin tend to be grouped together, but Merry certainly deserves a distinction. While he and Pippin share a light-hearted mood and a commitment to staying young at heart, Merry shows himself as one of the bravest characters in the story, facing down incredible odds and fighting through his fear. Rating: 8/10.
Pippin: Pippin might have the most development of any character across their adventure. While he begins as an immature and mischievous young man, he is able to blossom into a real man with honor, while retaining his playful spirit. Rating: 7/10.
Gimli: Gimli the dwarf offers a grounded presence to offset the more mystical and mysterious members of the Fellowship. Even as he offers comedic relief, he adds much more through his honor, valor, and axe-swinging skills. Rating: 7/10.
Legolas: Legolas might be best known for his elvish good looks and beautiful hair, but underneath that lies real charm and power. His characterizing moments let readers see a bit of themselves in pure magic. His uncanny presence mixed with the grounded Gimli makes these two a perfect pair. Rating: 9/10.
Boromir: While Boromir is defined in many people’s minds by his worst moments, a deeper interpretation of his actions will reveal a desperate man motivated by the safety of his people. His presence, while sometimes brash, is the only reason for many of the Fellowship’s successes. Less objectively, he also happens to be my personal favorite, which may have inflated this score. Rating: 9/10.
Aragorn: The slow unfolding of Aragorn as a character is an arc that isn't fully resolved until the very end, but the journey to get there is one of the best in fiction. As the most classical hero of the group, it's a big shoe to fill, and he plays the role perfectly, showing readers what a good leader and a good man should look like. Rating: 9/10.
Gandalf: Gandalf is arguably the most iconic character in Tolkien’s universe. He was the blueprint for countless other long-haired, wild-bearded, staff-wielding, pointy-hat-wearing wizards. But looking a little harder, we can see what Gandalf is meant to symbolize and the integral role he plays in the story, even outside of his immense power. Rating: 7.5/10.