Villains Beginning With 'G'

Gollum AKA Sméagol

The Lord of the Rings Universe
created by author J. R. R. Tolkien
(1954-)

Originally known as Sméagol, a member of the early Stoorish Hobbits. His early years of his life were spent with his family under a matriarch, his grandmother. On his birthday, he and his relative Déagol were fishing in the Gladden Fields north of Lothlórien when, Déagol found the Ring after being pulled into the water by a large fish. Sméagol demanded it as a birthday present and strangled Déagol to obtain it. Sméagol used the Ring for petty crimes and was soon banished and forced to make home in the Misty Mountains. The Ring, his "precious" or his "birthday present," twisted his body and mind, and prolonged his life to nearly 600 years.

He lived on an island in the middle of a lake under the Mountains for over 400 years, surviving on fish, and small goblins who strayed in to his cave.

Bilbo Baggins stumbled upon Gollum's lair and found the Ring. Gollum had lost it unknowingly in nearby tunnels, although in fact the Ring abandoned him, it was trying to get back to its master, Sauron. After a Riddle Game, he pretended to want to show Bilbo the way out, but planned to kill him. When he went to get his Ring, however, he found that it was gone and flew into a rage. Bilbo inadvertently discovered the Ring's power of invisibility, allowing him to follow Gollum out of the cave system. There, he first thought to kill Gollum, but was overcome with pity and left.

Gollum tried to pursue Bilbo, but the trail went bad. He made his way to Mordor, where he met the monstrous spider Shelob and became her spy, worshipping her and bringing her food. He was eventually captured by Sauron's forces and tortured, but he revealed only the words 'Baggins' and 'Shire'. This alerted the Lord of Mordor to the existence Hobbits and the Baggins family. He was freed, but was caught by Gandalf and Aragorn, who interrogated him and placed him with the Silvan Elves in Mirkwood. He then escaped into Moria.

Gollum secretly started following the Fellowship of the Ring in Moria, and was spotted or heard by Frodo Baggins (nephew and heir of the hated Bilbo, and Bearer of the Ring) and Gandalf on several occasions. Gollum continued trailing the remaining members who survived Moria to Rauros, then pursued Frodo and Sam across the Emyn Muil when they struck out on their own towards Mordor.

Gollum confronted them in Emyn Muil and nearly strangled Sam. Frodo subdued him, however, by threatening to cut his throat. Frodo tied an Elvish rope around Gollum's ankle as a leash and made Gollum swear to help them. Agreeing, Gollum swore by the "precious", and Frodo released him. The unlikely company, guided by Gollum, made their way to the Black Gate, the entrance to Mordor.

Frodo's kindness brought out the "Sméagol" personality, and he made at least some effort to keep his promise.

When they reached the Black Gate and found it to be well-guarded, Gollum told them of another entrance into Mordor. Along the way, Frodo and Sam were accosted by Faramir - Gollum slipped away uncaught but not unseen and followed them. When Frodo allowed Faramir to briefly take Gollum prisoner, however, Gollum felt betrayed and his "bad" personality took control once again. Faramir found out that Gollum was taking them to Cirith Ungol, and warned Frodo and Sam of the evil of that place.

Frodo, Sam, and Gollum left Faramir and began crossing the pass of Cirith Ungol. Gollum visited the giant spider Shelob, planning to betray the Hobbits to her. When he returned, the Hobbits were asleep, and the sight of Frodo sleeping nearly moved Gollum to repent. However, Sam woke up and spoke harshly to him, and the opportunity for redemption was lost. Gollum led Frodo and Sam into Shelob's Lair and, Frodo was bitten by the spider, taken prisoner by Orcs, and taken into the Tower of Cirith Ungol.

Sam rescues Frodo from the Tower and the two finally arrive, against odds, at Mount Doom. Gollum secretly followed them and attacks, but Frodo threw him down. Frodo then used the Ring to lay a curse on Gollum; that Gollum would be thrown to the fires of Mount Doom if he ever touched Frodo again. Sam faced Gollum on his own, letting Frodo continue up the mountain. Sam tried to bring himself to kill him, but relented out of pity and sheer disgust. He then turned his back on the beaten creature and followed Frodo.

Moments later, Frodo was at the Crack of Doom, but was unwilling to destroy the Ring, claiming it for himself and putting it on. Then Gollum attacked again, and the two fought while Frodo was invisible. Finally, Gollum bit off Frodo's finger and seized the Ring. He gloated over his prize, dancing madly over the edge. However the Ring's curse was true and Gollum stepped too far and fell into the fires of Mount Doom, taking the Ring with him with a last cry of "Precious!" Thus, the Ring was destroyed and Sauron utterly defeated.

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