What does Smeagol hate?

What Does Smeagol Hate?

Smeagol, also known as Gollum, is a complex and intriguing character in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium. His obsessive love for the One Ring is well-documented, but what about his hates? In this article, we’ll delve into the things that Smeagol despises, and explore the motivations behind his loathing.

The Dark

According to Gandalf, Smeagol hates the dark. This is an interesting point, considering Smeagol’s affinity for the Ring, which is often associated with darkness and shadow. However, it’s possible that Smeagol’s hatred of the dark is rooted in his fear of being consumed by it. As a creature who has lived in the dark for so long, Smeagol may have developed a deep-seated aversion to the very thing that has defined his existence.

Elven Things

Smeagol also hates Elven things. This is likely due to his association with the Elves, who were instrumental in his downfall. The Elves discovered Smeagol’s love for the Ring and attempted to take it from him, leading to a lifetime of torment and suffering. As a result, Smeagol may have developed a deep-seated resentment towards the Elves and all things Elven.

The Sun, Moon, and Wind

In a similar vein, Smeagol hates the sun, moon, and wind. This is likely due to his discomfort with the natural world, which is often associated with the Elves and their connection to the land. As a creature who has lived in the dark for so long, Smeagol may find the brightness of the sun and the freshness of the air to be overwhelming and even painful.

Lembas

Smeagol’s hatred of lembas is also worth noting. Lembas is a type of bread made by the Elves, and it’s said to have been a favorite of Smeagol’s. However, after his encounter with the Elves, Smeagol may have come to associate lembas with their attempts to take the Ring from him, leading to a deep-seated hatred of the bread itself.

Bread in General

In fact, Smeagol’s hatred of bread may be more general than just lembas. According to his own words, Smeagol prefers to eat live animals or raw fish, rather than bread or other human food. This may be due to his primitive nature and his association with the natural world, rather than the Elven world of bread and civilization.

The Outside World

Finally, Smeagol hates the outside world. This is likely due to his long history of living in the dark, isolated caves and tunnels of the Misty Mountains. As a creature who has been cut off from the world for so long, Smeagol may find the outside world to be overwhelming and even terrifying.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Smeagol’s hates are many and varied. From the dark to Elven things, the sun, moon, and wind, lembas, bread in general, and the outside world, Smeagol’s loathing is a complex and multifaceted thing. By exploring these hates, we can gain a deeper understanding of Smeagol’s motivations and desires, and perhaps even shed some light on the nature of his obsessive love for the One Ring.

Table: Smeagol’s Hates

Bullets: Smeagol’s Hates

• The dark
• Elven things
• The sun, moon, and wind
• Lembas
• Bread in general
• The outside world