The Two Towers Character Analysis

Frodo Baggins

Frodo, a hobbit from the Shire, is the main protagonist of The Lord of the Rings epic. In The Fellowship of the Ring, the first book of the series, he accepts the dangerous task… read analysis of Frodo Baggins

Samwise “Sam” Gamgee

Sam is Frodo’s gardener and closest friend. His role in the Fellowship, given to him by Gandalf in The Fellowship of the Ring, is to simply stay with Frodo—which he does, following him… read analysis of Samwise “Sam” Gamgee

Gollum (Sméagol)

Gollum is a thin, hobbit-like creature who’s obsessed with the Ring, which he carried for many years while living on an underground lake. During the events of The Hobbit, the Ring abandoned Gollum… read analysis of Gollum (Sméagol)

Aragorn

Aragorn, the Chieftain of the Dúnedain and the heir to the throne of Gondor, embodies a dual identity in The Two Towers: he insists that he is both Strider (his Ranger moniker) and Aragorn… read analysis of Aragorn

Gandalf

After his death in The Fellowship of the Ring, the wizard Gandalf is mysteriously sent back to Middle-earth to complete his task there. Now Gandalf the White rather than Gandalf the Grey, he’s more… read analysis of Gandalf

Sauron

Sauron, the creator of the One Ring and the Dark Lord of Mordor, seeks to conquer and enslave Middle-earth. The central antagonist of The Lord of the Rings, Sauron almost gained total control of… read analysis of Sauron

Boromir

Near the end of The Fellowship of the Ring, Boromir, the proud son of the Steward of Gondor, falls prey to the Ring’s corrupting influence and tries to take the Ring from Frodo to… read analysis of Boromir

Faramir

While preparing to battle the men of Harad in Ithilien, Faramir, the Captain of Gondor and the brother of Boromir, meets Frodo and Sam on their way to Mordor. Though initially suspicious of the… read analysis of Faramir

Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck

Merry joined the Fellowship to accompany Frodo, his friend and fellow hobbit, to destroy the Ring. Merry remains bold and sarcastic in the face of danger, both when he and Pippin are captured… read analysis of Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck

Peregrin “Pippin” Took

Pippin is the youngest of the hobbits and the adventurous and curious cousin of both Merry and Frodo. His tenacity enables him and Merry to escape from captivity with the orcs and aid the… read analysis of Peregrin “Pippin” Took

Gimli

Gimli the dwarf is the playful and volatile companion of Aragorn and Legolas as they hunt down the orcs who’ve kidnapped Merry and Pippin. Gimli is frantic to recover the hobbits and is overwhelmed… read analysis of Gimli

Legolas

Legolas, the cheerful and tireless son of the elf king of Mirkwood, has keen eyesight and a strong connection with trees and animals. As one of the Three Hunters, he accompanies Aragorn and Gimli to… read analysis of Legolas

Saruman

Saruman is a wizard and the former leader of the White Council. While he used to be just and fair, he has been corrupted by Sauron, who communicates with him through a palantír… read analysis of Saruman

Éomer

The nephew of Théoden, Éomer is dedicated to Rohan, protective of his family, quick to anger, and quick to forgive. When he meets Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli hunting the orc company, he… read analysis of Éomer

Théoden

Théoden is the aging king of Rohan. At the beginning of The Two Towers, he’s under the influence of his treacherous counselor Wormtongue, who’s secretly a servant of Saruman and who dulls Théoden’s… read analysis of Théoden

Treebeard

Treebeard is a 14-foot-tall treelike ent and one of the oldest creatures in Middle-earth. Wise and thoughtful, Treebeard assists Merry and Pippin when they flee into Fangorn forest, allowing them to stay in his house… read analysis of Treebeard

Shelob

An ancient and insatiable creature in the shape of a giant spider, Shelob lives in the tunnels near Cirith Ungol, where Sauron allows her to remain as a guard for a secret path into Mordor… read analysis of Shelob

Galadriel

The beautiful Lady of Lothlórien, Galadriel is an elf and an ally of Gandalf and the Fellowship. After healing Gandalf, she sends him with messages of warning for Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli… read analysis of Galadriel

Háma

The loyal and trusting doorward of Rohan, Háma is friendly with Gandalf and Aragorn and amazed by the legendary weapons they carry. Despite the strict rule against weapons, he allows Gandalf to bring his staff… read analysis of Háma

Shadowfax

Shadowfax is the Lord of the Mearas, an exceptionally swift and intelligent breed of horses from Rohan. He’s a friend of Gandalf and carries him into battle. While still under the influence of Wormtongue… read analysis of Shadowfax

Wormtongue

Wormtongue is Théoden’s advisor. He attempts to corrupt and deceive Théoden on behalf of Saruman, his secret benefactor, who has bribed him with promises of wealth and marriage to Éowyn. When Gandalf… read analysis of Wormtongue

Isildur

Isildur is Aragorn’s ancestor who famously cut the Ring from Sauron’s hand during the War of the Last Alliance and kept it for himself. Later, during an ambush, the Ring betrayed him and… read analysis of Isildur

The Wraith-king

The Wraith-king is the leader of the Nazgûl, Sauron’s nine servants and the bearers of rings of power. When Frodo passes by Minas Morgul on the way to Mordor, he sees the Wraith-king leading… read analysis of The Wraith-king

Bilbo Baggins

Bilbo Baggins is Frodo’s uncle and Gandalf and Aragorn’s friend. He’s an elderly hobbit living in Rivendell during the events of The Two Towers. Bilbo possessed the Ring for many years, unaware… read analysis of Bilbo Baggins

Uglúk

The captain of the Isengard orcs who kidnap Merry and Pippin, Uglúk struggles to maintain control over the Mordor orcs and Northern orcs in the company. Aggressive and violent, he forces Merry and Pippin… read analysis of Uglúk

Grishnákh

Grishnákh is the leader of the Mordor orcs and part of the company that abducts Merry and Pippin. Combative with the Isengard orcs and loyal to Sauron, Grishnákh fears that Saruman will take… read analysis of Grishnákh

Minor Characters

Éowyn

Cold and stern but beautiful, Éowyn is Éomer’s sister and Théoden’s niece. While offering wine to Théoden’s guests, she appears interested in Aragorn, who is polite but not encouraging. Théoden leaves Éowyn behind to lead Rohan when the men ride to war against Saruman’s orcs.

Erkenbrand

The Lord of Westfold in Rohan, Erkenbrand disappears after a devastating battle with Saruman’s orc armies. During the battle of Helm’s Deep, Gandalf reunites Erkenbrand with his scattered forces, and they ride to the aid of Théoden and the remaining riders of Rohan.

The Balrog

The Balrog is a creature of shadow and flame who drags Gandalf down into a chasm in Moria during The Fellowship of the Ring. In The Two Towers, Gandalf explains that he killed the Balrog by throwing him down from Durin’s tower onto the mountainside.

Mablung

One of Faramir’s guards, Mablung is left with Damrod to protect Frodo and Sam during the battle with the men of Harad in Ithilien. The guards converse with the hobbits, and Mablung is particularly friendly with Sam.

Damrod

Damrod is one of the two men Faramir leaves to guard Frodo and Sam during the battle with the men of Harad. He explains the battle to the hobbits and admits that he believes Gondor will soon fall to Sauron.

Anborn

Anborn is one of Faramir’s men stationed in Ithilien who sees Gollum in the trees and mistakes him for a wild animal. Later, when Gollum trespasses in the pool at the Window of the Sunset, Anborn is the one to capture Gollum as he tries to attack Frodo.

Elrond

Elrond is the half-elven Lord of Rivendell, who calls the council that founds the Fellowship in The Fellowship of the Ring and offers them advice as they depart for Mordor.

Celeborn

Celeborn, an elf, is Galadriel’s husband and rules Lothlórien with her. In The Fellowship of the Ring, Celeborn and Galadriel offer the Fellowship shelter and advice. In The Two Towers, Legolas and Pippin recall Celeborn’s warnings about the dangers of Fangorn Forest.

Quickbeam

Quickbeam is a young and hasty ent who’s eager to go to war against Saruman. He keeps Merry and Pippin company while Treebeard is at the ent assembly.

Gorbag

Gorbag is an orc captain at Cirith Ungol who suspects that Sauron has made a tactical error of some kind. He and Shagrat discover Frodo near Shelob’s lair and carry him into the tower.

Shagrat

Shagrat is the commander of an orc garrison at Cirith Ungol. Along with Gorbag, Shagrat takes Frodo prisoner and insists that he be kept safe while his possessions are sent to Sauron.

Denethor

Denethor is Boromir and Faramir’s father. He is the current Steward of Gondor and resides in Minas Tirith.

Théodred

The son of Théoden and heir to the throne of Rohan, Théodred is killed in battle with Saruman’s army five days before Théoden rides to Helm’s Deep.

Gwaihir

Known as the Windlord, Gwaihir is the king of the Great Eagles. After Gandalf defeats the Balrog, Gwaihir carries him from the top of Durin’s tower to Galadriel in Lothlórien.

The Two Towers

J.R.R. Tolkien

The Two Towers Characters