Samwise Gamgee


Character Source Material: Lord of the Rings, The (J.R.R. Tolkien)


Samwise Gamgee, born to Hamfast "Gaffer" Gamgee and Bell Goodchild, grew up in the humble surroundings of Bagshot Row in the Shire. As the youngest son of a gardener, Sam inherited his father's love for growing things and a deep-rooted connection to the land. His early years were spent learning the art of gardening from the Gaffer, which led to his position as assistant gardener at Bag End, home of Frodo Baggins. This job brought Sam into the orbit of Bilbo Baggins, whose tales of adventure sparked a hidden desire for the world beyond the Shire's borders. Despite his simple upbringing, Sam possessed an unwavering loyalty, a heart full of courage, and a practical wisdom that often surprised those around him. His straightforward nature and common sense were balanced by a love of stories and a touch of poetic sentiment. Sam's devotion to his friends, especially Frodo, was matched only by his fondness for good food, ale, and the comforts of home. Beneath his unassuming exterior lay a steadfast spirit and a depth of character that would prove invaluable in the face of unexpected challenges.


5 Factor Personality Summary for Samwise Gamgee

Trait Percentile Trait Disposition
Neuroticism 23.03 Low
Agreeableness 93.83 High
Extraversion 12.09 Low
Conscientiousness 97.72 High
Openness 70.45 Average
personality chart
Link to full personality profile report.



5 Factor Personality Items and Responses for Samwise Gamgee

This section displays the detail item responses that were used to generate the above personality summary. The methodology for selecting the item responses for this fictional character involved using research from a generative artificial intelligence tool to summarize a descriptive response to a question related to each item. The research was reviewed and a judgement was made on the most appropriate response on that item. You can view an example script for collecting these responses (see: Script for Automated Five Factor Assessment)

Trait Item Item Response Item Score AI-Generated Research*
Openness Do not have a good imagination. Very inaccurate 5

Sam's rich inner world, his love for stories and poetry, and his ability to find hope and beauty in the darkest situations all point to a well-developed imagination. In 'The Return of the King,' Sam's ability to recall the beauty of the Shire and use those memories to motivate Frodo in the heart of Mordor showcases the power of his imagination.

Openness Am not interested in abstract ideas. Moderately inaccurate 4

Although Sam prefers practical matters, he does show interest in abstract concepts, particularly those related to stories, morality, and the nature of good and evil. His contemplations on the nature of their quest and his interest in Elven lore show some engagement with abstract ideas. In 'The Two Towers,' Sam's musings about the nature of great stories and how he and Frodo fit into them demonstrate his capacity to engage with more abstract concepts.

Openness Have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. Moderately accurate 2

While Sam is intelligent and perceptive, he tends to think in more concrete, practical terms rather than abstract ones. He sometimes struggles with complex, abstract concepts. In 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' Sam's initial difficulty in grasping the full implications of the Ring's power and the nature of their quest shows his preference for concrete over abstract thinking.

Openness Have a vivid imagination. Very accurate 5

Sam's love for stories, his ability to find beauty in unlikely places, and his creative problem-solving all point to a vivid imagination. In 'The Two Towers,' Sam's impromptu poetry about the Oliphaunt and his ability to imagine the stories they're part of demonstrate his rich imaginative capacity.

Neuroticism Seldom feel blue. Moderately accurate 2

Sam maintains a generally optimistic outlook, often finding hope in dire situations. However, he does experience moments of despair, particularly when Frodo is in danger or suffering. In 'The Return of the King,' despite the bleakness of their situation in Mordor, Sam often finds ways to remain hopeful, demonstrating his resilience against feeling blue.

Neuroticism Am relaxed most of the time. Moderately inaccurate 4

Given the nature of their perilous quest, Sam is often vigilant and concerned rather than relaxed. However, he does have a fundamental calmness about him, especially in familiar settings. In 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' Sam's initial relaxed demeanor in the Shire contrasts with his increasing alertness as their journey becomes more dangerous, showing how circumstances affect his ability to relax.

Neuroticism Get upset easily. Moderately inaccurate 2

While Sam can be emotional, particularly when it comes to Frodo's well-being, he generally maintains a calm and steady demeanor. He's more likely to respond with determination than to get easily upset. In 'The Two Towers,' when faced with Gollum's duplicity, Sam remains more watchful and determined than openly upset, showing his ability to control his emotions in challenging situations.

Neuroticism Have frequent mood swings. Very inaccurate 1

Sam is characterized by his steady and reliable nature. While he experiences a range of emotions throughout the journey, his overall temperament remains consistent. In 'The Return of the King,' even under the extreme stress of the final stages of their quest, Sam maintains a relatively stable mood, providing emotional support to Frodo and maintaining hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Conscientiousness Make a mess of things. Very inaccurate 5

Sam is generally careful and competent in his actions. His practical skills and common sense often help prevent or solve problems rather than create them. In 'The Two Towers,' when Sam takes charge after Frodo is poisoned by Shelob, his careful planning and resourcefulness in rescuing Frodo from the orcs show his ability to handle complex situations without making a mess of things.

Conscientiousness Often forget to put things back in their proper place. Very inaccurate 5

Given Sam's attentiveness to his duties and his organized nature, it's unlikely that he would regularly misplace items. His careful management of their limited supplies during the journey to Mordor shows his habit of keeping things in order. In 'The Two Towers,' Sam's careful rationing and storage of their lembas bread and other supplies demonstrate his attention to keeping things in their proper place, even in challenging circumstances.

Conscientiousness Like order. Very accurate 5

Sam appreciates order and routine, particularly in domestic matters. His background as a gardener and his attention to detail in caring for Frodo reflect this trait. In 'The Return of the King,' Sam's dismay at the state of the Shire upon their return and his subsequent efforts to restore order and beauty to the land illustrate his strong preference for orderliness.

Conscientiousness Get chores done right away. Very accurate 5

As a gardener and servant, Sam is diligent and prompt in his duties. He takes pride in his work and is quick to attend to tasks. In 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' Sam's efficient packing and preparation for the journey, as well as his consistent attention to cooking and other camp duties throughout the trilogy, demonstrate his promptness in completing chores.

Agreeableness Am not interested in other people's problems. Very inaccurate 5

Sam consistently demonstrates a deep concern for others' problems, particularly Frodo's. His entire journey is motivated by his desire to help Frodo with the immense problem of destroying the Ring. In 'The Return of the King,' Sam's willingness to take on the burden of the Ring himself when he believes Frodo is dead, despite knowing its corrupting influence, shows his profound interest in and commitment to solving others' problems.

Agreeableness Am not really interested in others. Very inaccurate 5

Sam shows a genuine interest in the well-being and stories of others throughout the trilogy. His curiosity about Elves, his concern for Frodo, and his interest in the cultures they encounter all demonstrate his interest in others. In 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' Sam's excitement about meeting Elves and hearing their stories shows his keen interest in learning about others.

Agreeableness Feel others' emotions. Very accurate 5

Sam has a keen sense of emotional intelligence, especially when it comes to Frodo. He often perceives Frodo's emotional state and responds accordingly. In 'The Two Towers,' Sam's ability to sense Frodo's growing despair and provide emotional support, even in the bleakest moments of their journey through Mordor, showcases his capacity to feel and respond to others' emotions.

Agreeableness Sympathize with others' feelings. Very accurate 5

Sam consistently shows a deep capacity for empathy, particularly towards Frodo. He's attuned to the emotions of those around him and often acts to comfort or support others. In 'The Return of the King,' Sam's understanding and sympathy for Frodo's struggle with the Ring, even when Frodo is at his worst, demonstrates his strong ability to sympathize with others' feelings.

Extraversion Keep in the background. Moderately accurate 2

Sam often prefers to stay out of the limelight, focusing on supporting Frodo rather than drawing attention to himself. His role as a servant and his humble nature contribute to this tendency. In 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' during the Council of Elrond, Sam remains hidden and only speaks up at the end to insist on accompanying Frodo, illustrating his preference for staying in the background until absolutely necessary.

Extraversion Don't talk a lot. Moderately inaccurate 4

While Sam isn't overly talkative in formal settings, he's quite expressive with friends and in comfortable situations. His conversations with Frodo throughout the journey, his storytelling, and his occasional outbursts of emotion show that he's capable of significant verbal expression. In 'The Two Towers,' Sam's lengthy speech about stories and their importance demonstrates his capacity for extended dialogue when passionate about a subject.

Extraversion Talk to a lot of different people at parties. Moderately inaccurate 2

Sam tends to be shy around strangers and most comfortable with people he knows well. In social situations, he's more likely to stick close to Frodo or other familiar faces. In 'The Two Towers,' even when meeting friendly strangers like Faramir, Sam is initially reserved, showing his preference for familiar company over extensive socializing.

Extraversion Am the life of the party. Moderately inaccurate 2

While Sam is friendly and can be cheerful, he's not typically the center of attention at social gatherings. He's more comfortable in smaller, familiar settings. In 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' at Bilbo's birthday party, Sam is shown enjoying himself but not drawing attention, preferring to stay with his close friends and family.

* AI-Generated Responses are text output captured from entering an item-related question for this character into a generative AI model such as Chat-GPT, Google Gemini, or Anthropic's Claude. For example, a question for the item "Like order" would be "Does <Character Name> like order?".