The Lord of the Rings trilogy is overflowing with rich characters, each with their own fleshed-out backstories and personal motivations that lead them to take their courses of action throughout the events of the series. Each of Tolkien's characters is unique and iconic in the fantasy genre.
Some such characters find themselves going head-to-head with one another as the trilogy progresses, either ideologically or physically. As such, certain timeless rivalries emerge between them, as they cannot see eye-to-eye for some reason or another.
Théoden And Denethor
The race of Men is an essential part of one of the best fantasy worlds ever created, as their character often shapes the fate of Middle-Earth itself. Tolkien's fantastical world has seen its fair share of both benevolent and malevolent human leaders, perhaps most famous of whom being Théoden, king of Rohan, and Denethor, steward of Gondor.
Though these two characters never actually interact onscreen, their relationship is quite present throughout the trilogy. Théoden comes to represent the worthy but physically weak kinds of Men, whereas his ally Denethor comes to represent the well-intentioned but overall destructive leaders that only prolong the inevitable rule of darkness. These two characters are mirror images of one another, as one dies with honor while fighting for Middle-Earth and the other ends his own life in despair of doom.
Aragorn And Boromir
Aragorn and Boromir are both introduced as allies of Frodo Baggins in his quest to bring the Ring of Power to Mount Doom. However, as the events of The Fellowship of the Ring progress, it becomes clear that these two, like many characters within the trilogy, are meant to act as foils to one another, mirror images in a test of character.
Both of these men are challenged during their time in close proximity to the Ring of Power. As the only two humans among the Fellowship, both Aragorn and Boromir appear acutely aware of each other's relationship with the Ring, with the former growing weary of his brother-in-arms. By the film's end, Boromir has proven weak when faced with the Ring's power, while Aragorn is able to prove his strength by resisting its temptations.
Gollum And Sméagol
Andy Serkis makes film history in his portrayal of The Lord of the Ring's unexpected fan-favorite character Gollum. However, many forget that, in truth, Serkis played more than just one character, as he portrayed both the villainous Gollum and his former personality of Sméagol. Over the course of the trilogy, these two personalities clash as the war within their body persists.
By the time Frodo and Sam meet Gollum during their journey, he has been corrupted so long that he had all but forgotten his former life as Sméagol. Frodo's kindness reawakens Sméagol's existence, bringing the character closer to the light than he had been in a long time. However, as he continues to be exposed to the Ring's temptations, Sméagol begins to listen to Gollum's voice in his head, and his two personalities clash time and time again until Gollum ultimately wins their interminable inner battle.
Gandalf And Pippin
One of the more humorous pairings in the Lord of the Rings trilogy is that of Pippin Took and Gandalf. The hobbit and wizard have somewhat of a friendly rivalry that dates back to long before the beginning of the trilogy--a relationship that proves to be quite entertaining as they embark on various adventures together.
Mostly as a reaction to Pippin's incessant curiosity and clumsiness, Gandalf often finds himself chiding the young hobbit, frequently referring to him as a "Fool of a Took!" The matchup proves to be a highlight of the films, as the two grow rather fond of each other by the end of Return of the King.
Sam And Gollum
Much of The Two Towers focuses on adventures that Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins become swept up with after meeting Gollum. While Frodo and Gollum generally get along, it quickly becomes clear that Sam and the shriveled beast have no compunctions about their hatred for one another.
Over the course of the last two films in the trilogy, Sam and Gollum compete for Frodo's trust, often at each others' throats in the process. Sam correctly believes that Gollum is a villain intent on gaining the Ring for himself, while Gollum attempts to get rid of Sam in order to complete his plan. In the end, the hobbit is victorious as it is Sam, not Gollum, who ultimately proves to be loyal to Frodo.
Boromir And Faramir
Boromir and Faramir are the two sons of Denethor, steward of Gondor. Under the abusive parenting of their father, the two are pit against each other often, with the elder being lauded above his younger brother as the picture of a perfect son, leaving Faramir feeling unloved by his own father.
Though it is clear that the brothers have a love for each other that stems from a mutual distaste for their father's parenting techniques, the fact remains that Boromir and Faramir spent their entire lives comparing themselves to one another, a trait which only got worse for the younger once Boromir was killed in battle. However, Faramir proved himself against the memory of his late brother by resisting the power of the very Ring that had corrupted Boromir at the end of his life.
Frodo And Gollum
Frodo and Gollum become acquainted as the latter guides the hobbit and his companion, Sam, into Mordor, where they plan on destroying the One Ring. Bonded by similar experiences as bearers of the Ring, Frodo and Gollum foster a master-servant relationship, though this friendship ultimately falls through by the end of their journey.
Blinded by the power of the Ring, Frodo failed to see Gollum's true devices until it was too late, only barely surviving the villain's trap with the help of Sam. The two come head-to-head once more in Mount Doom, where their final struggle for their precious Ring proves to decide the fate of all of Middle-Earth.
Legolas And Gimli
One of the best-enduring and most beloved relationships in all of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is the friendship that forms between the elf Legolas and the dwarf Gimli over the course of their adventures together during the War of the Ring. Bonding as companions of Aragorn, the two share a delightful friendly rivalry.
Initially somewhat antagonistic to one another based on the animosity between their two races, Legolas and Gimli each eventually come to see the honor in the other, turning their discord into camaraderie. As the two grow closer, their competition grows fiercer in the way that it only can between friends, as the two push each other to become better warriors.
Aragorn And Isildur
Much of Aragorn's character development throughout the series deals with the legacy of his forefathers as he attempts to avoid their mistakes. Perhaps the most notorious of his ancestors is Isildur, the king that had once possessed the Ring of Power, refusing to destroy it and thereby dooming Middle-Earth to face the rise of Sauron once more generations later.
Aragorn spends much of his life running from his family's legacy, with no interest in becoming king. However, duty calls him to restore the kingship to Gondor, forcing Aragorn to face his greatest fears. The Ranger continually shows his honor as he fights for Middle-Earth, causing Aragorn to prove himself a worthier king than his forefather.
Gandalf And Saruman
Sent to Middle-Earth by the Valar, Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, and the Blue Wizards were meant to guide the mortal beings therein to a better and worthier fate than they would otherwise have found. However, Saruman the White betrayed his duties by siding with Sauron in the War of the Ring, forcing Gandalf to oppose him.
Gandalf becomes the worthy replacement for Saruman after his fall from the light. As the wizard states after being reborn as Gandalf the White, he is "Saruman as he should have been." The two former allies engage in a fierce battle for their own sides, with Gandalf eventually emerging victorious as the loyal representative of the Valar.