Frodo is, of course, the ring bearer. He posesses and uses, the ring more than any other character in the trilogy. Is he corrupted by the use of the ring? Yes, to a great extent. His use of the ring becomes more conflicted as the journey progresses. Ultimately he is captured. He uses the ring as a concious choice to escape danger and gather knowledge. The Ring keeps having more of an effect on him. He comes closer to being a welder of the ring, not just the bearer.

While frodo is slowly eaten away by the corruption of the ring, Sam defeats the Rings power in the short time that he is the Ring-bearer. Sam remains true to mimself, and the central mission in his life is to protect Frodo. Deep in his heart Sam knows who he is. He can never be other than Samwise Gamgee, the small and caring gardener of the Shire. In Sam's rejection of the One ring during extreme crisis we learn that the virtuous and strong willed person can turn away from a life of evil, a life of unlimited power, by focusing on his or her true self.