WOuld you kill gollum

[MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie]

Ok, here's where I think we differ. For you, if someone is evil, he/she doesn't deserve life so you are justified if you kill it. Am I right? Well, for me, if someone is evil, then that person still has a right to live. I wouldn't kill gollum, and one huge reason is because he never did anything to me. And if you think he is evil now, I might even have to disagree on that. It wasn't like he really was evil, it was more wretched and loathesome. And the more I think about this quote, the less it makes sense

'What a pity Bilbo did not stab the vile creature, when he had a chance!'
'Pity? It was pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need.'
'I do not feel any pity for Gollum. He deserves death.'
'...Then be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice...'

That was the conversation between Frodo and Gandalf. Ok, first, why does Gollum deserve to die (why does Frodo think so, not yourself)? I don't think he did. Only for killing Deagol, but that does not really concern Frodo anyways. And if Bilbo did kill Gollum, how would that be justified. If you say because of Deagol, then I say nay. I think having the ring for as long as he did is enough punishment, and possibly even too much. Gollum became twisted and broken because of the ring. He was lonely, and carried far beyond his lifetime, weakened by it, and having his mind overrun by it. He was tortured by Sauron. He evn died wretched, so isn't that the final part of justice served to him? Anyways, he also helped out others. What about Frodo and Sam. Do you really think they would have gotten anywhere near that far if Gollum did not help them. Gollum tried to be good. He helped sam get the rabbits. So, I really don't think he deserved death.

[ January 12, 2003: Message edited by: MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie ]