So named for the foul gurgle he makes in his throat Gollum is a pitiable and wretched creature enslaved by his desire for the One Ring His need for it drives him relentlessly corrupting his mind and twisting his tiny body into a mangled sinewy echo of his former self In his weary frame a fearsome debate rages between his two selves Smeagol the tortured bones of his old identity and Gollum fights to convince himself to betray his sworn master Frodo and take back that which he craves