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Old 06-18-2003, 08:35 AM   #8
Finwe
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I always thought that the One Ring worked on weaknesses and desire. Just like Sauron, it played upon the weaknesses and the innermost desires of its bearer(s). That was always one of both Sauron's and Morgoth's strengths. The Gwaith-i-Mirdain are an excellent example of how Sauron could use that power to find out weaknesses and desires, and then act on them.
One good example is Isildur. He was probably much more independent and "masterful" than his father, Elendil, or his brother, Anarion. I imagine that deep down inside, he also resented the Elves greater strength, beauty, and life-span. I also believe the story in The Lost Road and Other Tales that Herendil/Isildur actually believed Sauron's lies, and it took a great deal of persuasion from his father to convince him otherwise. I think that some of that resentment carried over into his adulthood. During the Battle of the Last Alliance, Isildur lost two of the people that he had loved above all else, his father and his brother. I think that grief clouded his conscience, and probably drove him slightly mad. When he got the One Ring, and after Elrond, Cirdan, and Co. tried to persuade him to destroy it, he realized that finally, he had the upper hand. The Ring played on that realization, and drove him to keep it. That delusion eventually led to his death, and the death of his three eldest sons.
Smeagol/Gollum is another good example. From childhood, I imagine, he had always loved sneaking around and being hidden. He also resented others and the company of other people. When Deagol found the Ring, Smeagol was immediately attracted by it and took the opportunity to kill Deagol. Smeagol made off with the Ring, which enhanced his ability to "slink and stink" about until his grandmother kicked him out. By now, I think Smeagol was fairly into his "transformation" to Gollum. He made his way into the Misty Mountains, because he wanted to be hidden and he wanted to find "secrets." We all know what happened from there as Bilbo found the Ring.
Bilbo and Frodo, I think, were the two strangest Ringbearers because they didn't fit the "pattern." Of course, they were Hobbits, and I imagine that Hobbits do not take kindly to things or people trying to dominate them. Their inner strength is what kept Bilbo and Frodo from becoming slightly Gollum-ish, but Bilbo came dangerously close.
I also think that in the case of Frodo (I will go along with the movie with the Eye-of-Sauron "I see you" thing), deep down inside he wanted to be a hero. After hearing all of Bilbo's tales, and meeting so many "great heroes" Frodo also wanted to be one. I know, it seems remarkably childish, but how many of you secretly want to do something so great that humanity will forever remember you? It is a normal thing to do. Perhaps subconsciously Frodo even wanted to confront Sauron himself, if needed. The Ring played on that, and called out to the Eye a "bit" more than it did with Bilbo. (Remember, just a theory!)
The best example of the Ring's power is Boromir. His one weakness and his father's weakness was that he resented the return of the King to Gondor, because the rule of the Stewards would end. Denethor probably had told his son and heir all about Thorongil, and his suspicions concerning the latter. I imagine that Boromir put two and two together, and noticed that Aragorn was remarkably like Thorongil, and that was probably why he was always suspicious of him. Boromir also wanted to help his city in any way that he could. From childhood, he had seen grown men be unmanned or killed by the Minions of Mordor, and those visions stayed with him through adulthood. When Boromir came into contact with the One Ring, it immediately picked up on that resentment, desire, and fear. That is how it eventually drove Boromir mad. Galadriel could sense it because she could see much of others' minds. She saw that madness as it slowly took root in Boromir's mind. I also think that Aragorn saw it, because, being the Heir of Isildur and of Numenorean blood, he could also see into others' minds, although to a much lesser degree than Galadriel.
Even in "Dark Lords" today, their strength always lies in ferreting out their opponents' weaknesses and playing them when necessary. Morgoth was especially gifted in this, and Sauron probably learned it from him. Of course, in the case of Maeglin, it probably wasn't too hard to get him to admit that he wanted to marry his cousin and take over his uncle's kingdom. That man really needed a psychiatrist! Talk about Freudian complexes! When Sauron forged the Ring, he put some of himself in there, so it is natural that the Ring would have the same strengths and weaknesses that its master had. Of course, Sauron did overlook the fact that the Ring could be destroyed. Perhaps he should have imitated his master, Morgoth, and forever tied himself to the land itself. As long as Arda survives, Morgoth will. To truly get rid of him forever, the Forces of Light would probably have to completely destroy Arda in the process. Perhaps Sauron never really learned.
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But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.
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