[greyhavener]

Ok, Bethberry, I see where you're going now. Thanks for clarifying.<P>I agree that Tolkien's evil is most definitiely uglier than Milton's. In a way the ring itself is more like Milton's Satan, fascinating, compelling, deceptive...the tempter.<P>I think Tolkien, in presenting Gollum, Saruman, Grima, and Isildur distinguishes between those with the potential to be redeemed and irredeemable evil. These characters chose evil when good was also a choice. In Boromir we see this redemption occur in one who has yielded to evil's fascination, regrets his choice and turns to good. In Galadriel and even Gandalf we see temptation, then evil resisted. In Bilbo we see one who has been decieved by this evil finally recognize it for what it is. In the books Faramir and Elrond seem able to resist the ring's temptation, recognizing not only it's evil, but that by it's nature the ring cannot be turned toward good.<P>Perhaps the victims are a reminder like Frodo's wounds that will not heal, that evil always leaves fallout evil when good prevails.<p>[ December 23, 2002: Message edited by: greyhavener ]