|
No, it was possible to overcome The One Ring and become its master. Doing this, however, would defeat Sauron just as effectively as destroying the Ring. The only question is whether the Ring, in this scenario, would maintain any of its power (since it stems from Sauron's own spirit) or if it would be rendered useless. I believe Tolkien speculates at one point that if Gandalf had mastered the Ring and overthrown Sauron in this manner, the end would still be a corruption of his power and intentions, but I'm not entirely sure that this should be considered anything more than speculation, albeit weighty. Were Tolkien able to discuss it, I would ask him if it was inconceivable for a power like Gandalf to thoroughly enslave the remnant of Sauron's power anchored in the Ring to his own righteous will. If so, wouldn't we then have to ask if Sauron's created nature was evil, rather than a free moral agent, since his power cannot be harnessed for good?
|