Quote:
|
Originally Posted by davem
Depends how you understand their words. My understanding is that in taking the Ring they would have rejected all moral responsibility over their own innate power & become like Sauron.
|
While I agree in principle that the Ring is deceitful, and that the price you pay in power gained is ultimately corruption and betrayal, I disagree with your assessment of the Ring as having no practical power at all.
Gandalf is not tempted to have a lack of conscience, but to have extra "strength" that he can "wield" and "use".
Galadriel: "I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired to ask what you offer. For many long years I had pondered what I might do, should the Great Ring come into my hands, and behold! it was brought within my grasp."
I daresay that Galadriel's heart doesn't desire a rejection of moral responsibility, but power. The secret hope, the temptation, is that her will will be strong enough to master the Ring's corruptive influence and use its power for good. How much native power do we suppose that Galadriel has, anyway? When her Ring loses its power, we see that what she has done in Lorien wanes and fails.
As bearers of rings themselves, both Gandalf and Galadriel have insight into how they work. Would they even be tempted by a Ring that confers no practical power? No. The power, and not just an empty promise of power, is the temptation.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by davem
Have you noticed that none of the bearers of the Ring become suddenly more powerful?
|
In fact, Galadriel expressly says that Frodo has gained some power even though he has made no effort to use or to try to learn to use the Ring: "Before you could use that power you would need to become far stronger, and to train your will to the domination of others. Yet even so, as Ring-bearer and as one that has borne it on finger and seen that which is hidden, your sight is grown keener. You have perceived my thought more clearly than many that are accounted wise. You saw the Eye of him that holds the Seven and the Nine. And did you not see and recognize the ring upon my finger?"
The Ring is a little bit like a car. You can gain certain benefits from a car just by sitting in it: you are protected from the elements, you can listen to the radio, etc. But to enjoy the full power the car has to offer, you have to will to use it -- and you have to learn
how to use it.