Quote:
Originally Posted by Boromir88
Hmm...I wonder if it has something to do with Tolkien talking about the balance between the 'high and noble' characters, and the 'simple/vulgar' ones? The high and mighty accomplish the physically difficult tasks, that the low and vulgar simply don't have the power to do. These would be characters like Gandalf, Aragorn, and Boromir. Yet it is the 'simple and vulgar' ones who do the dirty jobs, or the emotionally draining (as well as physically) jobs, like Frodo carrying the Ring to Mount Doom. The high and mighty could never do what Frodo did, as they may have some sense of humility, but they still think too highly of themselves to destroy the Ring. Gandalf doesn't want to be tempted by Frodo!
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But is it not humility that causes Gandalf to reject the ring? He knows himself, he can imagine/foresee the effect the Ring would have on him and therefore he realises that he is wholly unsuited to be Ringbearer. Unlike Saruman he harboured no illusions of being able to master the Ring. I didn't see him as thinking highly of himself at all but rather someone who freely acknowledged his own weak points and potential failings, someone who didn't find it necessary to dispense with his role of Steward in Middle Earth and chase pipe dreams of world domination.