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Originally Posted by obloquy
Had Gandalf claimed the Ring while in Hobbiton, no confrontation would have been necessary or possible (assuming Gandalf's success). Success in establishing ownership of the Ring would depend on the bearer's innate power being great enough.
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'Success' in what respect? Again: how does one establish true ownership of the Ring without overthrowing its original master? Surely Sauron would have the opportunity to fight his rival to establish dominance. I simply don't see anything to convince me that someone, even of the stature of Gandalf , merely declaring the Ring to be his would cause Sauron to roll over and die.
And really, by claiming the Ring, haven't you actually been conquered by Sauron already, in a sense?
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Originally Posted by Nogrod
So there is a question of being able to wield the Ring successfully. Galadriel sure betrays it that she had thought of it and so thinking that she could wield it - and Gandalf for sure sees himself able to wield that thing. And in the end also Boromir seems to think he could do it...
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I think Boromir was the victim of deluisons of granduer. Isildur himself, at least, had wisdom in the end.
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I cannot use it. I dread the pain of touching it. And I have not yet found the strength to bend it to my will. It needs one greater than I now know myself to be. It should go to the Keepers of the Three.
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UT Disaster of the Gladden Fields
I believe Isildur was greater in all ways than Boromir: as a captain, a warrior, and in strength of will.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nogrod
But if even Gandalf couldn't resist the spell in the Ring if he used it for dominance... then it seems clear the Ring is just the evil thing it is: the evil powermaker for anyone strong enough to claim it's service.
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That's it. It isn't only mindless, directionless power that the Ring contains. It is also filled with Sauron's evil will, and ultimately would have corrupted anyone who tried to keep it for any purpose, even merely to keep it safe.
Having written that, the only possible exception might be Everyone's Favourite Enigma, Tom Bombadil. But Tom, as we know, is a special case.