THE RING and corruption

[The Saucepan Man]

Hilde, isn't it a bit artificial to make a distinction between the power of the Ring over one who bears it and the desire for the Ring on the part of one who sees or hears of it? Both stem from the power of the Ring and what it represents to the "corruptee". Boromir desired the Ring precisely because of its power, which he felt could be used to save his people and fight of Sauron, so it is the power of the Ring that corrupts him.

As for Gollum, surely he is directly influenced by the Ring without touching it. Had Deagol found just a nice but otherwise unremarkable ring, it's unlikely that Gollum would have been moved to murder him. There must have been something more than just a fancy for a pretty ring. However, he has no idea what the Ring is. So, it must be the power of the Ring itself, rather than any conception of what it represents, that provokes Gollum to kill his friend.

Boromir didn't even handle the ring in the movie

Doesn't Sean pick it up when Frodo falls over in the snow and rolls down the hill?

[ February 06, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ]