A complex Gollum

[Airetauriel]

Originally posted by avarerniliel:
<STRONG>Gollum has always been my favorite character, because he's one of the most interesting ones. Besides the fact that he's got multiple personality disorder though, and the ring corrupted him, I can't really think of any other reason to come up with the answer of why he is so complex. What's your opinion?</STRONG>

I think Smeagol was seriously mentally ill before he ever even heard of the ring! And let's face it, anyone five hundred years old or more must have had some kind of personality crisis at some point. I think he is so complicated because, especially towards the end, he still retained some humanity even though the ring had driven him mad with desire. It is this clash that is so interesting. Remember also the effect the the long journey had on Frodo and Sam, with little food and water, short rests and long marches. It was worse for Gollum, as he had less food and water and didn't even sleep when he got the chance. That must have been a factor, surely?

I will swear....on the precious...
How dare you! It will hold you to it, Smeagol. One ring to rule them all....would you commit your promise to that? It will seek a way to twist you to it's will. But very well.
But we must swear on it, hobbitses.
No! All you want is to see it, and to touch it if you can, although you know it would drive you mad.....

(Very rough version, from memory, try not to correct me!)

Is it Gollum's promise to the ring that causes him to persuade the hobbits to take the pass of Cirith Ungol?? It's it the ring's will at work on him, because he commited his promise to something so dark? Or would it have been the ring's will to let the hobbits go to the black gate, for that they surely could not have passed without capture. So which was stronger - Gollum's desire to have the ring for himself, or his desire to keep it from the hands of Sauron?

'If any part of the old villain knew what the master intended to do there'll be trouble pretty quick, I'll warrant'

He's a quandary!

Airetauriel
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