To bear the One Ring

[davem]

I think it comes down to the question of whether 'Ringbearer' is some kind of formal title, or just a way of describing someone who happens to have a/The Ring at any one time. When Gandalf says 'Let the Ringbearer decide', rather than 'What do you say, Frodo?' He seems to be implying that Frodo has an extra authority. If we go back to the Elf-Friend thing, an Elf-Friend is not just somebody who is friendly to Elves, it is a 'title' bestowed by Elves on someone of another race, in recognition of something the individual has done. These titles seem to be very important - don't know if anyone has looked into this issue in ME, but Aragorn seems fairly dripping with titles, which are more than just different names, as is the case, for instance, with Olorin's many names among the different races.

I still feel that Ringbearer is more than simply a description of what a particular individual happens to be doing/have done. It implies some kind of 'right' conferred - either by others or by Eru (who 'intends' Bilbo to find it & Frodo to have it) or by the Ring itself (which 'intends' Isildur to save it). After all, none of the Rings are merely things, they are also 'forces' - though to what extent they have 'wills' of their own - as the One is perhaps implied to have - is another question. If the One symbolises 'sin', will to power, to dominate, evil, the Machine, etc, then the 'bearer' is bearing more than a piece of metal. Perhaps 'Ringbearer' has a more 'metaphysical' dimension, & requires some kind/degree of knowledge of its nature & willingness to bear it.

Sorry, I'm writing this as it comes to me. I think I need to spend a bit more time considering this. [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img]