Belling the Ring

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Tolkien

If Gandalf proved the victor, the result would have been for Sauron the same as the destruction of the Ring; for him it would have been destroyed, taken from him for ever.

I beg to differ with Tolkien (as is my right as reader).

Although that letter contemplates Gandalf defeating Sauron with the Ring. Perhaps, in that unique situation, Sauron's bond with the Ring, or that part of him residing within it, would be irrevocably broken.

I would still maintain that if Sauron was defeated otherwise, without that bond being broken, it would be possible for him to return to claim it from the one that it had mastered.

Note also that the letter puts paid to alatar's cat theory:

Originally Posted by Tolkien

On one side the true allegiance of the Ring to Sauron; on the other superior strength because Sauron was not actually in possession, and perhaps also because he was weakened by long corruption and expenditure of will in dominating inferiors. (emphasis added)

That doesn't sound very cat-like ...

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Nor do cats get into power-tripping plays of dominance ... They don't impose their will or demand attention and affection ... They are as pure an example of unselfish, unbinding love as one can find.

!!!

Pull the other one, Bb!

Cats, like any other animal, have a highly developed territorial instinct. Unlike dogs, they refuse to tolerate others sharing their territory (but will tolerate a "carer" provided their needs are properly catered for) and will exert dominance to enforce their will in that regard. They are most certainly not averse to demanding affection, although only on their own terms. And they instinctively put themselves above all others around them (offspring excepted). Hence their propensity to adopt other "carers" when their own are not properly providing for their needs, as they see it. They are probably the most selfish creatures in existence.

I can certainly see why Tolkien originally conceived Sauron as a cat. They most certainly belong in Mordor.