Temptation of Boromir

[Boromir88]

But I tend to disagree with you concerning Gollum, as I believe he was not evil when the ring appeared but did become so upon killing Deagol.

I wouldn't call Gollum (as Smeagol) evil. Gollum nearly repented, because of his love for Frodo, and he remembered his life as Smeagol. As I believe is said somewhere he still had a 'small corner' of his mind that wasn't under the Ring's influence...and that 'corner' was Smeagol. He was able to remember his name before he got the Ring, and it was this 'corner' of his mind that remained uncorrupted by the Ring. He nearly repented, but it was Sam's lack of Pity for him at the time that made redemption impossible for Gollum.

Gollum was still able to remember his former name...Smeagol. Which I think is of importance...if we look at those completely under the dominion of Sauron (The Nazgul and the Mouth of Sauron), they don't remember their names, or are given none, they virtually have no identity as they are completely under Sauron's control. Where Gollum still remembered his life as Smeagol, and had this 'small corner.'

Saying all that, I agree that Smeagol was not 'evil,' and I see how you believed I thought that. I don't think Smeagol was evil, but as we all do, we all have the capability of doing evil, even if we aren't. I wouldn't call Boromir 'evil,' but his mindset is what makes him fall to the Ring...I think it's the same thing for Gollum.

Gollum believed he deserved the Ring because it was his 'birthday' and the Ring would be his 'birthday gift,' so he already was searching for an excuse to lay claim to the Ring as his. I don't think this makes him evil, but it's what causes him to commit and evil act, and murder for the Ring...his belief that the Ring is his gift, for his birthday.

I think it's similar to Isildur's claim...

'This I will have as weregild for my father, and my brother'~The Council of Elrond

Isildur set a perfectly legal and right claim of 'weregild' on the Ring. Weregild was a way of stopping feuds to arise between families. If someone injured or killed your property, a family member...etc, the guilty party would repay them in 'weregild' to settle any disputes. So, killing a slave for example, wouldn't really get much payment for. But, someone killing your father (who happens to be the King) and your brother, the weregild would be extremely costly, and Isildur takes Sauron's most valuable possession.

So, Isildur, lays a perfectly legal claim of 'weregild' to take the Ring as payment for the death of his father and brother...however I think we can question his true purpose (meaning morally). Isildur claiming weregild is just his attempt to convince himself that he has the only claim to the Ring. Just like how Gollum justified his claim on the Ring as it was 'his birthday present.' With Isildur it was 'weregild' in payment for the death of his father and brother.

Again, I don't think this means Isildur and Gollum were 'evil.' But, they both laid a justification as to why they deserve the Ring, and it is this action which made them susceptible to the Ring.