Split Personality?

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Galadriel was able to reject her own impulses. While others like Boromir and Gollum could not do so, either the Ring was too strong for them, or they themselves were too weak.

Or the impulse was too strong?

I do think you're on to something in your analyses of Boromir, Gollum, and Galadriel. Tolkien did make quite clear that the Ring was that powerful; it did in the end overpower Frodo's very strong will to do what was right and good.

So it seems we have a difference between one's will and one's impulses. Frodo's impulses were love of friends and community, and wanting to be left in peace, to name a few. It seems that the Ring used his impulses against him as much as it tried to overpower them.

So is there anyone who wants to argue in defense of Jackson's handling of Gollum/Sméagol in terms of the split personality? (Elempi is itching for a good debate, can you tell?)