![]() They are naturally resistant against its effect, possibly because the desire for power does not seem to be something that comes naturally to hobbits. That is why they needed somebody who could part with the ring after having used it, and that is where the hobbits come in. Somebody with a better understanding of history / their own limits (Aragorn / Faramir / Galadriel / etc.) will understand that no matter how good their intentions or how noble their soul, they will eventually become corrupted by the ring and start the circle anew. Somebody who overestimates themselves and believes "they can handle it" (Boromir) will try using the ring for good, not realizing that in the long run, they are going to get addicted and corrupted. The ring can promise you power, a solution to all your problems, but you are under no compulsion to act on these promises. When you haven't put on the ring yet, you are not yet addicted. So why do Aragorn and Gandalf have the ability to resist picking up and using the ring, but Boromir does not? Simple they have a better understanding of what they are dealing with. Why do things the hard way when the power of the ring makes everything so easy? Its addictive and corrupting powers are extreme, even if Gandalf were to use the ring for good, it would eventually twist him because the ring only serves one master. Once you have used it, doing something without using it would seem silly. ![]() Now consider that the ring isn't something only mildly addictive like coffee, but something with its own, sinister will. Somebody who is aware of this fact may decide not to use coffee, despite the fact that it might offer a (temporary) solution to his problem (staying awake.) However, in the long run you will start performing worse without coffee, you will "need" that coffee in the morning to function properly. For many people this is a reason to start drinking coffee. It promises something very simple, you will be able to stay awake better and focus better. The first one is perfectly possible, the second one is a lot harder, downright impossible for most.Ĭompare it to an ordinary drug almost everybody has tried coffee. The way I see it, there is a difference between "willpower to resist temptation" and "willpower to resist corruption". Likewise I'm not aware of an explanation for Faramir's rejection (which is quite different in the books to what's presented in the movies). I'm not aware of any concrete explanation of why Aragorn rejected it perhaps his friendship with Gandalf had given him the necessary knowledge of what to do, or perhaps it was the case that his main desire was for Arwen. Galadriel's rejection of the temptation was founded upon previous thought and resolve. This same letter also provides an explanation of why others in the story also rejected the temptation of the Ring:īut this the Great had well considered and had rejected, as is seen in Elrond's words at the Council. It was part of the essential deceit of the Ring to fill minds with imaginations of supreme power. The reason why Boromir succumbed so easily is that he saw the Ring as a means of gaining power to defend Gondor as Tolkien describes in Letter 246: 'Do not tempt me! For I do not wish to become like the Dark Lord himself.' And over me the Ring would gain a power still greater and more deadly.' His eyes flashed and his face was lit as by a fire within. 'With that power I should have power too great and terrible. 'No!' cried Gandalf, springing to his feet. 'But I have so little of any of these things! You are wise and powerful. ![]() ![]() The Ring actually does offer some temptation to Gandalf in the books (I can't recall if the same happens in the movies), as is described in Shadow of the Past: I'll refer you to Tom Shippey's The Road to Middle-earth for a more complete discussion of this observation. There is an initial temptation to use it, but to have the Ring fully take control of a user, the user must be in possession of it and have continued to use it for an extended period for it to have the full effect. The way Tolkien describes the Ring it's clear that its effects are addictive. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |