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Lord of Angmar · 12-13-2003, 05:41 PM

Excellent first post, Wisdom of Wizardry. Welcome to the Downs!

I think most of your points were right on target, although I hope your use of 'the spirit of' was not meant to mean 'the allegorical representation of'.

I think the idea that there is a little bit of 'Gollum' in everyone is a well-substantiated thesis. The exceptions, I believe, would probably be the Elves (although Galadriel's darker side did seem to emerge in her speech with regards to Frodo offering her the One Ring in the Fellowship of the Ring). JRR Tolkien's writing that in each Man (and thusly, each hobbit or Smeagol-type creature, since Tolkien wrote that they are believed to be descended from the Big Folk), there is a trace, or 'seed' of Morgoth which was planted in their hearts when they awoke under the shadow of his realm. This would seem to suggest that all Men had a potential evil side. A logical extension for that evil side would be the Ring, an inherent corrupter and a medium for the growth of the malevolent side of one's ego.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 6:42 PM December 13, 2003: Message edited by: Lord of Angmar ]

12-13-2003, 05:41 PM	#11
Lord of Angmar Tyrannus Incorporalis Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: the North Posts: 833	Excellent first post, Wisdom of Wizardry. Welcome to the Downs! I think most of your points were right on target, although I hope your use of 'the spirit of' was not meant to mean 'the allegorical representation of'. I think the idea that there is a little bit of 'Gollum' in everyone is a well-substantiated thesis. The exceptions, I believe, would probably be the Elves (although Galadriel's darker side did seem to emerge in her speech with regards to Frodo offering her the One Ring in the Fellowship of the Ring). JRR Tolkien's writing that in each Man (and thusly, each hobbit or Smeagol-type creature, since Tolkien wrote that they are believed to be descended from the Big Folk), there is a trace, or 'seed' of Morgoth which was planted in their hearts when they awoke under the shadow of his realm. This would seem to suggest that all Men had a potential evil side. A logical extension for that evil side would be the Ring, an inherent corrupter and a medium for the growth of the malevolent side of one's ego. <font size=1 color=339966>[ 6:42 PM December 13, 2003: Message edited by: Lord of Angmar ] __________________ ...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.