<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">
Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 273</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Gollum and the Ring
Ok. I can handle the Ring having thoughts and cunning, but emotions? Like when Sauron was thrown into the ocean it cried? <img src=wink.gif ALT="
"> I like referring to the Ring as it, it could be a she for all we know <img src=biggrin.gif ALT="
">
TLW, that Rainbow analogy is almost better than the Drug at illustrating a few points. Except that I take it from the perspective that the Black part was enlarged, almost 'fed' too the point where it almost completely covered the Red/Smeagol. The Ring worked on the 'evil' side of Gollum until it filled his mind completely.
KQY <img src=smile.gif ALT="
"> Some good points. I'll see if I can make a few of my own...
1. Regarding Gollum's beginnings
I too noticed that paragraph, KQY, but took little heed of it until now. The Ring did indeed twist his love of deep and dark places into an obsession; and I agree that there was no thought of revenge
until the Ring twisted his wishes of repentance, remorse and sorrow for killing Deagol (and hatred of the Faces etc.)
<blockquote>
Quote:<hr> "It would be cool and shady under those mountains. The Sun could not watch me there. The roots of those mountains must be roots indeed; there must be great secrets buried there which have not been discovered since the beginning."<hr></blockquote>
This emphasises his love for deep and dark places; 'there must be great secrets buried there' Clearly, Gollum was fascinated by the mountains. (Along with wanting to get away from the Faces, his two prime motives for sheltering there.)Btw, excuse me if someone has already used that quote.
Jumping ahead now, though. To fuel his hatred and motives for revenge would be his shunning by his kindred and his turning into a thief, an ankle-biter;
<blockquote>
Quote:<hr> "He was very pleased with his discovery and he concealed it; and he used it to
find out secrets, and he put his knowledge to crooked and malicious uses. He became sharp-eyed and keen-eared for all that was hurtful. The ring had given him power
according to his stature. It is not to be wondered at that he
became very unpopular and was shunned (when visible) by all his relations. They kicked him, and he bit their feet.
He took to thieving...and (they) told him to go far away."<hr></blockquote>
This says a few things. To back up what you said, KQY, 'find out secrets;' Doing what he loved best. Gollum used the power of the Ring that had been given to him 'according to his stature' (Clearly the Ring saw
something in him to give him power) to find out secrets and pry into things.
'Became very unpopular and was shunned.' One of the later events that caused his hatred and lust for revenge/power to grow, on top of his repentance/sorrow issues etc. 'He took to thieving,' Gollum had not enough power to do any real harm; so he stole things while he let hatred build up inside him. 'Told him to go far away.' Gollum realises that he may never be accepted again once they expel him; this just helps the growth of his 'black' side, or doubles the effect of the 'drug.'
2. On the Ring finding/abandoning Gollum
Very good point KQY; The Ring's prime motive was to get out of the River and 'return to it's Master' I think it says. However, The Ring gave Gollum power 'according to his stature;' and it must have sensed something in him. To gain power from the Ring one had to wish for some sort of power, have a motive; therefore Gollum had to. This was probably again his wish for repentance for killing Deagol which I have used enough...who knows. <img src=wink.gif ALT="
">
The Ring probably would have been as happy with Deagol; but the Ring seems to have an impact on fate - Gandalf says to Frodo 'Bilbo was
meant to find the Ring etc.' and my theory is that Smeagol was
meant to get the Ring of Deagol; or maybe not so. I agree with your point on the Ring leaving Gollum with the Rise of Sauron.
Revenge was not necessarily awaken
at the point when Bilbo stole the Ring; that was just fueling the fire.
I've said enough; Maybe I'll try to summarise all these points.
Save us if one more person posts about abbreviations. I think I'll tear my hair out. <img src=roll.gif ALT=":rollin">
-
enep</p>