Interesting comments on Gollum/Ring vs. Smeagol. So if the Gollum side associates himself with the Ring, how does the Smeagol side see it? Looking back at the arguments his two sides have with each other, the Gollum side is always for taking back the Ring, while the Smeagol side stands for holding up to his promise and not harming Frodo. This may be because while the Gollum side feels he is lost, the Smeagol side is now free, from the Ring if not from Gollum. Gollum is certainly one of the most complex characters.
So, in light of these opinions, which side of Gollum's personality is making the promise to serve the master of the Precious? Or is it both? Would his motives be different depending on which side it is? My guess is, it is the Smeagol side that is promising to be good, and the Gollum side goes along with it to get the rope off, not intending to keep the promise. The Gollum side would be the one that wanted to swear on the Precious rather than by it, as a way of trying to achieve possession of his Precious and in turn the part of his soul that he has 'lost.'
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