Gollum is an important piece of the story, and without him, Frodo wouldn't have succeeded, but I think what
Mark is trying to get at is this...
Or atleast in my view, Gollum must of had a pretty weak mind, or must have been in some way "evil," if he killed Deagol on sight. As soon as Gollum laid eyes on The Ring, bam! he was corrupted by it. It wasn't some slow long process, in Boromir's case, it was instant. So, either Gollum had a really weak mind, or he must had some sort of evil in him, during that time. One thing still remains the same though, Gollum, you just can't help but feel sorry for the lad.
Quote:
|
Actually, I believe that his madness comprises all three. The emotional, and therefore psychological, element is present in the heightening of his despair with the loss of his beloved firstborn and the belief that he has lost his remaining son too. And Sauron's trickery could only work on him by virtue of the emotional (as well as dutiful) love that he felt for his country. Seeing its fall as inevitable works emotionally and psychologically on his mind. So, his ambiguity - in terms of good v evil - may be discussed on all three levels.
|
Good point
SpM, I think when Denethor tried to foolishly strive with Sauron, he sunk into despair. But, no doubt his true breaking points were the loss of his sons, and seeing his country under HIS rule about to be over run, and Denethor comments on this...
Quote:
|
"I would have things as they were in all the days of my life," answered Denethor, "and in the days of my longfathers before me: to be the Lord of this City in peace, and leave my chair to a son after me, who would be his own master and no wizard's pupil."
|
I agree with you
Davem, to a point. Because, no one is "born" evil. Stalin wasn't born and just said I'm going to kill 30 million of my own people. However, that action of killing 30 million people makes him evil. Maybe, a question is, if the person is beyond redemption, then that makes them fully evil? However, another question, truthfully is anyone beyond any sort of redemption? Even the most wicked, and hated people, were they beyond redemption? Some like to look on the good side and think, that there's still hope in people. There's still time for change.