well ok..the root of evil in LOTR is gold? You mean gold ring eg.?
Now arent that just like scraping the surface? I mean are Sauron & Saruman and others craving for the gold? How bout the uruks & orcs?
Lets talk about Gollum? Do you think he was tuned into an evil being for gold?
Nope.i believe the root of evil in LOTR is the greed for power. Power to control, power to manipulate, Power to destroy, Power to be invincible and untouchable etc etc.
Power!!!!!!