[Gurthang]

Great stuff, Gothmog!

I have suddenly thought of something else. Since Sauron and the Ring are essentially the same, despite their seperation, we've said that it is likely that none could 'master' the other. But I wonder if Sauron could master himself?

Perhaps Sauron did not possess all the self-control we would normally think such a tyrant would have(not that most tyrants always display overwhelming self-control!). Meaning, he could not control himself due to his anger, pride, or arrogance. If he did lack enough self-control, then maybe it is not so far off to say that he could not control his alter self, which is the Ring. Basically, neither the Ring nor Sauron were the master, because Sauron did not have the 'will' (not the best word) to control even himself.

Although, if you then assume the fact that the Ring's main power was in controlling or dominating other wills, it could mean that Sauron put much of his (limited) self-controlling power into the Ring. This would make me wonder if it didn't weaken his own, thus giving the Ring more dominating power than it's maker.