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Darby · 06-30-2003, 05:13 AM

Maybe...
Maybe the weakness of men stuff is more because when the elves got their three rings, they still stayed noble and (mostly) good. But the nine mortal kings who got rings were so totally corrupted by a lust for power that they became the ringwraiths? Course, the movie makes it simple and implies that Elrond is still holding a grudge because Isildur wouldn't listen to him and just toss the darned ring into the volcano.
Anyway, I think all elves are tempted by the desire for greatness, just as men are tempted by the desire for power. But, Galadriel passes her test and accepts that she will diminish and go into the west. So, she's faced the darkness in her heart and come out the other side - which makes her very very good in my books. I think Aragorn and Faramir are the only two *men* who resist the lure of the ring in the same way. Boromir, I think, is the more typical human reaction to a ring of power - he fails the test spectacularly.
Historically, men seem rather more susceptible to temptation than elves. So the elves have some reason to be grouchy on the whole topic, even if the greed and lust for power and what-not all started with them in the first place.

[ June 30, 2003: Message edited by: Darby ]

06-30-2003, 05:13 AM	#24
Darby Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The land of ice and snow. Posts: 32	Maybe... Maybe the weakness of men stuff is more because when the elves got their three rings, they still stayed noble and (mostly) good. But the nine mortal kings who got rings were so totally corrupted by a lust for power that they became the ringwraiths? Course, the movie makes it simple and implies that Elrond is still holding a grudge because Isildur wouldn't listen to him and just toss the darned ring into the volcano. Anyway, I think all elves are tempted by the desire for greatness, just as men are tempted by the desire for power. But, Galadriel passes her test and accepts that she will diminish and go into the west. So, she's faced the darkness in her heart and come out the other side - which makes her very very good in my books. I think Aragorn and Faramir are the only two men who resist the lure of the ring in the same way. Boromir, I think, is the more typical human reaction to a ring of power - he fails the test spectacularly. Historically, men seem rather more susceptible to temptation than elves. So the elves have some reason to be grouchy on the whole topic, even if the greed and lust for power and what-not all started with them in the first place. [ June 30, 2003: Message edited by: Darby ] __________________ My favorite scene that never made it into the movie: "By Elbereth and Luthien the fair," said Frodo with a last effort, lifting up his sword, "You shall have neither the Ring nor me!"