I wouldn't say that Gollum was evil. I think he was blinded by his insane love for the Ring, and that that love clouded his sense and sanity.
Just imagine how tormented he was and how much he must have suffered! To love an object so much that it invades your every, waking thought and steers your mind must be a terrible burden. I think of Gollum's obsession with the Ring as the relationship between an avid smoker and a cigarette. Craving the cigarette every moment, desiring it, seeking it, dreaming of it. Except Gollum's obsession was far more serious than that. It drove him to do horrible things to other people.
So, no, I don't think Gollum was evil. Solely influenced to often do unsavory things, yes. But not evil. Like Merri said - Gollum was a hobbit at heart, after all.
[ December 06, 2002: Message edited by: DarkRose ]
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