<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 272</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/onering.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Bilbo cheated?
FWIW
In the original text, Gollum had every intention of giving Bilbo the Ring as per the original agreement along with showing him the way out.
Gollum had more 'honor' than Bilbo. JRRT even emphasizes the mentality of Gollum by stating that he would never 'cheat' at such an ancient game.
In fact, in the original text, Gollum was not driven into the mountains, but went in and was cut off from rescue from his friends, by orcs.
An entirely different picture of Gollum is presented. How much the revisions were influenced now by the Hobbit 'sequel' is the crux of the question really.
Since the game was so ancient and well known to both hobbits, did Bilbo in 'cheating', have an influence directed from the ring (as you asked)... my guess would be; yes. Due to revision direction. The removal of the 'honor' of Gollum (which he previously possessed) and the re-casting into an even more wretched role, seems to give weight to the idea as having an outside influence (the Ring).
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