The True Master.

[Farael]

I must say that I agree with mormegil on this topic, it was Sauron who mastered the Ring and not the other way about. The Ring obviously had an influence in Sauron, as most of his power was contained within that Ring yet that power still belonged to Sauron (as long as no one else claimed mastery of the Ring). Why the ring has such an influence over Sauron is because without it, his powers would be diminished greatly and therefore he would probably be defeated and cease to exist. Also we see the Ring trying to get back to Sauron as perhaps a dog running back to his master's side. That's the impression I got, anyway.

I've always believed the ring to be Sauron's master, not the other way around. It had too much power for Sauron to truly master it. It had the power of Middle-Earth and Morgoth's Ring in it, and I doubt it was a small amount of either.

I beg to differ, as the Ring was made by Sauron and not Morgoth and all the power it contained had been once Sauron's as well. Which leads me to another question

Exactly why would Sauron put so much of his power into one ring rather than keep it to himself? could he not control the other rings without a ring? did the ring enhace his powers further, even if he spent some of his own powers in its creation?