The One Ring?

Hello all,

Although there is a good argument for just reading and enjoying the quest, part of the allure of these wonderful stories, from "The Silmarillion" to "The Return of the King," is the search for meaning and substance above and beyond the telling of the tale. It's only natural for one to do so. The ring classically symbolizes a "oneness" of sorts, no beginning, no end. Only Professor Tolkien would know the mind of Sauron and its intentions. Alchemy and snakes aside, both viable explanations, The Good Professor, adamant in his stance on allegory as it pertains to his creation, would shrug this off and focus, not on what the Ring symbolizes, or may symbolize, but on what it actually is: "One Ring to rule them all and in the darkness bind them."