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?

[Boromir88]

Sauron was master. Simply put it was HIS power he poured into it and by claiming it somebody is, in essence, able to usurp a good portion of his power.~mormegil

That's true, and that may very well be the case, that it is Sauron's power that's with the Ring, therefor he's the master. However, he goofed by putting so much in that without the Ring (or even it's powers) he wouldn't be able to survive. And because of that I got to think that in some way the Ring dominates over Sauron, because of the fact that without the Ring he can no longer take a physical form, he will just remain a shadowy menace.

Which comes to the question of the will of the Ring. I agree with Roa in that the ring does have it's own will. It can escape from a bearer if it so desires. When Frodo finds out that it kept slipping off Bilbo's finger he put it on a chain, and since the Ring couldn't slip off anymore, it became substantially heavier each step closer to Mount Doom. Making the journey even more difficult for Frodo. This brings up the question though, is the will of the Ring controlled by Sauron? Being that it's Sauron's own power in the Ring, is it's purpose to get back to Sauron? Or is it just to not be destroyed?

Possibly something else I want to bring up is this quote, also in Letter 131...

It is beyond the strength of any will (even his own) to injure it, cast it away, or neglect it. So he thought.

So, it's beyond even Sauron's power to throw the Ring away. Let's say for instance if the destruction of the Ring didn't bring about Sauron's destruction, and Sauron knew that, he still wouldn't be able to destroy the Ring. I think this quote shows that the Ring has power over Sauron, in that no one would have the will, or strength to destroy it, not even it's own creator that poured his power into it.

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?~Farael

Yes, as the quote from my first post points out...

While he wore it, his power on earth was actually enhanced. But even if he did not wear it, that was existed and was in 'rapport' with himself: he was not 'diminished'.

As to why he would not just keep his own power and why would he put it in this ring? I think it's just an attempt of getting more power, and also of course being able to control all the Rings of power. What's interesting in that Morgoth (and someone may know but I can't find the quote), anyway, I believe Tolkien talked about Morgoth's power was actually diminished because he had spread it out so much that it actually diminished his power. I can't remember where this quote is, I'll try some looking, or perhaps someone can help me out.

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

This brings up the question though, is the will of the Ring controlled by Sauron?

Or is the will of the Ring an aspect of Sauron's own will? Might it be argued that Sauron and the Ring are essentially one being, albeit a divided one, and that neither is therefore the master?

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

Or is the will of the Ring an aspect of Sauron's own will? Might it be argued that Sauron and the Ring are essentially one being, albeit a divided one, and that neither is therefore the master?

I agree with this. What I wonder is, why put your power in a Ring or anything else, risking the loss thereof? The answer, as far as I can tell, is that the focus of that power increases its effect, thus making Sauron more powerful (when wearing the Ring) than he would be without it. The Ring is Sauron's, has his will, and his power, and apparently contains enough of his being such that its destruction is his destruction.

[Farael]

I guess I agree with those who say that the ring and Sauron were just about the same thing, albeit divided into two different physical forms. But my reasoning is that, as the ring is after all an innanimate object created by Sauron, the creator is the master of his creation, although they are in a way the same.

We hear the ring is intrinsically evil and corrupts whoever comes in contact with it. We also know that Sauron is evil as well and corrupts whoever will listen to him (if not, ask the Numenoreans) They are very similar, although one is an (almost) innanimate object while the other is... well, he is not exactly a 'living creature' but is definetly not an innanimate object. Also, one is an 'outgrowth' of the other, the ring exists because Sauron created it, and I believe that the impossibility of Sauron to cast away and destroy the ring is due to the fact that the ring increases his power. Should the ring perjudice him instead of benefit him, that would probably break the spell the Ring has over him and he would destroy it. I believe that this 'spell' is due to the nature of Sauron himself (namely, he only wants power and therefore taking action that would decrease rather than increase his power is inconceivable)

Of course, this is all guesswork, as Sauron had put so much of himself in the ring that its destruction would mean his defeat as well, yet should that not happen for some reason, and should the Ring perjudice Sauron more than what it benefits him, I'm fairly confident Sauron would have destroyed it.

[obloquy]

However, he goofed by putting so much in that without the Ring (or even it's powers) he wouldn't be able to survive. And because of that I got to think that in some way the Ring dominates over Sauron, because of the fact that without the Ring he can no longer take a physical form, he will just remain a shadowy menace.

This is from the movie. Sauron had a physical body even without the Ring, and he was perfectly capable of surviving without it. In fact, he very nearly overthrew Middle-earth without it. Thank deus for his machina.

[Roa_Aoife]

Here's a thought that just recently struck me: What if it was really Morgoth's will? (Bear with me.) Sauron was the servant of Morgoth, "being only less evil in that he served another, and not himself." Later, we learn that Morgoth still has power in the world, even after being thrown into the void, and it spreads throughout Middle Earth. From this comes all the evil deeds done later in history. (Leading Men astray, etc.)

Is it concievable that Morgoth influenced the creation of the Ring to regain some control in ME, albeit indirectly? Was Morgoth the reall master all along?

NOTE: This is just a random train of thought, my own personal musing over the less obvious possibilities, if you will.

[mormegil]

Originally Posted by Boromir

So, it's beyond even Sauron's power to throw the Ring away.

Of course it is. It is Sauron and He is It. He poured his own power into it and he is blind to see that others may wish to destroy it because his lust for power is so great that he can only see others doing the same. Of course it was never shown if anybody could destroy the ring because Frodo failed, though I like to think Sam would have done it .

The relationship between Sauron and the ring , if you will forgive me for using this word, creates synergy.

By definition

syn·er·gy
1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
2. Cooperative interaction among groups, especially among the acquired subsidiaries or merged parts of a corporation, that creates an enhanced combined effect.

Originally Posted by SpM

Or is the will of the Ring an aspect of Sauron's own will? Might it be argued that Sauron and the Ring are essentially one being, albeit a divided one, and that neither is therefore the master?

They are one although divided, that I agree with, but Sauron is the sentient whereas the ring is just an inanimate that has a will in that it reflects the will of its master, Sauron. Now this would make sense because if somebody else were to take the ring and were able to claim the power they would then be the master of the ring.

[The 1,000 Reader]

The ring was made by Sauron, yes, but that doesn't mean that Sauron didn't take advantage of Mount Doom's location and steal some power from the depths of Middle-Earth itself. Along with the power of Middle-Earth, a portion of Morgoth's ring would have "hitched a ride" and possibly strengthened the ring as well.

Someone else has commented that in one of his letters, Tolkien specifically stated that Sauron himself could not destroy the ring or even contemplate it's destruction. This seems to say that the ring held a great deal of power over Sauron and that the reason it would listen to him is because he was already tainted and had a connection to it. For all we know, the ring could have very well left Sauron one day in favor of a Vala, if he were ever to come before one, or Morgoth when he escaped the Doors of Night.

The ring may have been useable by Sauron, but I believe that it was ultimately the master. Debate over this if you will.