how can a man use the one ring?

[Bergil]

I always thought "power according to his stature" meant that the ring took Smeagol's natural abilities at sneaking and hiding (common to all hobbits, frodo, bilbo, and sam included) and magnified them by its power. The one ring would (by this interperetation) do something simillar to a dwarf's craftsmanship, or the "magic" of an elf or powerful man, though the abilities would come with a catch, a tendency toward evil use.

But what would it give a man? Humans are a varied lot, sort of jacks-of-all-trades but masters of none. it would probably follow individual talent, so a good speaker would get something like the voice of Saruman, an athlete would just gain strength, and some sneaky types would even dissapear. That's my best guess.

[Eluchíl]

It's definately a matter of augmentation. Like a drug, it supplies you with incentive to continue using it, and by using it, bends the wearer to the will of Sauron.

This can either bring the ring back to its master, or simply cause evil deeds via the ring's manipulation -- or both.

[Gil-Galad]

heh, everyday Spiderman solves our questions

"with great power comes great responsibility"

[Eluchíl]

Originally Posted by Gil-Galad

heh, everyday Spiderman solves our questions

"with great power comes great responsibility"

Heh. Nice.

[Caunwaithon]

I'd like to point out that in LOTR, tolkien gives a very different approach to magic.'

Instead of being able to "cast spells", or blow up things, magic is used as a base term. Those who are magic are just...well...better. Sure, certain elves (and men) can "heal", but more than that, they just have power.

Take the nine for example-

In using the rings, they became more powerful, wealthier, and had dominion. Doesn't really give them A power, it gives them power ITSELF.

That is why they are called the Rings of Power. Because theygive power to those who wield them.

[Gil-Galad]

Well Caun, don't forget that the rings have mystical qualities, for example, Gandalf's ring, the ring of fire, can give men a fiery passion and enstow them to fight harder, the Nine Rings was more of a trap, Sauron tricked them, the rings gave them pwoer and probably made the people under the nine men lead under them, but the power was tied to Saurons one ring, and thus they became enslaved, forever dark servants.

[Caunwaithon]

Right, but He stays away from the "Fairy tale" type magic, sleeping spells, magic potions and the like.

Instead, magic has a much more...."serious" feel to it.