Boromir- the first to become corrupted. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Morwen Tindomerel · 04-01-2003, 07:58 PM

*Gandalf* was worried about the Ring's corrupting influence! If even an Maia feared it it must have been very powerful indeed.

And the peril was greatest to those who already had power of their own, like Gandalf or Galadriel, (let's not forget her little light show!).

Let's have a look at the Men who are tempted by the One Ring:

Isildur originally kept the Ring for no bad reason but as a 'weregild' for the lives of his father and brother. But according to Tolkien he eventually recognized the danger it posed and was prepared to give it up, (see 'Disaster of the Gladden Fields', Unfinished Tales). Which of course explains why the Ring 'betrayed' him. Otherwise a completely puzzling action since It can't have *wanted* to spend the next two thousand years at the bottom of a river, never knowing when or if It would be able to capture another keeper.

Aragorn, thoroughly acquainted with Isildur's story, apparently never even seriously considers taking the Ring though he is the one being in Middle Earth, aside from Its maker, with a valid claim to It.

Boromir *briefly* succumbs to the Ring's will, after struggling against it for months. But succeeds in breaking Its hold with no outside help at all. 'few have won such a victory' as Aragorn tells him.

Faramir also refuses the Ring, which mind you he never sees or touches, nor does It have the time to work on him as It did his brother. If you ask me he gets rather more credit than he deserves for this.

So exactly which of these Men was 'easily corrupted'?

04-01-2003, 07:58 PM	#8
Morwen Tindomerel Wight Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Minas Anor or Annuminas the Golden Posts: 187	Gandalf was worried about the Ring's corrupting influence! If even an Maia feared it it must have been very powerful indeed. And the peril was greatest to those who already had power of their own, like Gandalf or Galadriel, (let's not forget her little light show!). Let's have a look at the Men who are tempted by the One Ring: Isildur originally kept the Ring for no bad reason but as a 'weregild' for the lives of his father and brother. But according to Tolkien he eventually recognized the danger it posed and was prepared to give it up, (see 'Disaster of the Gladden Fields', Unfinished Tales). Which of course explains why the Ring 'betrayed' him. Otherwise a completely puzzling action since It can't have wanted to spend the next two thousand years at the bottom of a river, never knowing when or if It would be able to capture another keeper. Aragorn, thoroughly acquainted with Isildur's story, apparently never even seriously considers taking the Ring though he is the one being in Middle Earth, aside from Its maker, with a valid claim to It. Boromir briefly succumbs to the Ring's will, after struggling against it for months. But succeeds in breaking Its hold with no outside help at all. 'few have won such a victory' as Aragorn tells him. Faramir also refuses the Ring, which mind you he never sees or touches, nor does It have the time to work on him as It did his brother. If you ask me he gets rather more credit than he deserves for this. So exactly which of these Men was 'easily corrupted'?