The Ring's corruption forms

[Boromir88]

I like Raynor's comparison to Gollum's 'temptation' and Bombadil being the Master of his own environment. As Gollum's image of being 'Lord Smeagol' is different than that of Boromir, Sam's, and everyone else.

Boromir desires to use the Ring as a weapon, to overthrow Sauron. Sam's vision is using the Ring to defeat Sauron so he could make a beautiful garden out of the Gorgoroth. The three Elven ring bearers also contemplated using the Ring in the same way as Boromir.

To all those I've mentioned, Sauron was their big Enemy. They all wanted Sauron defeated, and so the Ring uses that to it's advantage. Kind of like 'put me on you can defeat nasty Sauron, plus you will achieve your greatest aims,' (for Boromir it was his own glory for Sam it was a fruitful and vast garden).

Gollum is a bit different though, as far as I remember he never wishes to destroy Sauron. Yes, Gollum hates Sauron, but I don't think he ever sees Sauron in the same regard that Sauron's enemies do. They want Sauron defeated, Gollum only goes so far to say that Sauron must not get the Ring back. So, the Ring doesn't tempt Gollum with the same vision as rallying a grand army to overthrow Sauron (and therefor getting lots and lots of fish), but to set up his own Bombadil-like environment; where Gollum is his own master and has an apparently unlimitted supply of fish.

The difference being Gollum's idea is one of hiding and simply keeping the Ring from Sauron (as well as everyone else). Where Boromir, Sam,...etc all want Sauron defeated and so the Ring's attempt to corrupt them is different.

The constant struggle between hating and being attached to the ring was taking its toll.~Raynor

Also reminds me of Isildur's words regarding the Ring:

'It was hot when I first took it, hot as a glede, and my hand was scorched, so that I doubt if ever again I shall be free of the pain of it...and maybe were the gold made hot again, the writing would be refreshed. But for my part I will risk no hurt to this thing: of all the words of Sauron the only fair. It is precious to me, though I buy it with great pain.'~The Council of Elrond

There are two seperate 'pains' that Isildur mentions in his scroll. The first being the pain of touching a hot ring that scorched his hand. But, the latter pain, is a different pain. The pain of bearing something that is yet, 'precious' to him. When Isildur departs Gondor, it's interesting that he plans a pit stop in Rivendell:

"Alas, it is not, senya. I cannot use it. I dread the pain of touching it. And I have not yet found the strength to bend it to my will. It needs one greater than I now know myself to be. My pride has fallen. It should go to the Keepers of the Three."~Unfinished Tales: Disaster of the Gladden Fields

What a coincidence that Isildur is then 'betrayed' by the Ring and killed...hmm that evil evil thing.