July 18, 2002

Reply To Jimeous
Peter D.

In response to Jimeous´letter of the 14 of july, I think its fair to point out that the ring is in its essence evil and will eventually turn anyone in that direction, although some quicker than others, i.e Smeagol is for various reasons disposed to "evil" whereas for example Frodo is not. And remember that Frodo actually fails in his quest and claims the ring for himself - if it wasnt for Gollums intervention the ring would have survived. The ring (and Sauron in it) tried to the last to sway the bearer to its way, and only a strange twist of fate made its destruction a reality.
Although I fully agree that the ring would have different "effects" depending on the bearer, physical and otherwise, the end result is given. Gandalf, Galadriel and Elrond among others all acknowledge that. An essentially "good" ringbearer may dream of the good that could come of its power, but allways to the advantage of that individual, f.ex. Boromir being the leader of the armies of Gondor and allies in the defeat of Sauron, and Sam (the true main-character) and his visions of transforming the wastes of Mordor into a garden with himself at the head.
My point with all this is that the evil in the ring is constant - it may lie dormant for a while, but its nature will not change - the nature of the machine in Tolkiens eyes.