Power is something that can corrupt the noblest person. Tolkien shows readers through his Lord of the Rings trilogy that the temptation of power and succumbing to it can destroy an individual. However, he has also created characters with strong morals and sense of identity who are able to withstand the temptation of power. Galadriel is a kind and generous elf who is the Lady of Lórien. During the Company’s stay she is tempted by the Ring but decides to reject it. Galadriel shows great hospitality to the Company when they arrive from the Mines of Moria; she gives them clothes, supplies and gifts. While the Fellowship stays in Lórien Frodo offers the Ring to her. Galadriel states that she has wondered what she would do if she had the One …show more content…
Saruman is the head of the Wizard order and the most powerful. Despite being the almighty Wizard, he still craves more power. He starts to reject and resent the limited power that he has and searches for the One Ring. Saruman, despising being “Saruman the White” as white can be overwritten and stained, changes his title to Saruman of Many Colours. He is also depicted as not having a rigid moral character: “Saruman is willing to justify the means in terms of the ends, hoping to impose his will on the world and everyone in it” (Davison 106). Saruman is willing to force his beliefs on other people and kill in the name of good. His loose morals make him an easy target for the Ring. Although Saruman is depicted as a villain in the novels, Frodo says, “He was great once, of a noble kind that we should not dare raise our hands against. He is fallen” (Tolkien 1019). Frodo acknowledges that before the Ring Saruman was great, powerful and noble. Unfortunately the temptation of the Ring destroys him. After his defeat at Isengard he is powerless apart from his words. Like Saruman, Gandalf is a Wizard and a member of the order. However, Gandalf is able to withstand the allure of the Ring. Gandalf the Grey is very powerful Wizard, although he is not as powerful as Saruman, he is the second in the Wizard order. Unlike Saruman, who is portrayed as selfish, Gandalf is depicted as a selfless and moral character. When the Fellowship is in the Mines of Moria, Gandalf
Gandalf is a character in the hobbit series, he is the main mastermind behind the dwarves mission, he is a very powerful wizard that helps guide Bilbo and the whole company through emanate danger.
“The murder of Déagol haunted Gollum, and he had made up a defense, repeating it to his ‘precious’ over and over” (The Fellowship of the Ring 62). This quote gives a look into the strongest moment of shock that impacted young Sméagol’s life forever. Gollum is a fictional character unlike any other in The Lord of the Rings series, as he is portrayed as having undiagnosed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. There are six recurring symptoms that must happen in conjunction with traumatic factors in order for someone to be diagnosed with PTSD, and unfortunately for Sméagol his actions and history sync perfectly into the diagnosis. Due to the fact that Gollum is a fictional character out of a book, it seems that the author, J.R.R. Tolkien, may have purposely given these attributes to Gollum to display PTSD. Though Tolkien may argue that his time in the war did not highly influence his books, subconsciously Tolkien, like many who were in the war, could have had undiagnosed PTSD or known someone who did. As a combat veteran, Tolkien and his friends were more likely to develop PTSD. This may have resulted in portraying these symptoms on to one specific character, Gollum. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder “is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event” (NIMH), just as Gollum had and continues to be put through. He has had a rough past of loss and exile, as well as continuously trudges through horrific events and torture in which he must
It would possess him" (70). After having said this, he tells Frodo how this ring of doom originated. Clearly, Gandalf is wise enough to know that behind all that power lies weakness and evil. Even if one might first use the ring for something good and meaningful to others, it will eventually possess that person and make that person the slave to the ring. Galadriel even knows this quite well. Frodo offers her the ring, since he believes she deserves it the most and also knows how to control it. When Frodo tells her this, Galadriel seems to be strongly tempted to take the power offered by Frodo. She tells him, "For many long years I had pondered what I might do, should the Great Ring come into my hands, and behold!" (431). The exclamation point reveals to us how Galadriel might be really taken in by the thought of power at this moment and how raptured she is in this thought. But, she too is wise as Gandalf is. In the end, she even tells Frodo, "We will not speak more of it" (431). She knows that even speaking about such power can bring about destruction. Interestingly though, Galadriel seems to be almost crazy at this moment, presenting herself to Frodo while relating to him what "good" she could bring to her elves. The ring is so alluring. Too much of a good thing cannot last long. She is
Tolkien creates the ring as the epitome of evilness to give it a mind of its own. With this symbolism, the ring is able to maneuver itself and corrupt whom it pleases. It takes on the evilness of the beholder and enhances their evil thoughts to the point in which evilness is the only thought that consumes them. As described by another hobbit, Frodo, the ring has “an unwholesome power that sets to work on its keeper at once.” In Sméagol’s instance, the ring is able to take a strong hold of his soul with just a look at “the bright and beautiful” gold that it entails. Such evilness is personified by Tolkien because Tolkien sees it as something that takes action, not something that is acted upon. The power that the ring possesses eats away at him until he is an entire different creature. The ring destroys Sméagol and creates Gollum, an outcast and a murderer. The theme of temptation displayed by Tolkien coincides with the temptation that evilness
He offers him guidance and advice on many occasions. Gandalf helps to protect Frodo from outside forces and inside temptations. When Gandalf is around, Frodo feels stronger. He learns how to control the power of the ring with Gandalf’s help. Frodo faces many tests and trials along the way to Mount Doom. He is kidnapped, attacked, and imprisoned along the way. He narrowly survives many situations that would break lesser hobbits. In addition to the outward trials, he also faces the constant temptation to use the ring to gain power for himself and for others. He finds support in the travel companions that join him along the way to help him in his quest to destroy the ring. These warriors become his allies. He also meets enemies along the way. He encounters characters that want to use the ring for their own gain. His greatest enemy is Sauron, the Dark Lord who wants to get the ring so he can rule all of Middle
Many would say that power corrupts. The phrase penned by John Dalberg, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” has become a cliché idiom thrown about when discussing power. Does it really though? Does power really corrupt every man it touches? Power is merely a tool, neither inherently good nor bad. Power, similar to “magic”, is subject to the one who wields it. If something wicked wields power, the power will lead to wicked things. However, power in the hands of good will lead to good things – it is a reflection of the heart. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s book The Fellowship of the Ring his characters exhibit different reactions to power. Some crave it, others lust for it, and one in particular shuns it. Power is a tool;
In the Hobbit there are fourteen main characters as well as many other characters that help along the way. The characters are Gandalf the Wizard, Mr. Bilbo Baggins, Throrin Oakensheild, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Fili, Kili, Bombur, Bifur, Bofur, Dwalin, and Balin. Gandalf is a wizard that helps the dwarves in their various journeys. He knows more than he reveals to the dwarves and everyone else and he knows that the hobbit can help the dwarves in their quest. That hobbit is Mr. Bilbo Baggins.
Prince Caspian: He is the rightful King of Narnia. He is the nephew of King Miraz. He believes in the stories of ‘old Narnia’ and wants to things to be the way it used to be. He wants peace and equality between all the people of Narnia. King Miraz wants to kill him, he runs away and creates an army to defeat King Miraz.
How can an author write a story which appeals to a present day audience? Richard H. Tyre published an article in 1978 that gives an answer to this very question. Tyre explains how most kids today choose to read books like the Harry Potter series, The Lord of the Rings series, and even The Wizard of Oz. An existing theory that Tyre came up with explains that each of these books, along with many others, have one thing in common: 6 plot elements. Not only do these stories contain the same 6 elements but those elements are in the same order! Tyre states that “(1) those who hunt for treasure, (2) must go alone, (3) at night, (4) and when they find it, (5) they must leave some of their blood behind, (6) and the treasure is never what they expected.” (Tyre 2). J.R.R. Tolkien is the author of The Hobbit. The Hobbit revolves around one hobbit in particular named Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo embarks on a journey with 14 others to recover a treasure that is guarded by a dragon. Along the way Bilbo faces many challenges that range from running into huge trolls, to taking part in fierce battles. Due to it’s main character hunting for treasure, facing most of the dangers alone, battling during the wee hours of the night, eventually finding the treasure, after sweating/crying/and enduring injuries, just to have the treasure revealed to him as not what he expected, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit is undoubtedly a perfect example of Tyre’s 6 plot elements.
Gollum, previously known as Smeagol, is one of the first bearers of the ring of power, and when he comes into the ring’s presence for the first time, the power makes him so corrupt that to get his hands on it he kills his friend Deagol. “‘ Smeagol had been watching him from behind a tree, and as Deagol gloated over the ring, Smeagol came softly up behind. “Give us that, Deagol, my love,” said Smeagol, over his friend’s shoulder. “Why?” said Deagol. “ Because it’s my birthday, my love, and I wants it,” said Smeagol. “I don’t care,” said Deagol. “I have given you a present already, more than I could afford. I found this, and I’m going to keep it.” “Oh, are you indeed, my love,” said Smeagol; and he caught Deagol by the throat and strangled him, because the gold looked so bright and beautiful. Then he put the ring on his finger’” (Tolkein Pg. 52). This text shows that Gollum, or Smeagol, is corrupt due to the rings power only by being around it. The need for the ring was so great that it pushed him to kill, a devastating act on its own, but he kills his own friend. This proves that with the power of the ring Gollum becomes immensely corrupt. After Gollum first obtains the ring he grows to feel a great hatred
J. R. R. Tolkien has left a lasting impression on both the physical and fictional realm. His personality and worldly works cast ripples throughout the world, while his literature affected the very fabric of fictional writing. He is an author who is given the place of glory in bookshelves across the nations, and his novels are cherished by millions. Tolkien reigns supreme as the lord of fictitious writing. Other works of fantasy are compared to him, the perpetual example of superior authorship. Even decades after their original publication the words of Tolkien rest securely in the minds of dedicated readers. His actions and experiences are still beloved and revered. The courageous war service, sagacious teachings, and beautifully penned words
"Three Rings for the Eleven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his Dark throne, In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One ring to find them, One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them, In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie(Tolkien)." Master of storytelling J.R.R. Tolkien continues the lives of the fictitious creatures that he introduced in The Hobbit, in his modern classic The Fellowship of the Ring. He artfully illustrates the truths of the evil that plague the hearts of man. He tells a story of greed, destruction and how mortal men are enslaved by
I would like to conclude by saying that this novel The Lord of the Rings has inspired many spin off works, including several games as well.The enormous popularity of Tolkien’s epic saga has greatly expanded the demand for fantay novels, largely thanks to the Lord of the Rings. It is an an extraordinary work, grandly conceived, brilliantly executed and wildly entertaining novel of Tolkien .In the whole novel we see that it 's a hobbit 's dream, a wizard 's delight. And, of course, it 's only the beginning.The language used in this novel is very simple and easy to understand by people. In short this novel has won the hearts of many .This novel is a must read. I see this novel as a near perfect: It 's one of the best fantasy novel ever written. The story just revolves around the Ring which is created by a Dark lord, Sauron.It has brought the supernaturalism in such a way that we could clearly make out where is the supernaturalism used.
The other characters of the story are Gandalf the wizard, Smaug the dragon, Thorin, Balin, Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori, Ori, Fili, Kili, Oin, and Gloin, the
I suppose the verse could find a still further fulfilment on a world-wide scale, but I seems clear that the sudden rise of Trump in tandem with what is happening politically in this country and even around the world, is just one more “coincidence” that seems choreographed by something greater than ourselves. If what has recently happened is the fulfilment of these two prophecies, than the tribulation could start at any moment. A dark time approaches.