While watching the Fellowship of the Ring recently, I noticed how when Bilbo drops the Ring, it is similar to the Palantir in that when they are dropped, they do so with a profound weight that serves as an example of their dark nature. Any one else remember if there were any other instances where the weapons of the enemy or any other dark symbol were introduced or portrayed like this as evil, but in a subtle way? Just wondering.
well... the palantir was exactly a weapon of the enemy
It was merely a telephone of sorts... It was created for nefarious purposes.
Showing it as 'weighted' - something I hadn't picked up on but may be true - might merely indicate it is 'magical' in some way or that it is or can be used in ways that would be dangerous.
I remember that they ring was explained to not only be a mental burden, but a physical one as well, as Frodo described it as getting heavier and heavier. Interesting. Just a thought for the day. Thanks for the input.
Magpie! You should know better than that (unless your post did not come across as intended). The Noldor created the Palantiri as magical communication devices. There was nothing inherently nefarious about them. 'Thus spake Ioreth, wise-woman of Gondor: The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known.' - Gandalf the White
The Palantir in The Lord of the Rings was not initially a tool of evil, but taken by the traitor Saruman to communicate with Sauron. So, technically, you're both correct.
Hence my parenthetical comment. 'Thus spake Ioreth, wise-woman of Gondor: The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known.' - Gandalf the White
The Palantir in The Lord of the Rings was not initially a tool of evil, but taken by the traitor Saruman to communicate with Sauron. So, technically, you're both correct.
No, It was taken by Saruman to use for his own purposes, scrying the lands independent of other Stones; inevitably however he was snared by Sauron, the stronger will. The same thing happened to Denethor.
Although it does not deal directly with the weight idea, there is a Ring-Palantir connection in the film that is not so subtle. When Gandalf reaches for the Ring on the floor of Bag End, there is a flash of the Eye and a noise, and Gandalf draws his had back. When Gandalf covers the Palantir in Orthanc, pretty much the same thing happens.
I interpret the this as emphasis on the notion that these objects represent a direct and dangerous link back to Sauron.
That's a great connection. Although I had noticed the similarities with the two and The Eye, it has never really occurred to me how both serve as a link between Sauron and the world outside of his realm. Both the Ring and the Palantír were also tools that were tempting to use, such as the Frodo with the Ring and Pippin and the Palantír. 'I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor- though, I do not know the way...'
...It is certainly true that Peter Jackson, in the shape he was in at the beginning of the LotR filming, would drop with "a profound weight" - carrot inside him or not
The Glorious Truth of J.R.R. Tolkien Radiates from his Holy Writings
Haha poor Pete. He's really done well losing weight though. And the carrot of doom, the true villain of Middle Earth- cast it into your mouth, Peter, destroy it! 'I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor- though, I do not know the way...'
Saruman used the palantir for his own exploratory purposes, and was eventually overpowered by Sauron, who was also in control of a palantir, and was able to project his will through it...
…But it led to his own destruction.' That would make one very interesting film. 'I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor- though, I do not know the way...'
'The carrot cannot be cooked, Gimli, son of Gloin...'
'... By any craft we here possess...' *Sam puts down his pots and pans* :) 'I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor- though, I do not know the way...'
'One does not simply cook a carrot, there is a recipe that does not sleep.' This is getting strange... 'I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor- though, I do not know the way...'
I will give you the one carrot.' 'You offer it to me freely... I will not deny that my stomach has greatly desired this...' 'I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor- though, I do not know the way...' 'I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!'
I see in your eyes the same hunger that would take the stomach of me. A day may come when the cooking of men fails, when we forsake our recipes and break all kitchen equipment, but it is not this day. An hour of woes and shattered spoons, when pots and pans come crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we eat! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you cook, Men of the West!
...Certainly cannot be topped! Thanks for making my day 'I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor- though, I do not know the way...' 'I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!'
The one place on earth where I can talk about LotR and Tolkien without people thinking I'm a freak! You all are great, proving LotR is something to enjoy 'I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor- though, I do not know the way...' 'I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!'
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