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elostirion74
Rohan
Dec 10 2012, 8:32pm
Views: 10967
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I agree that this theme repeats itself several times in the story. But what are we to make of it as readers? Does it mainly exist to cover "plotholes" in the text? Do the instances of evil forces spoiling other evil forces show a consistent and/or plausible presentation of the weaknesses of the different evil actors, or do the mistakes of the evil forces often appear as just there for the sake of convenience or presented in a way that stretches credibility? Personally I find that Sauron employs a clever strategy in deciding to seek mastery over his adversaries through the making of and control of The One Ring. Itīs a weapon which gives him supreme power when he controls it and a tool which easily can corrupt his adversaries, exploiting their various individual motivations and weaknesses. It works with Boromir, nearly to the ruin of the entire Fellowship, and Sauronīs strategy with the Palantir works as a means to destabilize Denethor. Sauron uses the Ringwraiths to seek for Frodo because they are his most trusted as well as his most powerful servants. Is this an unlikely choice? At the same itīs a weapon/tool which has its limitations - itīs not a tool that magically can achieve just about anything, but works in specific ways, and IMO this also makes it a credible creation and plot device. There are instances in the story, like the fighting between the different factions of orcs in the tower of Cirith Ungol, or the inability of the Black Riders to repeat their attack against the hobbits and Strider, which do seem quite convenient. On the other hand: why should the orcs be immune to mistakes based on greed and disagreements about rewards and spoils or the proper action to take? The different factions in the orc raiding forces serve different masters with different aims, so why shouldnīt they disagree among themselves about where Merry and Pippin should be taken? I think many of these squabbles and divisions only show the different nuances between the various actors that oppose the Fellowship as well as Gondor and Rohan, it makes the story as a whole more realistic. Itīs also a recurrent theme that Sauron as the main force of evil is inferior in imagination to his chief adversaries. If the reader accepts this premise, itīs not so unlikely that Sauron commits the main strategic errors we see throughout the story. While Sauronīs errors of perception function a part of the moral of the story, I donīt find it implausible that power-hungry actors like Sauron as well as the main forces who defend themselves against him make mistakes. Theoden makes mistakes, Denethor makes mistakes, Frodo makes mistakes and the list could go on and on.
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User
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Time
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Oft evil will shall evil mar - a recurring theme?
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noWizardme
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Dec 5 2012, 5:28pm
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A few more examples...
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noWizardme
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Dec 5 2012, 6:16pm
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Heartily agree I do
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CuriousG
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Dec 5 2012, 7:45pm
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And more
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CuriousG
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Dec 6 2012, 6:03pm
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The one ring itself
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noWizardme
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Dec 6 2012, 6:23pm
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Yes, and by no means limited to Tolkien.
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Elizabeth
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Dec 6 2012, 6:24pm
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The formula for James Bond and other villains
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CuriousG
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Dec 6 2012, 8:25pm
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Interesting which side has an "evil overlord " plan?
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noWizardme
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Dec 6 2012, 10:34pm
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Sauron as Evil Overlord
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Elizabeth
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Dec 7 2012, 3:45am
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Ah, I should have said "no Evil Overlord mistakes except the ones I didn't think of"...
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noWizardme
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Dec 7 2012, 10:54am
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Plotholes and eagles
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CuriousG
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Dec 7 2012, 4:26pm
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Nazgul combat air patrol
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noWizardme
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Dec 7 2012, 5:09pm
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A new eagle plot hole filler
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noWizardme
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Dec 7 2012, 5:35pm
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It's an inexhaustable discussion topic.
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Elizabeth
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Dec 7 2012, 7:07pm
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I'm glad they didn't, but
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CuriousG
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Dec 7 2012, 7:27pm
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I agree with this
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Ardamírë
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Dec 7 2012, 8:54pm
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Isn't there some
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Plurmo
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Dec 8 2012, 3:36am
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In all honesty
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Ardamírë
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Dec 8 2012, 4:01pm
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Heroes and underdogs
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CuriousG
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Dec 7 2012, 4:33pm
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The Nazgul and Evil Overlord rule 80
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noWizardme
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Dec 7 2012, 6:36pm
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I think Sauron was clever about the One Ring
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CuriousG
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Dec 7 2012, 4:05pm
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An odd Return to Owner feature
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noWizardme
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Dec 7 2012, 4:27pm
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To say nothing of an idea likely close to Tolkien's heart:
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SirDennisC
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Dec 7 2012, 2:55pm
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interesting topic
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elostirion74
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Dec 10 2012, 8:32pm
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A bit of both
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noWizardme
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Dec 10 2012, 9:14pm
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Credibility and the One Ring
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CuriousG
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Dec 11 2012, 4:58pm
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That's worth 2 new threads! :)
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noWizardme
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Dec 16 2012, 7:09pm
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Gandalf answered #1
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CuriousG
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Dec 16 2012, 8:52pm
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given the slightest encouragement...
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noWizardme
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Dec 18 2012, 12:07pm
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The greatest example of this has yet to be said!!!!!!!!!!
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Beren0nehanded
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Dec 11 2012, 1:26pm
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Morgoth the exception?
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Felagund
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Dec 16 2012, 5:25pm
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Curses can be your best friend
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CuriousG
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Dec 16 2012, 6:29pm
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link to eucatastrophy
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noWizardme
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Dec 18 2012, 3:22pm
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Second thoughts!
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noWizardme
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Dec 18 2012, 7:02pm
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Post then self-disagree? All too often. :) //
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CuriousG
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Dec 18 2012, 7:45pm
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"We knows what we thinks, precious." "No, no we doesn't think that at all!"
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noWizardme
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Dec 18 2012, 9:53pm
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