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The Morality of The Ring

Brethil
Half-elven


Oct 8 2013, 2:13pm


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The Morality of The Ring [In reply to] Can't Post

**A topic we cannot skip: the forging of the Rings, especially as it ties into the earlier points about fading and how that fear drove the Elves to the decision to make the Rings. To lead into the time before the forging, we read about the Elves: "There was nothing wrong essentially with their lingering against counsel, still sadly with the mortal lands of their old heroic deeds. But they wanted to have their cake without eating it. They wanted peace and bliss and perfect memory of 'The West', and yet to remain on the ordinary earth where their prestige as the highest people, above wild Elves, dwarves and Men, was greater than at the bottom of the hierarchy of Valinor. Thus they became obsessed with 'fading', the mode in which the changes of time (the law of the world under the sun) was perceived by them."

Aside from the ideas of fighting Fate and Time influencing the Elves' decision to craft the Three, would the Elves have had this desire to hold onto their memories of The West and to retain their prestige 'as the highest people' without firsthand knowledge of Valinor - ie: because of the Summoning (possibly the Valar 'failing in faith')?


**Then Sauron, lingering in Middle-earth, shares his dreams with the Elves: "He was still fair in that early time, and his motives and those of the Elves seemed to go partly together: the healing of the desolate lands. Sauron found their weak point in suggesting that, helping one another, they could make Western Middle-earth as beautiful as Valinor. It was really a veiled attack on the gods, an incitement to try to make a seperate independent paradise. Gilgalad repulsed all such overtures, as also did Elrond. But at Eregion great work began - and the Elves came their nearest to falling to 'magic' and machinery. With the aid of Sauron they made Rings of Power ('power' is an ominous and sinister word in all these tales, except as applied to the gods.)"

So, what's wrong here? The Three Rings are later borne by Elves, preserving things unstained (cue beautiful, ethereal music)...so far, so good..."The chief power (of all the rings alike) was the prevention or slowing of decay (ie: change viewed as a regrettable thing), the preservation of what is desired or loved, or its semblance - this is more or less an Elvish motive." Still sounding pretty sweet...let us read a little more..."But they also enhanced the natural powers of the possessor - thus approaching 'magic', a motive easily corrupted into evil, a lust for domination." Oh, there it is: there's always a catch. Dangit. Plus of course Sauron made the Ruling Ring - another big catch...

Compared to their descriptions in LOTR, how does this affect your perception of the Three?

Do you think that from a purely speculative plot perspective, being of the line of Feanor and of both inquisitive and skilled mind, Celebrimor was a necessary part of the creation of the Rings - a continuation of the Great Tale of the death of the Trees and the making of the Silmarils? Or could it have happened theoretically at the hand of any skilled Elven smith?
What about some of the best in the business - Dwarven smiths?

Any other points about the Rings that stand out to you?




Is there a Tolkien topic that you have wanted to look into more deeply, and write about your thoughts on it? If so, we'd like to hear from you for the next TORn Amateur Symposium- coming in November. Happy writing!
















Subject User Time
Letter #131 Discussion: Heaven or Hell?; And the Golden Pavement on the Road 'South' Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 8 2013, 2:08pm
    The Morality of The Ring Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 8 2013, 2:13pm
        Well, now that you've brought up Rings... Rembrethil Send a private message to Rembrethil Oct 8 2013, 2:46pm
            Interesting idea Rem! Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 8 2013, 11:20pm
            Conjecture CuriousG Send a private message to CuriousG Oct 11 2013, 9:09pm
                As were mine Rembrethil Send a private message to Rembrethil Oct 11 2013, 9:36pm
                    Rings as conduits CuriousG Send a private message to CuriousG Oct 11 2013, 9:41pm
                        the ring(s) and fading Maciliel Send a private message to Maciliel Oct 11 2013, 11:04pm
                            Hobbity sense Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 12 2013, 1:17am
                                i meant also Maciliel Send a private message to Maciliel Oct 12 2013, 1:21am
                                    Agree on this point Telpemairo Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 12 2013, 2:53am
                Why didn't the Ring get outta Dodge? Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 12 2013, 1:10am
        Some stolen thoughts... Dame Ioreth Send a private message to Dame Ioreth Oct 8 2013, 4:15pm
            Thank you very much sador Send a private message to sador Oct 8 2013, 5:50pm
            Wonderful bit from the Reverend. Thank you! Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 8 2013, 11:32pm
                Pervasive evil and holding back The Song Dame Ioreth Send a private message to Dame Ioreth Oct 9 2013, 4:01pm
                    Quiet evil versus Clear Evil Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 9 2013, 4:59pm
            What about illusion? Terazed Send a private message to Terazed Oct 11 2013, 7:15pm
                Beautiful thoughts, Terazed CuriousG Send a private message to CuriousG Oct 11 2013, 9:37pm
                Art versus power Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 12 2013, 1:02am
    Apologies for my going MIA. A few general remarks: sador Send a private message to sador Oct 8 2013, 5:22pm
        Hullo Sador! Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 8 2013, 11:48pm
            A 'companion' read to LOTR indeed Findegil Send a private message to Findegil Oct 9 2013, 1:11am
                Thank you so much for posting this information Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 9 2013, 4:01am
                Splendid! sador Send a private message to sador Oct 9 2013, 4:58am
                    You're welcome, Sador Findegil Send a private message to Findegil Oct 9 2013, 11:45am
    Frightful evil can and does arise ... noWizardme Send a private message to noWizardme Oct 8 2013, 9:03pm
        Great set of quotes Furincurunir Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 8 2013, 11:53pm
        *Calls forth Boromir as witness* CuriousG Send a private message to CuriousG Oct 11 2013, 9:12pm
    Dated morality CuriousG Send a private message to CuriousG Oct 11 2013, 9:49pm
        Thoughts Rembrethil Send a private message to Rembrethil Oct 11 2013, 10:22pm
            Morality - flexible or not? Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 12 2013, 1:15am
                Relevant truth(pun intended) Rembrethil Send a private message to Rembrethil Oct 12 2013, 2:18am
                    I Kant believe you would make a pholisophical pun Rem... Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 12 2013, 2:30am
        Anarchistic monkey! Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 12 2013, 2:47am
    Hmmm Escapist Send a private message to Escapist Oct 11 2013, 10:15pm
        You say some of what I feebly attempted Rembrethil Send a private message to Rembrethil Oct 11 2013, 10:25pm
        Roots of evil Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 12 2013, 2:42am
            re: roots Escapist Send a private message to Escapist Oct 13 2013, 6:31am
                When helping becomes dominating Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Oct 15 2013, 12:37am
            Imposition of will... elaen32 Send a private message to elaen32 Oct 13 2013, 11:56am
                Perfectly understandable!! Rembrethil Send a private message to Rembrethil Oct 13 2013, 12:23pm
                    Yes... elaen32 Send a private message to elaen32 Oct 13 2013, 12:38pm

 
 
 

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