|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brethil
Half-elven
Oct 8 2013, 2:13pm
Views: 533
Shortcut
|
**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
|
Oct 8 2013, 2:08pm
|
The Morality of The Ring
|
Brethil
|
Oct 8 2013, 2:13pm
|
Well, now that you've brought up Rings...
|
Rembrethil
|
Oct 8 2013, 2:46pm
|
Interesting idea Rem!
|
Brethil
|
Oct 8 2013, 11:20pm
|
Conjecture
|
CuriousG
|
Oct 11 2013, 9:09pm
|
As were mine
|
Rembrethil
|
Oct 11 2013, 9:36pm
|
Rings as conduits
|
CuriousG
|
Oct 11 2013, 9:41pm
|
the ring(s) and fading
|
Maciliel
|
Oct 11 2013, 11:04pm
|
Hobbity sense
|
Brethil
|
Oct 12 2013, 1:17am
|
i meant also
|
Maciliel
|
Oct 12 2013, 1:21am
|
Agree on this point Telpemairo
|
Brethil
|
Oct 12 2013, 2:53am
|
Why didn't the Ring get outta Dodge?
|
Brethil
|
Oct 12 2013, 1:10am
|
Some stolen thoughts...
|
Dame Ioreth
|
Oct 8 2013, 4:15pm
|
Thank you very much
|
sador
|
Oct 8 2013, 5:50pm
|
Wonderful bit from the Reverend. Thank you!
|
Brethil
|
Oct 8 2013, 11:32pm
|
Pervasive evil and holding back The Song
|
Dame Ioreth
|
Oct 9 2013, 4:01pm
|
Quiet evil versus Clear Evil
|
Brethil
|
Oct 9 2013, 4:59pm
|
What about illusion?
|
Terazed
|
Oct 11 2013, 7:15pm
|
Beautiful thoughts, Terazed
|
CuriousG
|
Oct 11 2013, 9:37pm
|
Art versus power
|
Brethil
|
Oct 12 2013, 1:02am
|
Apologies for my going MIA. A few general remarks:
|
sador
|
Oct 8 2013, 5:22pm
|
Hullo Sador!
|
Brethil
|
Oct 8 2013, 11:48pm
|
A 'companion' read to LOTR indeed
|
Findegil
|
Oct 9 2013, 1:11am
|
Thank you so much for posting this information
|
Brethil
|
Oct 9 2013, 4:01am
|
Splendid!
|
sador
|
Oct 9 2013, 4:58am
|
You're welcome, Sador
|
Findegil
|
Oct 9 2013, 11:45am
|
Frightful evil can and does arise ...
|
noWizardme
|
Oct 8 2013, 9:03pm
|
Great set of quotes Furincurunir
|
Brethil
|
Oct 8 2013, 11:53pm
|
*Calls forth Boromir as witness*
|
CuriousG
|
Oct 11 2013, 9:12pm
|
Dated morality
|
CuriousG
|
Oct 11 2013, 9:49pm
|
Thoughts
|
Rembrethil
|
Oct 11 2013, 10:22pm
|
Morality - flexible or not?
|
Brethil
|
Oct 12 2013, 1:15am
|
Relevant truth(pun intended)
|
Rembrethil
|
Oct 12 2013, 2:18am
|
I Kant believe you would make a pholisophical pun Rem...
|
Brethil
|
Oct 12 2013, 2:30am
|
Anarchistic monkey!
|
Brethil
|
Oct 12 2013, 2:47am
|
Hmmm
|
Escapist
|
Oct 11 2013, 10:15pm
|
You say some of what I feebly attempted
|
Rembrethil
|
Oct 11 2013, 10:25pm
|
Roots of evil
|
Brethil
|
Oct 12 2013, 2:42am
|
re: roots
|
Escapist
|
Oct 13 2013, 6:31am
|
When helping becomes dominating
|
Brethil
|
Oct 15 2013, 12:37am
|
Imposition of will...
|
elaen32
|
Oct 13 2013, 11:56am
|
Perfectly understandable!!
|
Rembrethil
|
Oct 13 2013, 12:23pm
|
Yes...
|
elaen32
|
Oct 13 2013, 12:38pm
|
|
|
|