Post by Andorinha on Jan 18, 2009 18:10:10 GMT -6
Week Ten - Of the Rings of Power
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Message 1 of 4 in Discussion
From: megn1
Sent: 6/23/2002 9:08 PM
This is our last week for this journey through the Silmarillion.
The last section, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," brings us up to the time of LOTR. Most of this material can be found in LOTR, or in the Appendices. Those who are new to Tolkien, and discovering this background information for the first time, will benefit from now re-reading "The Shadow of the Past" and "The Council of Elrond" from Fellowship of the Ring. All the loose ends should now fall into place for you.
Let's talk about Sauron's decision to make the Ring. Is this another example of pride leading to a fall? Sauron wanted to dominate the elves, and his strategy involved pouring much of his power into an object which could be (and was) taken from him. In the end it was his downfall. What might have happened if he had never made the Ring? How do his motives affect the outcome?
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Message 2 of 4 in Discussion
From: Zauber
Sent: 6/25/2002 7:12 AM
Wow, MegN, you sure come up with some good ones!! I imagine that never having made the rings, Sauron would be well nigh invincible, and only the second intervention of the Valar would have saved Middle Earth. The Hobbits may have been ignored in the conflict and resistance, or totally overrun. They would not have had an opportunity to display the heroism on a grand scale like our Hobbit friends. Aragorn would have lived out his life as a Ranger, as Gondor would have been overrun much earlier in history.
Would Gandalf and the other Istari even have been sent to help? After the events of the Silmarillion, the picture of Sauron's recovery and the life of ME would have been totally different. Would the Havens, Rivendell and Lothlorien be isolated spots of safety, surrounded by a Mordor-like Middle Earth?
Seems to me the Elves Long Defeat would have encompassed all of the 'good' peoples.
Zauber
The ramifications of your question are staggering!! Good one! Zauber
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Message 3 of 4 in Discussion
From: rivers
Sent: 6/27/2002 1:15 AM
Great question Megn ! Given my interpretation of Sauron's character the thought of losing the ring never crossed his mind until it was cut from his finger. He only saw a way to subvert powerful people to his dominion by creating a focus for his power to subvert all ringwearers. What creature would have the power to take something from his person against his will. After all he was a maia and the servant of Melkor the most powerful of the Valar. On the other hand he may have felt his power waning ala Melkor and wanted to entrap it into something so as not to lose it forever with the wasting of his spirit towards evil. Once again a thought provoking question Megn thanx.
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Message 4 of 4 in Discussion
From: Glorfindle
Sent: 6/27/2002 11:57 PM
Welcome back Rivers, nice to see ya posting again!!!
Glor
_________________________________________________
Reply
Message 1 of 4 in Discussion
From: megn1
Sent: 6/23/2002 9:08 PM
This is our last week for this journey through the Silmarillion.
The last section, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," brings us up to the time of LOTR. Most of this material can be found in LOTR, or in the Appendices. Those who are new to Tolkien, and discovering this background information for the first time, will benefit from now re-reading "The Shadow of the Past" and "The Council of Elrond" from Fellowship of the Ring. All the loose ends should now fall into place for you.
Let's talk about Sauron's decision to make the Ring. Is this another example of pride leading to a fall? Sauron wanted to dominate the elves, and his strategy involved pouring much of his power into an object which could be (and was) taken from him. In the end it was his downfall. What might have happened if he had never made the Ring? How do his motives affect the outcome?
_________________________________________
Reply
Message 2 of 4 in Discussion
From: Zauber
Sent: 6/25/2002 7:12 AM
Wow, MegN, you sure come up with some good ones!! I imagine that never having made the rings, Sauron would be well nigh invincible, and only the second intervention of the Valar would have saved Middle Earth. The Hobbits may have been ignored in the conflict and resistance, or totally overrun. They would not have had an opportunity to display the heroism on a grand scale like our Hobbit friends. Aragorn would have lived out his life as a Ranger, as Gondor would have been overrun much earlier in history.
Would Gandalf and the other Istari even have been sent to help? After the events of the Silmarillion, the picture of Sauron's recovery and the life of ME would have been totally different. Would the Havens, Rivendell and Lothlorien be isolated spots of safety, surrounded by a Mordor-like Middle Earth?
Seems to me the Elves Long Defeat would have encompassed all of the 'good' peoples.
Zauber
The ramifications of your question are staggering!! Good one! Zauber
_______________________________________________
Reply
Message 3 of 4 in Discussion
From: rivers
Sent: 6/27/2002 1:15 AM
Great question Megn ! Given my interpretation of Sauron's character the thought of losing the ring never crossed his mind until it was cut from his finger. He only saw a way to subvert powerful people to his dominion by creating a focus for his power to subvert all ringwearers. What creature would have the power to take something from his person against his will. After all he was a maia and the servant of Melkor the most powerful of the Valar. On the other hand he may have felt his power waning ala Melkor and wanted to entrap it into something so as not to lose it forever with the wasting of his spirit towards evil. Once again a thought provoking question Megn thanx.
___________________________________________
Reply
Message 4 of 4 in Discussion
From: Glorfindle
Sent: 6/27/2002 11:57 PM
Welcome back Rivers, nice to see ya posting again!!!
Glor