The Lord of The Rings suggests the One Ring holds a power above all else, able to control and rule whole realms. After all, it is “One Ring to Rule Them All”, thus absolute power is what the ring promises. The phrase “absolute power corrupts absolutely” can be perfectly applied to Tolkien’s symbol of the One Ring.
Frodo is entrusted to carry the One Ring to Mordor because his purity makes him the most resistant- though even he succumbs to the One Rings powers when reaching Mount Doom. The One Ring is not just evil in itself, but practices its power through whoever bears it. One of the key characteristics of Tolkien’s iconic plot device is its effect on man. This is why Frodo must go to great lengths to destroy it – only dissolvable in the fires from which is bred, by a supernatural spirit (Sauron), possibly representative of Satan. You cannot negotiate with Evil, as it wants nothing for itself. It’s this lack of motivation that feeds its power, as it is not weakened by trying to reach any goal. It is simply Evil, without cause or reason, ensnaring anyone that touches it. Therefore, it does not seek wealth or power. It does not represent malcontent villainy or cruelty, but the spirit of Evil itself. Instead, it exists as a metaphysical energy that man must work to destroy. The fact Tolkien conveyed this sense of Evil through an object, rather than a living being, suggests Evil is not a product of mankind. The One Ring is an indestructible force of Evil, that lays wake to death, destruction and darkness. Sauron gathers and builds armies to destroy Middle Earth without any real motive other than power. His soul can transverse beyond the physical realm, still present through in the One Ring even after being “killed” in battle.Īlmost like a Horcrux of Middle Earth, the One Ring embodies Sauron’s powers to influence those around it. Lord Sauron – who forged the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom – is depicted as an inhuman spirit, not bound by mortality or science. Not just that of hate or envy, but pure, unmotivated Evil.
Rather than trailing through the internet in research of what it could mean, we’ve complied a handy list exploring the symbolism of the One Ring from all different perspectives: EvilĪn obvious interpretation of the One Ring is that it symbolises, quite simply, Evil.
This has led to widespread debates on what the One Ring could represent, with its dark, possessive abilities enslaving all those that pursue it. Tolkien himself has confirmed that he did not assign one particular meaning to it, preferring readers to be free to interpretation. Although there are hundreds of points to analyse in Tolkien’s meticulously detailed Middle Earth, the most potent symbol is that of the One Ring. Whether from the books or the films, multiple interpretations have been drawn from J.
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