Why is the One Ring so powerful? - History & Powers explained | Middle-Earth Lore

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There was a scene in the book that did not make it into the movies, that I think is particularly crucial. Gollum swore an oath on the ring, that if he should ever betray Frodo, he would cast himself in to Mount Doom. It was therefore no accident that Gollum fell after stealing the ring, but an effect of the ring's own power. An unsubtle message, that Evil betrays even its own goals, has been left by the wayside.

Bilbo Baggins in The lord of the Rings describes the "prolonged life" the ring gives the wearer really well: "I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread.” I believe that like you said the ring stretches your life, instead of adding to it, until you eventually become so stretched, an (almost) formeless wraith is all you can be

I never connected pity and mercy as the weakness of The Ring. This was brilliantly put, thanks! LOTR best story ever written

People use the One Ring, people disappear. Tom Bombadil use the One Ring, it disappears. Tom Bombadil is the Middle Earth's Chuck Norris.

I think the story could be interpreted in such a way: That the ring not only betrayed all of the other wearers, but even Sauron himself. How else would it have been possible to simply cut it off Saurons hand? Betrayal was so much part of it's nature and essence, that not even it's creator was exempt from that. The eventual destruction of the ring and the subsequent demise of Sauron was, therefore, unintentionally built into the ring from the start.

One bling to rule them all

I think this video was like Lord of the Rings 101, a review course in this history of the ring. I hope any newbies who see it will be inspired to read the books.

So when a mortal wears a Ring of Power, they gain a form of immortality, as they are now preserved against time.

LOTR newcomers often ask "What does it do?" My favorite interpretation has always be domination. I believe The Ring allows you to dominate others. It makes you a leader. A really capable, really evil leader. You give commands, people listen. Not mind control though. More like overwhelming, evil, irresistible, cult-like charisma. "The Taming of Sméagol" is my favorite example.

(I haven't watched the full video yet.) In my opinion, The One Ring does not make you Invisible, but instead makes you Ethereal. While it does confer the benefits of Invisibility, it however also allows you to see and be seen by spirits. This is why putting on the Ring is a very bad idea. With it off, Sauron (who has no physical form) has to search the mortal realm thoroughly and with great difficulty. But with it on, you become the opposite of being Invisible, you quite literally become a shining beacon to spirits. This is why Stone, Metal, and Flesh will no longer protect you from Sauron's gaze. It is the world around the wearer that has become invisible by the power of the Ring.

In many ways, Sauron himself was a slave to his own ring. Ever searching for it, a slave to seeking the power he put into it, and bound to the fate of the ring more than any other. Like almost every other being of Middle Earth, he both feared and craved that one, tiny, golden bauble.

The Numenorians rise and fall would make a great TV series. Vague enough to make it someone's and defined enough to have "bullet points" so those in the know where they are ish in the plot.

Whenever it's said, "the Ring failed him", I've always taken that as, it suddenly grew bigger and slipped off like a little SOB.

"One ring to rule them all and in the darkness bind them"

Great job buddy! :)

This has been one of the most enlightening videos on the LotR! It casts new light onto everything, and honestly allows me to see even more greatness in these works. Thank you for creating all of this!

13:25 tom bombadil? that interesting can't wait for a story video about him

Always had this theory about Bombadil I always assumed the colours of the wizards were based on their duty or path Grey for the stone and smoke of cities, Brown for the soil or dirt Blue and blue for the sky and sea White for all the light touches Bombadil I always assumed represented the power of song. A metaphor for the power of music. Transpiring all things music can sway minds, change history, tell stories, in this reality his power is equal to the power of song, hence he is insanely powerful. Just a theory

Okay. Posting this before watching. The way I understand it, the power of The One Ring scales with the inherent power of the wielder. Sauron was a demigod, like Gandalf, so it’s power was unimaginable, hence why Gandalf refuses to take it. Meanwhile, hobbits are... well, hobbits. Bottom of the power totem pole. Hence why the ring is safest in halfling hands. It has the least amount of power in their hands.