All Questions
Tagged with the-lord-of-the-rings the-one-ring
155
questions
494
votes
18
answers
84k
views
Would the One Ring even work for anyone but Sauron?
The temptation of the One Ring, we quickly learn, is always tied up with power: each character's fantasies of possessing it seem to be about what they would do with great power. Even Sam, as I recall, ...
- 38.6k
164
votes
13
answers
99k
views
Why didn't Sauron become invisible while wearing the One Ring?
I'm curious as to why Sauron is the only being/person shown wearing the One Ring who does not become invisible?
Isildur, Gollum, Bilbo, Frodo, and Samwise all become invisible while wearing the One ...
- 165k
108
votes
7
answers
35k
views
Why not let a dwarf carry the One Ring to Mount Doom, since their will cannot be dominated by the rings of power?
As we know, the dwarves did not succumb to the seven rings as men did to the nine - it merely made them even more greedy, stubborn and wrathful:
For the Dwarves had proved untameable by this means. ...
- 6,055
103
votes
9
answers
34k
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Why is invisibility the power granted by the One Ring?
Why is non-optional invisibility the one active supernatural power granted to non-Sauron wearers of the One Ring?
I'm looking for an answer explaining authorial intent, not an in-universe answer. ...
- 1,598
95
votes
6
answers
19k
views
How does Gandalf (or anyone) know how to destroy the Ring?
The only way to destroy the Ring is by throwing it into the fire of Orodruin. This fact doesn't seem to be common knowledge and many people in the story (like Gimli) only learn about it at the council ...
- 1,994
85
votes
8
answers
25k
views
Why did Gollum ever take off the ring in the first place?
Bilbo was able to take the ring because Gollum had taken it off.
If you had the ring, and were accustomed to wearing it, why would you ever take it off anyway?
- 1,203
84
votes
4
answers
14k
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Why not encase the One Ring in solid metal?
In the Lord of the Rings, the One Ring corrupts the people near it, and it seems to have a stronger effect on anyone who sees it or touches it. Sauron and the Ring Wraiths also seem to be able to ...
- 863
82
votes
12
answers
69k
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Why didn't Elrond or Círdan take the ring from Isildur by force and destroy it?
'Alas! yes,’ said Elrond. 'Isildur took it, as should not have been. It should have been cast then into Orodruin’s fire nigh at hand where it was made. But few marked what Isildur did. He alone stood ...
- 1,375
81
votes
9
answers
18k
views
Why does Gollum calling the ring his own not alert Sauron?
This (and others eg: this ) answer states that Frodo claiming the ring alerted Sauron immediately of its position, which makes sense: How else would Sauron realize where the Ring and Frodo were at ...
- 2,218
79
votes
8
answers
17k
views
Why did the One Ring betray Isildur?
First of all, let me point out that I know of this question, about how the Ring betrayed Isildur. I believe it is undisputed that the Ring caused itself to fall off Isildur's finger and into the river....
- 11.9k
71
votes
12
answers
78k
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Why did Sméagol turn into a 'creature' when addicted to the ring, but not Bilbo Baggins?
Why did Sméagol turn into a 'creature', but not Bilbo Baggins?
Déagol found the ring in a river, Sméagol stole it and then turned into a weird creature.
Bilbo did not turn into a creature when he ...
- 1,456
70
votes
7
answers
83k
views
Why didn't Sauron find Bilbo when he put on the ring like Frodo?
When Frodo put on the One Ring, both the Nazgûl and Sauron himself found Frodo. However when Bilbo had the ring and possibly used it many times, Sauron sought Gollum to get a hint on where to look for ...
- 1,800
69
votes
1
answer
15k
views
What would have happened if the Balrog of Moria had taken possession of The One Ring?
As we saw here, the Balrog of Moria was a fallen Maia, as was Sauron, a being on the same level as Gandalf and Saruman.
If he ever had captured the One Ring when he encountered the Fellowship in ...
- 96.1k
68
votes
5
answers
50k
views
When Frodo offers her the ring, is Galadriel really tempted, or just making a point?
(Question sparked by discussion on Why does Frodo follow Galadriel and offer her the ring?)
When Frodo suggests that Galadriel should take the ring, she appears tempted: she gives a vision of the ...
- 2,190
65
votes
4
answers
18k
views
What effect would the One Ring have on other people?
We know that for hobbits, the One Ring makes them invisible. But, at least according to the movie, Sauron was not invisible when he was wearing the ring. What effects would the ring have on other ...
- 50.8k