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The Ring: What does it represent to you?
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brooke1994
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May 24, 2013 10:53PM
I decided to make a topic where we can discuss what we think the ring represents in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien said that the ring represented how modern technology would influence the future generations. Some People, especially teenagers, are drawn to technology and the ring represented that, according to what Tolkien said in the behind the scenes documentary on The Fellowship of the Ring extended edition. As for my opinion, I think the ring represents... as weird as this might sound, a drug. Think about it: just like drugs or alcohol, which can become addicting quickly to some people who use them excessively, the ring becomes addicting quickly to whoever has it at the time. Just like when Gollum/Smeagol got a hold of the ring before Bilbo did, and was gradually changed over time in his appearance and behavior, drugs can change people if they become too hooked on them. I think that's why Frodo needed to destroy the ring before anything could happen to him or the rest of the members of the fellowship. So, this is just my two cents on what the ring represents. What does it represent to you?
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To me the ring kind of represented evil and hatred, and how it tries to draw you in and tempt you with the desires of your heart, causing you to forsake what you love and what is right. It can have a lot of different meanings depending on how you look at it, but this was my initial interpretation.
I thought it seemed to represent the bad parts that are in all of us. The temptations, the dark side of our personality. It seemed to me to really bring those out, too, and make them all more noticeable. I think all of us have those, and the temptation to give in to them, or believe that it's okay to, is like what the Ring does. Or maybe it just brings them out, lol. It is lot like a drug, too, so I agree with you. Gollum was so addicted to it, he jumped to his death. That's a pretty powerful addiction to have.
L.Y. wrote: Or maybe it just brings them out, lol. It is lot like a drug, too, so I agree with you. Gollum was so addicted to it, he jumped to his death. That's a pretty powerful addiction to have. And the fact that the longer you have it/let yourself be pulled into it, the worse it gets; the stronger the influence, the harder to resist. Same with any addiction/habit/temptation, I guess.
I pretty much agree with you all. Interesting thoughts :)
L.Y. wrote: "I thought it seemed to represent the bad parts that are in all of us. The temptations, the dark side of our personality. It seemed to me to really bring those out, too, and make them all more notic..."Yes, I think it's everything that 's just dark and wrong in us, especially hatred and fear. It seems to take these and amplify them over time. Hatred can be addictive in and of itself.
I think when it turns you into a monster it just makes the outside match the inside, so to speak.
The ring, even though small, represents something that is bigger than yourself. The ring has the power that you aspire to have all for yourself. Power can be corrupt but everyone wants it.
Oh, yes -- power, too. The main reason Sauron, Denethor and Saruman wanted the Ring was for power.
Olivia wrote: "The ring, even though small, represents something that is bigger than yourself. The ring has the power that you aspire to have all for yourself. Power can be corrupt but everyone wants it."I completely agree with you on this one and you definition is spot on!
To me it represents a kind of addiction that is hard to beat and it slowly corrupts you.
I believe that the Ring is all of our deepest regrets that we just can't get past, the darkest secret that everyone wants but does nothing, the friend that is doing evil things but you keep that to yourself and not tell a soul. That is what the Ring is to me. The complete obsession over something that will end your life in evil, it keeps you in the shadows, never allowing you to open yourself up to others.
