Anthony Lawther
Well-Known Member
Listening to Episode 67 it occurred to me that Gandalf makes certain assumptions about the affect of the One Ring on its bearers.
We know that the Nine Rings turn their mortal bearers into wraiths and have around 700 years at the outside to achieve this.
Gollum on the other hand possessed the One for around 500 years and was still 'solid' even if 'stretched', and Bilbo felt 'stretched' after only 60 years.
Frodo holds it for less than two decades before his transition to wraith form begins, but there are extenuating circumstances.
In LotRO terms, the transformation process would have to have a very long induction period that is easily interrupted.
Gandalf also suggests that Hobbits (including Gollum) may be more resistant to the effects of the One, on the basis that Gollum is not a wraith.
I don't see enough data points to support Gandalf's assertions about the action of the One on its bearers.
Extended lifespan alone isn't conclusive proof that the bearer will become a wraith.
The Nine are 9 for 9, while the One appears to be 0 for 5 at the time of its destruction (Isildur, Gollum, Bilbo, Frodo, & Sam)
Do you think this is a case of Tolkien being so clear in his own thinking that he fails to provide the textual basis to support Gandalf's statements, or is there some other plausible explanation for this apparent oversight?
We know that the Nine Rings turn their mortal bearers into wraiths and have around 700 years at the outside to achieve this.
Gollum on the other hand possessed the One for around 500 years and was still 'solid' even if 'stretched', and Bilbo felt 'stretched' after only 60 years.
Frodo holds it for less than two decades before his transition to wraith form begins, but there are extenuating circumstances.
In LotRO terms, the transformation process would have to have a very long induction period that is easily interrupted.
Gandalf also suggests that Hobbits (including Gollum) may be more resistant to the effects of the One, on the basis that Gollum is not a wraith.
I don't see enough data points to support Gandalf's assertions about the action of the One on its bearers.
Extended lifespan alone isn't conclusive proof that the bearer will become a wraith.
The Nine are 9 for 9, while the One appears to be 0 for 5 at the time of its destruction (Isildur, Gollum, Bilbo, Frodo, & Sam)
Do you think this is a case of Tolkien being so clear in his own thinking that he fails to provide the textual basis to support Gandalf's statements, or is there some other plausible explanation for this apparent oversight?