Flammifer
Well-Known Member
The suggestion, that the Ring could be used as a weapon against Sauron was introduced by Gandalf, reporting on Saruman’s comments, “The Ruling Ring? If we could command that, then the Power would pass to us.” We know that this is where Boromir gets the idea from, because he references Saruman when he makes the suggestion.
Also, it is the only source Boromir has. There has been no other comment nor suggestion that the Ring confers any power to anyone other than Sauron that can be used against Sauron. Invisibility, is the only power so far recounted that it confers on others.
It is a perfectly rational suggestion. It should have occurred to anyone at the Council. Especially, if they had only the knowledge that Boromir has of Rings and such. Of course, Boromir would latch on to that idea. It is absolutely in keeping with his role as Defender of Gondor and Captain of the Army. Let’s go win the war! (Remember, that there is no suggestion that destroying the Ring will win the war.)
(Note, that Boromir is still uncertain whether the Ring can be successfully used to defeat Sauron. "Let the Ring be your weapon, if it has such power as you say." Saruman's comment, though suggestive, was not crystal clear.)
There is no need for the Ring to influence him at all for him to make this suggestion.
Does the Ring go around influencing anyone other than its bearer? Have we seen any evidence of this? Possibly Smeagol’s murder of Deagol? Still, although that might have been Ring influence (Why? Did the Ring just like Smeagol so much more than Deagol?) it might have just been Smeagol’s greed and dubious nature. I can’t think of any other possible examples?
Now, we, as first-time readers, have reasons to suspect the option of using the Ring as a weapon against Sauron. We have Gandalf’s comments, when Frodo offers him the Ring in Bag End. “With that power I should have power too great and terrible. And over me the Ring would gain a power still greater and more deadly…. Do not tempt me! For I do not wish to become like the Dark Lord himself. Yet the way of the Ring to my heart is by pity, pity for weakness and the desire of strength to do good. Do not tempt me! I dare not take it, not even to keep it safe, unused. The wish to wield it would be too great for my strength. I shall have such need of it. Great perils lie before me.”
That is enough to induce us to look askance at Boromir’s suggestion. (Even though it is not clear whether the danger of becoming like the Dark Lord is a danger specific to Gandalf himself, or rather to any wielder of the One Ring. After all, Boromir has heard of four other bearers, Isildur, Gollum, Bilbo, and Frodo, none of whom seemed to become 'like the Dark Lord himself'.)
But, is this comment from Gandalf known to Boromir? It is possible that Frodo recounted it during his report to the Council. But, would he have gone over the events of The Shadow of the Past in verbatim detail? Or would he have summarized?
In any event, Boromir, in my estimation, would suggest using the Ring as a weapon against Sauron regardless of whether the Ring was influencing him or not. Of course, it is possible that the Ring was influencing him, but I see no evidence of such, and no need to assume such. Is it not better to stick with the simple interpretation that of course Boromir would make this suggestion? It is an obvious possibility!
Also, it is the only source Boromir has. There has been no other comment nor suggestion that the Ring confers any power to anyone other than Sauron that can be used against Sauron. Invisibility, is the only power so far recounted that it confers on others.
It is a perfectly rational suggestion. It should have occurred to anyone at the Council. Especially, if they had only the knowledge that Boromir has of Rings and such. Of course, Boromir would latch on to that idea. It is absolutely in keeping with his role as Defender of Gondor and Captain of the Army. Let’s go win the war! (Remember, that there is no suggestion that destroying the Ring will win the war.)
(Note, that Boromir is still uncertain whether the Ring can be successfully used to defeat Sauron. "Let the Ring be your weapon, if it has such power as you say." Saruman's comment, though suggestive, was not crystal clear.)
There is no need for the Ring to influence him at all for him to make this suggestion.
Does the Ring go around influencing anyone other than its bearer? Have we seen any evidence of this? Possibly Smeagol’s murder of Deagol? Still, although that might have been Ring influence (Why? Did the Ring just like Smeagol so much more than Deagol?) it might have just been Smeagol’s greed and dubious nature. I can’t think of any other possible examples?
Now, we, as first-time readers, have reasons to suspect the option of using the Ring as a weapon against Sauron. We have Gandalf’s comments, when Frodo offers him the Ring in Bag End. “With that power I should have power too great and terrible. And over me the Ring would gain a power still greater and more deadly…. Do not tempt me! For I do not wish to become like the Dark Lord himself. Yet the way of the Ring to my heart is by pity, pity for weakness and the desire of strength to do good. Do not tempt me! I dare not take it, not even to keep it safe, unused. The wish to wield it would be too great for my strength. I shall have such need of it. Great perils lie before me.”
That is enough to induce us to look askance at Boromir’s suggestion. (Even though it is not clear whether the danger of becoming like the Dark Lord is a danger specific to Gandalf himself, or rather to any wielder of the One Ring. After all, Boromir has heard of four other bearers, Isildur, Gollum, Bilbo, and Frodo, none of whom seemed to become 'like the Dark Lord himself'.)
But, is this comment from Gandalf known to Boromir? It is possible that Frodo recounted it during his report to the Council. But, would he have gone over the events of The Shadow of the Past in verbatim detail? Or would he have summarized?
In any event, Boromir, in my estimation, would suggest using the Ring as a weapon against Sauron regardless of whether the Ring was influencing him or not. Of course, it is possible that the Ring was influencing him, but I see no evidence of such, and no need to assume such. Is it not better to stick with the simple interpretation that of course Boromir would make this suggestion? It is an obvious possibility!
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