Flammifer
Well-Known Member
As those who have read my previous posts will be aware, I maintain that the first time reader cannot be aware that destruction of the Ring will destroy Sauron and win the war until the Council of the Captains in “The Return of the King”, as it is never stated by anyone until then.
Also, none of the participants at the Council of Elrond seem to think that destroying the Ring will destroy Sauron, as they all see hiding the Ring or destroying it as equivalent strategies to deny Sauron the Ring, except that destroying it prevents the risk of some other powerful person using it to become another Dark Lord.
The most common objections to this reading are:
Now, of course, in revision, JRRT was well aware that destroying the Ring was going to destroy Sauron and win the war. Curiously, he didn’t include this fact in any of the statements or deliberations during the Council of Elrond or previously (or subsequently until the Council of Captains). He could have. Why didn’t he?
But, my main question is: Had JRRT decided that destroying the Ring would destroy Sauron when he first wrote the Council of Elrond? I suspect that he had. But can anyone find any evidence in Letters, or material unpublished by JRRT, or in ‘The History of Middle-earth’?
When did JRRT decide that destroying the Ring meant victory? Why did he conceal this until ‘The Return of the King’?
Also, none of the participants at the Council of Elrond seem to think that destroying the Ring will destroy Sauron, as they all see hiding the Ring or destroying it as equivalent strategies to deny Sauron the Ring, except that destroying it prevents the risk of some other powerful person using it to become another Dark Lord.
The most common objections to this reading are:
- “Gandalf tells Frodo in "The Shadow of the Past" that "he let a great part of his own former power pass into it, so that he could rule all the others." So Gandalf clearly understands that it represents a significant part of Sauron's native power or 'soul'.” – direct quote from a post by Forodan, but also cited by others. However, the complete quote goes on, with Gandalf saying, “If he recovers it, then he will command them all again, wherever they be, even the Three, and all that has been wrought with them will be laid bare, and he will be stronger than ever.” Sauron put a large part of his power into the Ring. But he lost it, so he is weakened. If he gets it back he will be stronger again. No suggestion whatsoever that if it is destroyed, he will become weaker than now!
- Elrond tells the Council, “The Dark Tower was broken, but its foundations were not removed; for they were made with the power of the Ring, and while it remains they will endure.” Here Elrond indicates that the Ring has an effect on other things that were made with its power (the foundations of Barad-dur) that could be removed if it were destroyed. There is no real reason to read across from the foundations of the Dark Tower, that were made with the power of the Ring, to Sauron, who was not made with the power of the Ring, and assume that destroying the Ring would destroy, or make it easier to destroy Sauron. Still, is this a hint, part of his beloved foreshadowing, by JRRT? Did HE know that destroying the Ring would destroy Sauron when he was writing ‘The Council of Elrond’?
- Gloin asks what would happen (to the Three) if the One was destroyed. Elrond answers, “We know not for certain, some hope that the Three Rings, which Sauron has never touched, would then become free, and their rulers might heal the hurts of the world that he has wrought. But maybe when the One has gone, the Three will fail, and many fair things will fade and be forgotten. That is my belief.” Glorfindel then says, “Yet all the Elves are willing to endure this chance, if by it the power of Sauron may be broken, and the fear of his dominion be taken away for ever.” This passage, I think, is the clearest example of possible foreshadowing by JRRT. Though it would be a mighty stretch for a first-time reader to jump from this to a clear assumption that destroying the Ring would destroy Sauron.
Now, of course, in revision, JRRT was well aware that destroying the Ring was going to destroy Sauron and win the war. Curiously, he didn’t include this fact in any of the statements or deliberations during the Council of Elrond or previously (or subsequently until the Council of Captains). He could have. Why didn’t he?
But, my main question is: Had JRRT decided that destroying the Ring would destroy Sauron when he first wrote the Council of Elrond? I suspect that he had. But can anyone find any evidence in Letters, or material unpublished by JRRT, or in ‘The History of Middle-earth’?
When did JRRT decide that destroying the Ring meant victory? Why did he conceal this until ‘The Return of the King’?
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