I'd like to continue the ongoing discussion in the
Bilbo's treachery -thread. Since our discussion went into off topic territory I opened this new thread, as
Pitchwife suggested.
We were discussing the nature the importance of the Ring in Sméagol's transformation into Gollum. Here's the original
thread and the last post on this topic for future reference:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Pitchwife
You're right to disagree with me, Leaf ; in my desire to stress the element of contest I neglected the element of first sight vs having been under the influence of the Ring for months.
Inzil, I'm not sure there is such a thing as a person's nature divorced of all environmental influences, but I won't belabour that point. I did, however, look up what Gandalf has to say about Sméagol's character before the finding of the Ring:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Originally Posted by LotR Book One Ch. II, The Shadow of the Past
The most inquisitive and curious-minded of that family was called Sméagol. He was interested in roots and beginnings; he dived into deep pools; he burrowed under trees and growing plants; he tunnelled into green mounds; and he ceased to look up at the hill-tops, or the leaves on trees, or the flowers opening in the air; his head and his eyes were downward.
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None of these interests of Sméagol's seem particulary evil to me - aren't tunnelling and burrowing pretty normal hobbitish activities? It is, of course, to be noted that he lost interest in the beauty of nature, which is never a good sign in Tolkien. But it's a long way from there to murdering his best friend over a ring, isn't it?
I'm not sure we should keep discussing this here (if at all), because, well, once upon a time this thread used to have a topic, but I think Leaf has hit on a question that is not as easy as it looks. |
12-14-2015, 11:45 AM
Threaded Mode