See Gandalf. Gandalf’s strength lay not in being able to resist the temptation of the Ring; rather, he knew that he could not handle the temptation, and therefore had the strength to avoid the temptation in the first place. Yoda would be the same way.
I like Linus, though… He has the innocence and purity to resist it, but unlike, say, Bombadil, he also has the dedication and sense of moral obligation to go on the quest in the first place. And while Calvin with the ring would be nothing short of apocolyptic, Hobbes might be able to handle it: He loves the power he already has as a tiger, but he loves that power precisely because it is his own. Using the Ring would be un-tigerish. Then again, you’ve got the easily-distracted factor there, too.
It’s hard to come up with another race of creatures, then, What Exit? that have hobbits’ absolulte non-interest in ambition or lust for power. Everybody wants something.
And that’s only the starting brew. Even amongst Hobbits there are those who thirst for more…just look at the Sacksville-Bagginses.
I think Taran Wanderer could have done it, towards the end of the High King. After all, he gave up a kingdom. But in the beginning he certainly was looking for fame, at least.
Eilonwy? Eilonwy might have been able to do it. Gurgi…too easily distracted. Oh! That dude up on the mountain, that took care of all the animals.
Hmm. Who else?
Wow. I just went out and glanced at my movies, and I can’t think of a single other one. The only one that even came close was Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and he might have used it for his parents. Even if he didn’t, he wouldn’t have the endurance and stamina to take it all the way.
I just finished the Farseer Trilogy. I’m thinking the main character of that, Fitz, might have been able to do it. After all, all the power and fame and fortune he has is forced upon him. But no, he would have used it for his woman and child.
The Older Taran is a good choice, he might of been able to suceed. The older Ged of EarthSea would have had a chance also, but as he was already powerful maybe not. You are right about Hobbits, only a few could have done it.
What did you think of Forrest Gump?
Charlie in the book would probably have failed.
How about Santa Claus, I think Santa could have done it, could Magic Reindeer get past Nazgul though? I don’t think Santa is up to it on foot.
Ooo! What about Heihachi from the Seven Samurai? After all, he was lacking enough in pride to be cutting wood for his supper. (If you don’t remember, he was the one always smiling.)
No, Mirror, Mirror proves that the alternate universe version of Mr. Spock had a lust for power…maybe. He didn’t seem particularly interested in being captain.
Heh, Qadgop. At least it’d be safe, unless someone cut you open. (Man, it *hurts *to leave the ‘u’ out.)
And I never saw the Magnificent 7. I do intend to, and I do recommend the original, it is phenomenal.
Anyway, they show how all the samurai are cocky and arrogant. Heihachi is one they find chopping a farmer’s wood for his food. Even the farmer is surprised. He always smiles this broad, open smile, and he makes jokes about having studied at the “WoodCut School”. No arrogance at all.
I don’t think any of the Harry Potter crew could do it. Neville doesn’t have the ego or the desire for fame or power but he doesn’t really have his wits about him, either. He is getting better, though.
Paksenarrion or any another paladin from her universe, as they are divinely immune to mental influences, but that would be cheating.
The Walking Man, the Wrath of God in the World of Men for the same reason.
Drizzt Do’Urden and Artemis Entreri from Forgotten Realms probably could, as they resisted the Crystal Shard, something with the same sort of manipulative/corruptive abilites. It was at least as nasty as the Ring that way.
…Probably… but the motivation of the Luggage has always been pretty mysterious, probably intentionally so. I’m just slightly creeped out by the idea that the Luggage might decide to use the Ring for it’s own private purposes… [sound effect: tribal drums beating ominously /].
The characters in Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven don’t correlate one to one – there were a large number of differences between the two movies in plot and characterization to prevent it. The closest is Bernardo O’Reilly (Charles Bronson).
Whichever name was finally given to the man (yes, it had to be a man because women were good for nothing much besides cooking, nursing, having babies, looking pretty and praising their man - and, yes, if she was as fit as a butcher’s dog, then she could pretend to be a man and ride into battle to certain non-death, women not being particularly suited to death either), whether Bingo (my favourite - pity Tollers dropped the idea), Frodo, Bilbo or plain ol’ Tom, he would always be “John Ronald Reuel” behind the ruddy-faced disguise.
But, you see, “John Ronald Reuel” was just, well, rather long (like the book), so it had to be something a bit more modest. Hence, “Frodo”, Old English for “pipe-smoker who is a rather remarkable combination of tweedy automobile-hater and innocent, teller of exceedingly long stories and homespun, yet strangely deep, moralist, blended with warrior and grower of organic veg - with a woman who comes in to do the cleaning Tuesdays and Fridays”.
