::golf clap::
Ok on the smashing; you’re right. But the pile wouldn’t be steaming forever (or would it? Does physics–heat transfer- apply in Middle Earth?). Really, Golllum’s been much dirtier, no? Or maybe it would get lodged in the intestines of the Balrog, thus requiring a Healer to risk life and limb in order to save the Balrog’s life*, completely altering the nature of ME when the Balrog turns out to be a Big Pussycat who likes his wings scratched.
Love the Burma Shave!
Tell me more about this ring of Aragorn’s, because what Danalan says makes sense in a Tolkien way. The films do focus on it for a short bit, but I’d like to know more about it. And no, I don’t want to read The Silmarillon, unless someone holds a gun to my head. I’ve tried several times and can’t get past about page 20… So, could someone help this ignorant slut and tell me more about Aragorn’s ring–is it Elvish? How did he get it? (from his dad?)
*sounds like a job for our QtM.
It might even enhance the value of the Ring - hell, if it works for coffee beans …
The Ring of Barahir was given to Barahir, Beren’s father, by the Elves, and was a symbol of the eternal friendship of the Dunedain (noble Men) and the Elves. It wasn’t magical, but had a very, very distinguished history - incl. a long stint with the kings and queens of Numenor - and was one of the tokens of Aragorn’s impeccable royal lineage. In the LOTR EE, Saruman recognized the ring from Grima’s description of it, looked it up in a book of ring-lore, and knew or had a strong suspicion as to who Aragorn really was.
Everyone in Middle Earth can use the One Ring to make themselves the ruler of all they see. Those with a lesser Ring of Power can oppose others efforts to become all-powerful rulers, but cannot become one themselves without the One Ring.
Aragorn is uniquely positioned to become an all-powerful ruler without the help of the One Ring. The Ring of Barahir on his finger is proof of that – if the ring has any power it’s the power of confirming ones worthiness. All Aragorn has to do, if tempted by the One Ring, is look at the ring he already wears. The One Ring could do no more for him than the Ring of Barahir. In fact, the negatives associated with the One Ring make it less attractive as a path to power than the Ring of Barahir (leading to Kingship). Does there need to be a tangible, portable, physical symbol of Aragorn’s eventual Kingship – does there need to be a Ring of Barahir? I think that without the Ring of Barahir as a constant reminder of his commitment to the path of righteousness, the Ring of Power might have been more tempting.
To summarize, the Ring of Barahir may have had no overt magical power, but it’s symbolic power was both intrinsic and substantial.
Well, that and Aragorn was a mensch. 
I refuse to comment on those coffee beans–if ever there was a symbol of ridiculous extravagance…
I’d prefer to search through Balrog poop than drink that coffee, meself.
I like to think that while Aragorn lived in a world where he was surrounded by beings with much greater power, skill and abilities than himself (Elves, Wizards, Dragons) he ultimately showed the power of being a Man, which is an inherent sense of good and all that cheesy “I’m doing it because it’s right!” stuff. Was just talking to my Aunt the other day about the power of books, film, TV that has a message about what it means to be human.
That makes sense, thanks.
Start on page 35 instead. That’s the mistake you made.
Well, I’ve got nothing to add to this one, I showed up to late.
Very funny. No chance. The book had 3 chances to enchant me and failed all three times. Next!
I was serious, the real book starts on page 35 in the hard cover. Before that is the creation myth.
In fact you might even want to try it one more time and start with the tale “Of Beren and Luthien” on page 162 Chapter XIX.
Many, many readers bog down in the Ainulindalë & Valaquenta.
I think if you start with a great story, it might be better. So consider just trying that one chapter: XIX.
Jim
NO! I cannae do it, Cap’n. The dilithium crystals won’t stand for it!
Oops, wrong fanatical fan fantasy series there. (please don’t make me. I blench when I see the title. I’m on my knees here, tearing up. Mercy, kind sir, I beg of you!)
I always had the impression that:
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Gandalf wasn’t tempted by the ring because he was too powerful, he knew the whole story behind it, and the ring didn’t attempt to “call” to him because of this. He didn’t want to hold the ring directly because he’d have to battle Sauron directly and he wasn’t allowed to do that (direct interference with the Yoomans was a big no-no for Ganders, he was supposed to be a sort of wise old fart who provided a little help, not solve problems for the mortals.)
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Aragorn knew the story behind the ring and its false promises. He also was a student, or at least a ward, of Elrond, and presumably wise to the ways of magical items. Meaning he knew it would turn his finger green. Also that he knew better than to mess with powerful magic that he couldn’t handle. And, as someone else said, knew it wasn’t in his fate.
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Faramir didn’t fully understand what the ring was or what it did. Both brothers saw the ring only as a weapon that could be turned against Mordor but I’ve always thought Faramir figured it was a just slightly magical trinket. Maybe it shot flames or made the wearer faster or stronger, but THE dark lord’s supreme source of power? Naaah. Hence Faramir’s “pfft, I wouldn’t even pick it up if it was laying by the road” remark.
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Boromir didn’t really understand the ring’s power either until he got to the council of Elrond. Then his thought was “Whoa, here is a magical object of great power belonging to the dark lord we face. Why can’t we take it and turn it against him?”. He was more tempted than Faramir because A) he knew how powerful it was (from listening to Elrond, Gandalf, and others talking about it), B) he spent more time in the rings presence and the ring sensed it could use him to return to Sauron and so called to him.
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Gimli wasn’t tempted by the ring because every other dwarf that got one of them magical rings met a bad end.
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Legolas wasn’t tempted by the ring because he was afraid of its power. That powerful magic would SO muss his beautiful hair. Which he spent DAYS getting just right.
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Sam was more worried about getting into Frodo’s pants.
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All Merry and Pippin were worried about was getting caught by that farmer whose carrots they stole. Their minds were too simple to be affected by much else.
Ok, I am sorry. It was just a suggestion as the book has some truly great parts. Fingolfin fighting Melkor is probably my favorite but I think Beren and Luthien would have the widest audience and ties into Aragorn and Arwen.
The tale of Eärendil the Sailor is also a great chapter.
Actually, it took me three tries to truly appreciate The Silmarillion, and I read it all the way through each time. The first time I was baffled by the torrent of unfamiliar names and a bit put off by its quasi-Biblical tone. The second time it started to click, and I could at least glimpse what Tolkien was driving at, overall. The third time was the charm - all of the pieces fell into place, I could make the necessary connections between the various people and events, and could really appreciate its inventiveness and beauty. I’ll echo What Exit?: Try again, please! It really is a magnificent literary accomplishment, and will amply repay a close reading.
For more on the Ring of Barahir, go about halfway down this Wiki article: Noldor - Wikipedia
For pictures of the movie version of Aragorn’s ancient heirloom: http://www.apecollection.com/FOTO/varie/lord_anello_aragorn.jpg
http://www.council-of-elrond.com/castdb/aragorn/aragorn5.jpg
A few years ago I listened to the Silmarillion audio book and it does indeed have a very biblical tone (which I didn’t get as much of the first time I read it in the past). I don’t know who voiced that one but it was great listening to it.
Several points:
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The Ring can tempt anyone, but it doesn’t necessarily do so. It tried for Boromir especially because it saw that Boromir would try to smack down Sauron’s armies, which would quickly lead it back to the Main Man himself.
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Gandalf did take up the Ring briefly; simply touching it or picking it up doesn’t mean it instantly corrupts you. Rather, it’s the long-term effects which cause trouble.
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Men were innately less resistant to magical control than most other beings. Hence those who had “the blood of Numenor” (i.e., elf-touched and often elf-descended) were better at resisting it. This was true right from the beginning.
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I think people are only looking at the surface re: Boromir and Faramir. I doubt either of them really understood the nature of the Ring. Very few did, including the Council of the Wise, maybe, but not many outside of it. I’m not even sure Aragorn really knew that much about it.
Boromir did briefly succumb to it after months of exposure (and the Ring was really, really trying to get him), but regained his senses quickly once distracted from its effects. Faramir never really had serious exposure, so his resistance was not really threatened. Faramir was a bit closer to Mordor, but the Fellowship was already nearing its outer defences when Boromir bought it.
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Whether and to what degree Aragorn was tempted is not clear. The fact that he ultimately decides to let Frodo go it alone, without him, indicates he’s pretty sure he couldn’t hold out close to Mordor.
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Relating this to Denethor is interesting. Denethor actually pulled off what Saruman tried, with at least a little more success. He was able to see what he needed, and this probably let him hold off the orcs a little while longer, but the string both mental (fighting Sauron) and emotional (seeing the hopeless situation) was too much and he started cracking under the strain. Things might have been happier had he not “peeked,” but he couldn’t have known that and he was never bent to Sauron’s will.
I truly have an aversion to it. Perhaps one day I’ll get over it, because I believe that every book has its reader and also every book has its time with every reader. For some, that time never comes. I am impatient with Tolkien throughout most of the LOTR–there is too much description; every object has at least 4 names and is referred by them all in different parts. In short, all the reasons people say they love the books are the things that make me sigh.
I am interested in Beren and Luthien and yes, it would be cool to see the parallels, but I just can’t do it. I cannot wade through the prose to find the story. I’ve said in the past that I’m not a true fan, not a fan like you or QtMet al. I love the languages and the depth of detail that Tolkien gave to his characters, but like a fine patina, I want to appreciate the glow, not see every layer. Reading TS is like dissecting a patina (as a concept, does that even make sense? Hope so). So, I thank you; I accept that it would be good, but I cannot do it.
(I feel like I just got drummed out of the foreign legion…)
We forgive you. Just promise us that you’ll try again in ten years. Hey, you never know!
Only if the cutest of you plays Beren (that’s the guy I think). Oh shit–that means I die or something, right? Oh well, I 'm prepared to suffer for Art. 