The One Ring: How Does it Work? | Middle-earth Lore Video

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  • čas přidán 28. 04. 2022
  • One Ring to Rule them All... But how does it work? How does it bind all others? And how was it eventually destroyed?
    For more information on the other Rings of Power, check out this video - • The Rings of Power | W...
    #Lordoftherings
    #Lore
    #Tolkien
    #Middleearth
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Komentáře • 811

  • @MrARock001
    @MrARock001 Před 2 lety +904

    Samwise the Garden Tyrant would have been a clutch ending to LotR. "WATER MY PLUM TREES AND DESPAIR!"

    • @purspike
      @purspike Před rokem +45

      I may not carry the potted plant, but I'll command you to carry it for me!

    • @ivarcollison5965
      @ivarcollison5965 Před rokem +11

      That's a gem.

    • @JM-do6wc
      @JM-do6wc Před 11 měsíci +27

      Just imagine how good the pipe weed would be!!

    • @insanum666
      @insanum666 Před 10 měsíci +41

      ​@@JM-do6wcInto this pipeweed he poured his cruelty and his malice and his will to get all of life way too high!

    • @JM-do6wc
      @JM-do6wc Před 10 měsíci +5

      @@insanum666 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @aaronrowell6943
    @aaronrowell6943 Před 2 lety +537

    I would love to hear Elrond explain why pushing a sovereign ruler into lava was good idea to the army of the ruler he just killed

    • @puddintain3872
      @puddintain3872 Před 2 lety

      What the fuck kind of thoughts does this Bot has stuck in it's processor? Incoherent ramblings of our new ai age.

    • @drachna
      @drachna Před rokem +142

      Pushed? What do you mean pushed? Isildur jumped, it was a tragedy.

    • @aaronrowell6943
      @aaronrowell6943 Před rokem +93

      @@drachna he was so overcome by grief he just tripped and fell

    • @theelectricprince8231
      @theelectricprince8231 Před rokem +51

      Lava is slippery bro! I sneezed and bumped into him bro! I am the brother of your founder bro!

    • @drachna
      @drachna Před rokem +14

      @@VaderPopsVicodin10 Laughs awkwardly and slowly draws sword

  • @danit.2243
    @danit.2243 Před 2 lety +543

    Dave, you are THE hidden gem of all Tolkien related channels. By far the best, most informative and, most importantly, the most immersive of all. Thank you for the brilliant weekly content!

    • @jamesrossi1910
      @jamesrossi1910 Před 2 lety +11

      Agreed

    • @tomk537
      @tomk537 Před 2 lety +23

      I know Dave wouldn’t want this - but it is hard to watch some of the other much bigger channels now - so many are just summaries with little new insights - Dave is weaving the tales, the context and the movies and expanded lore and then actually pulling out themes and meaning - and so well produced too - script, music, art and reading - just great stuff

    • @futuresonex
      @futuresonex Před 2 lety +7

      Agreed!

    • @carlcramer9269
      @carlcramer9269 Před 2 lety +8

      Also pleasant to listen to.

    • @Yajna007
      @Yajna007 Před 2 lety +1

      Found this channel a few months ago.

  • @sauron3488
    @sauron3488 Před 2 lety +56

    Saruman still failing to get possession of the One Ring.

  • @thebandwagonfanpodcast
    @thebandwagonfanpodcast Před 2 lety +136

    Such a great defense of Isilduir, and a fantastic explanation as to why Elrond could not have intervened in the film!

    • @abadenoughdude300
      @abadenoughdude300 Před rokem

      It would start a humans-elves war right there when 2 men entered the cave and 1 came out. Even if they destroyed the ring and thus defeated Sauron, the world would be plunged into chaos so he would've won in the end anyway.

    • @ashapuhin72
      @ashapuhin72 Před rokem +1

      @@abadenoughdude300 even if it would start war between human and elves the elves can just leave for the west as they did eventually, No the greatest and most tragic love story in the Tolkien universe has to happen... Those elves has foreseen whats going to happen long before it happened , and Tolkien has to have his version of Romeo and Juliet..

  • @v1e1r1g1e1
    @v1e1r1g1e1 Před 2 lety +304

    There were actually quite a few people who resisted the desire for the One Ring. Those who willingly surrendered it: Bilbo and Samwise. [and Tom Bombadil]. Those who had direct sight of the Ring, and the capability to seize it from the Bearer, but resisted the temptation: Gandalf, Galadriel, Faramir. Those who knew of its location (with Frodo) but resisted trying to acquire it: Elrond, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli. Those who knew of its location but expressed no desire to take it: Meriadoc and Peregrin.

    • @simonmorris4226
      @simonmorris4226 Před 2 lety +51

      And notice the fate of all those who did try to take it. A story arc slightly missed in the film. Sauron, Boromir, Saruman, Gollum and Denethor all coveted it. And they all fell.

    • @Yajna007
      @Yajna007 Před 2 lety +13

      Tom Bombadil is the *Valar* Aulë? That way,, he would be the teacher of both Mairon {i·e· Sauron} and Curumo {who was later (much later) send to Middle Earth as the *Istari* Saruman}.
      Aulë is the person who taught Metallurgy to both Sauron {i·e· Mairon} as well as Curumo.

    • @Drummerja89
      @Drummerja89 Před rokem +9

      @@Yajna007 that theory was debunked on a different channel, but still a interesting thought.

    • @whoisgoobafish9623
      @whoisgoobafish9623 Před rokem +1

      Don’t forget Gollum

    • @glennhydock6513
      @glennhydock6513 Před rokem +11

      Ah the other difference is not just coveting the ring, but also claiming it as their own. Gimli, Galadriel and Elrond, never physically touched it. Had they done so I don't doubt that simple contact had been enough to override their will. Does this make sense?

  • @MellowMutts270
    @MellowMutts270 Před 2 lety +119

    I’ve watched lots of videos on The One Ring this is by far the best! I realize why I love your channel so much you sort of try in a way to correct what the movies did by strictly sticking to Tolkien’s words. Other channels sort of lean into the movies which I get they are great movies but greater still is their source material. Thank you Rainbow Dave! You’re awesome!

  • @garrick3727
    @garrick3727 Před rokem +8

    Since the One Ring has a large chunk of Sauron's essence in it, I think many people make the mistake of thinking it is a Sentient item, like those seen in role-playing games. It doesn't really work like that, in that its sentience is limited. It is probably closer to an iPhone than a person (which says something about iPhones). The One Ring has limited sensory ability. It senses the person wearing or carrying it, it can sense other Rings of Power and possibly other items of power (like Palantiri), and maybe sources of strong auras (like proximity to Barad Dur, or Mt Doom). It does not "see" or "feel" or read minds though. It would not know, for example, that Isildur is swimming across a river, but it may sense that he is fleeing evil. It's ability to influence people is also less direct than it could be if it were sentient. It mostly just amplifies emotions and behaviors, being particularly keyed in to certain feelings such as ambition, guilt and fear. It can clearly fatigue its owner and influence their appearance and lifespan. It seems to do this by draining them when it amplifies their emotion. So, for example, a happy hobbit living in Hobbiton would not feed much of anything into the Ring, and would not be drained much as a result. Whereas someone who actively used the Ring, or who had strong feelings of ambition, anger, or fear would be drained faster. The main thing to keep in mind is that the One Ring doesn't "think", it only reacts to what it senses.
    Perhaps the most difficult concept to comprehend is how the One Ring manages to "lose itself" on the few times it has passed from one owner to another. Given its limited senses, getting lost is mostly a reaction to either its bearer or its location to the powerful auras it can sense. How it loses itself seems to be just clouding its bearer's mind. So, when Gollum loses the Ring in the tunnels, it is not because the Ring senses Bilbo, it is because the Ring just finds Gollum unworthy, either because he is weak or because the Ring senses its influence on Gollum is not getting him to do anything useful, or go anywhere. The Ring senses it is "getting nowhere" with Gollum, so it clouds his mind so that he loses it. Given Gollum's semi-crazy state, it's quite possible that he has lost and refound the Ring several times. Where Eru Iluvatar comes into the picture is the "chance" that Bilbo finds the ring. By a similar mechanism the Ring can also get itself onto someone's finger before that realize they put it on, and it can probably get off their finger the same way. Frodo never loses the Ring, but that is because he is resilient to its effects. It cannot cloud his mind so that he loses it, partly because he chooses to wear it on a chain around his neck, after it got onto his finger a couple of times. It could also be that the Ring chooses not to get lost because it feels it is moving in the right direction, towards Sauron. (I am curious as to why the Ring did not try to escape Frodo in Moria to get to the Balrog. Maybe the Balrog is considered a threat to Sauron, so the Ring has no desire to go to it.)
    On the subject of Isildur, I am not sure he did nothing wrong, although I would agree that he didn't do much wrong. He was ambitious, but that is a common flaw in Man that makes all men very unsuitable as ring bearers. He was sensible enough to wear the Ring on a chain. He did seem to be in two minds as to whether to use the Ring, and - as we saw with Boromir - that state of mind can be dangerous. I don't agree that it was Eru Iluvatar that caused Isildur to lose the Ring. I think the Ring sensed the evil of the orcs, and it sensed Isildur's fear of being caught and losing the Ring. So it decided to betray him, in the hope of moving towards Barad Dur, rather than away. If Eru did play a role, it was in having Isildur be swimming the river when the Ring decided to slip away. The Ring is not sentient enough to know that Isildur is swimming a river. Alternatively, I would accept the argument that the Ring did want to fall into the river, since it did not like Isildur or the orcs. Since it could perceive no Sauron to claim it, perhaps it just wanted to go into sleep mode.

  • @pauldrexel1501
    @pauldrexel1501 Před 2 lety +38

    That was an extremely clever and amazing podcast. The description of ring lore as a kind of creation software where Sauron possessed a password backdoor was just wow.
    And the commentary about claiming the ring to use it’s power was very illuminating.

  • @tragicwitch
    @tragicwitch Před 2 lety +41

    Just amazing! And very tragic as far as Isildur. The worst part is I feel that the public at large in Middle Earth might have the same opinion as fans who have only seen the movie. His struggle was private, and only those closest to him knew of his burden. So the rest of the world never learns of his sacrifice or his bravery.

  • @RobSojourn
    @RobSojourn Před 2 lety +118

    Just a thought: with the numbers of times it is called "Precious" by several different characters, maybe that was the actual name of the One Ring? I could see Sauron naming it something, like he did for other things (eg Grond the battering ram). Why not?

    • @SquirrelASMR
      @SquirrelASMR Před 2 lety +8

      Ooo cool thought!

    • @wyrmofvt
      @wyrmofvt Před 2 lety +25

      Hmmm.... so the One Ring's real name is "Precious." It's a ring that is basically Sauron himself, given that it's destruction basically turned him into an impotent shade. So, Precious may be thought of as a very important part of his body, but who names a part of their body...?
      Wait. "Impotent?"
      My mind just went to a very weird place. Please help.

    • @enderwiggin9303
      @enderwiggin9303 Před 2 lety +9

      @@wyrmofvt lol guess you're right...
      It was his
      One
      Ring

    • @quinner8566
      @quinner8566 Před 2 lety +6

      Wonder what the word 'precious' is in the black speech?!

    • @mmsizzlak3726
      @mmsizzlak3726 Před 2 lety +8

      Hi, I'm One Precious Ring, "Precious" is my middle name. Lol

  • @thinkwithurdipstick
    @thinkwithurdipstick Před rokem +25

    Saruman is actually an interesting point in this discussion, because his desire to forge the rings and conquer middle earth seem very… unique. We know that Sauron desires to make his own little ‘utopia’ and this is why he crafted the rings, but Saruman never seems to have this motive. He doesn’t seem overly concerned with the actual rule over middle earth for any greater purpose than his own pursuit of knowledge and power. In a way, you could argue that he was more base and evil than Sauron, for at least Sauron had a greater purpose in mind, and he was working to achieve what he saw as the righteous end.

  • @PalmelaHanderson
    @PalmelaHanderson Před 2 lety +55

    I think it would be cool to do a video on the power of oaths in Tolkien's world. If you understand how important oaths are, it kind of like... doesn't "exucse" what the sons of Feanor did, but it does explain it, in a way. Breaking an oath has unforeseen, disastrous consequences in Tolkien's world. After the sons of Feanor swore their oaths to reclaim the Silmarils, they unknowingly sealed their own fate, which makes their story more tragic than evil, in my opinion.

    • @vaiyt
      @vaiyt Před rokem +1

      Celegorm and Curufin totally enjoyed it tho

  • @rickrogan2355
    @rickrogan2355 Před rokem +33

    I always thought the closer the ring got to the one place it could be destroyed, the stronger its influence becomes

    • @rejvaik00
      @rejvaik00 Před rokem +10

      Yes that is true and when the ring is in Mount Doom it is at its most strongest
      And it cannot be willingly destroyed when it is in Mount Doom

  • @astrogypsy
    @astrogypsy Před rokem +16

    A point of support for your premise that Frodo never claims the ring until Mt. Doom is that he regularly refers to it as "Bilbo's ring." Also, I have always felt Golum's fall into the fire was based on Frodo's threat to command him to cast himself into the fire. Thx for discussing that thread. Evil will, often, evil mar.

    • @OneEyedJack1970
      @OneEyedJack1970 Před 5 měsíci

      Gollum died happy as a clam, reunited with his beloved precious.

  • @MrARock001
    @MrARock001 Před 2 lety +16

    Pity is a strong theme in LotR, constantly reinforcing that it's always the correct choice. The Silmarillion, however, suggests that the repeated pity / mercy of the Valar (towards Melkor and later Fëanor) results in disaster.

  • @MrARock001
    @MrARock001 Před 2 lety +7

    The really surprising thing, from a hydrologic point of view, is that the One Ring was still shallowly embedded in river sediment after two thousand years. The Anduin could have easily meandered hundreds of meters one way or the other, leaving the One Ring deep in some alluvial soil for an unfortunate farmer to unearth while tilling his field, or, as Saruman suggested in Jackson's Hobbit movie, swept out to sea to be lost forever.

    • @michaelharris6662
      @michaelharris6662 Před 2 lety +1

      It might have had an effect on nature itself-much like the effect of Sauron.

    • @MrARock001
      @MrARock001 Před 2 lety +3

      @@michaelharris6662 it might have been kind of cool to see Saruman studying the historic course of the river, carefully examining where it meandered over the course of the Third Age, getting detailed accounts by the Stoor property owners around it, taking soil samples, all to try and figure out where the Anduin had been suspsiciously locked into its course for two millenia, against all reason, pinned to that one spot by the One Ring which refused to be moved or utterly lost.

  • @denindenim
    @denindenim Před 2 lety +16

    I’ve watched a bunch of Tolkien channels and this is by far my fav. The guiding of the history, the emphasis on ethics and character development, and the soothing voice are what make me watch this channel everyday.
    It’s also helped me overcome my fear of Gingers.

  • @brianblessedsbeard2656
    @brianblessedsbeard2656 Před rokem +3

    I know it's a movie invention, but I think it's pretty funny headcanon that only Gimli was no thoughts head empty enough to try to smack the Ring. Just an absolute himbo.

  • @monkeybusiness673
    @monkeybusiness673 Před rokem +11

    Great video, as always! I actually really like the portrayal of Isildur and the "betrayal" of the ring in the movies. Remember that both events are narrated by Elves! Galadriel narrates the opening sequence, where the Ring abandons Isildur. And Elrond later complains to Gandalf about the weakness of Men, and how Isildur "refused" to destroy it. Of course, their perspective on things would be skewed! Elrond must have been devastated that his kin did not destroy the Ring; even if he had an idea of how hard (maybe even impossible) it would be. So he saw it as failure. Galadriel narrates the rings whole history, even though it is vague, implying she doesn't know for certain what happened. And how could she? She was not there! I think both of them are very unreliable narrators, and the visual portrayal fits their narration perfectly.

  • @AlejandroBetancourtweb
    @AlejandroBetancourtweb Před 2 lety +23

    Please continue your take of the Silmarillion! What happens after the tale of Beren & Luthien? One could read the Silmarillion but your vast knowledge of all other writings by Tolkien just gives the story so much depth and context.

  • @TheH8redd
    @TheH8redd Před 2 lety +22

    Another thing you forgot to mention about the ring not letting anyone destroying it. As Frodo approached Mount Doom, the closer he got to his destination, the ring and the burden became heavier and heavier, as if the ring knew their intent to destroy it. The ring was so heavy in fact, that it left bruises around Frodo's neck. It is also mentionned briefly in the movie, but in the books, it is mentionned serveral times as an evidence that the ring wouldn't let anyone to destroy it. It was made clear, at least in the book, that the ring didn't want to go where Frodo wanted to go.

    • @samowens7766
      @samowens7766 Před 11 měsíci +5

      They don't mention it much in dialogue but bybthe end of two towers there is discoloration. And by ROTK it was full blown bruises. I think they did a good job showing instead of telling, the physical weight of the burden.

  • @InfinityOrNone
    @InfinityOrNone Před 2 lety +41

    "So great was the Ring's power of lust that _anyone_ who used it became mastered by it."
    Tom Bombadil: "Hold my beer."

    • @astrogypsy
      @astrogypsy Před rokem +2

      Ya know, I generally hate all "hold my beer" jokes, but this one gets a pass.

    • @Feuerbach1
      @Feuerbach1 Před rokem +2

      Tom didn't use it, I don't think he could 'use' it, it's not but a trinket to him because he is master

    • @rejvaik00
      @rejvaik00 Před rokem +3

      Not exactly Tom was extremely ignorant and just not wanting anything that the ring could tempt him with so he was easily able to cast it aside
      he's not stronger than the ring or Sauron he just has absolutely no motivation or ambition in gaining power or wealth
      he views himself as already the most powerful and wealthiest person within his 5 square kilometer area and that's all he ever wants so the ring has literally no effect on him

    • @JohnGeorgeBauerBuis
      @JohnGeorgeBauerBuis Před rokem +1

      @@rejvaik00 the only way the ring could get him to claim it is by showing him a threat from outside who was too powerful for Tom to thwart. Otherwise, the ring could not gain any influence with him.

    • @ibgib
      @ibgib Před rokem +1

      @@Feuerbach1 yes this hits closest of what the ring actually is & how it works. From the POV that might make some sense to Sauron and others who hear his voice, Tom is "master" of living things of Arda such that his being is the one state of being that can overcome entropy ("death"). He "allows" for extreme decentralized sovereignty (he doesn't "own" anything or anyone in "his" kingdom), which is the only pattern that can scale to infinity. Otherwise, attempts at top-down dominion with micro-management against the individuals who make up the "kingdom" can only at best ultimately restrict life, including its own life. It ultimately destroys itself, just as the dragon ultimately eats its own tail. The ring is the ultimate technology to enable this temporary act of dominion, and it is its own master (even Sauron couldn't disobey it). But its futility in fundamental approach is why Tom, as the Eldest, completely disregards it in the long run - but still aids those like Frodo and company in their journeys towards the same understanding. Because conversely to the ring's futility, he knows also just as well the hobbits' ultimate fruition, as simply as he knows that the flowers he sings of are beautiful and worthy of song at every moment - not to mention his Goldberry! So yes, he is "master" but not over others, rather master of himself and friend to those who are the same.

  • @EdoDoe613
    @EdoDoe613 Před 2 lety +20

    Good morning, 🌈 Dave! This is another marvelous video. Even though this was a topic I knew more about than some, you bring depth and dimension here of motivation, character and “chance” that transcends the mere “here’s what happened”. Your passion, attention to detail and respect of intricacy of all that Tolkien wove together is what makes your content so rich and so much more enjoyable. Thanks so much and have a lovely weekend!!

  • @ericstromquist9458
    @ericstromquist9458 Před 2 lety +14

    Great video and analysis as always. It had never occurred to me before your saying it that Gollum's pitching into the crack of doom was due to the violation of his oath sworn to Frodo on the ring itself, yet it makes perfect sense.

  • @BigBWolf90
    @BigBWolf90 Před 2 lety +5

    Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul

  • @patrickkoenigsfeld1253
    @patrickkoenigsfeld1253 Před rokem +3

    I found myself saying "wow, I never thought of it that way" more than several times during this video. Incredible insight and excellent video !

  • @Maisie9798
    @Maisie9798 Před rokem +4

    Thank you! I never really understood the power of the one ring until you explained it so well. A lot of it makes so much more sense to me. Brilliant job!!

  • @lvphenexvl4213
    @lvphenexvl4213 Před 2 lety +4

    Do not forget he also somewhat offers it to Aragorn as well! At least in the movies, idk what the books say about that scene but let’s not forget that Aragorn passes the test as well👌

  • @ColttWalker
    @ColttWalker Před 2 lety +8

    Thank you Lore Master Rainbow Dave. I enjoy revisiting the Legendarium in such a reverent, stylish, theatrical way and I love all the obscure knowledge you share as well as the explanations of tricky stuff, like this one! I just really hope you keep on, keeping on. Much love.

  • @michaelmalmgren431
    @michaelmalmgren431 Před rokem +1

    I chose to thumbs up this video 5 minutes in to it because you already answered questions that I've had unanswered for 20 years. Now I'll finish watching, lol. Just finished watching. Very well researched. Job well done.

  • @shaunlan5193
    @shaunlan5193 Před rokem +3

    Your immersive storytelling and fantastic interpretations of the lore are just a delight to listen to!

  • @jayt9608
    @jayt9608 Před 2 lety +10

    I have a number of thoughts that your excellent video has made me ponder.
    1) The River Anduin held the Ring and at least on Palantir and likely no one knows what exactly else it has taken and not given up.
    2) I have always believed that it was the Ring that spoke and not Frodo. I have long viewed the scene Sam saw was a vision of the Ring declaring its utter rejection of its former bearer, but that Sam was seeing past the mortal realm into that of the spirit, much as Frodo saw on Weathertop and at the fords before Imladris. I hold too that this is possible because the Ring is more than a mere magical artifact, but it is in itself a Power with a nearly independent and sentient will of its own, other items also having perhaps a similar nature being the Sword of Turin, Orcrist, Sting, Glamdring, the Black Arrow of Bard, and the trolls' purse. With the other things known of the Ring and the imbuing of certain artifacts with the maker's essence, I would not at all be surprised by this.
    3) I believe that time with the Ring alters people in noticeable ways according to the nature of the person wearing it. For Isildur, burned his hand badly, Gollum wad so twisted that only Gandalf was able to deduce his original nature as being a member of the hobbits, Biblo and Frodo were both seemingly granted vitality beyond the span of their years, though at the end the Ring devastated Frodo mentally, and Sam too was marked by the Ring. I say that Sam was marked, but I believe that it was not in such a ways as it damaged him as it did the others. Instead it left him invigorated and confident in himself and his decisions. The servile Sam who listened to orders and plans has given way to a confident respectful Sam who is easily the master of himself and others, who organizes the restoration of the Shire and then serves as its Mayor for such a long time that his family takes its place with the Tooks and Brandybucks as the nearest thing to hobbit aristocracy.

    • @tolkienuntangled
      @tolkienuntangled  Před 2 lety +9

      Great thoughts! I especially like the ennoblement of Sam idea. Also it's crazy how much valuable stuff ended up in the Anduin.

    • @alanmike6883
      @alanmike6883 Před 2 lety +2

      @@tolkienuntangled
      I always wondered why when the stones were lost in the bay in the north, and the anduin, why the powers couldn't have given them back with the accention of aragorn

  • @lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615

    Well met RD! Always an excellent analysis my good man. Keep up the great work Mellon! ECTHELION!

  • @MrARock001
    @MrARock001 Před 2 lety +17

    It's fascinating that the One Ring is more interested in enforcing the oaths sworn upon it than protecting its own survival.

  • @tsgtajirisilvergaming90
    @tsgtajirisilvergaming90 Před rokem +3

    I love Lord of the rings lore, so I decided to download this video for work. I think I've listened to this like four times. When I was younger I read The Hobbit when I was in Middle School and my parents had me read Lord of the rings after. Of course in doing so I watched the movies after the fact, but I don't think my mind processed all of the lore properly. Not only has this rekindled my passion for the books, it makes me appreciate how well they adapted it to a movie. If it was released in today's time it would be a worse experience in my humble opinion of course... Nice job on the video

  • @emeralddream5965
    @emeralddream5965 Před 2 lety +9

    Great channel! I like the way the videos are designed - the overall aesthetics filled with magnificent artworks - precious 🤩

  • @readingbetweentheframes
    @readingbetweentheframes Před 2 lety +4

    Wow just wow Rainbow Dave, I’ve seen like 10 videos on this same subject by other channels but I knew you’d have something different to share and man this is your best video yet imo. I love how you came at this from a literary pov analyzing the ring as both the ultimate power but in that power the instrument of its own destruction. As always you do an amazing job of exploring the larger themes of lotr but also how it connects to the characters and their journeys. PLEASE do a video on the ring of barahir. I know there is not as much lore with it but I feel you could go into detail on its symbolism or even how it looks different in the books (there is no center gem). Once I get my channel back on weekly videos I’d love to have you as a guest!

  • @tomtenthij5676
    @tomtenthij5676 Před rokem +2

    Such a good saying from tolkien: "The one small garden of a free gardener was all his need and due, not a garden swollen to the size of a realm; his own hands to use, not the hands of others to command." Being happy with what you have! ❤

  • @javarnhewitt9336
    @javarnhewitt9336 Před 2 lety +9

    I get soo excited getting the notification for your uploads, love all your stuff my dude, thanks for being my guide to Tolkien 😊

    • @tolkienuntangled
      @tolkienuntangled  Před 2 lety +5

      I'm really glad you enjoy the videos!

    • @alanmike6883
      @alanmike6883 Před 2 lety +2

      @@tolkienuntangled
      Hey Dave. Asking people's opinions about this so here's the question.
      What if numenor decided to conquer middle earth and declare war on all the different Kingdoms and inhabitants of middle earth? What would be the outcome in your opinion? 👍

    • @tolkienuntangled
      @tolkienuntangled  Před 2 lety +3

      @@alanmike6883 I imagine the Men of Numenor would probably be pretty successful in spreading their empire across most of middle earth. There would be no men who could resist them, and even Silvan and Sindar elves may not be able to stand against them, especially after they started cutting down forests and building up their colonies. However the Noldor would be a major source of resistance. Both armies would probably do a lot of damage to the other, but I don't think the Numenoreans could overpower the armies of the Noldor and break them. But they probably could conquer the rest of Middle-earth, leaving only a relatively small area in the northwest that's independent and ruled by elves.
      However if this happened, I think it's pretty inevitable that eventually Sauron would take control of the Numenoreans and in time they would just become his puppets in his war against the elves. Corrupting Men is what Sauron is all about, and a Numenorean Empire in Middle-earth would probably serve him better than anyone else. In the end, Sauron would be the victor.

    • @alanmike6883
      @alanmike6883 Před 2 lety +1

      @@tolkienuntangled
      Thx Dave. How do you think the conquest phase by phase
      would go?
      What about the dwarves?
      I agree about the stiffer resistance with the noldor.
      They still had some strength left and heroes like galadriel, celeborn, Cirdan, Elrond, Gil Galad.
      But without the numenorians they would've fallen to Saurons forces.
      Plus much of eridor was destroyed after Saurons attack (since the numenorian invasion scenario of me would happen in the dark days)
      Plus the elves didn't have much in terms of naval power so the going to Aman was a no no even though the world wouldn't be broken yet.
      Would they get help from Aman from the elves there or would the valor have to sit it out because they can't harm either of the children?
      😁👍

  • @_spacegoat_
    @_spacegoat_ Před 2 lety +3

    In the end, everything will be okay. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
    Excellent video, RD!

  • @paulsager2097
    @paulsager2097 Před 2 lety +15

    Great details! One other thought about Isildur's loss of the ring in the Anduin. Couldn't Ulmo of the Vala (or some Maia on his team) have been lurking in the river to help things along, maybe keeping the ring 'lost' in the river for all those years?

    • @tolkienuntangled
      @tolkienuntangled  Před 2 lety +10

      That's a very good point. There's a high chance Ulmo would have had some knowledge of the ring while it was in the river. Perhaps it was his will that kept it from being lost in the sea.

    • @richardmather1906
      @richardmather1906 Před rokem +1

      @@tolkienuntangled Ulmo would have only known had it been Iluvatar's intent that he knew. I think it makes far more sense to the story that Ulmo did not know.

    • @richardmather1906
      @richardmather1906 Před rokem

      @@tolkienuntangled Further, if he did know. I doubt he would have got involved in anyway. Above his pay grade.

  • @sayagarapan1686
    @sayagarapan1686 Před 2 lety +16

    I can imagine several hundreds of Middle-Earth bound spirits whom Sauron once dominated and intimidated now laughing and poking fun at him in the corner as he rages at them impotently.

  • @redrackham6812
    @redrackham6812 Před 2 lety +2

    You say around 18:35 that the Ring did not betray Isildur and that its slipping from his finger was not an abandonment or betrayal, but Gandalf in "The Shadow of the Past" and Elrond in "The Council of Elrond" both say that the Ring betrayed Isildur. Gandalf says "The Ring was trying to get back to its master. It had slipped from Isildur's hand and betrayed him...." Elrond says "But soon he was betrayed by it to his death; and so it is named in the North Isildur's Bane." They could have both been wrong, of course, but they certainly thought the Ring had betrayed Isildur. It is true that Isildur's loss of the Ring put the Ring on the path to its destruction that it eventually took, so it did work out for good in the end, but if the Ring had not betrayed Isildur and he had kept it longer, the Ring still would have been destroyed. Everyone involved had freedom of choice, but their choices were still going to accomplish Eru Ilúvatar's design in the end.

  • @EdmundSkye
    @EdmundSkye Před 2 lety +2

    you get it, you understand the ring well, especially as no one would have the will to destroy it and many analyzes forget that detail, especially those that mention the eagles

  • @toddyslittlenook3340
    @toddyslittlenook3340 Před rokem +3

    This video is phenomenal and so is your understanding of the deeper context of this saga. Thank you so much! No better explanation out there!

  • @susanhoughton1104
    @susanhoughton1104 Před 2 lety +1

    Thanks for crystallizing what I knew but could not have summarized.

  • @franco5120
    @franco5120 Před 2 lety +1

    Love your videos! Your insight into Tolkien's works is amazing

  • @cerberus6654
    @cerberus6654 Před rokem +12

    My God this was BRILLIANT!
    Thing is, when I first read LOTR in 1972 at our summer place, my grandparents showed up and my grandmother, an addict to card games, roped us over and over again in games of Hearts. She was a tall, magnificent woman who ran about six businesses from the Depression to that time I'm referring to. One day of enforced Hearts I realized she was going for 'control' but I could not believe she hadn't perceived that Hearts had been broken earlier on when someone tossed me the deuce. Grammy moved magisterially towards the destruction of all when I challenged her. I said, "Let's make a bet that you won't get what you want". "And what do you bet?" she asked, greatly bemused. "Well," I said, "My Torpado racing bike against your ring". Her ring was an enormous midnight blue perfect star sapphire set in platinum worth I-don't-know-how-much. So, triumphantly she used her ace of hearts to sweep up the last hand and then... laying out her cards, she turned white. I flipped over the deuce and she shrivelled. "The ring, Grams" I said. Noble creature that she was she actually wrenched it off her finger and gave it to me. The entire clan had gathered to watch this, and then, with great style, she had a mild stroke. Did I feel like a fourteen yeat old shit? You betcha. That was when I learned the power of the Ring.

    • @ChronoSquare
      @ChronoSquare Před rokem +3

      What a fantastic story. Thank you for sharing.

  • @Spartan1312
    @Spartan1312 Před 2 lety +1

    That was the most complete deep dive on the ring and its corrupting power I have seen, bravo.

  • @supertiger1979
    @supertiger1979 Před 2 lety +1

    Wow! What a great video the best I've seen on the one ring! Clearest...most exceptional explanation by far! 👏👏

  • @monitor-mindtheover-void6712

    I love your videos RD!
    Eagerly waiting for the "children of hurin" series.

  • @georginastinton7266
    @georginastinton7266 Před 3 měsíci

    I really enjoy and appreciate these little lectures. It has revived my interest in an old fascination.

  • @thehighguarduk4820
    @thehighguarduk4820 Před 2 lety +6

    Awesome video. A fantastic topic expertly discussed and explained. Nicely done, your videos always leave me more fascinated, enlightened and in love with this wonderous legendarium.
    Really enjoyed it! 👍😁😎

  • @timtauber5557
    @timtauber5557 Před rokem

    Amazing analysis, you hit all the marks. Great job.

  • @pattenicus
    @pattenicus Před 2 lety +13

    Excellent video. Nice one. Q : If Isildur had escaped and taken the One ring to the Keepers of the Three would it have kicked off another power struggle? Would Isildur be able to hand it over? Lots of bad outcomes possible if it happened. Perhaps thats why Illuvatar let the Ring 'sleep' and be lost for most of an age .

    • @tolkienuntangled
      @tolkienuntangled  Před 2 lety +5

      It's hard to say, and I feel like many people might think that there's no way Isildur would ever have given up the ring, but he was going to Rivendell with that purpose. And we know that Frodo offered up the ring multiple times, so it's not impossible that he would have given it to the Keepers.

    • @rejvaik00
      @rejvaik00 Před rokem +1

      @@tolkienuntangled it's possible but I doubt he would have ever given it up because he was in Mount Doom when the ring was on his possession and that is when the ring is at its strongest in terms of ensnarement of one's mind
      Think of it as a greenhouse effect
      Meaning isildur already had the highest levels of influence on him by the one ring and he reached that point faster than most others who would be the bearers of it

  • @jessewilliams9195
    @jessewilliams9195 Před 2 lety +1

    Thanks Rainbow Dave! Another excellent video. This is the 1st time I learned any reasoning as to how/why the blades of Gondolin glow blue. I've read the Silmarillion at least 10 times, and I always learn something new from your vida.

  • @carlcramer9269
    @carlcramer9269 Před 2 lety +4

    Really liked this video. I din't read it this way back when I read the books (back in say 1980), but it is a very good interpretation of what happens, that evokes quite the sense of wonder.

  • @lomlaw7125
    @lomlaw7125 Před rokem

    This is marvellous. Thank you so much. And i love every video you do.

  • @christopher1367
    @christopher1367 Před rokem

    Incredible breakdown, you're the GOAT brother. Keep it up

  • @samwill7259
    @samwill7259 Před 2 lety +5

    Evil is, in the end, self defeating. Treacherous, hateful and angry it always comes to a point where these things turn against their masters and they become their own undoing. Every dark lord us pulled from his throne by a rope he himself did tie.

  • @lifeiscomplikated
    @lifeiscomplikated Před 2 lety +3

    I love that I stumbled across this channel as I'm re-reading LOTR for about the 5th time ☺️

  • @sacjones7341
    @sacjones7341 Před 2 lety +4

    🙌🏾🙌🏾 Thank you!

  • @theharper1
    @theharper1 Před 2 lety +4

    A minor thing; Gollum swore by not on the ring. Was it the "will" of the ring, or just the unchangeable nature of the ring? Frodo set up that Gollum threw himself into the fire, but it was the nature of the ring for domination which enforced this, not a conscious will.

  • @eddievangundy4510
    @eddievangundy4510 Před rokem +3

    Incredible stuff, thank you for these videos!

  • @heerayni9362
    @heerayni9362 Před rokem

    This has cleared up so much ambiguity for me! Thank you!

  • @Philusteen
    @Philusteen Před rokem +4

    I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your work. Thank you for sharing it with us. :-)

    • @ericparrish1515
      @ericparrish1515 Před rokem

      Yeah great video. I gotta start it over. How time consuming.

  • @denisecatalan9833
    @denisecatalan9833 Před rokem

    Good sir!!! Thank you 🙏🏽!! Your video was amazing!! I love your voice, but your passion above all else!!

  • @timhadaway
    @timhadaway Před 3 měsíci

    Fantastic video! A lot of questions I and others have had about Tolkien’s world can be answered by the world itself, if you take all of this into consideration. And you have done a great job of covering all the bases on this one! Definitely saving this one for a refresher if I need to explain to new fans lol

  • @Dealerofdeath1998
    @Dealerofdeath1998 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Thanks for fleshing out isildur abit more for us overall was a great video

  • @veronicadavanzo2064
    @veronicadavanzo2064 Před 2 lety +4

    This is excellent! Not just a history of the ring, but also a wonderful analysis.

  • @tomtenthij5676
    @tomtenthij5676 Před rokem

    Wow! such great work! Well done! 💪

  • @jandunn169
    @jandunn169 Před 2 lety +4

    Yes a very interesting video, as usual, Rainbow Dave.... I didn't truly understand what ring lore really meant. It is a good thing that Gandalf in his wisdom understood that sometimes good things happen inadvertently when evil intentions have gone awry.. Frodo looks like a golden Caligula in the end of the movie when he is totally overcome by the power of the ring... I feel like Tolkien really did succeed in creating a myth for England because the story stays with you....

  • @ianmhor100
    @ianmhor100 Před 2 lety +9

    Could Sauron give his followers visions and "knowledge in their hearts" just like Gandalf used to do for the elfs when he was among them without a body? Could he still influince them thereby?

  • @toocat2000000
    @toocat2000000 Před 12 dny

    That was really good. Answered a lot of questions .

  • @GingerTheMusical
    @GingerTheMusical Před rokem

    This actually answered my biggest question concerning the three and the one. Thank you my friend

  • @roobicantthrow
    @roobicantthrow Před 5 měsíci

    Exceptional, thank you. Very informative and well presented

  • @tfjohnson55
    @tfjohnson55 Před 2 lety +3

    I never considered the possibility that if Isuldur had made it to Arnor and kept the ring that Sauron would have successfully challenged him.
    Pondering it, Sauron would have a much better chance repeating the trick he used on Ar Pharazon. IMHO

  • @gsubwept9174
    @gsubwept9174 Před 2 lety +2

    I luv the knowledge you share within your videos.
    The best thing however is how your accent brings the words, the tales, the names to life.
    Thank you.

  • @mattyboyb523
    @mattyboyb523 Před 2 lety +2

    Fantastic story telling !!!! Thank you !! I will share this with many.

  • @johnnymaldonado2567
    @johnnymaldonado2567 Před 11 měsíci

    Wow! Thank you for the thorough breakdown/explanation of this. 😮 Better than expected!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @MrARock001
    @MrARock001 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you for making a video about ring-lore!! 🥰🥰🥰

  • @mlebrooks
    @mlebrooks Před 2 lety +2

    Thanks for this really interesting episode

  • @Seheiii
    @Seheiii Před 3 měsíci

    One of the best explanations I've heard.

  • @samuelyoung9396
    @samuelyoung9396 Před 2 lety +2

    wow i actually learned a lot of new lore on this vid. nice!

  • @jeffagain7516
    @jeffagain7516 Před 2 lety +1

    Outstanding.
    Thank-you, once more.

  • @AhhTheBonnie
    @AhhTheBonnie Před rokem

    Unbelievably Excellent Video Again
    Bravo Rainbow Dave 🎉👏👏

  • @user-sd7ri9fy4i
    @user-sd7ri9fy4i Před 7 měsíci

    Nice work dude thanks

  • @albertorebelo3443
    @albertorebelo3443 Před 2 lety +2

    Food for thought most definitely - another take on the power of the ring - a thought filled interpretation ! Needs some digestion.

  • @dalec2407
    @dalec2407 Před 3 měsíci

    Just amazing thanks for the in depth explanation...

  • @Therealmanticorejones

    I've been gone for a while, but I'm happy to return! You do fantastic work!

  • @zettkusanagi6322
    @zettkusanagi6322 Před rokem +1

    In coding terms, Sauron taught Celebrimbor Python and they were able to create the Ring,apps. When Cerebrimbor created the 3 Elven rings, he was not able to use another language, and using the same Python, Sauron was still able to access the source code and hack them. Imbedded in all the rings were some malware that was activated once Sauron put his OneRing on, and the Elves immediately noticed it and took theirs off.
    Also, about the ring on the Anduin river. We must also remember that of all Valar, Ulmo was the only one that did not go back but stayed the whole time guarding the waters. The waters cleared Isuldur's mind and spirit and was freed from the ring. The ring and nobody was able to find it because the water sealed its influence somewhat. Until Gollum and his brother found it. Then it was brought out of the water and Sauron's spirit began to move again.

  • @kilowhiskyforge4337
    @kilowhiskyforge4337 Před rokem

    This was good stuff, thanks brotha

  • @c.rutherford
    @c.rutherford Před 11 měsíci +1

    At the risk of commenting twice on this lol..... I have to say it was great to hear Dave confirm the theory about the One Ring finally casting itself into the fire at the end so-to-speak, acting on the curse Frodo laid on Gollum. Its really imo one of the coolest twists of the LOTR trilogy. Peter Jackson's movie may have not made this so clear, but the Minds Eye audiobook laid it out pretty thick. What an ending!!

  • @robertdupree2451
    @robertdupree2451 Před rokem

    Awesome vid, extremely well done

  • @bryandraughn9830
    @bryandraughn9830 Před rokem +1

    Excellent work!
    The ring ultimately destroys itself, as will all corruption and evil.
    A strong message of hope to the world.

  • @marekkapusta7825
    @marekkapusta7825 Před rokem

    I could sense your fascination with the topic in the video. You put part of your spirit into a video - the same way Sauron put part of himself into the One Ring. An interesting way to demonstrate a theory in practice.

  • @SunburnAndDragon
    @SunburnAndDragon Před rokem

    it was fascinatingly interesting, thank you so much for sharing

  • @tiresta2743
    @tiresta2743 Před rokem

    WOW that was a great video. Good job, learn a lot. Thanks

  • @sofiamelendez1375
    @sofiamelendez1375 Před rokem +2

    THIS WAS AMAZING!!!!