What Does the One Ring Actually Do? (Updated) Artifacts of Arda & Middle-earth Explained

[@rochrich1223]

I'm glad Sauron has a softer side. You know, he likes poetry and took the time to scribe in onto the one ring. I bet his apartment was nicely decorated and had the best view in all of Middle-Earth.

[@indrast5203]

I think the one who scribed it was it's creator Celebrimbor

[@Tatopotatos]

@@indrast5203 we don't know, celembribor is extremely overrated probably because of the video game which is far from Canon and downright changes almost everything... all he actually did was create the one ring then got a mace in the face... It's saurons spirits that gave it it's power. He didn't even create the other nineteen rings of power that was saurons himself.

[@count7340]

Probably had some dark throw cushions, too.

[@ispajic3]

In LOTR, poetry is more than just words. Like the universe was created as a mekidY, we see characters like Bombandil and Galadriel singing to an effect... So the writing probalbly is the magic

[@michaelscott-joynt3215]

Imagine if Gandalf translated the markings to Frodo and it said: "Live. Laugh. Love."

[@paine_inflicta]

Gollum started his ownership of the Ring with a murder, Bilbo with mercy.

[@notoriousbig3k]

depends how u start ey ? i will start with a orgy then

[@sebas8225]

IT´s the value one puts on the ring that determines corruption, if one believes it´s worth a murder it´s instant psychotic corruption and possession complex guaranteed, if one believes it´s not worth all that much it´s a better way to not corrupt the owner on that level. Problem is being a ring made of gold alone, is already good enough to make anyone who values gold as a symbol of wealth to be corrupted.

[@iamalpharius9483]

Isuldur began his with a protective and heroic act.....that didnt seem to mean anything. Frodo was basically set up by a wizard who really used others to do the dirty work. Pragmatic thought.

[@Mailed-Knight]

+Eric Moffitt Gandalf is an angel he is not supposed to humanities dirty work for them, he's supposed to guide them.

[@makaramuss]

@@iamalpharius9483 Isuldur killing sauron had nothing to do about value of ring isuldur started it with sacrificing entire middle earth in mercy of sauron by not dropping ring to mount doom unlike bilbo frodo allways had MUCH MORE problem with ring thats because "he was set up by a wizzard who really used others to do dirty work" frodo fell to darkness many times in journey while bilbo did great things with ring to help his friends and never used ring for evil. while frodo in the end went almost crazy because of its power bilbo had more harm to his mind when he was seperated from ring because despite never using it for evil he allways liked it. who wont? that my friend how you get ring matters... for what purpose and what you sacrificed matters for ring because you may do much worse things if you did bad and much better if you did good. even gandalf said if he tempted to take it he will use to do good deeds but he should never use it...

[@MajesticDemonLord]

It gives you 20% Discount at the local Drive through....

[@mrhalfwit972]

oh for fucks sa-

[@natedelautour270]

Lol

[@stargatefever]

Ok that was good

[@natedelautour270]

Ain't no local drive thru in Mordor dogg

[@asdfghjkllkjhgfdsa8725]

MajesticDemonLord even 20% is enough to drive men mad

[@-shirkeeey3209]

Did you get demonotizied for uttering the words of Mordor on their platform?

[@sourabhshah5652]

Lmao

[@briansinger5258]

We need more comments like this.

[@ArgonYouTube]

- shirkeeey Never before has anyone dared utter words of that tongue here, on KZbin.

[@seldonwright4345]

They didn't dare. Evil sees eevviill

[@samdherring]

Lol Logan Paul always speaks in the language of Mordor so why not

[@trequor]

Does the ring actually turn everyone invisible though? Sauron is visible while wearing it, and other than him the only other people who wear it are all hobbits. The rings of power fulfill the deepest desires of the bearers; they are basically wishing rings. The Nine rings gave eternal life, because Men, being mortal, value their lives above all else. The Seven rings gave the dwarf lords great wealth because dwarves desire material wealth above all else. So it stands to reason that the One ring only turns *hobbits* invisible, because what hobbits desire above all else is to be quietly left alone.

[@painhurtssometimes2185]

I think you are partially right. All though I think only sauron can use the full power of the ring where most everyone else is coerced by it. Being his creation mixed in with his soul only he can control all aspects of the ring

[@jefe3072]

Isildur turns invisible when wearing the ring at the end of the second age

[@trequor]

@@jefe3072 In the text?

[@jefe3072]

@@trequor yeah in the silmarillion he goes invisible to escape the orcs that ambush him but they track him by scent

[@TROll-oe9ng]

The dwarves didn’t get rich because they had the rings. The rings made them greedy which in turn caused them to seek out and horde their wealth.

[@saschaeisenhut757]

3:28 "So it's possible that the one ring adds liguistic skills, as well." Considering that Bilbo was able to understand the spiders in Mirkwood, while wearing the one ring, I'd say: It surely does.

[@Sindraug25]

He also understood the elves when he was sneaking about Thranduil's cave.

[@corruptangel6793]

Oh shit, I never thought of that! I always figured that was just because it was a kids story and never gave it further thought.

[@gastonrobles2870]

the ring that makes you a polyglot. nice

[@connordutton674]

It has to do with the power of tyranny you must understand all who your are dominating

[@jasonhurd4379]

It's a deliberate echo of the Nibelungenlied: Siegfried's ability to understand bird language after tasting Fafnir's blood.

[@iamalpharius9483]

The One Ring has the power to make everyone else endlessly theorize about with it does.

[@anubusx]

😃😃😃

[@skepticalsmurf]

LOL!!!

[@wholesome122]

Perhaps its greatest power

[@anubusx]

Fan theoy obsession.

[@Bdawg9891]

🤔😧🤯

[@thrpins8430]

What does it do? Casts invisibility once per day +160 hp +10 ac +50% resistance to all damage/magic - 12 inches to short sword😕

[@n1k32h]

Thr Pins I was the 300th like mate! Just to let u know! Also I was the best in lotr 3 ps3

[@DozyBinsh]

It also applies marked, targeted

[@rapmabida9813]

Also the flaw that it can choose it's master therefore if you're fighting someone better it might just betray you at a critical moment so it can transfer to them instead

[@pychohobo1832]

@aaronsdavis you forgot to add Obama in that. We were talking of evil people with charisma and ability to make people think they are good right?

[@sw-4733]

what's ac friend ?

[@brenoldt]

0:00 never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here, in the youtube

[@waynepotter8575]

Hah

[@AndyZaturno]

Invisibility. Understanding of dark languages. Extra Strength.

[@brudel001]

It also slows the aging process letting the owner to live much longer than he normally would.

[@TheGillenium]

Weak

[@gaelangelo1828]

You prolly dont give a shit but if you are stoned like me atm you can stream all of the latest movies on instaflixxer. Been binge watching with my brother for the last few weeks xD

[@ralphquincy6151]

@Gael Angelo yea, I have been watching on Instaflixxer for since december myself :)

[@mikemal4398]

@@ralphquincy6151 you guys are the same person. Both joined 4 weeks ago

[@WhiteCavendish]

The one ring definitely acts to corrupt individuals based on their innermost selves. This is why Bilbo and Frodo were able to resist its corrupting influence for so long - they were inherently humble and pure in heart, and thus less vulnerable to its evil temptations.

[@jacobgarcia9175]

True. Boromir and faramir wanted to save their kingdom more than anything, Frodo was afraid of failing and felt everything was up to him, even sam didn’t want to see Frodo suffer anymore. It spoke to your deepest fears and twisted them from there.

[@prestonjones1653]

And when it tempted Sam, this One Ring of absolute evil and tyranny, twisting your desires and fears into tempting promises, it came up nearly empty and basically promised that he could turn Mordor into a giant garden. I like to imagine even the Ring itself didn't see that temptation working. "Sheesh, this guy is the least ambitious creature I've ever seen. Even Gollum had a few things he wanted in life."

[@connorsims8253]

When gollum obtained the ring it was due to his murder of deagle. Bilbo Sam and frodo didn't obtain the ring through hate. Gandalf States this in The fellowship of the Ring. Obviously the three hobbits were not malicious, or evil. And gollum fell under its power and committed a heinous act to achieve the one ring

[@jessebullard7880]

@@prestonjones1653 I wonder if merry or pip got the ring, it would promise unlimited ale, Forests of the most beautiful pipe-weed and fireworks so dazzling middle earth would be lit up like the trees of Valinor

[@MiserySage]

"Seemingly only affect his body"??? what are you talking about that guy was bat shit crazy ... or did you forget Gollum wasn't always his name?

[@prestonjones1653]

Was that due to the ring though, or was that due to living in a cold, wet hole in the Misty Mountains for five hundred years? Either of those sound like they could have done it.

[@Badboyben1422]

I believe it was Gandalf who told Frodo about the difference between Bilbo finding the Ring and Smeagol murdering Deagol. "Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity." Gandalf The Fellowship of the Ring. As always love your videos!

[@juliada8121]

Dragorath Tatsu good point!

[@johnnythreefour2902]

Is that what is in the book? That's very enlightening.

[@matthewlaurence3121]

An important part of the story that is oftentimes overlooked, due to how early in the story it is written. If Gandalf saved this explanation for later, when the story was well underway, it would perhaps be better recalled. One need by astute when reading Tolkien books, they are long but not unnecessarily so. Pity to the editor charged with abridging the novels.

[@emz2969]

I rember that. That seems to suggest the ring affects the user based on their actions as well. Kind of like Karma.

[@lobopampeano1980]

@@emz2969 I would not say that... rather that coveting the ring and being evil yourself makes the power of corruption the ring holds more powerful.

[@hrihaangudulkar6765]

Random person : So what does the one ring do ? Sauron : Good question

[@nikolaivasilev7371]

to control human races by Sauron,to make Sauron harder to beat after his body is destroyed,giving understanding of languages,enhancing senses of other than Sauron,seeing the spirit world and so on.

[@vipulkumar4513]

Sauron: Yes

[@gastonrobles2870]

Sauron: it's so pretty dude, the f!@k you asking

[@malalalalala2985]

Let you smack 6 people at once instead of 1

[@inspectorlunge3887]

@Malala lalala Nah, he should have been able to do that anyway. He did fight entire armies alone in the silmarillion, if I read my sources correctly. One of the most powerful maiar should be able to pull that off anyway.

[@knuckle12356]

Above all else that the ring can do, first and paramount of the ring's powers, is that it lies. I take issue with your statement early in the video that a sufficiently powerful being could overcome the will of the ring and defeat Sauron. Kudos for the admission that they would then become tyrannical, but I don't believe they would ever even get that far. The ring *wants* to get back to Sauron. It's no accident that when "great heroes" donned the ring, they invariably sought to destroy and dominate. "Hey! I should take a trip to Mordor and just WRECK Sauron." At which point the ring is like "Honey, I'm Ho-ome!" and the wearer has suddenly "misplaced" his object of power. Gollum didn't lose the ring so much as the ring left him once bilbo appeared, as he was a potential vector to reconnect to its master. Gandalf, understanding the nature of Sauron and the ring, vehemently refuses to take it from the hobbits when offered. (Senior moment; was it Frodo or Bilbo who offered it to Gandalf in Bag End?) He knew he could achieve NO good with the evil ring. Temptation to try was great, but Gandalf's wisdom and common sense overcame his lust for it. My take, at least.

[@samueldavidrucker7514]

Sauron himself seemed to think it was possible

[@rickythe2nd63]

I quite agree! Well said!

[@corruptangel6793]

Frodo begs Gandalf to take it once he understands what it is and the danger one would be in holding such an object. "Take it Gandalf, take it!" "No Frodo." "You must take it!" "You cannot offer me this ring!" "I'm giving it to you!" "DON'T...tempt me, Frodo. I dare not take it. Not even to keep it safe. Understand Frodo, I would use this ring from a desire to do good. But through me...it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine." At least in the movie. I can't remember the book.

[@thomassenbart]

Galadriel would disagree. “And now at last it comes. You will give me the Ring freely! In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair!” “I pass the test”, she said. “I will diminish, and go into the West and remain Galadriel.”

[@thomassenbart]

@​ I don't know how you come to that conclusion; read what she says: And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair!” What is the first line? I shall not be dark. What does that mean? Obviously she would not be evil and there is no evidence that she would be betrayed, as you say, by the ring, though I suppose that could happen. Regardless, the point being that there are individuals who could control the ring, Galadriel being one of them. The cost of control in her case would be a change into a far less benevolent, though not evil being and one that rules..

[@narri214]

I think the ring amplifies the evil in ones heart, which is why Smeagol was corrupted so quickly and Bilbo was not. it could also explain why men are so easily corrupted by the ring. But due to Mens ability to change men tend to become more of a wraith rather than an all powerful dark lord. However Sauron and Gandalf being Maiar and even Galadriel being an immortal elf, are not prone to change so their corruption would be more "complete" or total allowing for them to be or replace the Dark lord.

[@tar-maironlordofgifts5702]

Galadriel even with the ring, cannot replace Dark Lord

[@darthstarkiller6605]

Caleb Cavitt I don’t know if they could ever replace Sauron they possible could hold his spirit back but the ring is ultimately tied to him and as long as it still exist Sauron would remain in some form

[@Regaldo1]

Seeing as Sauran was as powerful as we was without the ring. At most of would only make them match his current level of strength. But that's just my opinion

[@narri214]

Gandalf being a maiar would be on the same level or very close to sauron. My comparison was mainly commentary based off Yoystan's other videos "what if gandalf took the ring" same with galadriel. Also by dark lord I mean corrupted by the ring (or sauron) to be the next servant of Melkor, which I believe would happen eventually no matter how good or what intent the ring was used for.

[@gregorymacdonnell7914]

+Caleb you are right on my friend! Remember Gandalf`s reaction to Frodo when Frodo wanted to give to him. ""No! Gandalf cried, "with that ring I should have power too great and terrible. And over me the Ring would have a power too terrible and deadly" "Do not tempt me!!!" Galadriel said much the same thing ... I should become a Queen all powerful and all knowing!!! All shall look at me and despair!!" Yes Caleb ,only Tom Bombadil thru some odd reason ,could throw it away and not think a single thought in doing so. Aragorn was likewise not influenced to take the ring when it was offered to him on Amon Hen!!!

[@akshayshrim]

I know professor Tolkien was against allegory and suggested that it only resides in the readers head never the author's but it's amazing how many connotations the one ring can imply. I think it's a personification of our inability (at times) to succumb to our fathomless desires and senses. Beautiful video as usual Mellon-nin. Keep em coming...

[@callummaguire5048]

Tolkien preferred what he considered 'applicability', rather than allegory. That is, rather than symbolizing one thing that he chose, the reader associates it with something instead. Everyone can find something in their life that reminds them of the One Ring and they connect to it through that.

[@guilhermeduarte7192]

@Delawanna I, too, have always seen the Ring as the human's sinful nature. It may give the wearer power and pleasure, but in the end it betrays them and doom them forever. It's pretty much what sin does to men.

[@Kayem237]

Tolkien may have been against allegory, yet his story is full of archetypal narratives that have been with humanity for ages. He claimed to be against historical references, yet the siege of Helms Deep plays an extremely parallel event to the siege of Vienna in 1683. They even almost lost the siege when the 'winged hussars' came and saved the day. The fact that Gondor is protecting the rest of the West against Mordor in the East is much like how The Byzantines had been protecting Europe from the Ottoman Empire for centuries. You will also note that the people that came to the aid of Gondor were a calvary civilization, and arrived from the north, this lines up well with real life positions of the Magyars and Byzantines, and the Magyars (Hungary today) were the inspiration for Poland's Winged Hussars. I think Tolkien may have hated Allegory because he felt that if he didn't denounce it, then people would agree on a specific allegory, and not delve deeper for more meaning in anything, much like what happened to Christianity after the Catholic Reformation. That, or he didn't know the meaning behind what he wrote, which is pretty common among artists. The artists always get to a concept first, then the philosophers, then it becomes part of the culture. This means that the artists are the ones exploring the unknown, and don't necessarily understand what they find. As for symbology in the book itself, I'm not really sure, Rings are super important in Celtic and Scandinavian cultures, they're actually the reason why we use rings for marriages today. But the actual symbology is very difficult to pin down. Morgoth seems to be the representation of Malevolence, much the same role that Set plays in Egyptian Mythology. But if Morgoth is Malevolence, what is Sauron? Well, Sauron seems to want to to dominate and control the free peoples of the earth. So he kind of represents tyranny? But that ignores where he was also filled with hatred and malice. So maybe he's more of a character than a symbol. But what of the ring? That's really mysterious, I can see an argument for sin, but does sin really grant you power? Does sin really tempt you with things that are good? In the first place, Sin is an archery term from ancient Greece that means 'to miss your mark' it's a mistake. Does the Ring represent mistakes? That doesn't really seem to fit the bill, though. Personally, I think the ring holds far deeper meaning to be reduced down to one thing.

[@Laura-q2k6p]

It is just a potent polarized example of the flip side of reality, before anyone makes anything personal of it.

[@etinarcadiaego7424]

@@guilhermeduarte7192 men don't have a "sinful nature. " Instinct and desire are not evil and there is nothing wrong with embracing worldly existence. The world is an amazing place, why demonize it? What's wrong with pleasure?

[@dustyoldduster6407]

As regarding the increase in weight the one ring caused as it neared Mordor, that weight was more than likely psychological in nature.

[@michaelmiller3012]

I always interpreted the increased weight as the Ring actively resisting getting closer to Mount Doom and thus destruction. Bonus side effect - make the Ring Bearer easier to find and capture for One Ring recovery.

[@joegalante2325]

What about the marks and chafing on Frodos neck from the chain holding the ring?

[@iamblade7862]

Its already shown to be able to change its mass...why couldn't it get heavier? I wonder if it could get big enough if a troll picked it up lol 😂

[@crazinessisavirtue2694]

Both. Its heavier for the bearer; however, when Sam carried Frodo he was initially expecting to feel the weight of the Ring and was surprised when he only lifted Frodo.

[@MidnightatMidian]

I always thought that the ring represented a concept; The fact that power and ambition corrupt everyone.

[@leoross9817]

Power attracts the corruptible.

[@mingthan7028]

The Ring of Gyges

[@bloodboughtson9126]

I've heard it said the Tolkien believed the ring was the symbol of sin and all of its deceptions.

[@Donnerbalken28]

Tolkien was a fervant Catholic, so it makes sense. The One Ring doesn't need to have a specific purpose; it's purpose is entirely for the narrative (imo it makes narrative much stronger for that reason). The One Ring is the embodiment of sin and temptation, created by Sauron/Lucifer to make the world turn its back on the Valar/God.

[@bloodboughtson9126]

@@Donnerbalken28 Yes, I'm Christian and reading the Silmarillion, I love how he makes Eru, The Great Conductor and he gives the play by play of the role of the most powerful of Ainur, Melkor. I can really see Melkor more akin to Lucifer and Sauron more akin to someone like Adolf Hitler.

[@adrianrocha49]

Makes sense since its owner is basically the devil.

[@zebdawson3687]

This is allegorical, Tolkien hated allegory. It was even brought up in the video at 6:40 (“I know Tolkien HEAVILY dislikes allegory...”). Tolkien didn’t want ANY of his writing to be interpreted as symbols or metaphors for real world ideas or aspects, it was all supposed to be taken as is in the story. So, no. The One Ring did not represent sin or any other idea, it was literally a ring wielded by the Sauron that Sauron used to enslave the Free Peoples of Middle Earth. Not some hidden metaphor, which authors like CS Lewis did in his writing (and Tolkien publicly hated that Lewis wrote that way, despite being best friends with Lewis).

[@chrisquinn3377]

@@Donnerbalken28 I like to think it's true purpose is to influence the masses with mind control, if it's the one to rule them all then realistically it should have mind control

[@thedarknesscallingme]

The Fellowship of the Ring book explains quite a bit as to the effects that it can have on its various bearers. Gandalf tells Frodo that the ring will turn it's bearer into a wraith in time just as has happened to the Nazgul, but that the speed of it's corruption will depend on the individual bearer. A person who lusts after power, glory, wealth etc will fall faster than a person who is pure of heart and selfless etc. Gandalf states that as a hobbit, Gollum was able to keep the ring for centuries and yet remain in the mortal realm because there was that part of him, Smeagol, that remained. However because he was darker of heart than other hobbits as the murder of Deagol his cousin will testify, the ring has made him what he is. Bilbo was likewise affected but only to a minuscule amount because he was pure of heart, yet it would have eventually corrupted him aswell but it would have simply take much longer than it did gollum

[@trequor]

Don't forget that in The Hobbit, Gollum's inner monologue talks about how he had to stop wearing the ring because it was tiring him. He keeps it in a pocket, like Frodo, for a while longer. Until eventually he has to hide in away on his island and only look at it sometimes. I think that Gollum was unintentional taking active steps to prevent himself from becoming a ringwraith

[@LeoxandarMagnus]

I’m inclined to think that the way in which Bilbo and Gollum found the ring affected how they reacted to it.

[@unlucky1353]

Leoxandar Magnus I wouldn’t say the way they found it affected them. I’d say that it was enhancing the evil qualities that were always there. Gollum has a weaker will and was more prone to evil all along, therefore he was corrupted much faster. It unleashes the evil within more fully.

[@lifeisbutadreamm]

unlucky1353 I got that impression while reading as well, but could be the combination of factors too, like the immediate temptation in Smeagol's case but the almost afterthought of it in Bilbo's,

[@dude-jk2hn]

Also because he killed to get the ring

[@lucasgill7819]

@cauchamar well, yeah, but he didnt kill for it like Smeagol either

[@notsure1384]

It could be said that smeagol's will was weak given his state after murdering his cousin. Though I personally think, that if Bilbo possessed the ring as long as Gollum, he most likely would have ended up in a similar state.

[@jebpayne1710]

Frodo also was able to notice Galadriels ring of power whereas sam, standing next to frodo, couldnt see it.

[@aliebrubaker7473]

It is a great video, but he doesn't mention Celebrimbor and his premonition that old Annatar isn't quite what he seems. During the casting of the three rings of power gifted to the Elves, Celebrimbor gives them the ability to hide their power from all but their bearer... kinda humping Sauron's plans in a big way. Lorien, Imladris and Lindon are spared from Sauron's full sight by the three Elven rings (worn by Galadriel, Elrond and Cirdan the Shipwright), which gives the Last Alliance the opportunity to thwart Sauron's big coup. IIRC, it is Galadriel herself who reveals her ring of power to Frodo more or less in line with the power Celebrimbor forged into it.

[@gennywerlein9428]

I appreciated the comment about each of us having a "one ring" in our lives. So true, and such wise advice to let it go, and be free! Thank you

[@RennieAsh]

Do you want to build a volcano? The heat never bothered me anyway

[@deno2649]

Tom Bombadill was probably the only one who could actually own it without huge problems, I think.

[@mrgabest]

I'd guess that any being of lesser power than Sauron would be affected, and any being of greater power would not. As a principle Maia of Aule, Sauron was of sufficiently high placement in the hierarchy of spirits that only the Valar would be totally immune. Just my take on it, of course.

[@e.w.thomas2425]

I think it just didn’t have any effect on him so im not sure if he couldn’t really use it

[@TheTripfantastic]

He would get bored of it and toss it

[@lydiarobinett6159]

He wore it once in the books without anything happening.

[@tatern3923]

The problem was Tom didn't care about it...which would include caring about keeping it safe/hidden. Thus it would have "left Tom" similarly to how it "left" others and Tom wouldn't even be concerned.

[@400KrispyKremes]

I would say the ring has two real powers, beyond the underline effects which I think can be somewhat misunderstood. The first being that it essentially makes Sauron un-killable. I mean he's basically immortal in the same way the Elves are more or less inasmuch as he won't just die, but he can, or rather could be killed before he forged the ring. The second power is the more insidious though. The Ring cannot willing be destroyed by any person. Before a person would even consider destroying it the ring would normally corrupt them into wanting to keep it, but even if someone did want to destroy the ring the furthest they would ever get is standing over the lava before they would be corrupted and take the ring for themselves. In fact both times that the ring was almost destroyed that's exactly what happened. And that's where the effects of the ring come in. It's like the ring gives people just enough power to make sure they would never destroy it. Also other effects are more clear like how it gets heavier as you get closer to Mt Doom. The effects seem to always protect the ring first and foremost. I'll leave it at that for now, or this post is going to be hundreds of lines long. lol

[@AlphaZaku]

400KrispyKremes Gil-galad and Elendil did physically killed Sauron while he was wearing the Ring.

[@400KrispyKremes]

I know, and so did Isildur, but the ring makes it so he doesn't really die. The only way to actually kill him is to destroy the ring which is impossible for any person to actually do. Ironically the ring gets destroyed by it's own power, and it only real weakness. It was it's power to corrupt that made Gollum chase the ring, and it was it weakness that finally destroyed. That weakness being the fact that it's a ring in the first place. That weakness comes up a lot too. It only stayed lost for as long as it did because it's so small, and because of the limitations of being a ring it can only do so much to protect itself or betray the people who bare/wield it (Aside from Sauron of course).

[@AlphaZaku]

In Tolkien's mythology death is defined as the separation of the spirit from the body. Sauron was already dead from Gil-galad and Elendil's hands when Isildur cut off the Ring. But even with the Ring's destruction Sauron still is not destroyed, he is just reduced so low that he can never again rebuild himself.

[@MrBigCookieCrumble]

He essentially made an anchor to the physical realm, otherwise like most of the dragons and balrogs once destroyed they were thrown out of the physical world and into the void, where morgoth was thrown. But Sauron linked his very spirit to the physical world, Arda, so they could kill him over and over but it wouldn't matter, he'd still be able to return to arda thanks to the ring and start spreading evil once again.

[@AlphaZaku]

Mr BigCookie Only Morgoth is said to have been put out into the void. The Ainur are all bound within the confines of the World, that is the natural order of things laid down by Eru, and the stipulation given to them when they first entered it. Even before he had created the Ring, when Sauron was physically killed (by Huan) his spirit remained within Arda. The Ring has nothing to do with this. What the Ring did for him was to ensure that the vast majority of his power remained within the Ring so long as it existed. So upon further physical deaths he could use the power of the Ring to help him rebuild his body.

[@harrisonmcarthur7816]

I Bid you STAND!!! Men of the West!!!

[@notoriousbig3k]

dude Za Wurld can destroy all bad guys in Middle earht

[@sarahtucker3151]

@Born of Fire NO close the gates and let them come in Legally

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

I'll sit thanks

[@sigma80]

Now, Dance Off!

[@thomaskaus5810]

I once found a ring while swimming i kept it on me at almost all times and one day it just vanished i searched everywhere for it but never found it i always thought it was super strange

[@frostbitepokin9520]

Ron 3 😂😂😂😂

[@recu1]

@Ron 3 it got stuck in what he was fuckin'

[@NSixtyFour]

@Ron 3 what a twist!

[@chottabeamm]

Pretty sure you had vision of beating Michael Phelps in swimming

[@Snake1257]

Hail Yoystan, Loremaster of Arda! I have found your channel after my last marathon of the 6 movies and I started to thirst for more knowledge! I have always only known the movies and I was oblivious to the world that Tolkien had created. It boggles me mind that all this came from one man, he has created languages, cultures, histories, an entire fantasy geography, even an entire evolution process which explains how Arda came to be. It really blows me away. To me, Blizzards Warcraft Universe was always the most complete fantasy universe I had known, which also has a creational history to the world, but I realize now that the complexity of Tolkiens just takes it a few steps further. Not to mention Blizzard has a pretty huge team working on those things, but with Arda and everything in it, it was just ONE man, which makes it even more impressive. Anyway, I found a rather peculiar coincidence: "Three Rings for the Elven kings under the sky, seven for the Dwarf lords in their halls of stone, nine for Mortal Men, doomed to die, one for the Dark Lord on his dark throne." No we take the numbers "3791" and turn them around -> "1973" the year Tolkien died! Now THAT is a coincidence if I've ever seen one! I am sure other people have noticed that aswell, but I thought I'd still share it if you all.

[@jordank6961]

If tree beard had the one ring. "All shall.... zzzzzz love me and ........zzzzzzz despair...... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

[@mynameisralfbob2276]

Baaarrrrooommm

[@biyahegelo1702]

He'll finally find the ent-wives. 😂

[@kohinarec6580]

But would he have nightmares?

[@joeycoolproductions3173]

It turns you invisible silly I could have made this video 4 seconds long

[@Clair--de--Lune]

He's just kiddiiing. :-D

[@Madhattersinjeans]

It does doe. Got em.

[@ethanhair1460]

I am going to assume you are joking

[@UNLebanon]

Invisiblest

[@bl1398]

Also it makes freaky horse men chase you

[@gobigblue6782]

The ring definitely had the power to corrupt. It was said the basis of the seven dwarf hoards of gold all involved a ring and enhanced the dwarves greed. Great video, as usual.

[@Ubu987]

The corruption of the Dwarven rings was responsible for Moria, where the Dwarves were driven by greed to delve into the very roots of the world, releasing the unholy things that lived there.

[@sonokawaray]

The revelation from this that I thought was neat was that since Sauron, a maia, could still see anyone wearing the ring, that would mean Gandalf, a fellow maia, could probably also see whoever was trying to sneak around in the Unseen Realm. I like to think he could always see Bilbo when he had it on, but (in typical Gandalf fashion) kept it to himself, as it was info no one else really needed to know.

[@projektred8335]

I'm going to correct something here: The elves did not all exist in both realms, only those who dwelt or use to dwell in Valinor and their offspring because in Valinor you become part of both realms and thus, can see both realms. This is the reason that the elves of Mirkwood could not see Bilbo when he wore the ring. The elves of Mirkwood were among those who had chosen not to go to Valinor with the Ainur because of how strong their love of the stars of Middle Earth was back then.

[@arklat]

In TLOTR, the One Ring is described as appearing as perfectly round, that should mean like a round rod, bent into a circle. It was also described as a burning circle of rising flmes, when Gollum held it aloft, with Frodo's finger still thrust inside the ring. It was also described as a circle of flames, when being worn by Sauron. As far as abilities goes, the abilities were placed into it by Sauron, and for use by Sauron alone. It was never intended to be used by others. Ever. It would be a case by case situation if others used the ring. Some idea is revealed by what it did to Smeagol. Corrupted him. Same with Isildur. It did it immediately with Isildur, because it was afraid of being destroyed. Bilbo was strangely resistant.

[@melendil586]

After a certain point of mastery, it also allowed the wearer to dominate those who had given themselves to the Shadow, like the way Frodo commanded Gollum at one point. But that level of mastery also meant there was a good chance the Ring was dominating the wearer, as well, just as it had Frodo.

[@JC-om7nr]

Shadow of war

[@Philweasel]

I think it's cause and effect. The very wish to dominate another person against their will is proof that your thinking is becoming more like a dark lord's.

[@sebas8225]

Poor Talion...

[@LordMortanius]

Talion has nothing to do with Sauron. The game is non-canon, like Nazgul!Isildur and that one rip-off of Ar-Pharazon.

[@digitalbrentable]

While Tolkein viewed allegory with great distaste, he spoke in favour of applicability. The one ring need not be an allegory to be applicable to certain things in life, or just power itself.

[@Noxims47314]

Indeed, "power corrupts" and all that is exactly the meaning behind the ring. it is the absolute power for the absolute price.

[@riftvallance2087]

I've said before that although Tolkien said he disliked allegory it doesn't change the fact that his writings were all heavily allegorical. The one that stands out to me is Beren from the Simarillion. During the story Beren(a mortal) falls for a elvish princess but her dad refuses to give the blessing for the marriage. Eventually her dad agrees to give consent if Beren can return with a Simaril (currently in Saurons possession) a task that he thought would be impossible. This mirrors Tolkien's real life experience were his childhood girlfriend's father refused to give Tolkien permission to marry. Going the extra step and not allowing her to see him again until after they finished college. Now if I recall correctly Beren is stated to mean reckless courage and Tolkien mean foolish bravery so it's not too hard to figure out what was going on there.

[@OfficialRedTeamReview]

I remember a roosterteeth skit where Burnie interviews a female employee who swears she knows her sci-fi and fantasy franchise trivia. when asked about the one ring she thought it gave the user super strength LOL

[@MenoftheWest]

Lol! Can't win them all I guess, haha.

[@OfficialRedTeamReview]

Hey man, I think we touched base a while back on Facebook. I don't remember if it was you or someone else BUT I love what you're doing. Keep up the good work, comrade.

[@MenoftheWest]

RedTeamReview That was me! Thanks for the support Carmine, it really means a lot man. I always listen to your podcast with Preston, and you both do excellent work there. Cheers man!

[@patpaulson1108]

Well...for Sam at least, at Shelob's lair (Cirith Ungol), the Ring gave him enhanced hearing, and on the stair in the tower, the hidden power of the Ring made Shagrat cower back from Sam in fear.

[@NPC-rq9tp]

The ring would give you enhanced strength if your dark side harnessed it. It doesn't objectively have a power that is the same across everyone. Its basically pure corruption and powers that wickedness in your soul. If you're a wicked evil being you would harness your corruption and basically do anything with it.

[@Iris_n_Parti]

I remember when I was a kid, I found a gold ring and have no idea where it came from. I didn't know of Lord of the Rings at the time and then my family made me watch The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. As soon as the scene with Golum and the One Ring showing up, I instantly noticed that my Gold Ring that I've grown addicted to was actually a replica of the One Ring.

[@Neuromancer_2k77]

"We all have our One rings in our lives..." Loved that bit. Nicely said.

[@madambutterfly1997]

Beautiful rendering of Black Speech

[@MenoftheWest]

Thank you! I worked on it for quite some time today haha!

[@juliada8121]

Hey, I know you from over at SecretsoftheCitadel!

[@madambutterfly1997]

Julia Da thanks

[@pac-vy1nj]

Thats not beautiful! If u listened too that then you my friend have offered curses in your life

[@whyyouasking9744]

Hasan Wilson ash and nazg sounds like ash nash

[@CCCXIV_]

The one ring gets half your stuff in the divorce. 😂😂😂

[@samppakoivula9977]

lol XD

[@MountainFisher]

Goldberry was the Riverman's daughter so she must have been Ulmo's daughter as he was the Vala of the waters.

[@andrewalexander6229]

More likely Osse, the Maia of the coastal waters, but interesting thought!

[@daveski7]

Nob the Knave Right? I find it hilarious Men of the West pinned this totally inaccurate comment lmao

[@PeaceCrafter]

3:30 I'd like to chip in with something at this point: It would seem the One strengthened the inherently natural abilities in beings. For instance, Galadriel's storm and sea related powers would have become much greater and terrible, as well as Gandalf's light and fire... Maybe Elrond would have caused great tornadoes and atmospherically destructive spells, but for intstance FRODO seemed to SEE better and farther because that is what he was good at, he studied at a lot and liked maps (much like Bilbo and the Professor himself). SAMWISE may have heard better and understood other languages because he was good at listening and taking orders (a virtous trait, in fact).

[@maxhydekyle2425]

Weren't Gandalf's fire abilities from a separate ring?

[@damonatherstone9195]

Makes sense that sam heard rather than saw, if your theory about enhancing the wielders darkest strengths is true. He did eavesdrop quite well

[@damonatherstone9195]

Also makes sense with the hobbits invisibility, seeing as they already have a natural ability to go unseen easily

[@gordonmcinnes5055]

In addition to your video: Tom Bombodil laughs, playing games while wearing it. Isildur won the ring 'with great pain' and made it an 'heirloom of his house'. Gandalf says that in his desire to do good, he would do evil. Galadriel admits she desires the ring and says 'in place of a dark lord you shall have a dark queen...' and 'passes her test' by refusing it, she shall diminish. Boromir says 'it is a weapon', and sees only it's military potential, failing for a while in his attempt to take the ring from Frodo. Faramir, 'would not take it even if it lay in the road' and refuses it 'even with a host of men at his back' 'in the wilderness'. Sam desires to save Frodo when he wears it (and wears it only a very short time). Aragorn knows he would succumb to its temptation also. Put simply, it takes your ambitions and desires and twists them to evil purpose, only the most noble of spirit have any defence.

[@joshuafogg6600]

In short, it is literally the paver of the Road to Hell.

[@roysutherland9729]

No, Nobility is no defense. Humility is the ONLY defense. And even that will fail in the end. Even at the "very Crack of Doom" Frodo said "I will not do this deed. The Ring is mine!" Gollum (or was it Smeagol?) had to do it for him. It was, after all the only way Smeagol could keep the Ring. Poor Smeagol.

[@madambutterfly1997]

Which means I'd have to be a stronger Maiar than Sauron himself or an aspect of Eru

[@sgtpepper3161]

Hasan Wilson Wonder what would happen if a Melkor was around to get his hands on it too

[@Fallout3131]

Nipps Welmactt right

[@michaeltaaffe6697]

Melkor already had control of Sauron, and therefore anything the ring had control of...

[@SevenPr1me]

Morgoth would definitely become the master and lord of the One Ring.

[@hotmale5221]

Or is Tom Bombadil the incarnation of Eru himself?

[@musicilike69]

+40 Stam, +50 Str, +50 Int, +15% spellpower. 10% PvP power and resilience.

[@shamusson]

Don't forget the Xp drain.

[@Ledpooplin55]

I've seen so many videos about what the ring is or what it does and I still couldn't tell you any more than it makes you invisible

[@warwolfmechanical]

Your videos are phenomenally well researched in LOTR lore, but my favorite is the literary conclusions you draw at the end of each video, it always surprises me in both it's appearance and application to real life. Keep up the great work!

[@abhishekharge6691]

Wait, Gandalf being a maia, it's effect on him and Saruman would be similar to that on Sauron.

[@kristoferkey3161]

I think Sauron was a far more powerful Maia though.

[@meurum2561]

Kristofer Key he was. There was only two mair that probably could be equaled and they unfortunately weren’t sent to middle earth, and hell even then they’d still of gotten the old man Nerf treatment

[@inspectorlunge3887]

Sauron was likely almost as powerful as one of the valar in the beginning. The silmarillion states that there are maiar who are that powerful. If he had the ring, he was probably on their level.

[@patpaulson1108]

When I read the LOTR and then The Hobbit for the first time, in 74, my big question was, if the ring didn't affect Tom Bombadilli, and if the Eagles were willing to help Gandalf in his protection of middle earth, then why couldn't Tom go with Gandalf on a couple of Eagles and with no real notice of Mordor, drop the ring in Mt. Doom? The Keepers of the Three Rings of the Elfs, knew the One still existed, their power was bound to it. So, in 3500 yrs, they made no plan to destroy the Ring, and end their realms. At the very least, Tom should have been a 'Plan B', someone and someplace to hide the Ring if ever it was found. After I read 'The Silmarillion' (a very tough book to get thru when you're 15) It became even less clear why the 'Guardians of middle earth,' were so ill equipped to defeat the apprentice of Morgoth. The next big question (still unanswered), If Turin Turambars' armor was set aside for him, and he then set it aside for someone else, why the heck didn't it turn up in LOTR as an aid to defeat Sauron? Ah, the questions that can never really be answered! ;)

[@drugsboozetobbaco]

i couldn't resist ( no offence ) but its almost what you said kzbin.info/www/bejne/m33JdoZoe52hqLc

[@patpaulson1108]

@@drugsboozetobbaco Hilarious!😅🤣😂 Gandalf raping day! ...Borimeir!!!🥰😍😅🤣😂 Thanks for the laugh!

[@patpaulson1108]

@Lunefa Teymiriel and you...phfit! Know it all! Ungulot, and Tom, it is said...were from outside middle earth, and much older, with powers 'untold.' And 'though Suaron could grip most of the world...his power could never corrupt Tom.' I have read it a few time...BUT IM NO ZEALOT! So...you go detail by detail!...I go on with my life and the hundreds of other good books I have read and will read!...so there...naaa!

[@patpaulson1108]

@Lunefa Teymiriel 👀 hmmm...you could ✍ for a LOTRs history program...or maybe a fan script for that new Hobbit series. 💋

[@psevdhome]

One of my favourite moments of the ring is when it tempts Sam with its power. It entices Sam to make all the peoples of the Earth into his slaves that will make with him the most beautiful garden. And then Sam dismisses it and thinks that he would not want to force others to work his garden but work on it himself. I believe the ring must give some power to rule over others, whether through oppression or charisma or whatever. When Frodo says that he cannot dominate anyone with it, either Galadriel or Gandalf says that he has not tried, but continue that he should not as it would likely break his mind.

[@grammsay]

Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris

[@st.michaelthearchangel7774]

I really like how you included the allegorical bit regarding the ring. It truly does reflect the effects of sin in one's life, if we persist in said sin.

[@Eowyn3Pride]

It's not widely mentioned, but that is the idea, sin corrupts absolutely. That's why Sam was also affected. Not to yhe same degree, but that we all carry it...

[@etinarcadiaego7424]

"Sin" was a term coined by people terrified of natural human instinct and then used as a tool to control people through fear.

[@deadreckoning6288]

"Never before has anyone dared utter words of that tongue here, in Imladris of the cyberspace!"

[@TheJavaMonkey]

_Fëa_ refers exclusively to the spirits of the Incarnates (elves, dwarves, and men) who require a _hröa_ (that is, a physical body) to form a complete being. As Sauron was a Maia, the proper term for his spirit would be _ëala._ It’s a minor nitpick, though it’s one I would nevertheless be remiss not to point out. Other than that, good video.

[@tar-maironlordofgifts5702]

Next time when you mention that Sauron is a Maia, say this: Greatest of the Maiar

[@ishmailskywalker7527]

like Anubis?

[@JeffRebornNow]

LOL

[@raukris1307]

Java Monkey The only place I could find reference to your nit was Tolkien Gateway; an interesting but hardly exact source. "Fea" simply means "spirit" as in the "Feanturi" (who were Vala by the way.) Although I think fea is elvish whereas I don't know what ealar is (or that it's wrong for that matter.) Since we're nit-picking I'm curious if there is a source to verify your claim that would be considered canon.

[@PraetorDrew]

That makes sense, given that Tolkien was likely a hylomorphic dualist.

[@MT-kx7ff]

Thanks! I've been curious about the ring's power for a while.

[@Richard-dl6ko]

Great job guys! LOTR fans van definitely agree on that. Tolkien's work was so deep. You have no idea how much this channel has helped me understand all the lore better. I had no idea how much there was to know and understand. His universe was amazing in my opinion. I know I'm a noob to all this stuff and this channel really helps people like me. Thumbs up in my book! Light up the Darkness guys and keep up the awesome work! One ring to rule them all!

[@Rombizio]

The Amon Hen thrones gave the person the power to see far away Not the ring. Also, remember the ring was not found by Bilbo by chance. The ring fell from Gollum's hand as it decided the wearer was not worthy anymore. Tolkien mentioned the ring had its own will and would choose a new master if it was suitable doing so.

[@jesusmedina1816]

Well, my theory is, Goku will let Sauron have the ring just to have to see how powerful he can be, Just for good sportsmanship.

[@inspectorlunge3887]

Hopefully this is db super goku. Sauron would definitely take advantage of that!

[@patrick_j_lee]

Frodo saw far on Amon Hen because that is what the seat was, for seeing far.

[@jacksprat9226]

But why did Sauron forge the ring in the first place? What was the point? It controlled all other rings and their wearers? What power did the ring give Sauron that he couldn't have otherwise?

[@alynwilliams6044]

Jack Sprat Sauron planned for the domination of all of Middle-earth and he needed to control the Elves to complete this plan, he created the one ring to control those who had other rings, he took a massive risk because he could lose the ring which happened but when he's in middle earth the ring enhances his power

[@nemisous83]

Alyn Williams the ring doesn't really enhance his power, more like it just acts as a giant mind control inhibitor. If he controls the leaders of middle earth he by default controls middle earth.

[@AlphaZaku]

Nick Graham While he wears the Ring, Sauron's power is in fact enhanced. Yet when it's removed from him he isn't diminished.

[@nemisous83]

AlphaZaku that's not nessisarly because of the ring. When he has the ring on he is complete and whole where as when his is separated from the ring it's like being split in two.

[@AlphaZaku]

Nick Graham "While he wore it, his power on earth was actually enhanced. But even if he did not wear it, that power existed and was in 'rapport' with himself: he was not 'diminished'. Unless some other seized it and became possessed of it." - Letter 131. The power that Sauron put into the Ring is still in rapport with him while he's not in physical possession of it. Possessing the Ring doesn't "complete" him because as Tolkien says, he isn't diminished without it.

[@webdoar]

Another excellent insight! I for 1 especially congratulate you on the astute allegory/lesson for life you mentioned near the end of this video!!

[@ilovenycsomuch]

I was always confused by how Sméagol turned evil IMMEDIATELY when he was just a bystander to someone possessing the ring for like ONE MINUTE... what the heck?! Why was his situation so unusually quick & drastic??

[@Querymonger]

He was always a jealous and violent person, the ring just preyed on that. Smeagol is Cain

[@LegatusLucius1994]

The Rings dark Wraith like powers are gifted to those much faster when the person is close to near death or are going to die

[@raztaz826]

Whenever characters mention doing good with the power of the ring I imagined a bunch of orcs flailing around as they were commanded to do good deeds.

[@FritzFoxPirate]

Helen Boucher: "That Ring is the DEVIL"

[@tkclay9996]

That ring gave me the power to turn invisible, and I liked that too!

[@seatspud]

Tackling fuel: water sucks, the One Ring is better!

[@doughamilton9443]

Top tier reference

[@etinarcadiaego7424]

@@jasonthetapersonal"But Dad, this Ring gives me unlimited power!" "That boy just ain't right!"

[@philiplewis7252]

I think that you have it absolutely spot on in this video,well done! Keep up the great work.

[@marcofdelos]

Yoysten, do a video about Gandalf actually fighting the with King after he breaks the gate of Gondor. That was such a shame to me they didn't put that part in the movie. It's one of the best parts of the book, how the With King stood up in his saddle and thrice cried in an ancient forgotten language that rent both heart and stone. It's just st epic that part.

[@sauron3488]

Oh the power I wield.

[@uniseine]

5:16 That elf is going to have a hard time aiming his bow.

[@brianmayabella5992]

+40 str, 125% cleaving damage, +20 vitality, unholy aura (maiar user) -25 % health (non-maiar user, maiar no effects)

[@ghstrdio]

Sam's hearing increases is amazingly awesome, just because he was caught earlier listening in on conversations

[@ryansies612]

How am I only discovering this channel. Amazing work dude

[@LightMohawk]

Smeagol killed his cousin AFTER finding the ring not before.

[@mglenn7092]

Ummm... Smeagol's cousin Deagol was the hobbit who found the ring, and then Smeagol murdered him in order to take the ring for himself (either Smeagol was a really bad seed to start with, or just easily corruptible, since *boom* just caught a glimpse of the ring in Deagol's hand and was ready to kill to get it).

[@kyleurban20]

Smeagol killed his cousin after his cousin found the ring

[@michaelhammond7115]

It means she gets half no matter what....and your soul.

[@darklordsauron398]

Who is "she"

[@michaelhammond7115]

@@darklordsauron398 man.....you're not much of a "Dark Lord" if you don't know who she is....I only hope she supported you when you chose that moniker⬆️⬆️⬆️↖️↖️↖️

[@underhill918gaming5]

@@michaelhammond7115 this is why Lord Sauron requires a spokesperson. At your service.

[@tonyrandall3146]

Underrated..

[@dylan__dog]

The house, the car, the kids... Even the dog Half your paycheck too The rings power truly is fascinating especially once it's taken off

[@canadious6933]

I think, it's contrary to what people expect. I don't think the One Ring gives the wearer UNLIMITED POWER, but more bends the wills and uses the evil inside others to succumb to the ring. That means everyone who wears the ring and the people confronted by the wearer. So in reality, you needn't fight at all against most people as they would either flee of fright or choose to follow you.

[@Andrew0you0tube]

Canadious not unlimited, it is limited by the power of Sauron, who is not even a Valar. Sauron created this telling to sway people to his side

[@urahara64360]

The best explanation I've heard before this was that it enhanced the abilities of the wearer to a god like level.

[@deejayxcrypt]

In the book _Bored of the Rings_ it was said that at one moment “Frodo” felt a bit of diarrea coming after having carried the ring for a while.

[@Peace.Beyond.All.Understanding]

lmaooo

[@josephreese664]

It makes one see beautiful people at WAL MART.

[@madambutterfly1997]

If I was in Middle Earth, I'd have to be Tom Bombidil and completely immune to power of the one

[@jebpayne1710]

Hasan Wilson his immunity to the power of the ring makes me disagree with the theory that he is a maiar. Sauron, Saruman and Gandalf were all tempted by the ring.

[@denniscleary7580]

Tom is a natural part of the world just like ungoliant. They are beyond things of this world

[@jebpayne1710]

Dennis Cleary that is my theory as well, i bekieve they are both come from the song of creation, Tom the good part and Ungloiant the bad part sang by Melkor. We will never truly know because Tolkien wanted him to be an enigma but like i said, that would be my guess

[@denniscleary7580]

Jeb Payne I agree, some things should be left to the readers imagination, that’s the beauty of it

[@castigadormarjon]

Hasan Wilson Tom Bombadil represents JRR Tolkien...

[@happywheeler4268]

Would like to see a what if the Balrog took the One Ring. He is a Maia, tied to Arda now. Would love to see a video based on this.

[@happywheeler4268]

You obviously have never read any of the books or wikis. Thank you. I noticed no one agreed with you.

[@happywheeler4268]

Then obviously you should know that of the fire spirits SEDUCED by Morgoth, the greatest were Balrogs. Says that in the notes, Silmarillion, and Lord of the Rings. So I bid thee farewell.

[@matsw6863]

Andrew Christopher melkor cant create he can only corrupt meaning by creating he corrupted previous maia which became balrogs

[@whitealliance9540]

Thata kinda like when Galadriel said "i passed the test" in LOTR when she resisited the ring. Your little speech at the end was true

[@jedidrummerjake]

Nicely done! Thank you for taking the time to make this informative video.

[@Howling_Moon]

Anwsering a title question before watching: MONEY

[@olearris]

The one ring to rule them all, more like the one ring that can do it all.

[@young_buck_productions9391]

love you videos keep up the good work🖒🖒🖒🖒

[@dillon4248]

I enjoy the moral at the end of each video

[@gatovillano7009]

at 2:38, I think ''control'' is a what the ring is all about: Sauron wanted to control all things in middle earth to shape it and micromanage it; he believed that this was essential for middle earth's own good. Galadriel, when tempted with the ring, wished to control all things as well. She wanted to control the hearts of all; for everyone to love her. To be more powerful than the foundations of the world. When we look at people in real life, we see the same thing: People want their political party to win so that they can impose their control on the population using the monopoly of force of the government. Everyone sees their way as the best way and people should be forced to accept it for their own good. What is the ring? I think the ring is Tolken's analogy for the government and everyone's reaction to the ring represents the temptation to absolute power.

[@blackwatchcommander104]

You do a good Sauron

[@stampede122]

The Ring allow Saron to became stronger and weaker at the same time...

[@kaihinkelmann]

For me it would make more sense that the ring got heavier because it did not want to be destroyd.

[@annie_xo]

The One Ring Cursed item: This ring has a 20% chance of summoning nine hostile wraiths upon each use. It may only be removed by using a Remove Curse spell or scroll. Charisma +5 Constitution +5 AC 3 +50% resistance to fire Special ability: Cast invisibility Special ability: Cast domination Special ability: Cast clairvoyance Can only be used by characters with neutral or evil alignment

[@annie_xo]

Stimulator7 D&D, mostly as in the Baldur’s Gate games

[@Donnerbalken28]

The Ring sole purpose was to bind all other Rings of power to Saurons will and detach Middle-Earth from the whims of the Valar. What it actually does do isn't all that important; it's function in the plot is a purely narrative one. But if we're going down this way and ask the question what it really does do, i think it's fairly easy to answer that question. As mentioned above, the Ring binds the will of the wearer of the Rings of Power to Saurons will and enslaves them (he's not called "The Lord of the Rings" for no reason). For reasons Sauron did not predict, this only worked with the Nine Rings of Men, the Seven Dwarven Rings left them largely unaffected, it simply made their greed grow bigger over time. The Elven Rings were unaffected because Sauron didn't originally know about them as he never saw or touched them (something that annoyed him to no end). However, the fates of the Rings, as for their wearers, depended on Sauron; it was Sauron who taught the Elves of Eregion how to make them, and their strength and influence were explicitly tied to the One Ring, even the Elven ones. I think the most pronounced effect the ring can have other than invisibility is that it gives Sauron his physical form back, which he lost when Numenor was destroyed by the Valar. Otherwise he is just a weak, ghostly presence. It's also a neat life insurance for him, as the Ring can (well in theory at least) not be destroyed. The One Ring is bound to the Rings of Power and makes their users into extensions of Saurons Will. Taking Tolkiens strong catholic beliefs into account, we can assume that the Rings fulfill every desire their users and wearers have; but under the influence of the One Ring it takes a twisted turn, like in Goethes Faust. The nine kings wished to outlive everyone and stay in power for eternity, and the Rings exactly did that, but when Sauron used the One Rings influence over them, it turned their desires into twisted parodies of themselves. They became truly immortal and undefeatable, at the cost of their free will and humanity. The Dwarves, who wanted riches, minerals and material wealth, became the greatest artisans and craftsmen but their own Greed, amplified by the power of the One Ring, became their own doom, most noteably when Durin VI. accidentally released the Balrog of Moria and another time when the riches of Erebor attracted the attention of Smaug. (it should be noted however that the Dwarven Rings were a failure by Saurons standards as the effects they had were much less immediate than he had predicted) The power of the Elven Rings differed that the Elves, being symbolic for Angels didn't have strictly material desires. The Elven Rings saved a fraction of the world from the overall decay of the power of the elves and kept up a loose facade of their most glorious days in middle earth in very small pockets of the world; namely in the Grey Havens, Rivendell, and Lothlorien. They were meant to stop the ever present decline of Elven civilization in middle-earth as a means to trick their destiny of fading away, however this didn't work, since the destruction of the One Ring meant that the powers of the Rings were drained and they became useless trinkets. After reading up on it, we can also assume that the One Ring, as the ruling Ring, had properties of all of the Rings; the ability to dominate and conquer from the human rings, best seen in the Orcs fearful servitude to Sauron, the ability to expand material wealth from the dwarven rings, which let him build Barad-Dûr, and the ability to preserve and slow down time of the Elven Rings.

[@asdfghjkllkjhgfdsa8725]

2:10. I don’t accept this Is is explicitly stated by EVERYONE that the ring answers to Sauron alone. Nobody can use it to except him.

[@pietrotettamanti7239]

Gollum found the ring *immediately before* murdering his cousin, not after.

[@toddw1887]

I thought Deagol found the ring and Smeagol took it from him.

[@TROll-oe9ng]

Deagol found the ring on the river bottom. Sméagol saw him caressing it and wanted it as his birthday present. When this request/demand was refused, Sméagol murdered his cousin and took the ring.

[@evelynace388]

I think the ring brings with it, it's own evil because their are men that have evil in their heart but have no desire to be a tyrant. And while I think their are people who could overcome the rings evil. It has two problems 1. That it will make you immortal and thus you can just win against the ring you have to fight it constantly, and any ground given will be gone forever unless your Sam in which case you tell the evil to fuck off and it works (Sam is awsome). And 2. What it promises you is true and if it wasn't for the fact it would betray you that which it promises you will likely come true.

[@dowingba]

Sam is the true Lord of the Ring.

[@danielvillarrealjr.6639]

In regards to Sam's experience, I likened it more to 'enhancing' the fears of others, rather than providing an enhanced form to the wearer. So I felt that the Orcs in the tower feared a large Elf Warrior and so the ring enhanced their fear, which they accepted quickly, rather than braving it out to see what was really down the hall, they accepted their worst fear, and fled... But, it's all interpretations.. :) I thoroughly enjoy your 'explanations' of the topics of the Legendarium...

[@JMrealgamer]

Those one rings in our lives.... oh God. I thank Him for saving me from those terrible One Rings. Awesome video!