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

[@MrARock001]

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

[@purspike]

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

[@ivarcollison5965]

That's a gem.

[@JM-do6wc]

Just imagine how good the pipe weed would be!!

[@insanum666]

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

[@JM-do6wc]

@@insanum666 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@danit.2243]

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]

Agreed

[@tomk537]

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]

Agreed!

[@carlcramer9269]

Also pleasant to listen to.

[@Yajna007]

Found this channel a few months ago.

[@brianblessedsbeard2656]

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.

[@aaronrowell6943]

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]

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

[@drachna]

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

[@aaronrowell6943]

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

[@theelectricprince8231]

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

[@drachna]

@@VaderPopsVicodin10 Laughs awkwardly and slowly draws sword

[@sauron3488]

Saruman still failing to get possession of the One Ring.

[@thebandwagonfanpodcast]

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

[@abadenoughdude300]

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]

@@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..

[@MellowMutts270]

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!

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoyed this video!

[@pauldrexel1501]

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.

[@v1e1r1g1e1]

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]

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]

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]

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

[@whoisgoobafish9623]

Don’t forget Gollum

[@glennhydock6513]

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?

[@tragicwitch]

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.

[@rickrogan2355]

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

[@rejvaik00]

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

[@PalmelaHanderson]

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]

Celegorm and Curufin totally enjoyed it tho

[@astrogypsy]

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]

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

[@denindenim]

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.

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoy the channel.

[@EdoDoe613]

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!!

[@RobSojourn]

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]

Ooo cool thought!

[@wyrmofvt]

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]

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

[@quinner8566]

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

[@mmsizzlak]

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

[@MrARock001]

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]

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

[@MrARock001]

@@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.

[@monkeybusiness673]

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]

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.

[@tolkienuntangled]

I promise I'll get back to it in good time!

[@lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615]

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

[@_spacegoat_]

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

[@ColttWalker]

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]

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.

[@patrickkoenigsfeld1253]

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]

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!!

[@javarnhewitt9336]

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

[@tolkienuntangled]

I'm really glad you enjoy the videos!

[@alanmike6883]

@@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]

@@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]

@@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? 😁👍

[@shaunlan5193]

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

[@tsgtajirisilvergaming90]

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]

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

[@InfinityOrNone]

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

[@astrogypsy]

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

[@Feuerbach1]

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]

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]

@@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]

@@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.

[@MrARock001]

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.

[@Owlr4ider]

Disaster is certainly one way to put it. Another would be that without Melkor and Feanor there would be no story at all. After all it was Feanor and his rebellion that started the first age. If there was no rebellion and all the Elves remained in Valinor than that would have been the end.

[@firstname8637]

​​​@@Owlr4iderI guess you could even make an argument for that to be part of Illuvatars plan. Or that the Valar were shaped/thought up by him in a way that pardoning Morgoth was the only choice they really had. As he repeatedly claims that every Ainurs actions have their roots and purpose in him. Although that would also suggest that he's kind of a d*ck who also planned the creation of the orks and all the suffering in Middle earth.

[@Owlr4ider]

@@firstname8637 It's not so much about Eru being a d*ck but rather that evil is actually necessary in order to have good, as in a world without evil good is meaningless and so you end up in a situation like paradise where nothing actually happens and people just exist without actually living. That is to say that in order to actually live and have an appreciation for everything good in the world there also needs to be some form of evil and some amount of suffering.

[@ericstromquist9458]

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.

[@thehighguarduk4820]

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! 👍😁😎

[@TheEliasNoel]

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!

[@TheH8redd]

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]

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.

[@toddyslittlenook3340]

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!

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! Much appreciated 👍

[@garrick3727]

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.

[@ancalagon0216]

Excellent analysis!!

[@EdmundSkye]

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

[@susanhoughton1104]

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

[@veronicadavanzo2064]

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

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks very much!

[@lvphenexvl4213]

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👌

[@carlcramer9269]

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.

[@jandunn169]

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....

[@BigBWolf90]

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

[@lifeiscomplikated]

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

[@Philusteen]

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

[@ericparrish1515]

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

[@tomtenthij5676]

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! ❤

[@monitor-mindtheover-void6712]

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

[@Dealerofdeath1998]

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

[@Spartan1312]

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

[@sayagarapan1686]

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]

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.

[@gsubwept9174]

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.

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! I'm glad you think so.

[@bryandraughn9830]

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

[@jayt9608]

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]

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

[@alanmike6883]

@@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

[@pattenicus]

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]

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]

@@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

[@georginastinton7266]

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

[@MrARock001]

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

[@paulsager2097]

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]

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]

@@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]

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

[@christopher1367]

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

[@albertorebelo3443]

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

[@eddievangundy4510]

Incredible stuff, thank you for these videos!

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoy them.

[@supertiger1979]

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

[@jessewilliams9195]

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.

[@Onering80]

The one ring was destroyed because Gollum failed his Dexterity check.

[@tfjohnson55]

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

[@serielmcleod1900]

Awesome video. Thank you for mentioning Saruman’s ring… almost everyone else never does. Couple things though. In regards to Tom Bombadil, I think you’re onto something with the no ambition, but also I think it’s more that Tom is present in the story as the true antithesis to Sauron: Sauron is a powerful being who wishes to master everyone but himself in order to “win” But Tom on the other hand only seeks to master himself. He has zero desire to master anyone else. He protects his realm and the creatures in it, and they all do his bidding and bow to his will IF he tells them to quit trying to harm others, like his command of old man Willow. However it’s not that he is their master… but when you meet someone who is so completely in control of themselves, and you aren’t in that state within yourself, your will sort of bends to the radiant authority of that self realized person. Tom is the master. And he believes everyone should be their own master. Thus, just as Sauron cannot fathom why anyone wouldn’t seek to control others…. Tom cannot fathom why anyone would want him to live their lives for them. The ring is a trial and a problem for the mortal races of middle earth to overcome. It has nothing to do with his journey or his life. And he would never deprive a person of the quests they have chosen to undertake. They SHOULD be their own masters. Tom knows the trees will look after themselves. The grass will grow by itself. The birds will go about their own business without Tom commanding them and micromanaging them lol. So Even though Tom is a bit of a redundant part of the story, since the joy of freedom, simplicity and nature have already been shown in Hobbiton… he is still important as showing the direct opposition of Sauron. Tom is the Lord of light through freedom and self mastery. Sauron is the dark lord through dominion of others and the trap of power.

[@AhhTheBonnie]

Unbelievably Excellent Video Again Bravo Rainbow Dave 🎉👏👏

[@mattyboyb523]

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

[@tolkienuntangled]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@theharper1]

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.

[@denisecatalan9833]

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

[@samuelyoung9396]

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

[@c.rutherford]

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!!

[@daveoverton8860]

The one ring was forged To dominate the others Sauron seeks it now I love your channel. You have a wonderful way to tell the history of Middle Earth

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoy it.

[@Craigohhhh]

To Rainbow Dave, Thank you so much for all your videos. I LOVE your channel. It's wonderful.

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks. I'm really glad you enjoy the channel.

[@ianmhor100]

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?

[@chaoticgood3935]

There are plenty of KZbin channels about Tolkien’s works, and a few are entertaining, however, Tolkien Untangled is by far the most enjoyable. I have just finished all the videos thus far. Rainbow Dave, I pray to Eru Iluvatar you never run out of video topics! Perhaps a video highlighting all of the times that Eru Iluvatar was the only explanation for things, “just working out?” I could have worded that better but you get the idea. Cheers!

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoy the channel.

[@g_aware_nerd]

Wow u did that. I didn't appreciate that the magic of the ring was that subtle

[@NickGreyden]

Wow! It would be amazing to have a show that dipects all of this. The betrayals, the oaths, the crafting of the rings... Too bad we dont have that. It would be amazing!

[@samwill7259]

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.

[@sammys6805]

Wow. I could have read the book over and over and never made the connection that it's possible that the ring's evil destroyed itself though the oath.

[@cerberus6654]

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]

What a fantastic story. Thank you for sharing.

[@marekkapusta7825]

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.

[@MrARock001]

After Sauron's initial treachery, it's surprising that the Valar failed to vet their maiar again with Saruman.

[@LukeWengles]

Dave, yet again - always a pleasure.

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks, I'm really glad you enjoyed it!

[@Erik-um1zn]

Excellent video! Many people get very confused about the One Ring and its power over others. It is one thing to just see or know of it, quite another to posses it, and still more to actually claim it as your own. Many good people resisted its effects in the first category (and many not so good did not, see Smeagol, Saruman, etc.), but few indeed were able to resist/overcome its effects in the second & third categories.

[@germaineboatwala-sidhva1079]

I absolutely agree about Intent being what connects one to the ring of power. Also, what makes its binding force act. And that is true in real life too. What intent we give to a thing, makes that act that way for us! Great video! 👍😊

[@Therealmanticorejones]

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

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! Welcome back.

[@SNWWRNNG]

Great video, just a minor clarification for around 3:34 : "Spirit" often refers to the fëar and ëalar (you could also call them souls) of beings in the Legendarium, and I can't think of a source that states Sauron or another creator puts a part of that into their work. Gandalf says that Sauron "let a great part of his own former power pass into it" in Fellowship. Sorry if this seems pedantic, and I'd be happy to be corrected if I'm wrong. But I've seen a lot of people compare the One Ring to a Horcrux or similar devices over the years - and though they share some functions, they are different in nature if I'm correct. I also feel that the inviolable nature of spirits as things purely created by Eru would be theologically significant - it's a symbol of Morgoth's (and anyone's) impotence to truly interfere with Eru's plan or achieve complete control over creation. Even Morgoth cannot dominate or truly destroy those, like Hurin, who refuse to submit to him despite the pressure put on them.

[@sofiamelendez1375]

THIS WAS AMAZING!!!!

[@franco5120]

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

[@RADCOMJ1]

I absolutely love your voice and analysis. The Hobbit was read to me circa 1968 at junior school. I found it fascinating and about 50 years later the films are magical. If you did an audio book I'd buy it.

[@GingerTheMusical]

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

[@lomlaw7125]

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

[@zettkusanagi6322]

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.

[@mlebrooks]

Thanks for this really interesting episode

[@edgard142ndofwelshdale7]

I can't be the only person that sees huge parallels here to AI, right? The ring is man-made(close to man, anyways) to be all powerful and to be sentient with a will of its own. That sentience and will end up backfiring, and the ring becomes more important/powerful than its own creator. The only way to destroy is to destroy itself. AI is man-made specifically to be intelligent, and some fear it can even become sentient and have free will. Additionally, it is often feared that those traits of AI could lead to a Terminator-like state where the AI overpowers humans - its creators. The last part is more of a stretch I think, but there are also lots of memes about defeating a sentient AI by sticking into an endless loop akin to something its own creation, like by telling it "this statement is false." Truly a tale ahead of it's time.

[@starwarzchik112]

Also it seems very very useful at first. Brb gonna go throw ChatGPT into a volcano.

[@johndiaz3972]

The fact that Barry Kripke narrated this video made all the more fun to watch.

[@johnnymaldonado2567]

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

[@sacjones7341]

🙌🏾🙌🏾 Thank you!