The One Ring in 'The Lord of the Rings': An Examination of the Desire for Power
The One Ring in 'The Lord of the Rings': An Examination of the Desire for Power
J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' is an epic of grand battles and mythical creatures, but at its heart is a very small object: a simple gold ring. This is the One Ring, and it is one of the most potent symbols in all of literature. It is not merely a weapon, but a perfect metaphor for power itself—seductive, corrupting, and absolute.
As we revisit this masterpiece in September 2025, its central theme feels more relevant than ever. The story's brilliance lies in how it uses the Ring as a crucible to test its characters, revealing that the true battle is an internal one against the universal human desire for power (gwollyeok-yok, 권력욕).
1. The Tragic Fall: When Good Intentions Are Not Enough
The Ring's greatest trick is that it doesn't offer evil; it offers the power to achieve your own desires. This is why good people are so vulnerable to it.
The most human and tragic example is Boromir. He is a noble captain who loves his people and desperately wants to protect them from Sauron. He doesn't desire the Ring for selfish gain, but as a weapon to defend Gondor. "True-hearted Men, they will not be corrupted," he argues, full of pride. But the Ring preys on this noble desire, twisting his love for his people into a possessive greed that leads him to attack Frodo. His fall and subsequent redemption is a heartbreaking lesson: even the desire to do good can be a gateway to corruption when the lure of absolute power is involved. He is the embodiment of the saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
Then there is Gollum, the ultimate cautionary tale. He is a living portrait of what the Ring's power does over centuries: it strips away the self, leaving only a consuming, desperate need for the "Precious."
2. The Wisdom of Refusal: The Truly Powerful
Paradoxically, the most powerful characters in the saga are the ones who refuse the Ring. Their strength is not in their ability to wield power, but in their wisdom to renounce it.
Gandalf: As a wizard, he already possesses great power. When Frodo offers him the Ring, he recoils in terror, knowing exactly what it would do to him. He says, "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." He understands that his own virtuous intentions would inevitably lead to tyranny.
Galadriel: When she is tempted, she imagines herself as a great and terrible Queen. But she passes the test, choosing to "diminish" and remain herself rather than become a tyrant.
Their refusal is an act of profound self-knowledge and humility. They understand that absolute power is a poison that no one, no matter how wise or good, can safely drink.
3. The Burden of the Humble: Why a Hobbit?
So why was a small, unassuming Hobbit chosen to carry this immense burden? Frodo Baggins was selected precisely because he had no great ambitions. He did not desire wealth, glory, or power over others. This humility was his greatest shield against the Ring's influence.
But the story makes it clear that even for Frodo, the task is an agonizing one. The Ring is a physical and spiritual poison that drains him of all joy and strength. His journey shows the terrible cost of even resisting power. And in the end, at the fires of Mount Doom, even he succumbs, declaring, "The Ring is mine!" This final, shocking moment proves Tolkien's ultimate point: the desire for power is so absolute that no one can overcome it forever. It can only be destroyed.
The One Ring is a timeless lesson. It teaches us that the craving for control is a fundamental part of our nature. But true heroism, true strength, is not found in the grand gestures of kings or wizards, but in the quiet, humble courage to say no.
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