While Tolkien claimed he was not writing allegorically, is there any signficance to a ring being powerful enough to consume anyone who carries it?
2007-03-28 07:54:00 · 9 answers · asked by awayforabit 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Not really. He borrowed the idea of a magic "ring of power" from German and Scandinavian myths and folk tales, particularly the Nibelungenlied. In Richard Wagner's operatic adaptation of the Nibelung story, the dwarf Alberich renounces love, which allows him to acquire the power to rule the world by means of forging a magical ring. In the last scene of _Das Rheingold_, the ring of power is taken from him, so he places a curse on it: “Whosoever holds the ring, by the ring they shall be enslaved.” In spite of the curse, everyone from the gods down wants the ring, and the struggle for its possession makes up the plot of the other three operas in Wagner's "Ring" series. The Valkyrie Brünnhilde finally destroys the ring by returning it to its place of origin, the Rhine. Sound familiar?
2007-03-28 08:07:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think any direct relationship is purposefull. Self-reliance or self determination might be similar to the ring.
Power is intoxicating even without a ring.
People who probably could be good under normal circumstances when in a position of great power often become corrupt (secretly, or publicly) abuse their power. That is common though out history.
2007-03-29 04:13:59 · answer #2 · answered by G's Random Thoughts 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not symbolic of anything in church history, no.
However the idea that power corrupts has been prevalent for a very long time in mythology. Most of our myths have very common trends, Tolkien was aware of these and used many of them in his mythology.
It's very probable that the mythology of the bible may have some commonalities. However no similarity or allegory is intentional.
2007-03-28 08:00:48 · answer #3 · answered by Mike K 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it could only be "subjective morality",(morality based on a God, or a certain group, or a whim (king)). that could be so powerful a hold on mankind. To toss it back is to once again build a moral system based on reality, something real. Like the single human life and the most valuable mind it builds.
2007-03-28 08:00:12 · answer #4 · answered by Real Friend 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. To characterize anything in the popular fiction of the day as representative of an aspect of faith is to popularize faith. Faith is not popular and if it becomes so then it is no longer faith in Jesus Christ who stood against the world and was crucified because of the fact that he IS the truth.
2007-03-28 08:05:01 · answer #5 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be the holy grail or the ark of the covenant. The ark of the covenant was said to be so powerful, touching it would kill you instantly. It was wanted by all empires, because whoever had possession of the ark would win whatever war they were in.
2007-03-28 08:02:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You could loosely parallel the ring with the holy grail.
If you don't like that idea, consider the spear of destiny.
2007-03-28 07:57:01 · answer #7 · answered by Dharma Nature 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
Tolkein specifically stated that he hated allegory, and he did not make the story with any such thing in mind.
2007-03-28 08:02:17 · answer #8 · answered by Scott M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the provervial needle's eye.
2007-03-28 07:56:56 · answer #9 · answered by Malcolm Knoxville V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋