k at first, so powerful that in the end it would utterly overcome anyone of mortal race who possessed it. It would possess him” (70). After having said this, he tells Frodo how this ring of doom originated. Clearly, Gandalf is wise enough to know that behind all that power lies weakness and evil. Even if one might first use the ring for something good and meaningful to others, it will eventually possess that person and make that person the slave to the ring. Galadriel even knows this quite well. Frodo offers her the ring, since he believes she deserves it the most and also knows how to control it. When Frodo tells her this, Galadriel seems to be strongly tempted to take the power offered by Frodo. She tells him, “For many long years I had pondered what I might do, should the Great Ring come into my hands, and behold!” (431). The exclamation point reveals to us how Galadriel might be really taken in by the thought of power at this moment and how raptured she is in this thought. But, she too is wise as Gandalf is. In the end, she even tells Frodo, “We will not speak more of it” (431). She knows that even speaking about such power can bring about destruction. Interestingly though, Galadriel seems to be almost crazy at this moment, presenting herself to Frodo while relating to him what “good” she could bring to her elves. The ring is so alluring. Too much of a good thing cannot last long. She is wise enough to stop thinking about this ring of power that Frodo has to destroy on this terrible journey to Mount Doom. So, in relating this to my own life, I sometimes act like Gandalf and Galadriel in trying to stay focused on what is most important in my life. Yes, I might want to rest and lounge around on the sofa and watch television or rent a video but I try to make sacrifices knowing that doing an English essay is more important for me, as saving Middle Earth and the elves was important for those two!...
