In this story Gollum thinks that the ring is something that pleases him. Power is pleasure for Gollum, and the ring gives him pleasure. Actually he is very obsessed about it. But, Gandalf is not. Galadriel is not also. I try to sacrifice what is pleasing in the short run to work on this essay so as to be happier later. However, Boromir does not truly know how evil the ring can be. He thinks that he could do great things for his people if he were to use the ring. He is thinking in terms of conquering evil forces in battle and combat. He thinks that, if he were king or lord and were to have enough power to maintain his position, all the problems in Middle Earth would dissolve. Boromir thinks out loud to himself and says, “But if you wish to destroy the armed might of the Dark Lord, then it is folly to go without force into his domain; and folly to throw away” (435). Boromir is referring to the ring when he states “and folly to throw away.” Actually, as we read later, Boromir did not intend to say this but he himself made a “folly” in saying this out loud so Frodo, who is nearby, can hear. Frodo is now able to see a clear picture of Boromir and what he might be capable of in his quest to gain power. Frodo “caught something new and strange in Boromir’s glance”(435). Obviously, Boromir was too quick to be making his thoughts loud enough for Frodo to hear. The power of the ring would definitely not suit Boromir. He would clearly misuse it, even though he might think that he is using it properly. What Boromir does not understand is that the ring can make him evil, as Gandalf clearly knows and as Frodo is beginning to understand. While Gandalf and Galadriel view “power” as something they can hold onto and something that brings peace and happiness to everybody on Middle Earth, Boromir thinks that power is something that grows and grows. Power for more power for more power. In t...
