>>14230615>I tend to have a deep dislike for the fantasy genreWhy?
>Tolkien’s depiction of the One Ring and the way it corrupts the human soul is impeccably apt when taken as an allegory for the intoxication that power delivers.One thing about Tolkein is that he always insisted that he disliked allegory. I do agree though. The one ring is imbued with Sauron’s will to dominate. When you have the ring, it basically tempts you with what you want the most, and makes you believe you have the power to achieve it. That’s why Frodo is better at holding the ring than, say, Gandalf. Hobbits are content with living a peaceful, lazy lifestyle. They have little desire for power. When (spoilers) Frodo is at Mt. Doom, he is unable to drop the ring into the volcano. I think(?) Tolkein went on record saying that no mortal could have resisted at that moment.
It takes a lot to relinquish power, and that’s part of the reason why men like Cincinnatus are so highly revered.
