Power In J. R. Tolkien's The Fellowship Of The Ring

“Yes, sooner or later—later, if he is strong or well-meaning to begin with but neither strength nor good purpose will last—sooner or later the dark power will devour him” (141). This quote from Gandalf shows him warning Frodo about the power of the Ring in The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One. This quote displays J.R.R. Tolkien’s mistrust of unlimited power, which he expresses in each of his books. He served in World War I where he saw the effects of tyrannical leaders with unlimited power firsthand. Tolkien believed that with great power comes corruption. So, no one person can be trusted to wield so much power. He demonstrates this in each character that has a role of leadership of the different groups of Middle-earth. Galadriel, Boromir, and Saruman, all hold positions of power or influence within their various groups. Yet none of them could be trusted to possess the dark power of the Ring, while the simple hobbit named Frodo seems to be able to carry on the

Boromir wishes to use the Ring itself to defeat Sauron so he can defend the people of Minas Tirith. Boromir has good intentions, but he fails to listen to the wise people like Gandalf telling him what the Ring will do to him. When he attacks Frodo, Boromir says “’True-hearted Men, they will not be corrupted. We of Minas Tirith have been staunch through long years of trial. We do not desire the power of wizard-lords, only strength to defend ourselves…” (389). Boromir is an altruistic leader, but he fails to consider the consequences of dark power. When he is overcome by the desire for the Ring, “His fair and pleasant face was hideously changed; a raging fire was in his eyes” (390) as he tries to take the Ring from Frodo. This displays how Tolkien believes that the power of corruption can change good leaders with valiant efforts into ugly and fraudulent