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Good and evil in literature
Good and evil in literature
Lord of the rings fellowship of the ring essay
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The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien, is the first book in the fantasy-based trilogy of the Lord of the Rings. The book begins with Bilbo Baggins celebrating his one hundred and eleventh birthday. After his party, he then decides to leave everything behind and join a Fellowship, which has a task of destroying the ruling ring, which will give supreme power to whoever has possession of it. Just before he leaves, Gandalf asks Bilbo for this ring. Due to the power in which the ring possesses while it is in his possession, he does not want to give it up. The novel ends with the destruction of the Fellowship due to the power in which the ring contains. One of the prime facts of the Middle Earth is power. Power is not neutral, but is always evil. It gives wicked the chance to dominate. The good is corrupting and inescapable. This is shown repeatedly throughout the novel, from when Bilbo gives up the ring, to when Boromir tries to take the ring, and finally, to seeing the control that the ring has over Frodo. One incident in the book, which corresponds with how power is evil, would be when Bilbo had to give up the Ring. The ring is very powerful. The power is so enticing that Bilbo is very weary to give up that ring. When Gandalf asks Bilbo if he wishes to give up the ring, Bilbo seems unsure saying yes and no. When it came to having to give it up he didn't like parting with it at all and didn't see why he should have to . Due to the power in which Bilbo feels that the ring had given him, he doesn't want to part with it. By no means does Bilbo want to use the power in an evil manner to dominate all. It is just the thought of power itself that causes this greed to come over him. Although Bilbo in general is a good character, the power of ring corrupts his ways, showing his thirst for power, which he deserves. Another incident, which portrays this corruption of goodness to evil, is when Boromir approaches Frodo and tries to take the ring from him. Boromir has authority, which is being heir to the throne of Gondor, but not the supreme power that he desires.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a book about a boy named Harry Potter who is a wizard. Its setting is in London, which is where Harry lives. The time element is supposed to be present day, but it is a fiction book.
“One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them,” (55). The One Ring controls Gollum, Bilbo, Boromir, and Frodo in attempts to return to Sauron, Its Creator, the Lord of the Rings, and the utmost evil present in J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels. But the Ring never achieves Its goal because each character possesses a unique set of skills which resist the evil temptations of the Ring. Gollum is the first victim of the Ring, with no knowledge of Its powers or guidance away from Its control. Bilbo is the second ring bearer, with an almost complete knowledge of the Ring’s power still has difficulty resisting the Ring’s temptation. Gandalf guides Bilbo to constantly resist the evil of the Ring. Boromir never gets his hands on the Ring but craves Its power thinking he can use it for good, ignoring the guidance offered to him at the Council of Elrond. Frodo has the most knowledge and guidance of all the characters but also seems to have the strongest temptations. J.R.R. Tolkien uses characterization in the Fellowship of the Ring to prove that people without a longing for power resist temptation through knowledge, good habits, and guidance.
For example, love, which is a powerful thing. But the rings power is so tempting that even love can't last forever. And as for the desire to do good, forget it. Even if you start with the best of intentions, the Ring will twist you until you're as evil as Sauron... or close, at least. Even Gandalf tells Boromir, “We cannot use the Ruling Ring. That we now know too well. It belongs to Sauron and was made by him alone, and is altogether evil. Its strength, Boromir, is too great for anyone to wield at will, save only those who have already a great power of their own. But for them it holds an even deadlier power. The very desire of it corrupts the heart.” the ring implies that power even if it be used for the greater good will end up being being used for evil. This lesson is a useful one for not only the characters in the movie but for the people who read it. Remember, power struggles are everywhere, even on our
Bilbo being a symbol of good and defeating evil shows how Tolkien feels about good versus evil and who will win in the battle. In literature about eighty percent of the time, good will triumph over evil. Tolkien feels that good will triumph over evil, evidenced by Bilbo defeating Gollum.
...to his own possessions and how his journey made him open his eyes up to a deeper meaning of life. The evil in the story were just test, trying to get Bilbo to give up and go back to his life of comfort, but he didn't he went on to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Tolkien wanted to show the reader how we can overcome our flaws in life such as greed, and temptation by stepping out of our comfort zone.
Tolkien decides to use the ring (a token that many characters are thirsty for) in order to symbolize Bilbo's innocence. The magical ring, indeed could actually be used with meticulous intentions. And, he bore a powerful destructive ring on his body, clueless of its full capabilities. Tolkien uses this to symbolize the innocence of Bilbo. Bilbo, disinterested in the ring. However, Thorin the complete opposite and was unfamiliar of what it felt like to be greedy. Many readers may interpret the ring to symbolize Thorin's greed. But, Tolkien incorporated Thorin's greed and exposure to hierarchy in order to compare it to Bilbo's tranquil lifestyle, and help them comprehend how innocent he is. He uses two amicable characters who would use the ring for their own fortunes and provides it to a character who saved countless lives. The constant danger that the hobbits faced is what made Bilbo use the ring and constantly save his friends. He used the ring for good. However, if it weren't for the obstacles, Bilbo would have had no use for the ring. And, the friendship he acquired with his team, wouldn't have been as
The Hobbit, written by John R. R. Tolkien, is a fantasy novel published on September 21, 1937. It was written as a prelude to the famous series, The Lord of the Rings, written seventeen years later. The Hobbit introduces the reader to an incredibly immersive fantasy world, that enriches the reader into its epic storyline. The story takes place in a land called Middle-earth, a land filled with enchanting surprises and magical wonders. It was the perfect playground for Tolkien to develop his main character Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo Baggins was a small hobbit, who unaware in the beginning would become a large role in the plot. It is through this character that Tolkien implemented the theme of heroism into the story. Bilbo’s unexpected adventure with the dwarves and the wizard gave him the opportunity to develop into the ultimate hero of Tolkien’s tale. Bilbo’s epic journey to become the hero of the story begins when Gandalf, the wizard, tells Bilbo of an expedition that would soon change his life forever.
When Déagol finds the ring on Sméagol’s birthday, the ring uses its influence to corrupt him into murdering Déagol (52). When Gandalf tells Bilbo to let go of the ring, the influence the ring has is shown as Bilbo calls the ring his precious, and he puts his hand on the hilt of his sword in defiance of Gandalf (33-34). The ring has the power to dominate the will of all that are around it, and is itself its own character. Frodo arrives at the Prancing Pony, and he feels the desire to put on the ring and vanish, but when he chooses not to put on the ring it uses its power to try and reveal itself by slipping on Frodo’s finger making him disappear (154-157). Even when a ring bearer is free from the ring it still influences its former possessor. When Bilbo sees Frodo in Rivendale he asks to see the ring, and as he does this Bilbo’s face changes into a shadowed version of what Gollum looked like (225-226). The nature of evil lies with its ability to corrupt the weakest and even the most pure of heart at the same
Everything on this poster is a part of me. Everything you see has a deeper meaning. Every word is not only a word, but a symbol of something hidden. My strengths, weaknesses, goals, and inspiration all take the form of a vision; a vision for the certainly uncertain future. Each section is different, representing the future, past, and present mindsets of myself.
The book begins with Bilbo Baggins celebrating his one hundred and eleventh birthday. Many "Hobbits" show up at his party including his third cousin, Frodo, which is the main character of the novel and a powerful wizard named Gandalf. Biblo possed a powerful ring known as the "Ruling Ring" which gives "Supreme Power" to whoever has possession of it. At the end of the party, Bilbo uses his magical ring to turn invisible and stun his guests. Gandalf, the powerful wizard, then meets up with Biblo at his house and takes the ring from Bilbo, which is corrupting him. Gandalf examines it, realizing that the ring Bilbo has is the powerful "Ruling Ring". Knowing that the forces of evil are in search of the ring, Gandalf sends Frodo, a relative of Biblo, to destroy the ring in the only place it can be destroyed, "Mt. Doom". Overhearing the talk between Gandalf and Frodo, Sam, a "Hobbit", that is good friends with Frodo is forced on the quest to aid Frodo.
“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
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the characters are faced with many choices. Voldemort is evil and only makes bad choices, but everyone else makes a mixture of good and bad choices, some of which they regret.
One lost hobbit. A cold, jet-black cave. A slimy Gollum. Just one of the many trying challenges encountered in the hobbit’s big adventure. The Hobbit is a high fantasy novel written by J.R.R Tolkien. The movies, directed by Peter Jackson, are based off the books, but split into a series of videos. The complete story is about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, as he advances along with 12 dwarves, their lead dwarf, Thorin Oakenshield, and a wizard, Gandalf, on a quest to the Lonely Mountain. They started this expedition to retrieve Thorin’s stolen heirlooms. Along the way, the group is confronted with many challenges, such as trolls, goblins, Gollum, and even a dragon, all to redeem what was lost. A specific encounter that the party experienced,
At the heart of the story is the Ring and it is The One Ring of power. Lord of the Rings is a tale of good deeds that triumph over evil. It is also a story of power and corruption. The desire for absolute power is the topic of The Lord of the Rings. The Ring acts as a symbol of evil that the author explores in his novel. It represents power, and with that power it corrupts anyone that comes in contact with it. When Sauron forged the Ring, he infused his own power and soul into it to ensure that it had the power needed for him to reach his goals. It is because of this that it doesn’t matter if one’s intention is to do good, all that is done with the Ring, including the ring bearer, becomes evil through its corrupt influence.
The Opening Scenes of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring