Lord of the Rings Fans Are Still Confused by This One Ring Problem

In Peter Jackson’s trilogy, “The Lord of the Rings,” the first film was premiered in cinemas over two decades ago. Remarkably, the appeal of these movies remains undiminished among fans today. As new admirers continue to explore J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, questions about the series persist, echoing those asked for more than 20 years. One question that frequently arises revolves around the One Ring itself and the supposed plot inconsistency some viewers perceive.

The main problem with Sauron’s “One Ring to Rule Them All” is that it appears inconsistent with its own rules. In “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” we discover that wearing the ring, even for a brief moment, summons the dreadful Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths. They are inexorably drawn to it no matter where it is on Middle-earth, making it simple for them to trace the ring and pursue Frodo during his trek to Mordor. These former rulers of men employ this ability to chase Frodo throughout his journey.

As a film enthusiast, I find myself pondering over an intriguing aspect from the lore of Middle-earth: the reason the Nazgûl didn’t pursue Gollum or Bilbo Baggins when they possessed the One Ring. Given their easy accessibility compared to Frodo’s quest, this decision seems peculiar. After all, both Gollum and Bilbo were less likely to destroy the ring, especially since Bilbo was unaware of its true power.

Don’t fret about finding the solution; there isn’t any significant plot inconsistency in “The Lord of the Rings.” Let’s explore the context a bit more deeply.

For many long years, Gollum kept the ring with him while dwelling beneath the Misty Mountains, as detailed by Tolkien in “The Hobbit.” It’s also noted that Gollum frequently wore the ring for extended spells. Conversely, Bilbo Baggins utilized the ring during his adventures in “The Hobbit” and occasionally employed it throughout the rest of his life in The Shire.

In the periods when each character held the ring before Frodo, neither of them were disturbed by the Nazgûl for decades. However, once Frodo obtained the ring, the Nazgûl began pursuing him. Some viewers might perceive this as a contrived means to generate tension at the onset of Frodo’s journey to Mordor. By incorporating the Nazgûl, there’s an intensified feeling of peril and urgency that prevents Frodo from relying excessively on the ring’s invisibility during his quest.

Why didn’t the Nazgûl pursue Bilbo or Gollum before the events of “The Fellowship of the Ring”? It seems that this question is not fully addressed in the story, as having the Nazgûl easily kill a hobbit in the Shire and thereby restoring Sauron’s power without much effort would not have made for an engaging narrative.

The cause of these events revolves around Sauron and the unique abilities of the Nazgûl. After losing the ring from his hand in the hands of Isildur, for a period spanning until the start of “The Fellowship of the Ring”, Sauron was largely in hiding, rebuilding his power. This hidden resurgeance, hinted at in the beginning of “Fellowship”, sets off the entire narrative.

As a follower, I found that my powers were intrinsically linked to that of the Dark Lord, Sauron. Over time, as our nine rings corroded us from within, we became entirely bound to him, effectively reducing us to his slaves. Our connection to him and his One Ring meant that we remained tethered to his power, unable to escape its grasp. In the periods when Sauron’s power waned, so did my own abilities.

Most significantly, during the period when Sauron was regaining strength, he wasn’t specifically hunting for the ring. Instead, his focus was on reclaiming his power and strengthening his forces. However, he maintained surveillance over potential locations where the ring could be hidden, as indicated by the imprisonment and torment of Gollum (who unwittingly provided information about the ring being in the Shire). It wasn’t until Sauron was fully prepared to make his comeback that he began actively seeking the ring.

During the period when Gollum and Bilbo Baggins possessed the ring, there was no one actively searching for it. The Nazgûl didn’t have a magical early warning system that alerted them whenever the ring was being used while they were inactive in Mordor. However, once Sauron commanded a search for the ring and dispatched the Nazgûl across Middle-earth (at the start of The Fellowship of the Ring), they started tracking wherever and when the ring was taken by someone.

That someone just happened to be Frodo Baggins of The Shire.

2025-01-14 21:13

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