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submitted 4 days ago by genfood@feddit.org to c/lotrmemes@midwest.social

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cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/32799278

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[-] LurkingLuddite@piefed.social 54 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I mean... Totally valid question!

IMO, it'd almost certainly be a terrible idea because all the ring has to do is get to someone else. If they lose track of that chicken for a second, I bet it'd run it's ass off and find some other creature/character that'd be easier to influence than Frodo.

Remember: It is not the petite, easily overpowered nature of Hobbits that made them a good choice. It was their peaceful, carefree nature: They are WAY less temptable by the idea of power and control than others.

So... While the worst damage a chicken would be likely to do directly would be to peck out the eyes of Sam and Frodo while they slept, it would still be foolish to put the ring in control of anything more temptable or less driven to destroy the ring than Frodo.

[-] sundray@lemmus.org 13 points 4 days ago

Also... it's proximity to the ring that matters, so Frodo would still be under the influence of the ring, unless that chicken's leash was like five miles long.

[-] SippyCup@lemmy.world 11 points 4 days ago

I've met many chickens.

Temptable. They're the most temptable creatures I know.

I have no doubt that with the ring in its claw, a chicken would seek to do great evil. The good news here is that the greatest evils a chicken can fathom are at least manageable on a human scale. Though I hold no hope for chicken keepers, bugs, mice, other chickens, or weirdly enough ducks.

[-] chuckleslord@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

The resistance of the Hobbits is true, but stronger still is the circumstances in which the ring came to your possession. Bilbo stumbled upon it, Frodo inherited it, Sam took it to keep it safe. All three resisted for a very long time. Only Frodo gave into the temptation while the ring was in his possession.

Meanwhile, Déagol found it on accident in the river. Smeagol coveted it as a birthday gift. When Déagol refused to give it, Smeagol killed Déagol for it.

[-] illi@sh.itjust.works 4 points 4 days ago

Only Frodo gave into the temptation while the ring was in his possession.

And, afaik, that was because the Ring was at its most powerful - facing imminent destruction is when the Ring goes all in with the influence.

[-] BluescreenOfDeath@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

It wasn't because it was facing destruction, but because it was at the heart of it's power source.

At the precipice in Mt Doom, nobody could resist the temptations of the Ring. It's why Gollum was necessary.

A theme in the books is doing good only because it's the right thing to do, and another theme is evil often hurts itself trying to be selfish.

Frodo and Gandalf have that talk about Gollum, and Frodo says it's a pity Bilbo didn't slay him when he had a chance (in the books, it's before he leaves the Shire, in the movies, it's in Moria):

'But this is terrible!' cried Frodo. 'Far worse than the worst that I imagined from your hints and warnings. O Gandalf, best of friends, what am I to do? For now I am really afraid. What am I to do? What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!'*

'Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity.'

'I am sorry,' said Frodo. 'But I am frightened; and I do not feel any pity for Gollum.'

'You have not seen him,' Gandalf broke in.

'No, and I don't want to,' said Frodo. I can't understand you. Do you mean to say that you, and the Elves, have let him live on after all those horrible deeds? Now at any rate he is as bad as an Orc, and just an enemy. He deserves death.'

'Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends. I have not much hope that Gollum can be cured before he dies, but there is a chance of it.

That's my favorite quote from Gandalf.