Temptation is a central theme in JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Many characters in the novel are tempted to use the Ring's power to change the world as they see fit. Some seek to use its power for selfish, personal gain, while others, out of ignorance, believe they can accomplish great deeds of good with the Ring's power at their disposal. Regardless of their intentions, the Ring is capable of influencing people in mysterious ways, causing them to become angry or behave erratically. Tolkien did a great job demonstrating the dangers of temptation in The Lord of the Rings; and since temptation is a major theme of Christianity and Tolkien is a devout Catholic, there are parallels between the way temptation is depicted in his work and the way it is presented in Christianity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Tolkien's mother was a Catholic convert and a single mother for much of his childhood. His father fell ill and died in South Africa, leaving his wife to care for Tolkien and his brother in the United Kingdom. Tolkien's mother worked very hard to support her family, but sadly died while Tolkien was still a child: "Overworked and isolated due to her Catholicism, she died not long after Tolkien's First Communion, but not before having entrusted the guardianship of his children to a priest and friend". at the Birmingham Oratory, Father Francis Morgan, who continued their education in the faith (they celebrated Mass with him every day before their studies)" (How did JRR Tolkien's Catholicism influence his writings?). -Fi Fantasy Books and Books of 2022The Importance of Science Fiction and Fantasy Books This literary genre has been around for decades and quickly became a favorite among both old and … Tolkien remained a devout Catholic for the rest of his life In a letter of 1953 to a friend and priest, Father Robert Murray, Tolkien explained how religion influenced his writing: “The Lord of the Rings is obviously a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously at first, but consciously in revision I have inserted, nor eliminated, practically all references to something like "religion", to cults or practices, in the imaginary world. Because the religious element is absorbed into the history and symbolism of Tolkien undoubtedly influenced the subjects and themes of his writing. One of the most obvious is the fight against temptation. Very present in his writings in The Lord of the Rings, it is also an important aspect of Christianity. In the Oxford English Dictionary temptation is described as "The action of tempting or being tempted, especially to evil; seduction, enticement, attraction" ("Temptation"). The struggle against temptation is not only a constant throughout The Lord of the Rings, but is also widespread throughout the Bible. "No evil will happen to anyone who fears the Lord, but God will keep him in temptation and deliver him from evil" (Sirach 33,1) and "Do not let temptation come to you except men. And God is faithful, who will not allow that you may be tempted beyond your ability, but he will also put an end to the temptation so that you can bear it." (Corinthians 10:13) Being vital to the story, Tolkien made sure to establish the allure and temptation of the Ring at the beginning of the first chapter. Immediately after the speech and Bilbo's disappearance, he returned home to prepare to leave. Gandalf arrived shortly thereafter and began conversing with Bilbo regarding his future plans and, more importantly, to ensure that Bilbo left the Ring according to their previous agreement. At first Bilbo yespresents himself as a little hesitant and annoyed by the prospect of giving up the ring, but still compliant. He says to Gandalf: "I don't like parting with it at all, I may say. And I don't really see why I should. Why do you want me to?" he asked, and a strange change came over his voice. It was sharp with suspicion and annoyance" (The Fellowship of the Ring 41). But then, as Gandalf proceeds to explain to Bilbo the truth of the matter, Bilbo becomes visibly angry and hostile towards the prospect of losing the Ring." Bilbo blushed and there was an angry light in his eyes. His gentle face turned he hardened. 'Why not?' he shouted. "What do you care about what I do with my things anyway? I found it." “Yes, yes,” said Gandalf. "But there's no need to get angry." "It's your fault if they are," said Bilbo. «It's mine, I tell you. My. My precious. Yes, my darling'" (The Fellowship of the Ring 42). However, with a little persuasion from Gandalf, Bilbo is able to overcome the temptation of the Ring and leave it behind. This scene is particularly significant in that it is the first time the Ring comes in the story it alludes to the influence and power over people is able to set a sort of precedent for how the Ring will affect the characters throughout The Lord of the Rings and. will establish the threat it poses to those who possess it. Not everyone is tough enough to resist the Ring's temptation, and those who are able to resist are by no means immune to its allure at the Ring in chapter 2 when Gandalf explains the story of the Ring to Frodo Gandalf tells Frodo how Gollum was overcome by desire for the Ring and killed his friend Deagol "...grabbed Deagol by the throat and held him." strangled him, because the gold seemed so bright and beautiful" (The Fellowship of the Ring). Ring 62). The Ring consumed Gollum and he paid dearly for his weakness. According to Alberto Mingardi, "The Lord of the Rings is the epic journey to destroy the One Ring, which symbolizes power - and this is very clear when you understand that the Ring not only confers power but also imposes servitude on its wearer The man who wears the Ring becomes a slave and at the same time is made extremely powerful." This idea is later reinforced when Gandalf says "It was not Gollum, Frodo, but the Ring itself that decided things" (The Fellowship of the Ring 65). So the Ring doesn't entice people to take control as much as it traps them in a lust for power. The idea of ​​being tempted and trapped by sin appears frequently in the Bible. One such example was used in reference to idol worship: "Therefore there will be no respect even for the idols of the Gentiles, because the creatures of God have become an abomination and a temptation to the souls of men, and a snare for the feet of fools" (Wis 14.11). According to the Bible, giving in to the temptation of sin will lead to becoming an abomination in the eyes of God. Bilbo himself was tempted once again by the Ring in chapter 1 of Book II during his stay in Rivendell and after a brief but happy meeting Bilbo immediately began asking about the Ring. "'Have you got it here?' He asked in a whisper" (The Fellowship of the Ring 244). Hesitantly, Frodo allowed Bilbo to look at the Ring. Bilbo held out his hand. But Frodo quickly withdrew the Ring. To his anguish and amazement he found that it was no longer looking at Bilbo; a shadow seemed to have fallen between them and through it he found himself looking at a small wrinkled creature with a hungry face and bony groping hands" (The Fellowship of the Ring 244). Fortunately Bilbo was able to resist the temptation once again and told Frodo to put the Ring away. The temptationof the Ring does not always come in the form of malice. Many mistakenly believe that they can use the Ring's power for good. Gandalf himself refused to touch the Ring because he was well aware of its ability to corrupt those with good intentions. Initially Frodo did not want to bear the weight of the Ring and offered it to Gandalf. Because I don't want to become like the Dark Lord himself. Yet the Ring's way to my heart is through pity, pity for weakness and the desire for strength to do good" (The Fellowship of the Ring 71). Likewise in the Bible it is mentioned how temptation does not arise necessarily from a place of malice and even people with noble intentions and a strong will can be trapped "Watch and pray that you do not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). Boromir was also tempted to use the power of the Ring for good. "For you seem always to think only of his power in the hands of the Enemy: of his evil does not make use of its good... It is a gift, I say; a gift to the enemies of Mordor. It is madness not to use it, to use the power of the Enemy against him" (The Fellowship of the Ring 414). After ranting about his plans to use the power of the Ring against Sauron, he came to the conclusion that Frodo would not have willingly given up the Ring. 'Ring and tried to take it by force. "'For I am too strong for you, halfling,' he cried. and suddenly he leaped over the stone and leapt towards Frodo. His beautiful and pleasant face had changed horribly; a raging fire was in his eyes. good is still at risk of temptation by evil just as was described in Matthew 26:41. Since the temptation of the Ring was a constant throughout The Lord of the Rings, it plays a vital role in the climax of Frodo and the Return of King Sam had traveled far and long to destroy the Ring once and for all in the flames of Mt. Fate. The destruction of the Ring was the sole purpose of their quest and until that moment they had resisted the tempting opportunity of destroying the Ring once and for all, Frodo hesitated." Then Frodo moved and spoke in a clear voice, indeed with a voice clearer and more powerful than Sam had ever heard him use, and he rose above the throb and tumult of Mount Destiny rings in the roof and walls. “I have come,” he said. “But I do not choose now to do what I came for. I will not do this deed. The Ring is mine!' And suddenly, as soon as he put it on his finger, it vanished from Sam's sight" (The Return of the King 223). After resisting its charms for most of The Lord of the Rings, Frodo finally succumbed to the temptation of the ring. Fortunately for the good of Middle-earth, Frodo was not the only one to give in to the temptation of the Ring on Mount Doom. Gollum attacked Frodo, cut off his finger and snatched the Ring. Oh my darling!' And with that, just as his eyes were raised to exult in his prize, he took a step too far, rolled, teetered for a moment on the edge of the abyss, and then fell. From the depths came his last wail, Precious, and departed" (The Return of the King 224). In the end, Gollum's lack of self-control and the enslavement of the Ring were his demise, but at the same time his weakness he inadvertently saved Middle-earth and fulfilled Frodo's quest during his time of weakness, thus demonstrating that those who are unable to free themselves from the Ring's grasp and resist temptation will ultimately be brought to ruin The concept that giving in to temptation will ultimately result in loss and suffering can be seen in Also in the Bible, in the story of Eden, Eve gives in to temptation to eat the fruit and pays the price when she and Adam are cast out of the Garden of Eden Rings In Tolkien's Lord of the Rings,.