Why Isildur Kept the Ring: A Study in Power, Pride, and the Peril of Temptation
The question of why Isildur did not destroy the One Ring is central to understanding the entire saga of The Lord of the Rings. After all, had he cast it into the fires of Mount Doom, Sauron would have been permanently defeated, and Middle-earth spared centuries of war and suffering. The answer, however, is multifaceted and deeply rooted in the nature of power, the fallibility of even the noblest individuals, and the insidious influence of the Ring itself. Isildur ultimately did not destroy the Ring because he succumbed to its allure, claiming it as a “weregild” (man-price or compensation) for the death of his father and brother, and because he underestimated its true power and the danger it posed. Additionally, as Tolkien himself indicated, no one in Middle-earth at that time possessed the inherent strength of will to willingly destroy the Ring in the place of its forging.
The Weight of the Weregild
Following the defeat of Sauron in the War of the Last Alliance, Isildur, son of Elendil, had the opportunity to end Sauron’s threat forever. However, the Ring was physically cut from Sauron’s hand with the hilt shard of Narsil, his father’s broken sword. Isildur declared the Ring his own, as a “weregild” for the loss of his father, Elendil, and his brother, Anárion. This concept of weregild was a traditional legal practice in Germanic cultures, including Tolkien’s Anglo-Saxon inspiration, where a payment was made to compensate for a death.
Isildur’s claim was, in a sense, legally justified within the cultural context of his time. He saw the Ring not merely as a weapon of immense power, but as restitution for a great loss. This sense of entitlement, fueled by grief and a perceived right to compensation, clouded his judgment and blinded him to the greater good. He considered it his birthright and a spoil of war.
The Deceptive Nature of Power
The One Ring was not merely an inanimate object; it possessed a will of its own, actively seeking to return to its master. Even in the hands of a powerful figure like Isildur, it exerted a subtle but insidious influence, playing on his desires and weaknesses. The Ring amplified his sense of self-importance and convinced him of his ability to control its power.
Isildur believed he could wield the Ring for the benefit of his kingdom and his people. He envisioned using its power to secure his legacy and ensure the prosperity of Gondor and Arnor. He didn’t fully understand the Ring’s corrupting influence, or how easily it could turn even the noblest intentions into instruments of darkness. This underestimation, coupled with his inherent pride, made him vulnerable to the Ring’s manipulations.
The Limitations of Will
Tolkien’s letters reveal a deeper truth about the Ring’s power. He explicitly stated that even with the best intentions, no one at that time could have willingly destroyed the Ring in Mount Doom, where its power was at its apex. The act of destroying the Ring would have required a level of selflessness, humility, and pure will that was simply beyond the reach of anyone in Middle-earth at that time.
The Ring’s influence was so potent that it could overwhelm even the most resolute minds. The closer one came to Mount Doom, the stronger the Ring’s pull became, making the act of destruction an almost impossible feat. This inherent limitation, combined with Isildur’s own personal failings, sealed the Ring’s fate and ensured its continued presence in Middle-earth. Isildur didn’t realize the depth of its power, believing it was something that he could master.
Pride and Legacy
Isildur was a king, a warrior, and a hero. He had witnessed the horrors of war and played a crucial role in defeating Sauron. This experience undoubtedly instilled in him a sense of pride and a desire to secure his place in history. The Ring offered him a means to solidify his legacy, to become a figure of even greater renown. This desire for fame and recognition, while not inherently evil, ultimately contributed to his downfall. He failed to see that true greatness lies not in wielding power, but in resisting its temptations.
It’s possible that, unconsciously, Isildur sought to emulate his father’s greatness and surpass him. By keeping the Ring, he might have believed he was taking control of his destiny and ensuring his name would be remembered for ages to come. This ambition, fueled by the Ring’s seductive whispers, proved to be his undoing.
In conclusion, Isildur’s failure to destroy the Ring was a complex interplay of personal failings, the seductive nature of power, and the inherent limitations of even the strongest wills. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, the corrupting influence of power, and the importance of recognizing the limitations of one’s own strength. It underscores that even the noblest intentions can be twisted by the allure of dominion, and that true heroism lies in choosing the greater good, even when it requires sacrificing personal desires. Learning about the nuances of this story is a great example of how fantasy can translate into real-world skills, which is what the Games Learning Society aims to promote. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Isildur and the One Ring
1. What happened to the Ring after Isildur kept it?
After Isildur claimed the Ring, he was ambushed by Orcs near the Gladden Fields. While attempting to escape by swimming across the river, the Ring slipped from his finger, betraying him to his enemies. He was subsequently killed by Orcish arrows, and the Ring was lost in the riverbed for over two millennia.
2. Could anyone have willingly destroyed the Ring?
According to Tolkien, no one at that time, including Elrond or Gandalf, possessed the inherent strength of will to willingly destroy the Ring in Mount Doom. The Ring’s power was at its strongest there, making the act of destruction almost impossible.
3. How did the Ring abandon Isildur?
The Ring, possessing a will of its own, betrayed Isildur by slipping off his finger as he attempted to escape the Orc ambush in the Gladden Fields. This act exposed him to his enemies, leading to his death.
4. Why didn’t Elrond take the Ring from Isildur after Sauron was defeated?
Elrond recognized the corrupting influence of the Ring and understood that forcing Isildur to relinquish it could have dire consequences, potentially leading to conflict and further bloodshed. He may have also lacked the authority or the strength to physically take it from him.
5. How long was the Ring lost after Isildur died?
The Ring remained lost in the Gladden Fields for approximately 2,463 years after Isildur’s death.
6. How long did Isildur have the Ring before he died?
Isildur possessed the One Ring for approximately two years before his death.
7. Why is Isildur a Nazgûl?
The text presented in the article is incorrect. Isildur did NOT become a Nazgûl. This is a common misconception or fan theory, and the primary texts of Tolkien’s legendarium do not support the idea that he became one of the Ringwraiths. The Nine were corrupted Men who took up the nine Rings of Power.
8. Why is Isildur special?
Isildur was the son of Elendil, the High King of Gondor and Arnor, and played a crucial role in the War of the Last Alliance. He cut the Ring from Sauron’s hand, thus vanquishing Sauron’s physical form, marking him as a significant figure in Middle-earth’s history.
9. Did Sauron have the Ring in Númenor?
Yes, Sauron possessed the One Ring during his time in Númenor. He used it to corrupt the minds of the Númenóreans and incite them to worship Morgoth.
10. Why did Elrond not push Isildur to destroy the Ring?
Elrond likely understood the limitations of his own will and the immense power of the Ring. He also recognized that forcing Isildur might have unforeseen consequences, potentially leading to conflict and further corruption. Furthermore, the text indicates that even if Elrond wanted to compel Isildur, he didn’t possess the strength of will to destroy the ring himself.
11. Is Isildur A Nazgul?
Again, to reiterate, the text presented in the article is incorrect. Isildur did NOT become a Nazgûl. There is no mention in Tolkien’s official writings that support this claim.
12. Could Elrond have killed Isildur?
While Elrond was a powerful Elf, killing Isildur, the High King, would have ignited a war between Elves and Men, which both sides wanted to avoid after the heavy casualties suffered in the War of the Last Alliance. Besides, Elrond was neither in a position to give orders to Isildur nor would he want to trigger a war for the One Ring.
13. Is Isildur Aragorn’s grandfather?
No, Isildur is not Aragorn’s grandfather. Aragorn is a direct descendant of Isildur through Valandil, Isildur’s fourth son.
14. Why was Isildur the last king?
The statement that Isildur was the “last king” is ambiguous. He was not the last king of Gondor, but he was the last High King to rule both Gondor and Arnor united. After his death, the kingdoms were divided, and Arnor eventually fell into decline.
15. How did Isildur defeat Sauron so easily?
Isildur did not defeat Sauron single-handedly. Sauron was defeated through a combined effort by Gil-galad, the Elven High King, and Elendil, Isildur’s father. They fought Sauron directly, and during that combat, they both fell, killing Sauron. Isildur merely cut the Ring from Sauron’s hand with the hilt-shard of Narsil after Sauron’s physical form had already been defeated.