| Books-Commentary - J.R.R. Tolkien |
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Was it really credible to believe that Elendil could take down the ring-welding Sauron?
The story holds that Elendil and Gil-Galad, both took down Sauron with their magic swords. But this was during a time when Sauron had the tremendous power of his ring. How did a few guys with swords manage to fight the magic powers of the ring? Couldn't Sauron make himself invisible, or create a force field, or allow himself to fly off, or create an earthquake, or zap his enemies with it? That's never explained, which makes it less believable that the ring could've been taken away from him without some comparable magic on the other side.
I mean, if the story had read, "Gil-Galad, using the great wand of X, canceled the strength of the ring", that would've worked. But a few guys with swords wresting the ring from Sauron? Hard to believe…..
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greent
posts on 11/22/2006 2:34:52 PM
I am no expert but the Elves called on Numenor twice to beat Evil. They were a force to be reckoned with. Sauron surrendered to them during second age. He defeated them (destruction of the isle of numenor)only by guile. At the end of 2nd age, the alliance was again too strong. As previous mentioned, he could only effect the outcome by personally doing battle. both kings led to his defeat. It is Love, courage, honor etc that beat evil. Don't mix the movie and book.
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The commentator Bret
posts on 11/8/2006 10:05:14 PM
As I recall, Gil-Galad AND Elendil were slain by Sauron, not the other way around. Gil-Galad was the last of the Noldorian Kings, I forgot his sword's name (if it was ever told) but Elendil carried Narsil--they may have withstood some against Sauron, but he killed them both...
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Ethe
posts on 11/8/2006 3:27:23 PM
Ehmm... since when have Elendil and Gil'Galad been known as 'a few guys with swords'? These are Elves - not guys!! Back in the day elves were a lot more powerful than portrayed in the time the LotR was set. Read the Silmarillion!!
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The commentator Ara
posts on 11/8/2006 3:18:44 PM
I think maybe you're confusing Tolkien mythology with D&D stuff. Tolkien never really has all that creating forcefields type of stuff. The One Ring was incredibly powerful because it could master all the other rings, and subordinate the ringmasters wills to the holder of the One Ring. The reason that Sauron needs it to conquer Middle Eart is because the holders of the Three (Galadriel, Elrond, and Gandalf) are resisting him, and with the One Ring he can control them and all the works they create with the three. He had to tie a bunch of his power into it to do this, b/c the Three are so powerful (but each only in their own way) and this is why destroying it in the end destroys him. However, Gil-Galad and Elendil are not ringwielders, and are too powerful in their own right for the normal powers of a great ring (the invisibility, etc) to affect them. Therefore, it comes down to Sauron's individual power, which , one on two, is not QUITE enough (although he does killl them, and would have recovered from their attack had Isildur not then taken the ring from him.
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lemony fan**
posts on 10/3/2005 6:30:43 PM
who makes up these stupid threds anyway i really do not like them
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The commentator Manda
posts on 10/3/2005 5:54:03 PM
Note: Your message may not post if (1) it has foul language, (2) it promotes other websites or (3) it is devoid of meaningful content (such as "yay!" or semantic grunts like "book good!").
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aliciaskywalker
posts on 10/3/2005 2:36:49 PM
Hi, me. Tumbleweed... *makes whistling noise*
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aliciaskywalker
posts on 7/14/2005 8:28:11 AM
They had magic swords, blessed by the power of the Eldar elves. And anyway, they didn't take the ring from Sauron, Elendil cut off his finger, probably when Sauron was about to kill him and wasn't expecting retaliation.
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The commentator AoLe52
posts on 7/11/2005 9:48:26 PM
Stevious has a very good point on how the wizards were forbidden to have personal combat with him. Although, all of you forgot one thing, yes he was one of the maiar. But all of the maiar and the valar are only aloud to shapeshift for a time. After a while, they have to get stuck in one bodily form AND that if they do go around in spirit form, they have only one accual power and thats fear (with a little bit of some sorcery).
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Stevious
posts on 7/8/2005 2:17:17 PM
Well, techneclly, the elves of that time were of the Eldar, and could have defeated Sauron. He was a Maiar, like Gandalf and the Balrogs. I'm not sure what the Numenorians could have done, but the elves could hurt him. Also, Gandalf or Saruman could have contested with Sauron. The Valar wouldn't have to get involved. The thing was, the Isarti (wizards) were just forbidden by the Valar to fight Sauron themselves.
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alphonse
posts on 5/20/2005 11:44:59 AM
Sauron was in human form because he wanted to personally destroy Gil Galad And Isildur. His hate for them was very personal. The fact that he put all of his power into the ring was why when it was cut off he was as a power but not in human form. If he were to get back the ring he would have all of his power back and free to appear in any form he chose. The fact that the ring was cut off was an accident. things happen in battle. You never know when some freak occurance can do you in. Sauron was kickin their butts and was winning when he got his finger cut off.They were just about defeated when by a stroke of luck Isildur got one good swing at him with a sword. He probably wasn't even trying to get him in the hand.
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Lothriel Ellinde
posts on 5/17/2005 10:02:53 PM
Elendil did not take down Sauron neither did Gil-galad the both died during the last Alliance, Isuldur grabed his fathers sword in self-defence, I mean if a big scary guy who just killed your dad nd was coming to get you, you would grab the first thing you saw and swing at him, wounldn't you?
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The commentator Vanda De'lore
posts on 1/29/2005 11:55:33 PM
Wow, lots of people I recognize here. Hello, Corwin. Do you, by any chance, remember me? The bigmouth that can't shut up or keep the sarcasm from my writing? Hello to Rick and Belle, also, and Hayden. I kind of like the symbolism of the ring. Isn't it something that such a simple piece of jewelry caused so many men to die, to kill, and to be ruined? That one gold band could ruin so many lives? If you think about it, it's kind of a neat concept. One simple ring can change the world.
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PooMonkey
posts on 1/3/2005 9:52:45 PM
I love chocolate I love france. I love chocolate in my underpants.
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