Power in Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring Movie Essay Example

Power is an aspect that most members of society desire, however the changes and consequences that power enacts on someone must be considered. Peter Jackson’s film,  Lord of the Rings:Fellowship of the Rings, portrays the lasting effects that power can have on an individual, as well as those surrounding them. Throughout this film characters are drawn to the One Ring which grants it’s master power, as well as that ability to become invisible.  Many aspects of the lives of the Ring-bearers evolve, some negatively, whereas others positively. Throughout the film however, it becomes apparent that the sudden onset of power comes along with great responsibility. The combination of these two elements also leads to dire consequences and forces those in power to mature rapidly.  Not only does power lead to maturation but also selfishness. Upon obtaining power, one does not want to give it up but keep it for themselves. Selfishly, they keep the power which leads to them feeling unfulfilled. This feeling of unfulfillment;like they do not have a purpose accelerates mental aging, causing burnout to occur. Lastly and most importantly, the influence of power alters the most important thing that human beings crave; relationships with others. Power, as seen in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings:The Fellowship of the Ring, comes with great responsibility and can lead to an addiction for it. Being in possession of power can cause a person’s entire life to change drastically. 

sThe undesired onset of power also leads to unwanted responsibility which in turn leads to dire consequences. As power is such an impactful and capable element, it is something that must be protected by someone who has no desire for it;someone who will not abuse it.  That someone in the Lord Of The Rings-The Fellowship Of The Ring, is Frodo Baggins. After he receives the Ring, Gandalf warns Frodo of it’s evil powers, telling him how only he must protect the Ring at all costs, it can not get into the wrong hands as disastrous events would occur. Burdened with this great responsibility, Frodo begins his mission.  Along the way he encounters many obstacles; having to fend off Black Riders, being severely wounded by a Nazgul and simply finding the passion and motivation to continue to protect the Ring. After the meeting in Rivendell, Frodo finally feels protyected and safe. With the Fellowship, he embarks to Mount Doom, where teh Ring will finally be destroyed. However, not even all of his “friends” can withhold themselves from the temptation of power. Boromir, a member of the Fellowship previoulsy displayed true moments of kindness and empathy towards the hobbits, notably after Gandalf passes away; “Give them a moment... For pity’s sake!”(Jackson, 2:15:39). Unfortunately, Boromir proves to be too corrupted by the Rings power and gives in to it. He pressures Frodo into giving him teh Ring, saying it could save his people. Boromir then regrets his actions deeply and attempts to make amends. “Frodo! Frodo! What have I done. Please Frodo...” (Jackson, 2:34:03) Frodo, burdened with the responsibility that he must protect the ring ,decides to go alone to Morder. He believes that because it has been proven how even in the Fellowship the tempation of the Ring is all too mighty. Only he will be able to destroy the power the Ring possess’. Throughout this journey, Frodo matures; gaining new insight on the world he lives in and the people he once believed would never do harm. Sadly, with his journey came grave consequences and a heavy responsibility to protect the Ring which wore him down . After arriving at Rivendell and being reunited with Bilbo, Frodo expresses to his uncle his desire to go home and leave the Ring in Rivendell, where it will be safe. Bilbo replies by apologizing to Frodo, “I’m sorry that you must carry this burden. I’m sorry for everything.” (Jackson, 1:35:00), acknowledging the great burden that was placed on Frodo’s shoulders at such a young age. Although being a Ring-bearer proves to be very challenging, Frodo Baggins is the perfect person for it as he does not crave what others do;power.

It is no secret that power is an addicting element that causes someone to become greedy, oblivious to its negative effects and then leaves them feeling worn out; like nothing can fulfill their desires.Obtaining power, may seem harmless and often blinds a person to the negative effects that it has on them and on others. After acquiring all this limitless power and receiving everything they ever desired, a person can often be left feeling empty. There is nothing that can even compare to the amazing feeling they had when they first received the power. To Bilbo Baggins, the ring served as a tool; a tool to escape reality and just disappear when situations became hard or he simply needed a break. Oblivious to the rings negative energy, Bilbo keeps the ring for 60 years and uses it for the last time at his 111th birthday party. As the hobbits chant happy birthday to him in the Shire, the weight of just how old and tired he feels dawns on Bilbo. So he uses the ring as a coping method and disappears, escaping to his home where Gandalf awaits. It would have been expected that Bilbo stay for the duration of his party but the power and temptation of the ring causes him to turn his head away from a hobbit core value; family. His unwelcome guest, Gandalf immediately reminds Bilbo to hand over the ring saying that he promised he would give it to his nephew, Frodo Baggins. “Why shouldn’t I keep it?”(Jackson, 21:33), Bilbo responds, once again oblivious to the negative powers of the ring and only wanting to keep the ring for his own use. Gandalf then pleads with him to give the ring to Frodo and reminds him of its dangers. Alarmingly, Bilbo responds by saying the ring is his own and he is not obliged to give it up as it is his own, his precious. (Jackson, 21:45).  In this scene it is portrayed how the power of the ring has consumed Bilbo. He sees no wrong in keeping the ring. Not only has the ring caused Bilbo to become self absorbed, it has also caused him to become much more worn out and exhausted than he should be, considering that the Ring prolongs its master’s life. At first after finding the Ring, Bilbo must have felt unstoppable and inspired. As time wore on and he became used to his new power he began to feel like he was not truly accomplishing anything; like he had no purpose. The Shire and the hobbits’ way of life grew old and boring to him.  Leading up to the party Bilbo’s desire to leave and take a vacation grew. Prior to the event Bilbo expresses to Gandalf how he feels “thin... sort of like butter scraped over too much bread.”(Jackson, 14:37)  After all his time in possession of the ring, its effects had taken a toll on his mental but not physical health. During the first segment of the film, Bilbo is seen wearing worn out clothes and has lots of wrinkled, causing him to appear old and tired. Ultimately the effects of the power led to Bilbo having to move away from his community in order to pursue the recovery of his personal wellbeing and escape the temptation of the ring;power.  Since he left the Shire and the Ring someone had to become the new Ring-bearer even though they may not want to. Due to the influence of power, the bearer of the Rings relationships with others will be forever changed. 

As Frodo had no emotional attachment to the ring, nor did he desire it’s power, he did not become a completely new person. It was the relationships he had with others that really evolved due to his new possession. Initially, Samwise Gamgee was sent along with Frodo as a punishment for eavesdropping. “Don’t you leave him, Samwise Gangee” (Jackson, 35:44), Gandalf instructed him.  Along their journey, Samwise fights off Black Riders and grieves with Frodo after Gandalf dies; always staying by his side.  After attempting to swim after Frodo in order to accompany him to Mordor, it is evident that their relationship has extended beyond friendship into brotherhood. Although Samwise states he is follows Frodo simply because he “made a promise[to Gandalf]” (Jackson, 2:24:32) Samwise would do anything to protect Frodo; even if it involves risking his own life. Samwise serves as Frodo’s protector throughout the film but lacks knowledge. Gandalf, a fountain of knowledge, serves as Frodo’s mentor. In the beginning, Gandalf seems to represent a fatherly figure. While they ride a wagon in the opening scene, they laugh about Bilbo’s birthday party and make other small talk. When Frodo becomes the Ring-Bearer their relationship alters drastically and Gandalf takes on a more serious tone. He warns Frodo of the dangers of the Ring and it’s evil power, instructing him that he must bear the Ring as “[although he, himself, would use the Ring with a] desire to do good, through [him] it would yield a power too great and terrible to imagine.” (Jackson, 33:15)  Throughout this encounter, Gandalf remains serious with no smile or sign of content on his face, dramatically different from the easy going wizard Frodo knew him to be only a couple hours earlier. Although Frodo is oblivious to the dangers of power, Gandalf is not and becomes a mentor to Frodo. He steers him away from evil and stresses the importance to keep the Ring hidden and safe. Even after Gandalf dies his lessons remain with Frodo who grows to understand the dangerous power the Ring has.