As a lifelong fan of Middle-earth and all things Tolkien, I must confess that the portrayal of the Dwarven Rings in “The Rings of Power” has left me scratching my beard in confusion. While it’s always exciting to see new interpretations of our beloved stories, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for the good old days when the Seven Rings were mere trinkets that inflamed greed and caused jealousy among Dwarf-lords.
As a devoted gamer, I can’t help but reminisce about the captivating world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Ringverse, a mesmerizing corner of his legendary mythos. You’ve likely heard of it – it begins with “Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,” and so forth. This epic poem details a grand total of 20 Rings of Power scattered throughout Middle-earth.
However, let’s consider the Dwarven rings. Unlike the Three (which nurture and safeguard) or the Nine and One (symbolizing powerful wills), the Dwarven Rings stir up and intensify the greed of Dwarf monarchs. This leads them to become fixated on wealth, extremely envious, and unyieldingly obstinate.
In Peter Jackson’s films, the Seven Rings for the Dwarf-lords seldom appear during the opening scenes, and it wasn’t until an entire season of “The Rings of Power” that they were introduced. Now, in the first half of Season 2, we’ve witnessed their creation. The series is now disclosing some of the strange abilities these rings possess. However, we should examine how closely these powers align with what Tolkien wrote about them in his lore books. Let’s delve into the similarities and differences.
How do the Dwarven Rings work in The Rings of Power?
In the captivating Episode 5 of “The Rings of Power” Season 2, I found myself utterly enthralled by the intriguing revelations concerning the Dwarven artifacts. The venerable Durin III (portrayed brilliantly by Peter Mullan) sets the stage by adorning his latest discovery and gaining the ability to guide his miners towards the concealed sunlit shafts that had been obstructed. As the episode unfolds, he confides in his son, Durin IV (superbly played by Owain Arthur), that he can now “perceive” hidden treasures within the very stones themselves.
Over the course of the storyline, King Durin’s demeanor undergoes a change. He develops an obsession with the Ring and seeks to amass as much wealth as he can in every deal or exchange. This behavior is uncharacteristic for an elder king, causing enough concern that Durin IV feels compelled to revisit Celebrimbor to check if there’s something wrong with his ring of power. As for how Dwarven rings function in Tolkien’s texts, the answer is somewhat nuanced – much like many aspects of the Amazon Studios show.
What does Tolkien actually say about Dwarf rings?
Just like how Sauron intended the Nine Rings to control the Human-lords, he crafted the Seven Rings with the aim of dominating the Dwarf-lords. Yet, his plan backfired as the Dark Lord learned when it was put into action. According to “The Return of the King’s” appendices, “The Dwarves couldn’t be subdued through this method. The only influence the Rings had over them was to stir their hearts with a craving for gold and valuable items. In their absence, all other good things appeared worthless, and they were filled with anger and the desire for vengeance on those who denied them these treasures.
Despite Dwarves being strongly drawn towards treasure, their rings don’t manipulate their will or let others control them. The text clarifies this point, stating that “Though they could be killed or destroyed, they couldn’t become shadows bound by another’s will; and for the same reason, neither did any ring have the power to extend or shorten their lives.
In ‘The Silmarillion’, the Seven Rings are more explicitly described. It’s stated that Dwarves used their rings primarily for wealth acquisition, but this led to a surge of anger and an insatiable desire for gold within them. This destructive emotion eventually benefited Sauron in some way. The text also mentions that each of the Seven Treasures of ancient Dwarf-kings was a golden ring, though these treasures have been looted and destroyed by dragons. Some of the rings were destroyed by fire, while others were taken by Sauron.
Dwarven Rings are extremely effective duds
In essence, when you consider their overall functionality, the Dwarven rings depicted in “The Rings of Power” don’t quite live up to practical and logical expectations as described by Tolkien. Unlike commonly perceived, these rings are neither mining tools nor do they grant Dwarves the ability to see through objects. Instead, according to Tolkien, these Seven Rings can be seen as disappointments or failures in the eyes of their creator, serving purposes different from what he intended for his Rings of Power.
Sauron aims to control the decisions of the Dwarf-leaders who possess the rings he crafted, yet these stalwart individuals remain unyielding in their resolve. Moreover, unlike other bearers like the Nazgûl, Gollum, and even Bilbo, prolonged contact with the rings doesn’t extend their lives or cause them to become weakened or elongated.
Rather than each ruler of the Dwarves who holds one of the Seven treasures becoming consumed by an insatiable desire for riches, marked by envy and avarice regarding their possessions, Sauron’s influence indirectly corrupts them over time. Although not as straightforward to manage as the Nine Rings, Sauron’s curse on the Dwarves persists through generations, fueling an unquenchable thirst for wealth that drives them relentlessly, with a Ring-induced obsession guiding their every step.
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2024-09-19 20:30