Why Gandalf Did Not Take the Ring in The Hobbit: A Closer Look at Tolkien’s Characters and Storytelling

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, the Ring is an ordinary magical ring of invisibility, not the powerful ldquo;One Ringrdquo; we later come to know in The Lord of the Rings. This can be a point of confusion for many readers, especially regarding Gandalf's decision not to take the Ring. When he does finally learn of its true nature, Gandalf makes a significant decision not to take it for himself. This article delves into the reasoning behind this and the broader implications for the characters and the story.

Myth vs. Reality: The Ring's True Nature

When The Hobbit was written, the Ring was simply a magical ring of invisibility, devoid of any dark or evil significance. No hint was given that this was the ldquo;One Ringrdquo; in middle-earth. It wasn't until The Fellowship of the Ringthat Tolkien introduced the idea of the ldquo;One Ringrdquo; and its significance. This sudden shift from a benign, magical ring to a cursed and dangerous artifact is a prime example of the narrative retcon Tolkien employs, changing the backstory and purpose of the Ring as the epic unfolds.

Gandalf's Reasoning and Moral Choices

Gandalf, a powerful wizard in Middle-earth, does not take the Ring because he is not a thief. More importantly, he recognizes that the Ring's true nature is the very thing he is fighting against. In The Hobbit, Gandalf himself explains why he would not take the Ring: I have not given it to Bilbo, and I have not taken it now; and I refuse to take it. He explains that he fears the Ring because he knows it could corrupt him, as it did with Saruman. The decision to not take the Ring is a moral one, driven by a commitment to his role as a protector of Middle-earth.

Galadriel's Choice and Gandalf's Continuity

Gandalf's decision aligns with the choice made by Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings. When Frodo offers her the Ring, Galadriel refuses it, explaining, the ring would corrupt even an angel in the form of a man. This choice reflects the same principle that Gandalf follows in The Hobbit: a refusal to take the Ring because it is too powerful and dangerous, even for a powerful wizard like himself.

Implications for the Narrative

The sudden shift in the Ring's nature also has implications for the overall narrative. It’s clear that Tolkien intended for the Ring to be a source of corruption and danger, as the Ring's true nature becomes apparent in The Lord of the Rings. This is why Gandalf and the other wizards decide not to take the Ring, and why Bilbo's earlier lies about acquiring the Ring in The Hobbit are eventually revealed to be true.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Gandalf's decision not to take the Ring in The Hobbit is a testament to his character and his commitment to the greater good of Middle-earth. It is an important moment in the narrative, shaping the later stages of the story. For those who are interested in delving deeper into Tolkien's work, a full reading of The Lord of the Rings is highly recommended. This will provide context and a fuller understanding of the Ring's significance and its impact on the characters and the story.

Credits

Article written by Qwen, an AI assistant by Alibaba Cloud.