Rings of Power: Symbolism of Power and Corruption in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion

master's thesis

• Author: Benjamin Jakopić
• Mentor: Iva Polak (mentor)
• Committee member: Vanja Polić Jurković (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Iva Polak (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Ivana Bašić (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; (Department of English language and literature); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2024-09-11, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: HUMANISTIC SCIENCES; Philology; Anglistics

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the power and influence of the One Ring in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. It looks at some other prominent examples of magic rings throughout history and mythology which have influenced and inspired Tolkien, and it also explores the various ways the One Ring influences the characters of the story. The power of the one Ring is discussed through three main aspects – name, corruption, and invisibility. These aspects synergize to make the One Ring Sauron’s greatest weapon and greatest weakness. Almost every character that comes into contact with the One Ring is greatly tempted by it, which causes conflicts both in the character’s minds and on the battlefields.

• Keywords: The Lord of the Rings; The Silmarillion; J. R. R. Tolkien; the One Ring; power; corruption; invisibility; influence
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:131:375294
• Study programme: Title: English Language and Literature (double major); specializations in: Linguistics, Literature and Culture, Translation, TEFL; Course: Literature and Culture; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra engleskog jezika i književnosti (magistar/magistra engleskog jezika i književnosti)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-09-12 07:48:50