XPost: rec.arts.books.tolkien   
   From: mr@sandman.net   
      
   In article ,   
    "Clams Canino"  wrote:   
      
   > "Sandman"  wrote in message   
   >   
   > > I just don't agree with that definition of "desire". Desiring the ring   
   > > would not be analogous to being corrupted by the ring, if you ask me.   
   > >   
   > > Gandalf desires the ring, sees how it can be used for good, but won't   
   > > take the ring in fear of being corrupted by it. Saruman desires the   
   > > ring, and has no chance to be corrupted by it since he never has the   
   > > chance to use it.   
   >   
   > You're 1/2 right.   
   > Saruman was already corrupted by a "lust for power".  He understood the   
   > power of the One Ring and desired it for himself - with every intent to use   
   > it.  ie He was fallen.   
      
   Only, that was not something done by the ring. He lusted for power in   
   the same way most people would. The ring for him was a means for that   
   power. I am trying to make a distinction between Sarumen being   
   "corrupted" simply by wanting to have more power, and "corrupted" as   
   an active force by the ring, which incidentally doesn't actually seem   
   to exercise a force to make you want to use it for world dominantion   
   (in spite of what Tolkien himself says).   
      
   > Gandalf however, never actively sought to weild the ring, though he could   
   > have done so many times.   
   > While he *pondered* the good he might do with such power, he remained aware   
   > that it was a very bad idea to even try to use this thing.   
      
   Indeed.   
      
      
      
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