Did the One Ring actually have an influence on Gollum serving Frodo?
In The Two Towers when Gollum first starts leading Frodo and Sam, Gollum swears on the One Ring that he'll serve the master of the Precious, and Frodo responds by saying that the ring is treacherous and that it'll hold [Gollum] to his word.
Was there actually any truth to this?
Given certain events that occur later in the trilogy, if the One Ring did initially hold Gollum to his word then obviously something happened along the way that invalidated/alleviated Gollum's bound duty.
That being said, is there any indication of the One Ring actually having an influence on Gollum to serve Frodo, and if so then at what point did this change and how/why?
Best Answer
The One Ring has corrupted Sméagol into Gollum, turning him into a mere servant. The One Ring is everything Gollum holds valuable. Frodo cunningly uses this against him by making him promise his loyalty by the Ring. Gollum naturally has no reason not to make the oath, as it is the only way to prolong his proximity to the artifact.
And as it turns out, the oath withstood the test of time; up until his defeat Gollum serves Frodo (his betrayal of the oath happening only hours before his demise, at a point where the Ring's influence reaches peak efficiency).
Was this actually the power of the Ring, or was it Gollum's own dread or veneration for it?
Even in the books this is not completely clear. But there are allusions to it, among which:
Then suddenly, as before under the eaves of the Emyn Muil, Sam saw these two rivals with other vision. A crouching shape, scarcely more than the shadow of a living thing, a creature now wholly ruined and defeated, yet filled with a hideous lust and rage; and before it stood stern, untouchable now by pity, a figure robed in white, but at its breast it held a wheel of fire. Out of the fire there spoke a commanding voice.
"Begone, and trouble me no more! If you touch me ever again, you shall be cast yourself into the Fire of Doom."
Frodo is speaking, but the commanding voice could well be an aspect of the Ring, clearly giving authoritative power to its wielder.
Although an extension of Sauron, its user obviously influences its machinations. Frodo is the master of the Ring when Gollum makes the oath, so the idea that the Ring will effectuate such an oath is very likely.
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Why did the Ring have such an effect on Gollum?
Gollum was possibly already evil or had a tendency towards evil. The ring, being an evil object, created with an evil purpuse conferred power on smeagol to match his stature. Gollum held the ring for 600 years and only used it to hunt and kill for food. Bilbo tricked gollum about having the ring.Why didnt the Ring affect Frodo?
Frodo had an innocent character. The innocence made him more immune to the ill-effects of the ring. Frodo did not lust for power. Gandalf and others use power, so they can easily be deceived by it.Why did the Ring affect Sméagol and not Bilbo?
Additionally, Bilbo never sought to DESTROY the ring, thus the Ring had no reason to protect itself from Bilbo and therefore had less of a grip on him.How did the Ring affect Frodo?
Due of its evil nature, the ring changed the behaviour of Frodo Baggins towards his own character and his acquaintances including Sam and Gollum and he continuously struggles with himself and other hurdles in order to destroy it. The ring was very powerful and it takes honesty and trueness to stand by it.LOTR The Fellowship of the Ring - Extended Edition - Gandalf speaks to Frodo in Moria
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