The Nature of the Ring and Corruption

The One Ring's corrupting influence on all who possess or desire it.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Ring's Effect on Isildur

The Ring's Effect on Isildur The Failure to Destroy the Ring Isildur takes the Ring as a weregild, refusing to destroy it. The Ring begins to corrupt him. The Betrayal of the Ring The Ring slips from Isildur's finger, leading to his death in the Gladden Fields. The Ring is lost. The Legacy of Failure Isildur's failure to destroy the Ring sets the stage for the Third Age conflict.

The Corruption of Gollum

The Corruption of Gollum The Murder of Déagol Sméagol kills his friend for the Ring. The Ring immediately corrupts him, turning him into a monster. The Long Years of Obsession Gollum becomes a slave to the Ring, unable to think of anything else. His body and mind are twisted. The Inability to Let Go Even after losing the Ring, Gollum is consumed by desire. He will do anything to get it back.

The Temptation of Boromir and Others

The Temptation of Boromir and Others Boromir's Fall Boromir is a good man but succumbs to the Ring's promise of power. He tries to take it from Frodo. The Resistance of Galadriel Galadriel is tempted but rejects the Ring. She understands its danger. The Final Triumph of Frodo Frodo, despite being corrupted at the end, is saved by the Ring's destruction. The Ring's power is broken.

S.A. 3441, after the Last Alliance

T.A. 2463 onward

T.A. 3018–3019