Reasons Elrond Couldn’t Prevent Isildur From Claiming The One Ring at Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings

The memorable scene of Elrond imploring Isildur to toss the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom stands out as a significant moment in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. However, this dramatic interaction does not exist in J.R.R. Tolkien’s original text. In the novels, no such confrontation occurs at the Cracks of Doom. Nevertheless, the impact of this scene resonates throughout Jackson’s portrayal, particularly reflected in the poignant moments surrounding the Black Gate in The Return of the King, often rated as one of the most gripping sequences in the saga.

In Tolkien’s narrative, Isildur’s tragic choice to claim the Ring arises from profound grief and a fundamental misunderstanding of its true nature. The examination of Isildur’s motivations reveals insights into his character and illustrates the repercussions the Ring has on Middle-earth’s destiny, even when it is wielded by those with noble intentions.

Elrond & Isildur: A Divergence from Tolkien’s Text

The Complexity of Isildur

Sauron
Elrond
The One Ring

The portrayal of Elrond and Isildur at the Cracks of Doom is a cinematic innovation. Tolkien’s work reveals that Isildur’s refusal to destory the Ring stemmed from a place of sorrow; he wanted to keep it as a memento of his deceased father, ignorant of what it truly represented. Although he eventually recognized the Ring’s corrupting influence, his attempts to return it to Elrond were thwarted when Orcs attacked, leading to his demise while desperately trying to protect it from Sauron. Isildur’s journey reflects a harsh truth—the Ring’s evil is insidious and often comes to bear its full weight only when it is too late.

His noble intentions are reminiscent of Bilbo’s well-meaning decisions, illustrating that even the purest motives can have dire repercussions. Isildur’s character is much deeper than a simple victim of temptation; he was a notable hero, a defiant leader of Númenor who saved his people, played a pivotal role in establishing a dominant empire in Middle-earth, and safeguarded the legendary White Tree of Gondor. Unfortunately, Jackson’s adaptation did not have the time to delve into these layers of Isildur’s story.

Could Elrond Have Resisted Taking the Ring from Isildur?

The Uncertain Impact of the Ring on Elrond

Eye of Sauron
Galadriel
Elrond and Galadriel

While Elrond is known for his wisdom and power, his character illustrates why he might not be the best candidate to wield the One Ring. His innate goodness combined with profound insight could drive him to seek simplistic solutions to Middle-earth’s challenges—solutions that typically lead to ruin, as the narratives in Tolkien’s Legendarium highlight. Wielding the Ring would necessitate compromising his moral principles, risking becoming a tyrant under the guise of achieving a greater good.

This theme resonates with the Valar’s struggles portrayed in Tolkien’s Silmarillion, where even divine beings recognize the futility of trying to avoid suffering while imposing control. Elrond, akin to these Valar, perceives that enduring hardship and maintaining virtue are the true paths to resolution, even confronted with overwhelming temptation.

Moreover, while Elves appear as paragons of grace and wisdom, they remain vulnerable—a fact illuminated by Galadriel’s reaction to the Ring’s allure when Frodo offers it to her. Her temptation for dominance, disguised as a desire for virtue, reinforces that even the noblest beings are susceptible to the Ring’s corrupting influence.

Consequences of Elrond Taking or Destroying the One Ring

The Impact on Alliances

Haldir and Elves
Elves in the Fellowship
Elves in Battle

Elrond himself reflects on the complexities surrounding Isildur’s decision:

“Isildur took it, as should not have been. It should have been cast then into Orodruin’s fire nigh at hand where it was made. […] But Isildur would not listen to our counsel. ‘This I will have as weregild for my father, and my brother,’ he said; and therefore whether we would or no, he took it to treasure it.”

This excerpt reveals the tangled reasoning behind Isildur’s choice to seize the Ring. However, the implications reach beyond simple defiance.

In both visual and literary interpretations, the act of removing the Ring from Isildur would pose a major ethical dilemma for Elrond. A Númenórean of formidable strength like Isildur would be a challenging adversary, potentially forcing Elrond to engage in a deadly confrontation that could end with devastating consequences for the fragile alliance between Elves and Men. In a time when the power of the Elves was waning, igniting conflict with their human allies would be a monumental mistake.

The situation is further complicated by the context of Isildur’s actions. At that time, Sauron was presumed defeated, and the Ring’s nature was still shrouded in mystery; it was overlooked as merely another artifact of power, similar to the Elven Rings. Isildur’s desire to retain it as a familial heirloom did not face fierce opposition, and Elrond’s advice was offered more as a note of caution than a demand.

Isildur’s Intent to Relinquish the Ring

The Forced Encounter with Orcs

Scene from Lord of the Rings
Sauron in Lord of the Rings
Orcs in Battle

Isildur was indeed on a path to Rivendell with the intention of surrendering the One Ring to Elrond. However, the Ring’s intrinsic nature raises questions about the likelihood of this intention being realized. His unfortunate encounter with Orcs could be interpreted as a manifestation of the Ring’s will to survive, effectively thwarting his plan to deliver it to Elrond. The Ring, sensing imminent danger, may have manipulated events to secure its preservation, ultimately leading to Isildur’s demise and its subsequent journey into the Anduin.

Even if Isildur had reached Elrond, he may have succumbed to the Ring’s powerful influence. As exemplified by Gandalf’s experience with Frodo, the Ring’s seductive hold can manifest quickly and insidiously. Frodo’s struggle to cast it aside under duress highlights the urgency of its grip, showcasing the Ring’s overwhelming power over its bearer.

This susceptibility is particularly acute among Men, as portrayed in the films, where their inherent desire for power serves as a significant theme. Isildur, a proud Númenórean, would have been no exception to the Ring’s allure. By the time he arrived in Rivendell, the temptation of the Ring—amplified by his position and responsibilities—could easily have clouded his judgment. The challenges faced by characters like Aragorn, Boromir, and Faramir illustrate this vulnerability to the Ring’s temptation and underscore the inherent dangers they face.

Source & Images

© 2021 The Filibuster Blog