There are lots of franchises that explore the concept of corruption. They use dark objects, serums, potions, and even more human elements like natural greed, lust, and hunger for power to explore the concept. As is often the case with these themes, it is difficult to tell if the dark object in question has turned someone evil, and corrupted them from their once pure potential towards a path of damnation — or if these objects are simply bringing out traits and qualities that are already prevalent within a character, but perhaps hidden just below the surface. The hubris of humanity means that these objects are often just encountering and drawing out qualities that the person already tends towards. This seems especially true for the rings of power in Tolkien’s world, which draw out the very worst of people, and drive them to do all sorts of terrible things.

Just the thought of the power they contain is enough to turn some characters to madness. Consider Denethor, who nearly gets both of his son’s killed in his insistence that the ring be brought to Gondor; or like Saruman, whose own self-interest corrupts him with the mere concept of power and dominion. But the One Ring doesn’t only tempt and corrupt people. It also corrupts creatures, magical beings, and even places. In fact, all the places in Middle Earth where the ring is taken at any point in end up ruined or desecrated in one form or another.

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Starting at the point at which Bilbo first finds the ring, there are the goblin tunnels within the mountains. Here Bilbo meets Gollum, beats the tricky creature in a game of riddles, and just about manages to escape with his life, thanks to the invisibility powers of the ring. But the fact that the goblins have a huge stronghold in the caves just above Gollum’s lair is proof that the ring's influence has been drawing evil into this place for years. There are all sorts of unsavory creatures in the surrounding areas, including the trolls who take the dwarves as captives, and nearly roast them alive, and the wargs that prowl in the night.

Erebor in it's glory

As Bilbo continues on his journey, every other place that he takes the ring also falls to ruin and despair. Mirkwood is being overrun by giant spiders; Lake Town is burned to the ground by the fire-breathing dragon Smaug, brutally killing half of its population; and the Lonely Mountain is besieged by several armies vying for the gold in Erebor. Although all of these things are linked to the dwarves' quest: they are undoubtedly influenced by the presence of the One Ring, and the evil that seeps out from it everywhere it goes.

The quest for Erebor is successful, but also ends in tragedy with the death of three of the greatest characters, Fili, Kili and Thorin. After it is over, Bilbo returns to his homeland in The Shire to try to find some self-healing from the trauma. Here, the ring lies dormant for several years, until Frodo’s own quest begins.

​​​​​​​With the start of the War of the Ring, the four young hobbits end up having to flee The Shire and make their way to Bree, carrying the dark object in their midst. Here they wait for Gandalf at the Prancing Pony Inn, before being rescued by Strider and carried on their way. It is told later in the books though, the Prancing Pony is overrun by strays and vagabonds and violent characters from all over the lands. Clearly, they have gathered here because they can sense that the dark power of the one ring has been present.

Scouring of the Shire

Similarly, The Shire itself is completely upended by Saruman and his terrible plot to get revenge of the hobbits. When the four hobbits return home, their sanctuary is almost unrecognizable from the destruction and devastation that has been carried out in their absence. Although they are later able to put The Shire to rights, they can never fully undo the scars that the presence that the ring of power causes.

The same can be said for the elven kingdoms that are touched by the One Ring. After the ring is taken through both Rivendell and Lothlorien, the elves depart into the west, across the sea, turning their kingdoms into abandoned, destitute shells of what they once were. The coming of the ring to these sacred places spells the ruin of their blessings, as well as the removal of the elven rings of power, which take much of the light and the magic of the world with them when they go out. Every single place that the One Ring touches, ends terribly in some form or another. Such devastation only goes to show just how fortunate it was that the ring never made its way to Gondor as Denethor planned.

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