First of all, can we just admire the amazing director Peter Jackson and the awesome job he did on this movie? I know it doesn't follow the book exactly, but cut the guy some slack, it was still a good movie.
For those of you who haven't seen The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings, stop reading this right now and go watch all four movies. Also read the books. (Still working on that part). Although, if you are reading this after the other two Hobbit movies come out (one of which comes out in three days!!! So excited!!!) that would be six movies. But if you start now watching the three LOTR and the first Hobbit you can be done in 841 minutes, or 14.1 hours. Go on, I'll wait.....
Never mind, you're taking too long. What I would really like to focus on in this post is Gollum. For those of you who don't know anything about LOTR, read this:
The greatest of the all Rings of Power and the most powerful artifact in all of Middle-Earth, the One Ring was created by the Dark Lord Sauron in the fires of Orodruin (Mount Doom) during the Second Age. His intent was to concentrate and enlarge his own power, and in time gain overlordship of all of Middle-Earth. Sauron also wanted control over the other 19 Rings of Power, which had been made by Celebrimbor and his people with Sauron's assistance.
To do this, he concentrated within the One a great part of his own fëa ("soul" or "spirit") by cutting through his hand that was holding the gold, and letting his evil bind with the molten gold. In a sense, the Ring became an extension of Sauron himself, and his power became bound to it. The story of the Quest to destroy the Ring is told in Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings, as is most of the Ring's history. (courtesy of http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/One_Ring)
Put simply, it is an evil ring that corrupts any person who wears it. Even if the person wearing it has the best intentions of helping people, Sauron's power slowly corrupts the mind. Frodo Baggins, an ordinary hobbit from the Shire, is given the task of taking the ring to Mount Doom and cast it into the fire. He brings his trusty gardner and friend Samwise Gamgee along for the ride. Their journey is wrought with dangers lurking at every corner. The boys encounter a creature named Gollum, who is the focus of this post.
Gollum has a split personality. He was originally a hobbit named Smeagol. The hobbit finds the ring and keeps it for himself. He slowly descends into madness, the new personality of Gollum forming with the original Smeagol. Gollum wants "his precious" for himself, but Smeagol is confused and helpless. This poor creature has suffered for years and years, consumed with concealing the power of the ring so he could keep it for himself.
Now, most people that I have asked about Gollum always say something like this: "Eww that creepy guy? He's so weird!" "Eww, he's creepy. I don't like him."
I don't agree in the least bit. Yes, he may appear creepy on the outside, but what's on the inside? He's a tormented soul, crying out for help. Does he really want the ring? I don't believe so. I think Gollum wants the power, but Smeagol is begging for his normal life back. What does the Bible say about this? 2 Peter 2:19 (ESV) states:
"They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved."
The ring seemed so inviting and exciting when Smeagol found it. However, he turned into a slave of corruption, enslaved by the ring. The ring turned into an idol that Gollum worshiped. It became his ruler. Psalm 115:4-8 states:
"4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. 6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. 7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. 8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them."
I guess I'm just trying to show you the true Gollum. If you found him creepy or weird, take a look at him again. Don't judge a book by its cover, right? Don't judge a person by his looks. You can't pass judgment on anyone. I have much sympathy for Gollum. He is so misunderstood. Even though it looks like he's leading Frodo and Sam to harm, it's not truly him. It's the ring that is controlling him. He has become corrupt with power and greed. I pity him. Although, I'm not the only one who pities him; Bilbo does, too. In 'The Hobbit', after Bilbo and Gollum have their game of riddles, Gollum realizes Bilbo has stolen his ring. He becomes enraged and starts chasing Bilbo. Bilbo puts the ring on, which makes him invisible. He draws his sword and creeps up behind Gollum, prepared to kill him. However, Gollum turns around to face Bilbo, unknowingly of course. Bilbo steps back and lowers his weapon. The look on Gollum's face is heart breaking:
The look on his face is one of desperation and hopelessness. Without the ring, Gollum has nothing left to live for. His entire world has been stripped away from him, and now the one thing he has to call his own is gone. How can you look at that face and not feel an ounce of sympathy for this tortured creature? I certainly can't, in fact, tears come to my eyes when I watch this scene. He's so desperate for help, but he has been cast out by everyone. He has nothing left to live for except the ring. With that gone, what is he supposed to do? Nothing. His life would be over. The thing that consumed his life was gone, and now he had no idea what to do.
That is what we become when we let material things consume our lives. When we take our focus off Jesus, Satan pounces on us. We also become corrupted, and when the material thing we needed so bad is taken away, we are lost. It is then we need to get on our hands and knees and go crawling back to Jesus. It might take us our whole lives to realize Jesus fills every void in our life, but no matter how many times it takes for us to realize this, Jesus will wait patiently for us. No matter how many times we stumble and forsake Jesus, He will welcome us back with open arms. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, even if we forsake Him. What an amazing God we have!
So to all of you who thought Gollum was weird or creepy, think again. I think he deserves our pity. Because, in reality, I think some of us experience what Gollum did. The only thing different is that we have a Savior to go running back to.
Hopefully this has shed some new light on Gollum.
Thanks for reading!
Sarah Beth
Philippians 1:20-21
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