Would a Dwarf have been better as the Ring bearer?

[Fenir_LacDanan]

Alright kids...

I contend that a dwarf would have been a better choice than a hobbit for the Quest of Mount Doom.

I know that their are similar threads out there, but to hell with them.

A dwarf, (for the sake of argument, lets say Gimli's mate's mate) would be able to sustain the hardships inflicted by a journey over the plains of Gorgoroth (et al), just as well as a hobbit, if not better.

And a Dwarf, would have been able to fight the power of the One Ring better, or at least as well as a hobbit, and would have been at least useful in a conflict situation...

Come on, takers? I'm not here for a hair cut, after all...

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

I disagree I think a hobbit could resist the Ring better than a dwarf.

[Valandil]

I wonder if keeping the One Ring on him would fuel a dwarf's lust for gold even more than one of the Seven Dwarf Rings would...

[Beren3000]

Originally Posted by Valandil

I wonder if keeping the One Ring on him would fuel a dwarf's lust for gold even more than one of the Seven Dwarf Rings would...

Along the same line of thought, this lust for gold would turn the dwarf's attention from his real quest.

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

If it was Gimli imagine him at the Glittering Caves.

[Fenir_LacDanan]

But note that Samwise, when he posesses the One ring, he sees great gardens for him to command, all though he proves better than the ring.

Hobbits are just as tempted as Dwarves...

See, from Sil:

"And Aulë made the Dwarves even as they still are, because the forms of the Children who were to come were unclear to his mind, and because the power of Melkor was yet over the Earth; and he wished therefore that they should be strong and unyielding"


Well?

[Nurvingiel]

Originally Posted by Fenir_LacDanan

Alright kids...
And a Dwarf, would have been able to fight the power of the One Ring better, or at least as well as a hobbit, and would have been at least useful in a conflict situation...

I agree that a Dwarf would have been much better than a Hobbit at withstanding the hardships of the journey. I believe Aragorn had wanted himself and Gimli to be Frodo's companions in Mordor.

However, you leave out the fact that Dwarves are very weak-hearted when it comes to gold, and I believe Sauron understands this. Therefore, not only would the Dwarf have a hard time resisting a ring made of gold, but the Ring would be constantly tempting him (or her) with treasure beyond count etc etc. Hobbits could be tempted with this as well, but they don't have a specific weakness for it like Dwarves do.

Sauron doesn't understand Hobbits. Sam was tempted with a beautiful garden covering all of Middle-earth, but he realized that's not what he wants. Hobbits, for the most part, value food and cheer and a nice bit of garden to call their own. It's hard to tempt someone with that, because Sam knew he would already have that when he returned home.

Frodo was probably tempted with and end to pain, or being able to pass on his burden to someone stronger. In the end, all he saw was a great Eye. These are things that he (almost) successfully hardened his heart to. Hobbits might not be as physically tough as Dwarves, but they are at least as tough in spirit.

True, Frodo failed in the end (as Radagast pointed out) but I think a Dwarf would have succumbed much earlier, when Sauron would have had a chance to get the Ring back. And as Telcontar pointed out, Dwarves are much less stealthy. Therefore, Hobbits are still the best Ringbearers.

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Aragorn may have wanted Gimli as a companion, but that is completly different to being the bearer, for all the reasons above.

[Haradrim]

So I shall make a list of reasons why the average dwarf wouldnt have done well against the ring:

1: Huge temptation for the gold
2: Not stealthy
3: Hobbits are supposed to do it
4: Probably would have failed long before reaching Mount Doom
5: Hobbits are cooler....
6: I have no more reasons. ANyone else have one start with 6 and go down.

[Halbarad of the Dunedain]

6. "There are other forces at work than the will of evil, Bilbo was meant to find the ring, in which case you also were ment to have the ring, and that is an encouraging thought" Gandalf to the Hobbit Frodo...

Sounds like a good reson to me, simply because thats the way it is.

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

7. Sauron knows of dwarves and knows nothing of hobbits.

[Nurvingiel]

Originally Posted by Telcontar_Dunedain

Aragorn may have wanted Gimli as a companion, but that is completly different to being the bearer, for all the reasons above.

Oh I agree, I was just pointing out that there are some positive aspects that Dwarves would have for being ringbearers.

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

And can you imagine a dwarf having to resist the temptation of all those orcs in Mordor.

[Valandil]

Originally Posted by Telcontar_Dunedain

And can you imagine a dwarf having to resist the temptation of all those orcs in Mordor.

*hadn't realized that dwarves were attracted to orcs*

[Nurvingiel]

Originally Posted by Telcontar_Dunedain

And can you imagine a dwarf having to resist the temptation of all those orcs in Mordor.

So many orc necks, so little time...

[ItalianLegolas]

yes, possibly a dwarf would have been a better ring-bearer in the way that they are a very stubborn race, but they are also a little bit rash with their thinking and never seem to think around things (such as collasal(sp) battles) as much as rush head-on in to them with axes in hand

[Nurvingiel]

If it came to Gimli to complete the Quest, I think he would be strategic about his approach. He knew from Elrond that stealth is the necessity. However, Dwarves really have a weak point for treasure, and I think the Ring would exploit that unbelieveably well.

Giving a Dwarf visions of endless treasure, hundreds of forges at his service, beautifully worked caves, etc. is much more likely to be successful than giving a Hobbit visions of a Middle-earth-wide garden. Sam's chief desire was to be home safe with his own bit of garden - not a lot of exploitable material in that.

[me9996]

Remember what gimli did at the councle?
And the dwarf rings have all been captured or eaten (Dragons ).
So I don't think a dwarf would make a good ring-bearer.

(Nether would an elf!)

[Twista]

Originally Posted by me9996

(Nether would an elf!)

Hmm, I dont know about that. They were wise enough to realise the power of the rings of power. After all, the three given to them were imediatly taken off when they realised the evil behind them. Theres no doubt that they would become currupt eventually.. but maybe of had the strength to do what a hobbit did.