Shelob and the Ring

Menelvagor · 08-29-2010, 11:04 PM

Hello all! The server informs me that I haven't visited the Entmoot since 2006, but I was rereading LotR recently and a new discussion question occurred to me that it seemed only you fine folks would appreciate.

The question is this: what would have happened if Shelob had eaten Frodo, Ring and all? Shelob is the descendant of Ungoliant, who was capable of destroying the Two Trees and (it is implied) a Silmaril. Surely, even if Ungoliant-spawn have decreased in power over the years, one could still destroy the Ring, which is, after all, presumably a less potent item than the Two Trees themselves and the Silmarils? I don't think you can argue that the Ring specifically needs to be melted, since Ungoliant could apparently consume whole gemstones easily. Could the quest have ended, albeit in a saddening and unsatisfying way, in Shelob's Lair?

08-29-2010, 11:04 PM	#1
Menelvagor Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: lurking on the edge of conversations Posts: 924	Shelob and the Ring Hello all! The server informs me that I haven't visited the Entmoot since 2006, but I was rereading LotR recently and a new discussion question occurred to me that it seemed only you fine folks would appreciate. The question is this: what would have happened if Shelob had eaten Frodo, Ring and all? Shelob is the descendant of Ungoliant, who was capable of destroying the Two Trees and (it is implied) a Silmaril. Surely, even if Ungoliant-spawn have decreased in power over the years, one could still destroy the Ring, which is, after all, presumably a less potent item than the Two Trees themselves and the Silmarils? I don't think you can argue that the Ring specifically needs to be melted, since Ungoliant could apparently consume whole gemstones easily. Could the quest have ended, albeit in a saddening and unsatisfying way, in Shelob's Lair?