Are Dwarves Corrupted by the Rings of Power?
Dwarves and the Rings of Power
While the Seven Rings given to the Dwarves did not subject them directly to Sauron’s will, they ignited a sense of avarice within them. The Rings were used by their Dwarven bearers to increase their treasure hoards, but they do not gain invisibility. Sauron was unable to bend the Dwarves to his will; instead, only amplifying their greed and anger.
- The Seven Rings made the Dwarves more greedy and avaricious. However, they did not turn them into Sauron’s minions. The Dwarves’ inherent resilience meant they resisted domination, though the Rings still served Sauron’s interests by driving the Dwarves to their doom.
- Although the Seven given to the Dwarves failed to ensnare them directly, they ignited a sense of avarice. The Dwarves were sturdier than men and therefore didn’t fade like them, but the rings made them greedy, wrathful, and jealous of the wealth of others.
- The Rings did corrupt them in nuanced ways. They enhanced the Dwarves’ greed, leading to a love—or lust—for gold. The Dwarves with Rings amassed huge hoards, which ultimately led to their downfall.
- The Dwarves of Middle-Earth were notoriously strong-willed, able to resist corruption and stay true to their purpose. Sauron had no means by which to corrupt them, regardless of how he tried.
Elrond is worried that the Elves are playing into Sauron’s hands by not destroying the Rings. He warns, ‘In choosing to wear those rings, you have all become his collaborators.’ While Galadriel agrees that the Rings are crucial to Sauron’s plan, she believes her own ring is ‘guiding’ rather than ‘deceiving.’
The trailer’s depiction of ominous whispers when Galadriel wears her Ring supports the idea that these Rings might be more dangerous than initially thought. Only time will reveal the true extent of the danger posed by the ‘Rings of Power’ in this series.
Why Don’t Elves and Dwarves Get Along?
History of Conflict Between Elves and Dwarves
At least one notable conflict was pivotal to the history of the First Age. In The Silmarillion, it is told that King Thingol of Doriath, father of Luthien Tinuviel, appropriated the dragon’s treasure (which was cursed) from the ruins of Nargothrond. He also had a Silmaril, which Beren had cut from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. King Thingol hired a group of dwarves from Belegost to craft the treasure into many fair things, particularly incorporating the Silmaril into a wondrous necklace, the Nauglafring (Necklace of the Dwarves).
Unfortunately, they had apparently not agreed on a price for this work. The Dwarves demanded elven brides; Thingol had them beaten for their temerity and thrown out without any pay. Understandably irked, the Dwarves returned with an army, attacked Doriath, killed Thingol, and seized the treasure.
Moreover, most of the animosity we see in The Silmarillion stems from disputes over treasures, prices for work done, and misunderstandings between the two races. In many cases, when a group has a bad experience with one tribe, they struggle to differentiate among the others, thus expanding their bad history to include the entirety of the other race.
In contrast, we do not see the worst of the elf and dwarf interactions in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, because Durin’s folk, the tribe of elves with whom the dwarves in these stories are associated, have a relatively more friendly history with elves than other dwarf tribes. Durin’s folk had long dealings with Eregion before it fell and traded with Thranduil prior to the arrival of the dragon.
Furthermore, the biggest flashpoint between Elves and Dwarves occurred during Middle-earth’s First Age, particularly related to the time of the Silmarils. Dwarves often view elves as arrogant and aloof, while elves perceive dwarves as greedy and uncultured. These stereotypes strengthen their animosity.
Overall, the hatred between dwarves and elves is a combination of historical grievances, cultural differences, and specific events that have resulted in a long-standing rivalry. Notably, the Dwarves of Nogrod refused to part with a necklace commissioned by the Elven King of Doriath. This refusal led to an argument that culminated in the murder of Thingol, igniting the War of the Beard—a brutal 400-year conflict fought primarily in the old world. The Elves killed the Dwarves in retaliation, but two Dwarves escaped, informing their kinsmen that the Elves killed them to avoid payment.
Initially, in Ancient Middle-earth, Dwarves and Elves maintained a friendly distance. However, it is said that they are predisposed to dislike each other due to a conflict in their origins.
What Are the Main Criticisms of Dwarven Portrayal in the Series?
The main criticisms of dwarf portrayal in The Lord of the Rings series can be summarized as follows:
- Comparison with Other Races: Dwarves, by comparison, are much less impressive beings.
- They are tough and strong, but not much more so than humans and far weaker than elves.
- Dwarves are great craftsmen, yet the elves are greater.
- Morally and spiritually, dwarves are considered far inferior to elves and even humans.
- Dwarves are often depicted as greedy, materialistic, and easily led into madness and treachery because of their greed.
- Hollywood Conventions: Many criticisms point to tired old Hollywood conventions.
- Peter Jackson did not portray Tolkien’s tales as intended, turning them into action movies.
- In action movies, heroes must be tall. Jackson seemingly had no idea how to genuinely represent dwarves as tough and capable fighters.
- Instead, Legolas was turned into a super-ninja, while Gimli became more of a comic relief character.
- Cultural Differences and Stereotypes: The depiction of dwarves in relation to elves reflects certain thematic elements.
- Dwarves and elves have fundamentally different cultures; dwarves are earthy and practical, whereas elves embody grace and a connection to nature.
- Many dwarven characters in the films, especially in The Hobbit, are depicted with humorous traits, making them seem foolish or bumbling.
- This humorous portrayal can overshadow their warrior prowess, despite their strength in battle scenes.
- Dwarves often perceive elves as arrogant, while elves view dwarves as greedy and uncultured, reinforcing animosity.
- Caricatured Representation: The portrayal of dwarves feels more like caricatures from D&D rather than representations from Tolkien’s legendarium.
- Critics argue that dwarves were treated as comic relief, making it difficult to take them seriously.
- Missed Opportunities: Tolkien explicitly stated that dwarf women have beards.
- The series missed an opportunity to subvert gender norms.
- Some critics found the animated film’s aesthetics and depictions of dwarves to be particularly offensive.
How Do Dwarfs Resist Sauron’s Influence?
Of the people of Middle-earth, Dwarves are the most resistant to corruption and influence of Morgoth and later Sauron. The seven rings of Power of the dwarves did not turn them to evil; however, it did amplify their greed and lust for gold. It is said that very few wilfully served the side of darkness.
Although their Rings of Power did not render them invisible or transform them into Nazgûl, they remained resistant to corruption and influence. Dwarves showcased more resistance than Sauron expected. Consequently, he was rendered incapable of directly influencing them through the objects. This was why their Rings of Power didn’t lead to invisibility or Nazgûl transformation.
Despite the malice present in the Rings themselves, Dwarves were notably tough and stubborn, allowing them to resist Sauron’s direct dominion over the rings. Even Sauron couldn’t control the Dwarves through their Rings. Nevertheless, his influence still took a toll on them.
During the early parts of the Third Age, it is known that, in some places, wicked dwarves had made alliances with Orcs. However, there was an enmity between some Dwarves and some Men of old, who were jealous of the Dwarves’s wealth and works, leading to allegations of evil against the Dwarves.
Furthermore, the Dwarves did not join the War of the Last Alliance and largely remained neutral during the conflict. Their focus was more on their own interests and territories, which led to their absence in the historical accounts of the war against Sauron. This reluctance to engage in the alliance against Sauron may have stemmed from the fact that, unlike Men and Elves, who faced the immediate threat of Sauron, the Dwarves were more concerned with their own realms and treasures.
There is also speculation that the Dwarves may have faced their own challenges and threats during this period, such as internal strife or other conflicts that diverted their attention from the broader war against Sauron.
Ultimately, Dwarves are naturally far more resistant to the Rings of Power. Their greed was amplified significantly, but they never fell entirely under Sauron’s influence.
What Changes in the New Series Have Upset Fans?
Controversies in Amazon’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’
- Depiction of Dwarven Women: Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series is already mired in controversy. It showcases beard-less Dwarven women that break Tolkien’s lore. This has led to a universal outcry from The Lord of the Rings fanbase regarding the Dwarven princess Disa (Sophia Nomvete), whose lack of a beard has startled those familiar with J.R.R. Tolkien’s original works. J.D. Payne stated, “They actually do, it’s not accurate. We looked at various versions of what facial hair on dwarf women might look like. There are beard hairs applied lovingly one at a time [onto Disa actress Sophia Nomvete].” In contrast, Patrick McKay mentions that there’s a “very strong argument to be made that dwarf women should have beards, and a very strong argument to be made that they don’t.”
- Pacing of the Show: The show’s pacing has been criticized for being too slow. Payne expressed hope that viewers could key in for the journey, suggesting that Tolkien’s storytelling allows for character immersion. He remarked, “A lot of blockbusters have a breakneck pace…but Tolkien will take his time and let you sink into characters, into a journey.”
- Character Dynamics and Conflicts: Due to some very powerful rings, there’s a shift in dynamics among the dwarves. As King Durin bends more and more to the influence of the newly forged rings, he may end up driving Narvi closer to his son amid a family feud. The rings have effects on the king and the entire kingdom, leading to both positive and negative aspects. At the end of season 1, the dwarven royals were at each other’s throats. After a blow-up fight, King Durin disowned his son, leaving the dwarven prince in a difficult situation, described as being “on his knees” with everything he’s known stripped away from him.
- Character Portrayals: Fandom has also raised concerns over the portrayal of Galadriel. Payne argued, “I would love to see in Tolkien where it says Galadriel never went to Númenor — that doesn’t exist.” He further detailed her character by noting that her nickname ‘Nerwen’ means ‘man-maiden,’ asserting, “she does not act masculine!” Meanwhile, McKay mentioned that “Galadriel” translates loosely in Elvish to “maiden with a crown of golden hair,” highlighting her physical attributes during battles.
- General Canonical Gripes: From short-haired elves to dwarf-wife beards, Amazon’s showrunners are addressing some common Tolkien fandom canon complaints. J.R.R. Tolkien fans appreciate the depth and specificity of his fantasy world, which further explains the attraction and tension when adapting Tolkien’s Second Age for modern viewers.
