Galadriel: with what was each member tempted?

[Inziladun]

An interesting topic!

I agree that Aragorn's weakness might be Arwen, along with the recovered kingship of Arnor and Gondor, with the Ring's power giving certainty of easy victory.

With Gimli, might it be using the One as a foundation for enormous wealth and prestige among his people, as the Dwarves once used the Seven?

Merry and Pippin are a bit tricky.

Merry might want to use the Ring to show he isn't just mere "baggage", as at the time of the Lórien stay, he hadn't yet had the chance to show his mettle.

Pippin may have been similar, with the added push of being the youngest of the Company, not wanting to be seen as the child.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

With Gimli, might it be using the One as a foundation for enormous wealth and prestige among his people, as the Dwarves once used the Seven?

Or perhaps use it to recover the captured Dwarven Rings?

I wonder if Frodo's was to hand over the responsibility for the quest to someone else. It's what he does a couple times - with Aragorn, and later in Lorien with Galadriel. But if that is so, I find it curious that he should "fall" to the temptation in truth so quickly after Galadriel's test, and with the test-maker too.

The one I am absolutely baffled about is Legolas. Like Aragorn, he doesn't seem to fazed. But what could possibly tempt this happy-go-lucky guy who just cheerfully goes along with whatever insanity his companions get up to? It's like he has nothing he'd rather do than chase orcs with Gimli anyways. Not until he gets the "Sea-sickness".

[Pitchwife]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I wonder if Frodo's was to hand over the responsibility for the quest to someone else. It's what he does a couple times - with Aragorn, and later in Lorien with Galadriel. But if that is so, I find it curious that he should "fall" to the temptation in truth so quickly after Galadriel's test, and with the test-maker too.

While I agree that part of Frodo dearly wished to hand over the Ring, and thus responsibility for the mission, to some authoritative figure (whether he would still have been able to do so at that stage is another question) I don't see him as falling to the temptation in the scene at Galadriel's mirror, or if he did it was a controlled fall, you might say: knowingly turning the temptation against the tempter, and maybe with a bit of hobbitish tongue-in-cheek. Mark the wording:

‘You are wise and fearless and fair, Lady Galadriel,’ said Frodo. ‘I will give you the One Ring, if you ask for it. It is too great a matter for me.’

Not Will you not take the Ring?, as he asked of Gandalf, but I'll give it to you if you ask for it, leaving it to her to ask or not ask. Two can play that game, Lady Galadriel - and her reaction is as good as saying Touché.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Yes, I don't think Frodo is being the naif here. When Galadriel says "Gently are you revenged..." that's exactly right; Frodo knew what he was doing. He wasn't just teenage Elijah begging "please, please take this burden away."

Book-Frodo is very far from clueless.

[Boromir88]

I just wanted to pop in and say I agree with the point being made that Galadriel wouldn't be tempting members of the Fellowship with claiming and using the Ring. The Fellowship is grieving the loss of Gandalf, so she is testing their resolve and I think tempting each one of them with what their heart desires and all they would need to do is abandon the quest of the Ring.

I recall various threads over the years here and other members saying they thought Galadriel hastened Boromir's downfall. Prior to Galadriel testing him, Boromir didn't seem to be bothered by the Ring. Sure he makes his case to use it as a weapon at the Council of Elrond, but it appears he accepts the Council's decision and besides made quite clear his journey was to return to Minas Tirith. I disagree with the argument that Galadriel hastened Boromir's fall, and I'm not even entirely convinced she tempted him with claiming the Ring.

I think it was Gandalf's death that hastened Boromir's downfall, because after Moria, the observant Sam starts noticing a personality change...Boromir is becoming more anxious and pressing Frodo with questions. I think it's interesting what Boromir says about Galadriel:

'...but almost I should have said that she was tempting us, and offering what she pretended to have the power to give.'

I think it's an astute observation, almost as if Galadriel is acting as a surrogate for the Ring..."pretended to have the power to give" could easily describe the One Ring's chief power. Galadriel tests each member before she passes the test. I read that whole encounter as Galadriel was acting as a surrogate for the Ring to aid him in his own trial. Boromir is able to realize that Galadriel was "offering what she pretended to have the power to give." Unfortunately, as Gandalf would say about Boromir's trial:

"I could not see what happened to him. It was a sore trial for such a man: a warrior, and a lord of men."~The White Rider

Boromir is unable to realize the One Ring deceives in the same way, tempting someone with delusions of power it pretended to give.

Regarding Aragorn's test. Maybe it has something to do with whether to return to Minas Tirith or not? His original plan in joining the Fellowship was to go there with Boromir, Gandalf's death changes his mind. And his choice after leaving Lothlorien is "I'm just going to lead us down the river and delay my decision for as long as possible."

[CSteefel]

It should be noted that Galadriel held all in her gaze, but Aragorn and Legolas showed no embarassment or discomfort. I assume based on Aragorn's statement later on the Tongue when they were departing that:

......... "Lady, you know all my desire, and long held in keeping the only treasure that I seek".

This suggests that Galadriel offered Aragorn the chance to be with Arwen, but as Aragorn says:

......... "It is not yours to give me...",

thus the lack of a response from Aragorn. Similarly, I expect that Legolas was offered a chance to go back to his northern woods:

......... "The heart of Legolas was running under the stars of a summer night in some northern glade amid the beechwoods:"

I would agree with the comments above that only Boromir was offered the Ring, or perhaps the taking of the Ring to Gondor--the others would have been looking for something else. Gimli was probably offered gold, the usual (and predictable?) temptation of the dwarves...

[Mithadan]

A late add to this thread. Was Frodo tempted with anything? And if so, with what?

I have a theory, but would like to see what others think.

[Marileangorifurnimaluim]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

With Gimli, might it be using the One as a foundation for enormous wealth and prestige among his people, as the Dwarves once used the Seven?

Oh, I like that! Gimli is fresh from Moria. His kinsman, Balin, has died there.

What if she tells him that the glory of Moria was built with the dwarven rings? No doubt that's true, and she lived through that age. She would know. She could suggest to him that with the One ring he could do what his forefathers did, and more. He could build caverns in the Lonely Mountain and the Iron Mountains equal to Moria. Or, better yet--use the ring to beat back the Balrog, avenge Gandalf's death, and drive the darkness out of Moria itself.

All for the low low price of claiming the ring.

And that's when he'd come back to his senses, because the dwarves didn't even want the dwarven rings now. That's why Dain had sent him to Rivendell in the first place.

The desire for Moria, for Durin's ancient home, would still linger. Galadriel's kind words of understanding would be understanding of why he was tempted, and salve the sting.