Detta är täckt med skuggor av det förflutna (FotR Kapitel 2):
'But this is terrible!' cried Frodo. 'Far worse than the worst that I imagined from your hints and warnings. O Gandalf, best of friends, what am I to do? For now I am really afraid. What am I to do? What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!'
'Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity.'
Tidigare i samma kapitel har vi också Gandalf diskuterar hur en ring av kraft påverkar en dödlig:
Yes, sooner or later – later, if he is strong or well-meaning to begin with, but neither strength nor good purpose will last – sooner or later the dark power will devour him.
Det är därför klart:
- Smeagol började sitt ägande av Ringen med girighet och mord,
- Bilbo började äga sitt eget ägande med medlidande.