Why Sauron Returned After Isildur But Not After Frodo

When Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand he returned again. But when Frodo went to Mount Doom and accidentally Gollum cast the Ring along with himself, Sauron was defeated and never returned. Why is this? This article explores the key differences between Isildur and Frodo's encounters with the One Ring and explains why these outcomes led to such different endings in the story of Middle-earth.

Sauron's Return After Isildur's Defeat

The question of Sauron's return after Isildur's initial victory is a compelling topic, often pondered by fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic tale. In the Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, Tolkien lays out a detailed history of the Ring and the factors that influenced its behavior and its ultimate destruction.

The Nature and Influence of the One Ring

The difference in the outcomes of Isildur and Frodo's encounters with the One Ring is rooted in the nature of the Ring itself and the circumstances surrounding their actions.

Isildur's Victory and Decision to Keep the Ring

Isildur's Victory: When Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand during the War of the Last Alliance, he temporarily defeated Sauron. However, Isildur chose to keep the Ring for himself rather than destroying it. This decision was a crucial turning point in the Ring's history. By retaining the Ring, Isildur allowed the Ring to retain a part of Sauron's essence, making it a formidable and corrupting artifact.

The Ring's Influence: The One Ring's innate power to corrupt and dominate minds meant that it continued to exert influence over Isildur. His inability to destroy the Ring led to his inevitable downfall and its loss, allowing Sauron to eventually regain strength and seek the Ring again.

Frodo's Journey to Mount Doom and the Accidental Destruction of the Ring

Destruction of the Ring: Frodo's journey to Mount Doom was driven by the need to destroy the Ring. When Gollum bit off Frodo's finger and fell into the lava with the Ring, it was an accident. However, this accidental destruction of the Ring was the decisive moment that ended Sauron's power. Unlike Isildur, Frodo did not choose to keep the Ring instead, he struggled against its corruptive power throughout his perilous journey.

Finality of Destruction: The destruction of the Ring at Mount Doom was definitive. Sauron could not be restored or return to power as the Ring was the source of much of his strength and will. Without the Ring, Sauron's spirit was effectively vanquished, and his influence over Middle-earth was permanently ended.

Conclusion

In summary, Isildur's failure to destroy the Ring allowed Sauron to return, while Frodo's unintentional destruction of the Ring ensured that Sauron could never come back. The key difference lies in the fate of the Ring and its direct connection to Sauron's power. The decision to destroy or keep the Ring had profound and lasting consequences, determining the fate of Middle-earth.