Matt Vonderheide
10/11/06
Mr. Sciuto, Theology 300-7

Summary of “Virtue and Vice in the Lord of the Rings” Characters representing good and evil in the Lord of the Rings can be identified by the reader. We can identify them through their decisions, and more importantly we can identify them by the personality within them that leads them to make these decisions. The personality of the character is important because right decisions can be made for wrong reasons and wrong decisions can be made for the right reasons. A character’s personality helps the reader to determine whether their decisions are virtuous or full of vice. This article focuses on the decisions that turn us on the path towards virtues and vices. Practical reason is the driving force in setting moral and proper goals. Practical reason allows us to to achieve the goals we set and to determine whether our goals are the right ones to have in the first place. The Council of Elrond uses practical reason to determine that throwing the ring into Mount Doom is the only way to destroy it. However, they do not argue over how to destroy the ring the debate is over whether or not destroying the ring is the correct path instead of using it as a weapon to defeat Sauron. To learn virtues, one must study the fundamentals of virtue, observe those who live well, and practice virtues. However we must determine what is virtuous and what is not. As the ring demonstrates in the book, attaining power can be destructive to the soul. We can be lead on the wrong path by our role models. Wormtounge deceives King Theoden of Rohan because Theoden trusts his judgement. Wormtounge is an example of a character of vice who works for Saurumon who only desires power. Hobbits like Bilbo and Frodo are the most virtuous characters in the story. They are fundamentally good in nature; that is why Frodo is able to resist the temptation of the ring for the most part. Hobbit culture have a sense of good and bad and do not “overdo it” and aren't overly flashy. Sam is likely the most virtuous character in the book. Sam determines his loyalty to Frodo because he recognizes that Frodo is himself good, and thus worthy of Sam’s loyalty. Sam determines what the virtuous decision is based on virtue ethics and makes that decision. Smeagol is an exception to the overall goodness of Hobbits. Smeagol was a hobbit at one point but the ring corrupted him. He is an example of one who is too easily corrupted by desire and power, therefore he is a character of vice. Simply following a list of rules on how to live a moral life does not account for the role of practical wisdom in learning how to be virtuous. We become virtuous despite not being able to follow these rules to the letter and not having a complete understanding of our role in the future from a lack of moral self-training. Living a life of virtue requires that we actively seek justice and self-improvement instead of living a life devoted to attaining power and domination determines whether or not we are virtuous.

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