IMO, it’d almost certainly be a terrible idea because all the ring has to do is get to someone else. If they lose track of that chicken for a second, I bet it’d run it’s ass off and find some other creature/character that’d be easier to influence than Frodo.
Remember: It is not the petite, easily overpowered nature of Hobbits that made them a good choice. It was their peaceful, carefree nature: They are WAY less temptable by the idea of power and control than others.
So… While the worst damage a chicken would be likely to do directly would be to peck out the eyes of Sam and Frodo while they slept, it would still be foolish to put the ring in control of anything more temptable or less driven to destroy the ring than Frodo.
Also… it’s proximity to the ring that matters, so Frodo would still be under the influence of the ring, unless that chicken’s leash was like five miles long.
Temptable. They’re the most temptable creatures I know.
I have no doubt that with the ring in its claw, a chicken would seek to do great evil. The good news here is that the greatest evils a chicken can fathom are at least manageable on a human scale. Though I hold no hope for chicken keepers, bugs, mice, other chickens, or weirdly enough ducks.
The resistance of the Hobbits is true, but stronger still is the circumstances in which the ring came to your possession. Bilbo stumbled upon it, Frodo inherited it, Sam took it to keep it safe. All three resisted for a very long time. Only Frodo gave into the temptation while the ring was in his possession.
Meanwhile, Déagol found it on accident in the river. Smeagol coveted it as a birthday gift. When Déagol refused to give it, Smeagol killed Déagol for it.
I mean… Totally valid question!
IMO, it’d almost certainly be a terrible idea because all the ring has to do is get to someone else. If they lose track of that chicken for a second, I bet it’d run it’s ass off and find some other creature/character that’d be easier to influence than Frodo.
Remember: It is not the petite, easily overpowered nature of Hobbits that made them a good choice. It was their peaceful, carefree nature: They are WAY less temptable by the idea of power and control than others.
So… While the worst damage a chicken would be likely to do directly would be to peck out the eyes of Sam and Frodo while they slept, it would still be foolish to put the ring in control of anything more temptable or less driven to destroy the ring than Frodo.
Also… it’s proximity to the ring that matters, so Frodo would still be under the influence of the ring, unless that chicken’s leash was like five miles long.
I’ve met many chickens.
Temptable. They’re the most temptable creatures I know.
I have no doubt that with the ring in its claw, a chicken would seek to do great evil. The good news here is that the greatest evils a chicken can fathom are at least manageable on a human scale. Though I hold no hope for chicken keepers, bugs, mice, other chickens, or weirdly enough ducks.
The resistance of the Hobbits is true, but stronger still is the circumstances in which the ring came to your possession. Bilbo stumbled upon it, Frodo inherited it, Sam took it to keep it safe. All three resisted for a very long time. Only Frodo gave into the temptation while the ring was in his possession.
Meanwhile, Déagol found it on accident in the river. Smeagol coveted it as a birthday gift. When Déagol refused to give it, Smeagol killed Déagol for it.
And, afaik, that was because the Ring was at its most powerful - facing imminent destruction is when the Ring goes all in with the influence.
Ah so a capybara then.