Movies - TV
The Lesser Rings In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Explained
By JEREMY MATHAI
While “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy focused on the One Ring, Prime Video’s “The Rings of Power” will explore the creation of the other rings and how they fit into Sauron’s plan.
J.R.R. Tolkien explains in his writing on Middle-earth history that Sauron disguised himself as Annatar — the Lord of Gifts — and taught the elven smiths how to create magic rings.
The events unfold differently in “The Rings of Power,” though: Sauron as Halbrand gives Celebrimbor the knowledge to make the three elven rings at the end of Season 1.
Whereas the Elves created their own rings, Annatar would appear to seven dwarven lords and gift them with ones of his own making, designed to corrupt the wearers.
However, the dwarves prove nearly impervious to the rings’ influence. The show hasn’t explored how the dwarves get the rings, but that will likely happen next season.
Aside from the One Ring, the rings gifted to the race of men are the most well-known as the wearers become the frightening cloaked ghostly figures known as the Nazgûl.
As the show has introduced Númenór and the political unrest, the stage has been set for the kingdom’s downfall and the possibility of rings ending up with their leaders.
With the Southlands becoming Mordor in “Rings of Power,” Sauron now has what he needs to forge the centerpiece of his master plan at Mount Doom: the One Ring.
Sauron’s ring is meant to exert his influence on the wearers of the 19 lesser rings, thus turning his enemies and the most influential people of Middle-earth into his puppet.