A very nice ficlet! I'm always pleased to have fic about Bilbo, especially in Rivendell! I liked the line "in his pockets, certainly".
Bilbo only used the Ring for harmless things, and it was a far more powerful artifact than the Ring of Gyges, which as far as I recall did not offer to let its wearer rule the world. So I think it would really depend on the circumstances of the individual, not just their character, since behaviour is hugely situational. Theft by someone who is starving and has a family that is starving does not, in my view, say anything one way or another about their character.
Unlike Gollum, Bilbo and Frodo were rich and socially secure (by this I also mean secure enough in their class standing) enough not to need to steal or to use it for other socially undesirable activities. Raiding Farmer Maggot's fields comes under "youthful high spirits" rather than "professional criminality".
The Ring of Gyges would be of great use to a field naturalist or birder, or badger-watcher too. Or just for walking down dangerous streets at night.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2011-08-02 04:42 am (UTC)Bilbo only used the Ring for harmless things, and it was a far more powerful artifact than the Ring of Gyges, which as far as I recall did not offer to let its wearer rule the world. So I think it would really depend on the circumstances of the individual, not just their character, since behaviour is hugely situational. Theft by someone who is starving and has a family that is starving does not, in my view, say anything one way or another about their character.
Unlike Gollum, Bilbo and Frodo were rich and socially secure (by this I also mean secure enough in their class standing) enough not to need to steal or to use it for other socially undesirable activities. Raiding Farmer Maggot's fields comes under "youthful high spirits" rather than "professional criminality".
The Ring of Gyges would be of great use to a field naturalist or birder, or badger-watcher too. Or just for walking down dangerous streets at night.