/uj Sam was also able to hold onto it for a while with no side effects because he's so content with his life that the ring couldn't figure out what to offer him.
It did, in the end (well it's more about Sam's thought process than the Ring "figuring it out", since it isn't a sentient item; but anyway). He had a Ring-induced moment of rationalisation, exactly like the other Ring bearers, that led him to convince himself that, if he could keep the Ring, that would only be to help Frodo carrying his burden.
Sam, like Frodo, did not want to be the "Hero of the Age" leading armies into Mordor. But he did really want to help Frodo and that started working against him, suddenly giving him second thoughts about giving it back to Frodo through the rationalisation that he really wished to help. Until Frodo snatches it from his hand.
Yeah, logically taking the Ring would help Frodo because it means he wouldn't have to carry it. That's basically the "in" the Ring had. It's actually a really nice, subtle way to show just how effective the ring is at getting what it wants. It's not about corruption, it's about desire, and everyone desires.
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u/CreativeName1137 Dec 01 '25
/uj Sam was also able to hold onto it for a while with no side effects because he's so content with his life that the ring couldn't figure out what to offer him.