The Idea of Isolation (As Shown Through Denethor and Others)

Yesterday in class, someone made an interesting comparison between Denethor, Steward of Gondor, and King Théoden. They pointed out that while Théoden spent all his time with his men and rode into battle with them, Denethor willingly separates himself from his soldiers and the people of Minas Tirith by secluding himself in the White Tower. When Théoden was the victim of Saruman's spell and was totally isolated from his people, he was weak, physically and mentally, and was easily influenced by Wormtongue's shady words. Théoden's character, before he was released from the spell, parallels Denethor's character as he descends into madness during the siege of Gondor. The similar factor of these two powerful men's descent into darkness was obviously Sauron's influence but also their isolation. Luckily, Théoden came out of this okay, but Denethor...not so much. 

The reason why I find this parallel interesting is because it shows one of the most dangerous parts of Sauron's, and by extension the Ring's, influence, which is isolation. As Denethor was steadily fed images of evil and despair through the Palantir, he grew detached from the people who he was to serve as a leader to. The same can be said for Théoden before Gandalf snapped him out of it. Additionally, as the Ring overtook Gollum's mind, he isolated himself completely by going to the deepest, darkest cave he could find. Although he has Sam with him, Frodo also suffers this effect of the Ring as he must bear the mental weight of the Ring alone. 

It makes sense that Tolkien would equate isolation and seclusion with Sauron's evil since one of Tolkien's main positive messages in LOTR is the importance of unity and friendship in the face of danger and conflict.