Introduction

'Cast It Into the Fire' is a popular meme referencing a scene from the 2001 film 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring', where Elrond urges Isildur to destroy the One Ring.

Background

The phrase 'Cast It Into the Fire' originates from a pivotal moment in the film where Elrond, played by Hugo Weaving, implores Isildur to eliminate the corrupting power of the One Ring. This scene has been reinterpreted online, where users label various objects to humorously illustrate their struggles to let go of unnecessary items.

How It Began

The meme traces its roots back to the film's release on December 19, 2001, in the United States. During the prologue, Elrond and Isildur confront the One Ring, which must be destroyed in a volcano. Isildur’s refusal to 'cast it into the fire' reflects his succumbing to the ring’s allure. Nearly nine years later, a YouTube clip of this scene was uploaded, garnering over 76,000 views.

Internet Reaction

The meme gained traction on March 28, 2018, when a Reddit user combined the scene with images from 'Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith', receiving over 130 points. Shortly after, another Redditor shared a version where Isildur discards the ring, earning over 200 points. Variations of the meme continued to flourish, with posts featuring humorous labels for the ring. Notably, an Imgur post labeled the ring 'Money I Found' and attracted significant attention, while a variation comparing the ring to 'cheese' received over 136,000 views. The meme's evolution has led to a plethora of object-labeled renditions that resonate with users' personal experiences.