Yeah, I also thought that Sauron has... well I don't know if banished is the right word, but that he ended up in the Void aka the Outer Dark. Morgoth is out there as well, and they're probably plotting some mischief. Eek, scary thought!
As for his continued influence over mankind, I don't think Sauron could literally influence anyone after his demise. However, his influence had already spread far and wide across Middle-Earth. The Easterlings, the Haradrim, the Dunlendings (influenced by Saruman who was influenced by Sauron), and presumably other people that we did not see in the War.
Even if all the armies of Sauron were defeated, the people at home would have been loyal to him. Some of these people I presume would have remained evil, eventually influencing others, and so his malice would continue to permeate throughout the world. Of course that's only my opinion. Maybe I should read Letters again and get the real story.
__________________
But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.
|