[davem]

I find the idea intriguing - except Gandalf always seemed a bit more Elvish than Saruman - who always struck me as the 'Mannish' one. Its possible that being more 'Mannish' he was more easily seduced by Elvish things, being 'alien' to him. Or its possible that he lost his 'Elvishness' over time. Certainly by the time he had turned he had lost any 'Elvish' tendencies. I haven't thought that through sufficiently though.

Not sure how far the idea can be pushed though. Of course, it may be that something of the sort was intended, but as the other Istari fell away from their tasks Gandalf had to take on more & more of their duties.

Of course, it would not be necessary for one of the Wizards to be dedicated to redeeming the Orcs. There were Men in the far east of M-e after all.

The difficulty, I suppose (because Tolkien never accounts for it), is exactly how & why Saruman went bad. The attempt to create another 'Elven' ring would fit. If your own side has a limited number of effective weapons it is very tempting to create more. He probably believed he was helping the cause. I suppose its not a very big step from wanting to create an Elven ring to fight Sauron to attempting to better Sauron's own weapon.

Effectively Saruman would have been planning to create a fourth Elven 'Fortress' in Isengard, alongside The Havens (when did he discover Cirdan had given Gandalf his ring - someone remind me), Imladris & Lorien. Isengard would have been the ideal place for a defensive structure & its possible that he originally wanted the place for that very reason. The gap of Rohan was strategically vulnerable - if Sauron could get his forces through there the whole of Eriador would have been open to him. He could also have attacked Rivendell much more easily - getting his forces past Galadriel & over the monutains would have been nigh impossible.

So, Saruman creates a powerful fortress guarding the Gap. The location is perfect. Even if Sauron conquered all the lands east of the Mountains the lands west could have been defended long enough to allow the forces of the West to retreat, re-group & stage a counter attack. Saruman becomes pivotal. Hence he would also have become Sauron's main target. Get Saruman 'on side' & there is only the Rohirrim between him & the lands west.

Saruman gambles on being able to strengthen Isengard by making his own ring, but in the end he is seduced by the idea of himself as 'defender of the west', & is corrupted by his desire for power to defeat Sauron into becoming like his enemy. When Saruman turns his perfect 'defensive' position becomes a perfect 'offensive' one. Isengard is strategically both the best & worst position - best in that if it is occupied by a foe of Sauron it protects one of the most vulnerable spots in Middle-earth, worst in that if it is gained by Sauron or a servant of his it blocks off movement of men & materiel into & out of Eriador & opens up the possiblity of direct attacks on Rivendell & the Havens. No wonder Sauron demanded the handing over of Isengard to his Lieutenant. No wonder, of course, that the Numenoreans built Isengard there in the first place.

The 'line' of fortresses, running from Erebor/Northern Mirkwood down through Lorien, Isengard & Minas Tirith, were all direct targets for Sauron's attacks, but being able to smash through at Isengard, opens up the west perfectly in order for an assault on the last two threats to his total victory. Saruman would have realised this & set out to strengthen Isengard to the best of his ability - hence the drive to study ring-lore & create a ring of his own. Hence also (probably) his elation at finding, & willingness to use, the Palantir.

It seems likely that it was the very importance & responsibility he felt that pushed him over the edge & turned him.