You precisely elaborated on what I had in mind about old Radagast.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boromir88
The failure of Radagast must therefor be that he isn't 'evil,' he still fails, but it's a different failure from Saruman's. Radagast fails precisely because of his 'idleness.' He becomes fond of the birds, beasts, and plants of Middle-earth and starts neglecting the very reason he was sent to Middle-earth
|
I would only note one thing. Someone may take it like that Radagast was actually doing something good: that he was caring of the animals instead, someone could say "Hey, and so what? Everyone cared of the people, but Radagast cared of the nature, he was a 'Good Greenpeace Guy'." But the point lies in that a) he was not actually much active (from what we know), he was just
fond of beasts and plants, and mainly, it was more like being idle - a hobby, nothing more. He would of course care of those he liked, if for example Orcs attacked them, he will probably protect them - but nothing widespread, he did not wander the Middle-Earth and make animal reservations or something like that. It was not even his job to do so. Even if he did that, it will be - well, yes - procrastinating
And that's b) he was just idle, collecting bugs or with similar hobbies, but doing nothing really constructive. Though, it is said (UT) Yavanna probably talked Saruman to take him so that even the animals and plants are cared about, but it was not the main reason... it would sort of crystalize itself if all the Istari did all what they were sent for; they would make a harmonic whole.
Imagine it: the White Council, and (good) Saruman comes with an idea of defeating Sauron with the use of force by making all these forges at Isengard and everything... and Radagast is there, as is his job, and warns him that he can't just do it, that he will disturb the Ents. Bingo! And the Wise sit and think of something else...