[ArathornJax]

Seems to be a theme in the thread; that of pride and ego versus selflessness and sacrifice. Anyway, going through Unfinished Tales I found some interesting comparisons.

First, Saruman as we know, is linked to Aule while Gandalf is linked to Manwe. Gandalf/Olorin felt he was too weak to go and that he feared Sauron, thus showing to Manwe another reason why he should be sent. Curumo/Saruman was froced to take Aiwendil/Radagast because Yavanna wife of Aule begged Curumo to do so. This may explain the contempt that Saruman had for Radagast in the FOTR. So, to summarize the first compare, we see that both Mair were sent to Middle Earth as ambassadors to the free people there.

Another compare is that both were sent in the bodies of men (who aged but did not die from old age) and their former life became as a dream that they reflected on, and wanted to get back to as long as the remembered their duty and to fulfill it. I find it interesting in UT that Tolkien made the connection that unlike the mistake the Valar did with being overprotective of the Eldar and showing their glory to get the Eldar to comply, the Istari were not allowed to show their power or their true self at any time. The Istari were forbidden to rule the wills of men and elves. Thus the reason for the humble bodies. The Istari were to seek to persuade and advise to unite men and elves in love and understanding so they would oppose the oppression and captivity that Sauron wanted over them.

Another compare is that upon arriving at Middle Earth at the Havens (Saruman first, Gandalf last of the five Chief Istari appointed to the North of Middle Earth; does this imply there may have been lesser or more?), both undertook journeys. Saruman went with the two Blue Wizards to the east where the Blue did not return, and Gandalf focused on the North, West and south assuming Gondor. We know from the text that Gandalf did not reveal himself in this journey but studied the hearts of men and elves to get to know them better.

To contrast. Saruman upon returning from his journeys went to Gondor and then settled in Isengard. Gandalf never settled but continued to wander to inspire hope in the hearts of men. I believe that both could continue their missions from where they abode or wandered, Gandalf would just have more presence and personal connectiosn by being a pilgrim, though early on it appears that Saruman did wander at least up to Fangorn and built a relationship with Treebeard.

Saruman arrived with raven black hair and a fair voice and was very skilled with crafts by the hands. Indeed his Elven name Curunir means man of craft.

Gandalf was the least tall of the five that arrived, and was clad in grey, had more grey hair and looked aged. Cirdan though perceived him to be the wisest and thus gave him the Red Ring, Narya, knowing that Gandalf would need it to "kindle all hearts to courage."

Further contrasts are that Saruman fell from his high calling and became "proud, impatient, and enamoured of power sought to have his own will by force, and to oust Sauron, but was ensnared by that dark spirit mightier than he.'

Gandalf on contrast, is much different and I believe much of this comes from his fear of Sauron and his own proclaimed feeling of being weak. Gandalf had an "eager spirit" when it came to doing his task "opposing the fire that devours and waste and with the fire that kindles and succors . . ." Gandalf's joys and his swift anger were hid by his garments so much that only those close to him could see the inner flame inside of him. He could be kindly and merry to the young or the simple minded. The text further reflects that he could be sharp and rebuking at times, but that this did not come from being proud, nor did he seek power or praise.

The final contrast of course is that Saruman failed at his task, and when killed at the "hand of an oppressed slave" and his spirit departed wherever "it was doomed to go (according to UT)", leaving Middle Earth. Gandalf on the other hand suffered greatly and died, and was sent back and successfully fulfilled his assignment and was taken back to the West.

So much for the compare and contrast. Is Saruman the opposite of Gandalf? I would have to say that when they were selected and then sent, no. I believe from the text that they had different abilities and varying interests, but this did not make them become opposites in Middle Earth at first. Like all of us, it is the choices they made that eventually made them become opposites. Saruman gave up on his mission and got caught up in the quest for power, domination and control, even wanting to supplant Sauron. This was contrary to their mandate from the Valar. They were not to seek to control or dominant the will of men or elves. They were to inspire, persuade and unite the free people against Sauron. Gandalf stayed true to that mandate and as such, fulfilled it. Thus because he chose to remain true to the mandate of the Valar, that brought about the opposition and Gandalf's statement that he had become as Saruman should have.

For me, this is one of the themes of LOTR, obedience to duty/calling, fulfilling it and magnifying it or giving in to pride, desire for control and domination, and thus losing one's way and purpose. We see it here with Gandalf and Saruman, and see it with other characters, both major and minor throughout the book.