Why'd Sharkey do that?

[Farael]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Maybe Saruman tried to kill Frodo, because he was overcome by sudden anger and/or he hadn't anything to lose really anymore.

I wouldn't say that he wanted to die; I'd say that he didn't care if he died.

I always thought that the death of Sharkey (Saruman) was more an example of his fall as a wizzard. We see from Gandalf (and Saruman's actions before his fall) that the Istari were somewhat like chess players, always thinking three steps ahead of themselves.

Instead, by attacking Frodo Sharkey (who is no longer called Saruman, perhaps again representing that this character was no longer the Istari he once was?) shows lack of thought, he is over matched and over powered by enemies who do not exactly love him.... he should have talked his way out (even if his voice had lost part of its spell I'd believe he was still powerful enough)

I think the point of that situation happening is to show how low Saruman had fell and how, by trying to take control over the world, he had compromised himself so much that when defeated he lost more than his troops. He lost himself.