The Unfair Fate of Saruman

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Nikkolas

Saruman? In many ways his Fall is as much to do with his Vala-imposed limits as his own faults. The task he and the other Istari had been set was pretty much impossible. I think Saruman, being a rather intelligent fellow, realized this. In many ways, his desperation for the One Ring was a reaction to his belief that there was absolutely no other way to defeat Sauron.

The Istari were certainly capable of error. Radagast could be said to have "fallen" in a sense, in that he neglected the primary mission in favor of blissfully communing with nature.

I think Saruman's larger sin was his failure to take advantage of the opportunity for repentance the Valar, through Gandalf, offered him after his army was shattered.
Instead of seeing his folly for what it was and accepting that he must turn his back on personal ambition and work for the good of Middle-earth, he let pride master him, and even went to the Shire personally to do what he could to spoil the Ring-bearer's homecoming in a spirit of petty meanness.
To indicate his true disconnection with the West, he tried to kill Frodo after being offered forgiveness and mercy by him! After so many unheeded chances to show remorse and humility, that final act was the last straw for Saruman as far as his superiors were concerned.