Sarumon and Sauron's War

[Bill Ferny]

Morima, sarcasm is for people who are afraid to say what’s really on their mind; I don't use it. I merely meant that after reading the chapter on the Istari, I drew the conclusion that Saruman was jealous of Sauron and Gandalf, but that is only my personal take on it, and may not be correct. It can, however, be central to understanding Saruman’s real power versus his perceived power.

Origin of orcs: The Silm provides only another “theory”, that one elven. Tolkien states once again in his letters, that this theory is not correct (HoME, chapter X). As for twisting elves, we should look at the reason why Tolkien changed his mind, not just at the fact that he did. The change in mind was not something done on a whim, but was based on considering the problems it raises. First, elven free will can not be taken away by Melkor, for the ability to make moral choice is a faculty that is inherent to elven nature. No matter how much Melkor could twist an elf, he would not be able to take free will away from them. Orcs with free will, who are able to act independently of the shadow, means that they could “be saved”. In the end Tolkien didn’t like that idea too much. It also has to do with elven long life. Do orcs also share the same life spans as elves? The Doom of Mandos, also presents a problem. Are orcs subject to the fear? If so, they are equal to elves, and in the end Tolkien wouldn’t want that to be the case. I’ve already provided links to threads that discuss these problems thoroughly.

However, I’m not completely convinced that Tolkien went in the right direction in the end. There are many merits to the former theory, and the problems mentioned in these threads can be explained accordingly, given a bit of philological work concerning fae/hroa of the orcs.

The real issue in this thread, however, is the strength and perceived strength of Saruman. I disagree with Carannillion as to the true strength of Saruman, based on what is present in the UT:

Saruman soon became jealous of Gandalf, and this rivalry turned at last to a hatred, the deeper for being concealed, and the more bitter in that Saruman knew in his heart that the Grey Wanderer had the greater strength, and the greater influence upon the dwellers in Middle-earth, even though he hid his power and desired neither fear nor reverence. –UT, 3, IV, iii

Círdan entrusted Gandalf, not Saruman, with the Red Ring, because he “saw further and deeper than any other in Middle-earth.”

Saruman, however, is perceived by all, especially Gandalf, to be the most powerful of the Istari. First, because he is indeed “higher in Valinórean stature than the others” (UT, 4, II). Saruman is also the first of the Istari to come to Middle-earth. This, however, is perception, not objective fact. What we see is not Saruman’s real power, but Gandalf’s humility. In fact, some of Saruman’s greatest praise comes from Gandalf! This is a good example of Gandalf’s humility:

Then Manwë asked, where was Olórin? And Olórin, who was clad in grey, and having just entered from a journey had seated himself at the edge of the council, asked what Manwë would have of him. Manwë replied that he wished Olórin to go as the third messenger to Middle-earth… But Olórin declared the he was too weak for such a task, and that he feared Sauron. Then Manwë said that that was all the more reason why he should go.—UT 4, II

This brings up the question of what did make Gandalf more “powerful” than Saruman. I personally think that it was his humility that tipped the scales.

I also disagree with the notion that Saruman was a “servant” of Sauron:

And Curunír ‘Lân, Saruman the White, fell from his high errand, and becoming proud and impatient and enamoured of power sought to have his own will by force, and to oust Sauron; but he was ensnared by that dark spirit, mightier than he. –UT 4, II

Even in his deception, Saruman never was the true servant of Sauron:

We may join with that Power. It would be wise, Gandalf. There is hope that way. Its victory is at hand; and there will be rich reward for those that aided it. As the Power grows, its proved friends will also grow; and the Wise, such as you and I, may with patience come at last to direct its courses, to control it.—LotR II, 2

Saruman saw no hope in openly fighting Sauron, probably instilled into his foolish heart through the Palantíri in the same way that Denethor was deceived. But even then, he was seeking power for himself, thinking that he could be the manipulator. However, the irony lies in the fact that it was him who has been manipulated by the dark spirit.

Saruman held out hope, though, for another way: “Why not? The Ruling Ring? If we could command that, then the Power would pass to us” (LotR II, 2). To take the one ring was Saruman’s real goal, not so he could hand it over to Sauron like a faithful servant, but to be greater than Sauron. Saruman was no minion of Sauron, at least in his own mind. Saruman’s intentions were at odds with Sauron, and even though Sauron was using Saruman, the dark lord had no intention of keeping Saruman around after his victory. Sauron knew that Saruman, after all, was still an enemy.

[ November 23, 2002: Message edited by: Bill Ferny ]