The Wise in Middle Earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lalwendë · 09-26-2007, 07:40 AM

It interests me that as a Professor at probably the world's greatest University, Tolkien made some very interesting points about knowledge and learning - the most prominent one being that knowledge is not the ultimate 'good'. You can see this in so many characters as has already been pointed out.

Saruman for one is extremely clever and possibly second only to Sauron in Ring Lore, but this same knowledge is also his downfall, as he cannot see that this very knowledge is also a temptation to try Ring making for himself, and to try mastering the One.

Gandalf is outwitted by Saruman, and though he gives sage advice to many, he often gets through by the skin of his teeth. Galadriel's wisdom is tempered by a flaw in that she wishes/d to be powerful. Treebeard is slow in making decisions. Tom isolates himself.

Those who do eventually show real wisdom are those who admit their failings and flaws, showing that Tolkien was possibly making a point that nobody should ever be too proud of their knowledge or intelligence as it's simply not possible for one person to know everything.

09-26-2007, 07:40 AM	#5
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	It interests me that as a Professor at probably the world's greatest University, Tolkien made some very interesting points about knowledge and learning - the most prominent one being that knowledge is not the ultimate 'good'. You can see this in so many characters as has already been pointed out. Saruman for one is extremely clever and possibly second only to Sauron in Ring Lore, but this same knowledge is also his downfall, as he cannot see that this very knowledge is also a temptation to try Ring making for himself, and to try mastering the One. Gandalf is outwitted by Saruman, and though he gives sage advice to many, he often gets through by the skin of his teeth. Galadriel's wisdom is tempered by a flaw in that she wishes/d to be powerful. Treebeard is slow in making decisions. Tom isolates himself. Those who do eventually show real wisdom are those who admit their failings and flaws, showing that Tolkien was possibly making a point that nobody should ever be too proud of their knowledge or intelligence as it's simply not possible for one person to know everything. __________________ Gordon's alive!