LotR Sauron vs. Silm Sauron?

[Aganzir]

Originally Posted by skip spence

That said, I think Sauron well could've made an appearance or two. I would've like to see that.

Me too. But I don't know if it had ruined the effect, the air of evil about him. In my opinion, Tolkien handled portraying Melkor quite well, but it's possible it wouldn't have suited Sauron of Lotr that nicely.

I agree Inziladun's point about Lotr being narrated by hobbits was good. In spite of all the hobbits' good traits, they are rather simple characters, easily led by the wise. I find it extremely hard to believe they would have spent a moment thinking what Sauron's motives for wanting to conquer Middle-earth might have been, and therefore Sauron is pictured as the extreme evil. If you are convinced to think a certain way by someone you respect, it's not easy to start thinking from the opponent's point of view (and this is why I like Frodo; I think he learnt it in the end). Who knows - maybe Sauron in truth believed what he was doing was right and for the good of everyone. See - if we think about the real world, we can find people who honestly think their aim is good even though the rest of the world finds them nothing but evil.

Tolkien started working on the Silmarillion long before Lotr, but I don't remember when Sauron first stepped into the picture. He is a fascinating, interesting character in the Sil, though, and he and Finrod's singing contest is pure gold.

However, I have always wondered what was the relationship between Melkor and Sauron. When Sauron came to Númenor and preached about Melkor as a saviour, did he believe it himself? Had Melkor had such a power on him; how much work had he had to do to lure Sauron and other ainur to his side? Did he really view Melkor as the true god, or was it just his means to subject the Númenoreans? Sauron himself was clearly a god-like character to some peoples.
Or did Sauron see serving Melkor just as an opportunity to get power? Or did he really believe in Melkor's cause and wanted to help him however he could?