Why didn't Saruman kill the Ents himself? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nikkolas · 01-28-2014, 10:25 AM

I kinda touched on this matter in my own thread
http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthr...hlight=Saruman

I think the confusion is understandable - Gandalf the Grey, an inferior power to Saruman the White, had an epic struggle with a Balrog. Fighting the Ent's forces seems like nothign in comparison.
But Inziladun supplied a great quote that may hold the answer:

'I don't know what Saruman thought was happening; but anyway he did not know how to deal with it. His wizardry may have been falling off lately, of course; but anyway I think he has not got much grit, not much plain courage alone in a tight place without a lot of slaves and machines and things, if you know what I mean. Very different from old Gandalf.'

Saruman is perhaps just not suited for combat, lacking the necessary courage or fortitude to expend himself and his essence in a life-threatening manner like Gandalf did.

01-28-2014, 10:25 AM	#9
Nikkolas Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 55	I kinda touched on this matter in my own thread http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthr...hlight=Saruman I think the confusion is understandable - Gandalf the Grey, an inferior power to Saruman the White, had an epic struggle with a Balrog. Fighting the Ent's forces seems like nothign in comparison. But Inziladun supplied a great quote that may hold the answer: 'I don't know what Saruman thought was happening; but anyway he did not know how to deal with it. His wizardry may have been falling off lately, of course; but anyway I think he has not got much grit, not much plain courage alone in a tight place without a lot of slaves and machines and things, if you know what I mean. Very different from old Gandalf.' Saruman is perhaps just not suited for combat, lacking the necessary courage or fortitude to expend himself and his essence in a life-threatening manner like Gandalf did.