The Inherent Incompatability of Morgoth and Sauron

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Yes, envy of Gandalf is certainly a major component of Saruman's moral weakness, but another important aspect of Saruman's flawed character is his coveting of the Ring. The Ring warped him just as surely as if he were wearing it. Its possession became all-encompassing to him, even to the point of creating his own rings and risking destruction by not only betraying the Lords of the West, but Sauron as well. Even if Sauron had been victorious at the Morannon and recovered the Ring, Saruman, his treachery revealed to the Nazgul previously, would have found eternal torment in Barad-dur for his traitorous actions.

Oh, certainly the Ring was a large factor too in Saruman's corruption. But I wonder if his lust for it may have had its roots in the knowledge that Gandalf either knew or suspected its whereabouts. An opportunity to confound Gandalf's plans at any cost, coupled with the power the Ring would give him, could have been icing on the cake.