Sauron's Hroa

[Thingol]

For a very long time Sauron was able to change his form, he was even able to assume a fair form. After the fall of Numenor Tolkien states that Sauron was no longer able to assume a fair form again. Does this mean that he became trapped in an incarnate body, or was he still able to change into various horrible and powerful personas? Also, during the 3rd Age does Sauron even possess a body (and if he does would he be able to change it?), or is he just a big, terrible eye? The only evidence that I can find that supports that Sauron has a Hroa is when Frodo is captured and Shagrat and Gorbag are discussing what to do with him. Shagrat's orders state

Any trespasser found by the guard is to be held at the tower... prisoner is to be kept safe and intact, under pain of death for every member of the guard, until He sends or comes Himself.

By the capitalization of He and Himself I think it's safe to say that Shagrat is referring to Sauron (after all, Sauron does not permit his name to be spoken by his servants, except maybe the Mouth of Sauron [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]). If Sauron is able to come himself then he probably is more than just an eye, right? There is also the instance where Pippin is questioned by a dark from when he looks into the Palantir, but that could very well be one of the Nazgul. Tolkien does not capitalize he in Pippin’s description of his questioner.

[ April 06, 2002: Message edited by: Thingol ]