Saruman Questions - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nikkolas · 06-29-2014, 01:31 AM

I'm re-reading the Council of Elrond and a few things occurred to me that I've either never thought of before or just never gave much thought.

1. What exactly was the point of Saruman retitling himself "of Many Colours"? Tolkien was great with the symbolism and all that so I can't imagine he just did it out of sheer vanity. (like, he dressed himself all fancy and gave himself that title just to "look cooler" or something)

2. Unfinished Tales and all them tell of how Saruman has been jealous of Gandalf since before their arrival in Middle-earth. He has spied on him forever, even if it wasn't for evil reasons at first. Yet he offers Gandalf the chance to "rule together" with him. Why is this? Gandalf was his chief rival and by this point he might also think of him as his chief enemy. (not counting Sauron)

3. Why did he 'unmask himself" so quickly? He met Gandalf and immediately let loose right away with a tirade about Radagast and the rest of it. It seems to me that Gandalf was going to tell him all about his discovery of the One and who had it and where it was going.

06-29-2014, 01:31 AM	#1
Nikkolas Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 55	Saruman Questions I'm re-reading the Council of Elrond and a few things occurred to me that I've either never thought of before or just never gave much thought. 1. What exactly was the point of Saruman retitling himself "of Many Colours"? Tolkien was great with the symbolism and all that so I can't imagine he just did it out of sheer vanity. (like, he dressed himself all fancy and gave himself that title just to "look cooler" or something) 2. Unfinished Tales and all them tell of how Saruman has been jealous of Gandalf since before their arrival in Middle-earth. He has spied on him forever, even if it wasn't for evil reasons at first. Yet he offers Gandalf the chance to "rule together" with him. Why is this? Gandalf was his chief rival and by this point he might also think of him as his chief enemy. (not counting Sauron) 3. Why did he 'unmask himself" so quickly? He met Gandalf and immediately let loose right away with a tirade about Radagast and the rest of it. It seems to me that Gandalf was going to tell him all about his discovery of the One and who had it and where it was going.