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05-27-2012, 01:33 AM | #1 |
Haunting Spirit
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 58
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A few questions about Gandalf not fighting Sauron
Gandalf was sent to Middle Earth in the Third age with Glorfindel and the other wizards to aid the free peoples of Middle Earth in their struggle against Sauron. Wouldn't it be considered aid if Gandalf faced off against Sauron personally?
I know the Valar forbade him from fighting Sauron personally, but for what reason? And, WHAT if Gandalf disobeyed the command of the Valar and fought Sauron personally? Glorfindel
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05-27-2012, 03:35 AM | #2 |
Pilgrim Soul
Join Date: May 2004
Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle...
Posts: 9,458
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My feeling is, and it is confirmed to an extent by what happened with Saruman, that the Valar had realised that the more inherently powerful a person was the more vulnerable they are to be corrupted by the possibilites of that power. They might start off with the best of intentions -then maybe do morally questionable things to provide a good outcome and end up no better than the Dark Lord.
Think of how frightened Gandalf was to have even indirect contact with the Ring and how tempted (but self aware) Galadriel was. Saruman started out like Gandalf but more powerful, he ended up setting himself up as a tyrannical power, an imitation Sauron. I think that they realised that they needed to incite or inspire the people of Middle Earth to overcome Sauron rather than to send a being of like status who would perhaps end up a replacement. That was Gandalf's role and he succeeded not only with the Hobbits but with Faramir and rousing Theoden.
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05-27-2012, 03:46 AM | #3 | ||
Guard of the Citadel
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxon
Posts: 2,205
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Hi Glorthelion,
the problem ist that a direct attack on Barad-dur and on Sauron, no matter who lead it would probably be destined to fail. Tolkien explores this question in letter #246: Quote:
Quote:
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05-27-2012, 08:15 AM | #4 |
Blossom of Dwimordene
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: The realm of forgotten words
Posts: 10,401
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And even if by whatever unexistent chance such assault would have succeeded, Sauron would just return again, since he lives as long as the Ring remains intact. Sure, he lived even after the destruction of the Ring because he is a Maia, but he was bereft of nearly all his power and had no means to build it back up. If the Ring is not destroyed, though, it would be a repetition of the Last Alliance - he'd eventually come back, and the battle would be useless other than for delaying the final outcome.
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05-27-2012, 08:40 PM | #5 |
Newly Deceased
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2
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Im still intrigued by the thought of what would happen to gandalf if he directly disobeyed his orders other than the breaking of his staff and the expultion from the order.
(like the breaking of his kneecaps by the mafia) |
05-27-2012, 08:53 PM | #6 | |
Gruesome Spectre
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Heaven's doorstep
Posts: 8,037
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Quote:
And by the way, welcome to the Downs!
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06-04-2012, 07:58 AM | #7 | ||
Wight
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 129
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Being agree with what has been said, I would rise three questions about the outcome:
1. Who is going to win; 2. What awaits the Ring; 3. What impact the battle can make on Middle Earth and its people. Regarding a possible one-to-one encounter, Tolkien says in the letter quoted above, Quote:
Another issue is that no-one expect Sauron to be ownest. Should Gandalf come to Mordor and require satisfaction, Sauron would've act like Witch King dealt with the last king of Gondor. Another option is the battle of Moranon Gates when both armies were present, and, possibly, completely destroyed by the fury of two Maiar. So if Sauron wins, the result is evedent. Otherwise there can be several options, connected to two other questions. Contradicting to himself, Tolkien says in the quoted letter that Quote:
Finally, such a combat can have devastating impact on Middle Earth. Last edited by Sarumian; 06-04-2012 at 08:09 AM. |
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