Saruman the Multicolored? a newbie question - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Dark Elf · 01-04-2004, 10:44 PM

ok this might sound like a really stupid question but how come when Saruman was no longer Saruman the White why did he go to Saruman the Multicolored? usually people assioate darkness and evil with black or red for power. why multicolor?

Alatariel · 01-04-2004, 11:03 PM

At the point when Sauruman declared himself a wizard of "many colors," I don't think that he considered himself evil. He, like so many others corrupted by the Ring and/or power, desired the power to accomplish what he considered good ends - at least at first. Being "multicolored" instead of a more traditional color is also a show of his arrogance and need for recognition. All of the other wizards are one color - brown, grey, etc; by saying he is multicolored, it implies that he is a master of all aspects of wizardry. He doesn't call himself "the black" or "the red" because that would limit him to just that color, instead of encompassing all of them, as he seems to feel it is his right to do.

At least that is how I always thought of it.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 12:06 AM January 05, 2004: Message edited by: Alatariel ]

***Sharkû*** · 01-04-2004, 11:41 PM

He cast away the limitation and commitment to a single colour along with the commitment to his task as a Wizard, trying to encompass all possible means to end. That's pretty much what he says to Gandalf, too.

Olorin_TLA · 01-05-2004, 07:15 AM

Yep, he's abandoned being just 1 colour, and decides he's going to be EVERY colour - power-lust, basically.

I can't rmemeber if he's just dressed in dirty rags in RotK, or if this happens later, but in a draft for The Voice of Saruman chapter (at Isengard) Gandalf speaks to him, and tells him his Many Colours have started to run, as his cloak has turned a muddy colour due to the deterioation of all the colours in it.

Finwe · 01-05-2004, 11:34 AM

I believe Saruman was clad in dirty rags, and so was Grima.

The Dark Elf · 01-08-2004, 08:16 PM

ok thanks [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

01-04-2004, 10:44 PM	#1
The Dark Elf Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Angmar Posts: 74	Saruman the Multicolored? a newbie question ok this might sound like a really stupid question but how come when Saruman was no longer Saruman the White why did he go to Saruman the Multicolored? usually people assioate darkness and evil with black or red for power. why multicolor? __________________ "Fool of a Took!"

01-04-2004, 11:03 PM	#2
Alatariel Wight Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Cliffs of Insanity Posts: 178	At the point when Sauruman declared himself a wizard of "many colors," I don't think that he considered himself evil. He, like so many others corrupted by the Ring and/or power, desired the power to accomplish what he considered good ends - at least at first. Being "multicolored" instead of a more traditional color is also a show of his arrogance and need for recognition. All of the other wizards are one color - brown, grey, etc; by saying he is multicolored, it implies that he is a master of all aspects of wizardry. He doesn't call himself "the black" or "the red" because that would limit him to just that color, instead of encompassing all of them, as he seems to feel it is his right to do. At least that is how I always thought of it. <font size=1 color=339966>[ 12:06 AM January 05, 2004: Message edited by: Alatariel ] __________________ You mean you'll put down your rock and I'll put down my sword and we'll try to kill each other like civilized people?

01-05-2004, 07:15 AM	#4
Olorin_TLA Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gardens of Lórien, Valinor. Posts: 420	Yep, he's abandoned being just 1 colour, and decides he's going to be EVERY colour - power-lust, basically. I can't rmemeber if he's just dressed in dirty rags in RotK, or if this happens later, but in a draft for The Voice of Saruman chapter (at Isengard) Gandalf speaks to him, and tells him his Many Colours have started to run, as his cloak has turned a muddy colour due to the deterioation of all the colours in it. __________________ "For I am Olórin! And Olórin means me!" ELENDIL! - Join "Forth Tolkiengas!"

01-05-2004, 11:34 AM	#5
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	I believe Saruman was clad in dirty rags, and so was Grima. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.

01-08-2004, 08:16 PM	#6
The Dark Elf Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Angmar Posts: 74	ok thanks [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ "Fool of a Took!"

01-04-2004, 11:41 PM	#3
*Sharkû* Hungry Ghoul Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 1,719	He cast away the limitation and commitment to a single colour along with the commitment to his task as a Wizard, trying to encompass all possible means to end. That's pretty much what he says to Gandalf, too.