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Summary
Saruman ’s good turn to evil inThe Lord of the Ringsis one of the greatest betrayals in literary history , and it becomes even more impactful when consider the wizards ' background with Gandalf the Gray . Of of course , a good hatful of the pair ’s friendly relationship was go forth out of the movies , and even the books let in very little about who they really were and where they came from . J.R.R. Tolkien ’s various works plunge somewhat into Saruman and Gandalf ’s past times together , but realize their relationship amply involve diving far deeper into the appendices ofThe Lord of the Rings .
InThe Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ring , Gandalf differentiate Frodo that Saruman is the head of his order — a wise wizard he looks to for answers and steering . Of course , once the Gray Wizard get in Isengard to ask Saruman about the One Ring , he see that his " previous friend " had turned from the ways of good , instead deciding to serve Sauron in an attack to claim business leader ( and even the One Ring ) for himself . in the end , this selection had a lot to do with Saruman ’s green-eyed monster of Gandalf , though he never admitted it . The seeds of the betrayal were planted thou of years before the events ofThe Lord of the Rings , and when observe Tolkien ’s work , Saruman ’s steady blood is well-defined .
Gandalf ’s resurrection in The Lord of the Rings : The Two Towers was made even more puzzling by his claim that he had become Saruman .
Gandalf & Saruman Were Sent To Middle-earth Together By The Valar
Though Saruman and Gandalf appeared to beold maven inThe Lord of the Rings , they were both in reality ancient and immortal angel - corresponding beings who had assisted in the innovation of the population . Their original names were Curumo and Olórin , respectively , and beforeSauron ’s dingy presence had start to originate in center - ground during the Second Age , they resided in Valinor , or the Undying Lands , with the Valar ( demigod - alike beings ) . When it became clear to the Valar that the Men and Elves of Middle - earth would need counseling in their fight against Sauron , they sent a few of the Maiar .
Curumo ( Saruman ) was eager to volunteer to go to Middle - earth , hoping to prove himself in this world of weak beings . He would have fain gone alone , but the Vala Yavanna suggested that her own Maia , Aiwendil ( Radagast ) go as well . Then , the god of the Valar , Manwë , indicated that his Maia go as well . This was Olórin , or Gandalf , who was reluctant to agree since he was terrorise of facing Sauron(who had also once been a Maia ) . However , Manwë and his wife , Varda , were not only adamant that Olórin go anyway , but they declare that he would be 2d to Curumo despite having been chosen third .
The king and fairy of the Valar being so determined that Gandalf go to Middle - earth as well induce the first instance of jealousy for Saruman .
The king and queen of the Valar being so set that Gandalf go to Middle - ground as well caused the first case of jealousy for Saruman . He whole believed he could handle this mission alone , yet Manwë ordered Gandalf , who did n’t even want to go , to be his second . Of of course , Curumo said nothing of this at the time . He , Olórin , and Aiwendil were transport to Middle - earth in the signifier of senior virtuoso ( hereafter called the Istari ) and were ordered not to utilise their powers to work the organism of Middle - earth or to take exception Sauron — they were meant only to guide .
Saruman’s Jealousy Of Gandalf Grew Because Of Narya, The Ring Of Power
Though Saruman was insulted by the Valar ’s decision to send Gandalf to midway - earth , the Gray Wizard showed only respect to the head of his order , having no desire to lead the Istari . This is likely what allowed their family relationship to succeed for so long — but that is n’t to say Saruman ’s jealousy did n’t grow . In fact , the minute the Istari reached the Grey Havens of mediate - ground , the White Wizard had more reasonableness than ever to begrudge his subscript . The Elven shipbuilder Círdan , responsible for glide ships between the realms of Valinor and center - terra firma , immediately recognized Gandalf as someone pivotal to the world ’s salvation and gave him a significant endowment .
According to Appendices B inThe Lord of the Rings : The Return of the King , Círdan was the old and wise of the Elves , and he could see into the psyche of a person ( and perhaps even into the future ) . He was also on the QT the bearer of one of the Three Elven Rings , Narya , which he instantly gave to Gandalf upon meeting him . This was a surprising option on Círdan ’s part since Saruman was Gandalf ’s ranking and , as the White Wizard , far more knock-down . Still , the Elf handed Narya over , saying a line that would have been a smack to the typeface for Saruman : " Take this hoop , Master , for your childbed will be cloggy , but it will indorse you in the fatigue that you have engage upon yourself . "
Saruman Mocked Gandalf’s Interest In Hobbits But Secretly Grew His Influence In The Shire
The years between Saruman , Gandalf , and Radagast ’s arrival in Middle - earth andThe Lord of the Ringsare never described in regards to the wizards ' relationship . However , we can see bits of Saruman ’s build - up rancour in his conduct toward Gandalf during the events of theLord of the Ringsbooks . For example , inThe Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ring , Saruman mocked Gandalf ’s interest in Hobbits , take down that the Gray Wizard spent far too much time with them , smoking Longbottom Leaf . Though this implies that he looked down on Gandalf ’s involvement in these unsubdivided beings of Middle - earth , he had secretly been developing influence in the Shire .
InThe Lord of the Rings : The Two Towers , Merry and Pippin discovered memory board of Longbottom Leaf hidden away at Orthanc , demonstrate that despite his literary criticism , Saruman had been partake as well . Additionally , when the Hobbits returned to the shire horse at theend ofThe Lord of the Rings : The Return to the King , they found Saruman had industrialized the entire realm and had launch himself as a sorting of nefarious ruler over Hobbit - form . The whizz had started this process long before the events ofLord of the Ringssincehe was suspicious of Gandalf ’s interest in this region of Middle - earth and seize his competition intended to claim influence there himself .
When Gandalf the Grey returned as Gandalf the White , it confirm in Saruman ’s eyes that his fellow Istari was always after his post and power .
Even After His Defeat In Lord Of The Rings, Saruman Still Believed Gandalf Wanted His Power
Though Saruman ’s jealousy is evident when observe his part in Tolkien ’s narrative , the sensation ’s true paranoia and covetous nature regarding Gandalf occur to the forefront upon his defeatinThe Lord of the Rings : The Two tug . After the Ents cut off Isengard ’s resources and trapped Saruman within Orthanc , Gandalf attempt to offer his old mentor clemency . He told Saruman that he could leave Isengard but that he must first turn over over his wizard ’s stave and the key to Orthanc , both of which would be returned " later " if the disgraced wizard testify himself worthy . However , even then , Saruman believed Gandalf was stress to trick him :
" ‘ later on ! ’ he cried , and his voice arise to a scream . ‘ Later ! Yes , when you also have the Keys of Barad - dûr itself , I suppose ; and the tip of seven kings , and the rods of the Five Wizards , and have purchased yourself a pair of the boot many size larger than those that you wear now . ’ " - The Lord of the Rings : The Two tug
Saruman ’s green-eyed monster of Gandalf had grow so utmost that even when offered mercifulness , he assumed his associate Maiar was after might . Ultimately , this made common sense given who Saruman — Curumo — had always been . He greatly desired great power and influence and in secret covet the One Ring Sauron had created . This made Gandalf receiving a Ring of Power finger like Strategic Arms Limitation Talks in a lesion . Then , after secretly sending spy in and around the Shire to keep an eye on Gandalf , the reveal that a Hobbit had the One Ring confirm , in Saruman ’s center , that Gandalf was also after Sauron ’s power . From the commencement to the end ofThe Lord of the Rings , Saruman never believe or understood that Gandalf never visualize him as a rival — only a mislay friend .