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[[Image:John Howe - The Mouth of Sauron.jpg|thumb|''The Mouth of Sauron'' by [[John Howe]]]]
{{evil infobox
The '''Mouth of Sauron''' was the Dark Lord [[Sauron]]'s servant and representative.
| image=[[File:John Howe - The Mouth of Sauron 01.jpg|250px]]
| name=The Mouth of Sauron
| othernames=Lieutenant of the Tower of [[Barad-dûr]], Mordu<ref name=Mordu/>
| created=
| years=
| age=
| destroyed=Probably {{TA|3019}}
| realm=[[Mordor]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Black Númenóreans]]
| appearance=Rode a black horse, wore a great helm
| accomplishments=
}}
'''The Mouth of Sauron''' was the [[Dark Lord]] [[Sauron]]'s servant and representative at the end of the [[Third Age]]. He had the title Lieutenant of [[Barad-dûr]], since he was so strongly devoted to the Dark Lord. The Mouth of Sauron was one of the [[Black Númenóreans]].<ref name="Gate">{{RK|V10}}</ref>


He was one of the [[Black Númenóreans]], and briefly appeared in person when he haggled with the army of the west in front of the [[Morannon]], trying to convince [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] and [[Gandalf]] to give up and let Sauron win the battle for [[Middle-earth]]. When Gandalf turned his proposal down, the Mouth of Sauron set all the armies of [[Barad-dûr]] on to them.
==History==
===Origins===
The Mouth of Sauron had served Sauron all his life; a [[Men|Man]] of great stature, he was potentially the equal of the [[Dúnedain]], but had fallen into darkness. As a Black Númenórean he probably came from [[Umbar]], and it is stated that "he entered the service of the [[Barad-dûr|Dark Tower]] when it first rose again";<ref name="Gate"/> this can be interpreted in two ways:
*Referring to the power of Sauron rather than the construction of [[Barad-dûr]], in which case, the tower ''first'' rose again some time after {{SA|3220}}.<ref>{{App|SA}}, 3220</ref> In that case he lived as long as a [[Nazgûl|Ringwraith]]; perhaps he wore a [[Rings of Power|Ring of Power]], but a lesser one since he did not become a wraith.
*Referring to the rebuilding of Barad-dûr in {{TA|2951}};<ref>{{App|TA}}, 2951</ref> Umbar had been defeated by [[Gondor]] under "[[Thorongil]]" [[Third Age 2980|some years later]],<ref>{{App|TA}}, 2980</ref> so the Mouth might have removed to Mordor then.


Also known as the Lieutenant of Barad-dûr, he had served Sauron all his life, and had forgotten his own name. A man of great stature, he was potentially the equal of the [[Dúnedain]], but had fallen into darkness.
In any case, the Mouth had even forgotten his original name; either he was a small child when converted by Sauron, or had remained alive far more than 500 years ([[Gollum]] still remembered his name after this much time). He had learned much sorcery during his time under Sauron, and knew many of the Dark Lord's plans. Being more cruel than an [[Orcs|Orc]] and cunning, he rose in power and favor.<ref name="Gate"/>
{{quote|A tall and evil shape, mounted upon a black horse... The rider was robed all in black, and black was his lofty helm; yet this was no Ringwraith but a living man.|''[[The Return of the King]]''}}


As a Black Númenórean he probably came from [[Umbar]], and it is stated that
===Late [[Third Age]]===
{{quote|...he entered the service of the Dark Tower when it first rose again...|ibid}}
During the [[Council of Elrond]], the [[Dwarves]] of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] spoke of a man who had come to offer Sauron's friendship and ask about [[Hobbits]].  As a token of their friendship he asked for a "trifle", a ring, "the least of rings", that the [[Bilbo Baggins|thief]] had stolen.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref> Though the man's identity is unknown, it is possible that he was the Mouth of Sauron.


The Dark Tower rose again when rebuilding began in 2951 of the [[Third Age]], which means he entered Sauron's service shortly after that. [[Umbar]] had been defeated by [[Gondor]] under "[[Thorongil]]" (Aragorn's name in his youth) in 2980, so 'The Mouth' might have fled to Mordor then.
The Mouth of Sauron briefly appeared when he haggled with the army of the west in front of the [[Morannon]], trying to convince [[Aragorn]] and [[Gandalf]] to give up and let Sauron win the battle for [[Middle-earth]]. Though he came before Aragorn and his men as an ambassador, he used quite insolent speech when he dealt with them. He tried to intimidate the army into surrendering by showing them the ''[[mithril]]'' coat of [[Frodo Baggins]] to make them think that the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]] had been captured. When Gandalf turned down his proposal, the Mouth of Sauron set all the armies of [[Barad-dûr]] upon them.<ref name="Gate"/>


Some readers interpret the words 'arose again' to refer to the power of Sauron rather than the construction of his tower. In this case, the rise of the Dark Tower, [[Barad-dûr]] in 2951 was the second arising. It '''first''' rose again some time after 3220 of the [[Second Age]], which means that the Mouth of Sauron must have been at least 3200 years old at the time of the War of the Ring. Even for a Númenórean this was an exceptional age matched only by the [[Ringwraiths]], and he therefore may have been a [[Ring-bearer]], who by some magic of Sauron had not become a wraith himself. (He may have worn a lesser ring, and not one of the great [[Rings of Power]]. Alternatively, he may have been granted one of the ''Seven Rings of the [[Dwarves]]'', several of which Sauron had recaptured early.)
The Mouth's fate is nowhere recorded, and it is probable he died in the assault before the Morannon. If he had survived, it is likely that he would have been one of the leaders in the retreat of Sauron's evil servants after the fall of Barad-dûr.
Support for this extreme old age is found in the quote:
{{quote|His name is remembered in no tale, for he himself had forgotten it...|ibid}}


Even [[Gollum]] still remembered his old name after 500 years. (In the [[Middle-earth Role Playing]] games, the name of the Mouth of Sauron was ''Urzahil'', but this name was not created by Tolkien.)
==Names==
The name of the Mouth of Sauron itself poses an inconsistency in the narrative. Aragorn mentions that the name "Sauron" (meaning "Abominable") is the name used by his enemies, and according to [[Aragorn]], Sauron himself did not permit it pronounced.<ref>{{TT|III1}}</ref> Therefore it would be strange for a servant of Sauron to have a title that includes the word "Sauron".


If however, this mention of the second arising of the Dark Tower is taken literally rather than taken to mean something else, then the Mouth Of Sauron has been in the service of his master for 68 years. If this service began as a youth (perhaps a child taken by Sauron as a promising student of sorcery from a "renegade" family, for example) who was subsequently cowed, bewitched and indoctrinated by his new master, then The Mouth of Sauron could quite feasibly have no memory of his birth name. Sauron enjoyed nurturing very powerful freaks from their infancy, as his personal rearing of the Nazguls' 'Fell Beasts' indicates.
In an early manuscript, the name of the messenger is said to be '''Mordu''',<ref name=Mordu>{{HM|WR}}, pp. 256, 267 (Christopher Tolkien notes that the reading is uncertain.)</ref> apparently meaning "Black Darkness" or "Black Night".<ref>{{webcite|author=Mark Fisher|articleurl=http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/m/mouthofsauron.html|articlename=Mouth of Sauron|dated=|website=EoA|accessed=14 December 2013}}</ref>


The Mouth's fate is nowhere recorded, and it is probable he died in the assault before the Morannon. If he had survived, it is probable he would have been one of the leaders in the retreat of Sauron's evil servants after the fall of Barad-dûr.
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
|title=Mouth of Sauron in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Mouth of Sauron.jpg|[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Mouth of Sauron.jpg|[[Bruce Spence]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
}}
'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|The Return of the King]]'':'''
:The Mouth of Sauron briefly appears at the Black Gate. He was here portrayed by [[Don Messick]].


== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
[[Image:Mouth of Sauron.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Bruce Spence]] as the Mouth of Sauron in [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]]]
:The Mouth of Sauron's role is expanded. He is portrayed as the person who tortures [[Gollum]] into telling Sauron of "Baggins" and "Shire", though he is not named until the credits.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Michael Bakewell]], [[Brian Sibley]] (eds.) [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]], "[[The Long Awaited Party]]"</ref> [[John Rye]] provided the voice of the Mouth of Sauron, symbolising the function of the Lieutenant of Barad-dûr.  
In [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]], the Mouth of Sauron does not appear in the theatrical cut of ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]'', but he does appear in the extended version, played by an unrecognisable [[Bruce Spence]], with the words "LAMMEN GORTHAUR" ([[Sindarin]] for "Voice of (Sauron) The Abominable") in [[Cirth]] runes written on his helmet. His helmet covers his entire face except for his mouth, which is horribly diseased  and disfigured by all the evil he has spoken, and disproportionately large, creating an unsettling effect (Jackson conceived of this idea long after the footage had been shot and asked his special effects team to create the effect digitally).


The extended DVD cast commentary mentions that Jackson considered different depictions of the character, such as having Kate Winslet (who starred in Heavenly Creatures, another Jackson film) play the role, partially to emphasize the temptations Aragorn was facing.
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
:The Mouth of Sauron does not appear in the theatrical cut of the movie, but he does appear in the extended version, played by an unrecognizable [[Bruce Spence]]. His helmet, with the words "LAMMEN GORTHAUR" ([[Sindarin]] for "Voice of (Sauron) The Abominable") in [[Cirth]] written on it, covers his entire face except for his mouth, which is horribly diseased and disfigured by all the evil he has spoken, and disproportionately large, creating an unsettling effect. In fact, much of this spectacle is a result of CGI effects. Actually Jackson conceived this idea long after the footage had been shot and asked his special effects team to create the effect digitally.


In the extended DVD version Aragorn decapitates the Mouth of Sauron using [[Andúril]].  This sequence is often criticized by purist and outsider alike, by purists because of the emphasis in the book against the inhumanity of assaulting a messenger or herald, and by outsiders for the inhumanity in itself.
:The extended DVD cast commentary mentions that Jackson considered different depictions of the character, such as having Kate Winslet (who starred in ''Heavenly Creatures'', another Jackson film) play the role, partially to emphasize the temptations Aragorn was facing.


[[Category:Black Númenóreans]]
:In the story itself, Aragorn decapitates the Mouth of Sauron with [[Andúril|his sword]].  This sequence is often criticized by purist and outsider alike; through human history it was considered a crime of war to execute messengers or heralds.  In the book, the Mouth actually specifically points out that as an ambassador he is protected by the laws of war, and Gandalf acknowledges this:
 
::''"...though Aragorn did not stir nor move hand to weapon, the other quailed and gave back as if menaced with a blow.  "I am a herald and an ambassador, and may not be assailed!" he cried.  "Where such laws hold," said Gandalf, "it is also the custom for ambassadors to use less insolence.  But no one has threatened you.  You have naught to fear from us..."'' -- Book V, Chapter 10, "The Black Gate Opens"
 
==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of the Mouth of Sauron|Images of the Mouth of Sauron]]
 
{{references}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mouth of Sauron}}
[[Category:Black Númenóreans|Black Númenóreans]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de: Saurons Mund]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:3a:bouche_de_sauron]]
[[fa:زبان_سائورون]]

Revision as of 13:23, 8 September 2014

The Mouth of Sauron
Black Númenóreans
John Howe - The Mouth of Sauron 01.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesLieutenant of the Tower of Barad-dûr, Mordu[1]
Physical Description
RaceBlack Númenóreans
GenderMale

The Mouth of Sauron was the Dark Lord Sauron's servant and representative at the end of the Third Age. He had the title Lieutenant of Barad-dûr, since he was so strongly devoted to the Dark Lord. The Mouth of Sauron was one of the Black Númenóreans.[2]

History

Origins

The Mouth of Sauron had served Sauron all his life; a Man of great stature, he was potentially the equal of the Dúnedain, but had fallen into darkness. As a Black Númenórean he probably came from Umbar, and it is stated that "he entered the service of the Dark Tower when it first rose again";[2] this can be interpreted in two ways:

  • Referring to the power of Sauron rather than the construction of Barad-dûr, in which case, the tower first rose again some time after S.A. 3220.[3] In that case he lived as long as a Ringwraith; perhaps he wore a Ring of Power, but a lesser one since he did not become a wraith.
  • Referring to the rebuilding of Barad-dûr in T.A. 2951;[4] Umbar had been defeated by Gondor under "Thorongil" some years later,[5] so the Mouth might have removed to Mordor then.

In any case, the Mouth had even forgotten his original name; either he was a small child when converted by Sauron, or had remained alive far more than 500 years (Gollum still remembered his name after this much time). He had learned much sorcery during his time under Sauron, and knew many of the Dark Lord's plans. Being more cruel than an Orc and cunning, he rose in power and favor.[2]

Late Third Age

During the Council of Elrond, the Dwarves of Erebor spoke of a man who had come to offer Sauron's friendship and ask about Hobbits. As a token of their friendship he asked for a "trifle", a ring, "the least of rings", that the thief had stolen.[6] Though the man's identity is unknown, it is possible that he was the Mouth of Sauron.

The Mouth of Sauron briefly appeared when he haggled with the army of the west in front of the Morannon, trying to convince Aragorn and Gandalf to give up and let Sauron win the battle for Middle-earth. Though he came before Aragorn and his men as an ambassador, he used quite insolent speech when he dealt with them. He tried to intimidate the army into surrendering by showing them the mithril coat of Frodo Baggins to make them think that the Ring-bearer had been captured. When Gandalf turned down his proposal, the Mouth of Sauron set all the armies of Barad-dûr upon them.[2]

The Mouth's fate is nowhere recorded, and it is probable he died in the assault before the Morannon. If he had survived, it is likely that he would have been one of the leaders in the retreat of Sauron's evil servants after the fall of Barad-dûr.

Names

The name of the Mouth of Sauron itself poses an inconsistency in the narrative. Aragorn mentions that the name "Sauron" (meaning "Abominable") is the name used by his enemies, and according to Aragorn, Sauron himself did not permit it pronounced.[7] Therefore it would be strange for a servant of Sauron to have a title that includes the word "Sauron".

In an early manuscript, the name of the messenger is said to be Mordu,[1] apparently meaning "Black Darkness" or "Black Night".[8]

Portrayal in adaptations

Mouth of Sauron in adaptations

1980: The Return of the King:

The Mouth of Sauron briefly appears at the Black Gate. He was here portrayed by Don Messick.

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

The Mouth of Sauron's role is expanded. He is portrayed as the person who tortures Gollum into telling Sauron of "Baggins" and "Shire", though he is not named until the credits.[9] John Rye provided the voice of the Mouth of Sauron, symbolising the function of the Lieutenant of Barad-dûr.

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

The Mouth of Sauron does not appear in the theatrical cut of the movie, but he does appear in the extended version, played by an unrecognizable Bruce Spence. His helmet, with the words "LAMMEN GORTHAUR" (Sindarin for "Voice of (Sauron) The Abominable") in Cirth written on it, covers his entire face except for his mouth, which is horribly diseased and disfigured by all the evil he has spoken, and disproportionately large, creating an unsettling effect. In fact, much of this spectacle is a result of CGI effects. Actually Jackson conceived this idea long after the footage had been shot and asked his special effects team to create the effect digitally.
The extended DVD cast commentary mentions that Jackson considered different depictions of the character, such as having Kate Winslet (who starred in Heavenly Creatures, another Jackson film) play the role, partially to emphasize the temptations Aragorn was facing.
In the story itself, Aragorn decapitates the Mouth of Sauron with his sword. This sequence is often criticized by purist and outsider alike; through human history it was considered a crime of war to execute messengers or heralds. In the book, the Mouth actually specifically points out that as an ambassador he is protected by the laws of war, and Gandalf acknowledges this:
"...though Aragorn did not stir nor move hand to weapon, the other quailed and gave back as if menaced with a blow. "I am a herald and an ambassador, and may not be assailed!" he cried. "Where such laws hold," said Gandalf, "it is also the custom for ambassadors to use less insolence. But no one has threatened you. You have naught to fear from us..." -- Book V, Chapter 10, "The Black Gate Opens"

See also

References

fa:زبان_سائورون