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Saruman

2009-08-26T19:14:50Z

74.107.88.52:

{{sources}}
{{Istari infobox
| image=[[Image:John Howe - Saruman.jpg|250px]]
| name=Saruman
| othernames=Of many colours, the White, Ring-maker, the Wise, Curunír, Curumo, Sharkey
| coming=[[Third Age 1000|T.A. 1000]]
| death=[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| duty=Wizard
| robes=White
| gender=Male
| hair= Black, gradually turning white
| appearance= Tall, long faced with deep eyes
|}}
{{quote|He has a mind of metal and wheels; and he does not care for growing things, except as far as they serve him for the moment. And now it is clear that he is a black traitor.|[[Treebeard]], ''[[Treebeard (chapter)]]''}}
'''Saruman the White''' ([[Third Age]] c. 1000 – 3019, existed in [[Middle-earth]] for 2019 years) was the first of the order of [[Wizards]] (or [[Istari]]) who came to Middle-earth as Emissaries of the [[Valar]] in the [[Third Age]]. He was the leader of the [[White Council]]. In [[Sindarin]] his name was '''Curunír''', which meant "Man of Skill".

== History ==
=== Origins ===
In [[Valinor]], a council was called by [[Manwë]]. This was likely in the middle of the Second Age, shortly after the creation of the [[Rings of Power]]. It was decided to send five [[Wizards|emissaries]] to Middle Earth. These should be "mighty, peers of [[Sauron]], yet forgo might, and clothe themselves in flesh" — Istari, or Wizards.

One of those who went was '''''[[Curumo]]''''' (later in [[Sindarin]] ''[[Curunír]]'', or in [[Westron]] ''Saruman''), a powerful [[Maia] of [[Aulë]] (just as Sauron was). Maiar were angelic creatures of the same people as the Valar, only of lower order. Together, they were the [[Ainur]], and existed before the [[Arda]], the world, was created.

Saruman was one of those who volunteered, whereas the last one, ''[[Olórin]]'', (later Gandalf) was commanded by Manwë to go. Saruman's jealousy of Gandalf began even here, when [[Varda]] said of Gandalf, who went as the third Istar that he was "not the third". Saruman was charged to take [[Radagast]] with him, which he did not wish to do and which led to contempt for the latter Wizard.

===Arrival in Middle-earth===

According to most tales, Saruman arrived alone in a ship at [[Mithlond]] (the [[Grey Havens]]) in the west of [[Eriador]] around the year 1000 of the [[Third Age]], and only [[Círdan]] knew his identity and his origin. There are two short stories known that tell a bit different story. The first tells ''that [[Curumo]] (Saruman) took [[Aiwendil]] ([[Radagast]]) because [[Yavanna]] begged him'', and the second states: ''"Curumo was obliged to take Aiwendil to please Yavanna wife of [[Aulë]],"'' (''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', Part Four, II: [[The Istari]]).

He went into the East of Middle-earth, as did the two [[Blue Wizards]]. After one and a half millennia he returned to the West, just as Sauron's power was growing again in [[Dol Guldur]].

When the [[White Council]] was formed around the year 2463 of the Third Age, Saruman was appointed its leader. Even then, he had begun to sense the resurgence of Sauron and to envy and desire his power, and especially his [[One Ring]]. Coincidentally, in that same year the One Ring was found by the creature [[Gollum]], drawing the [[Dark Lord]] closer to the conflict that would eventually prove Saruman's undoing.

===Chief of the White Council===

In [[2759 TA]], [[Beren, Steward of Gondor]], granted Saruman permission to make the [[Tower of Orthanc]] in the ring of [[Isengard]] his abode. There he became important in the defence of the free lands of the West. In Orthanc he came upon a [[palantír]], one of the seven seeing stones, but kept it secret and hidden, particularly from the White Council. He would later betray the Council by concealing his use of it.

In [[2850 TA]] Gandalf entered [[Dol Guldur]] and confirmed that the evil presence there was indeed Sauron returned. By Saruman's advice, the White Council decided against attacking Dol Guldur. At this council-meeting Gandalf (for the first time) revealed that he suspected that Saruman desired to possess the One Ring.

Saruman's real strategy behind forestalling the Council's attempt at Dol Guldur focused on permitting Sauron to continue building up his strength, so that the One Ring would reveal itself. At that point Saruman hoped to have sufficient strength to seize it first himself. He soon found that Sauron had more knowledge of the possible location of the One Ring than he expected, and in 2941 TA he finally consented to an attack against Sauron at Dol Guldur (at which point Sauron retreats to [[Mordor]] and the [[Battle of the Five Armies]] takes place).

Either at this time or shortly before Saruman's studies of ring-lore paid off, and he seems to have emulated part of the skill of the [[Noldor]] of [[Eregion]] and created his own Ring. He probably used this to enhance his skills, and became an even greater enchanter with the power of his voice. It however seems unlikely that his Ring was as powerful as one of the Three Rings of the Elves, let alone the One Ring.

Sauron abandoned Dol Guldur, arose again, and took up his reign in [[Mordor]], declaring himself openly. In Mordor, he established contact with Saruman through the palantír captured from [[Minas Ithil]] (later [[Minas Morgul]]). Through his jealousy towards Gandalf and his ever-growing pride and arrogance, and through the use of the palantír, wrestling in thought with the Enemy, Saruman became a servant of Sauron's will (although unintentionally, as his hopes were to gain the One Ring for himself).

===War of the Ring===

At about this time, in an attempt to control [[Rohan]], Saruman bought the allegiance of King [[Théoden]]'s chief advisor, [[Gríma Wormtongue]], who then counselled the ailing king to do nothing about the steady resurgence of Sauron's armies. Saruman and Wormtongue's treachery would have crippled Rohan's military might, had not [[Gandalf]] interfered a year later and revealed to Théoden his right-hand man's true designs, healing the old king and revitalizing his political and military rule.

Saruman did not reveal his true intentions until Gandalf presented him with the discovery and location of the One Ring. He then revealed his contact with Sauron and belief that they must join the Dark Lord or fail. Saruman then stood forth as '''Saruman of Many Colours''', and when Gandalf refused to join with him, he held him captive in Isengard. Gandalf later escaped, and so Saruman's treachery became known to the rest of the White Council when Gandalf reported it during the subsequent [[Council of Elrond]].

Saruman soon also betrayed his new master Sauron by lying to the [[Witch-king of Angmar|Witch-king]] when he arrived at Isengard. Sauron had sent the [[Nazgûl]] searching for [[Bilbo Baggins|Baggins]], who had found the One Ring years before, and the Shire, his home. Saruman pretended to know nothing about the Shire, but the Nazgûl later captured one of his [[Shire]] spies. Caught now between both sides as a known traitor to both, Saruman put all efforts into obtaining the [[One Ring]] for himself.

Saruman implemented a strategy of attacking [[Rohan]], endeavouring to kill the King's son [[Théodred]], sending spies to waylay [[Frodo Baggins]] on his flight from the Shire, and dispatching raiding parties on likely routes a company of the Ring might take to Gondor. Ironically, one of these parties captured [[Peregrin Took]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] and transported them to [[Fangorn Forest]] in time to mobilize the [[Ents]]. Gandalf also suspected Saruman had found (and destroyed) the remains of [[Isildur]], who had worn the Ring before it had been lost.

Saruman's Shire network failed to capture Frodo Baggins, Gandalf rallied Rohan to victory, [[Éomer]] stopped his only partially successful raiding party, and control of Isengard was lost to the [[Ents]]. Aware he was utterly defeated, Saruman briefly considered repenting for his deeds, but at the last moment could not go through with it. He must have still had some hope he could somehow escape, and even that infinitely small chance was better than his certain humiliation at the hands of those he had tried to destroy. Saruman still made a final attempt to woo Théoden and Gandalf to his cause but failed: his staff was broken and he was dismissed from the order of the Istari.

It must have been during Gandalf's captivity in Orthanc that Saruman began to build his army of [[Orcs]], [[Dunlendings]], and [[Uruk-hai]], since Gandalf came to an as yet undestroyed Isengard. One can speculate that if matters had developed a little more slowly, his puppet Wormtongue would have gained full control over Rohan, and the [[Rohirrim]] would have been enslaved or destroyed.

Saruman's plans likely failed because he, like Sauron, was forced to reveal his hand early by Gandalf's subsequent escape, and therefore he had little time to perfect his plans. As Saruman considered himself "unfallen", he honestly believed he had a chance of converting Gandalf to his side, and felt honestly betrayed by Gandalf when he was refused. The failure to capture the Ring at Emyn Arnen further ruined Saruman's plans, as he was revealed as a traitor to Mordor now as well.

Left out of the final stages of the War of the Ring, he eventually managed to convince his captors, the Ents, into letting him leave Isengard, proving that the magic of his voice still remained. He then went to the Shire, which his agent [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]] (undisturbed by events elsewhere) had brought under control. Spending his final days as a small-time thug lord in [[Hobbiton]] known as '''''Sharkey''''', he was eventually betrayed and killed by his own servant Wormtongue on November 3, [[Third Age|T.A.]] 3019, when even this operation fell apart after Frodo and [[Samwise Gamgee]] returned.

Saruman, as a Maia, did not truly die, but his spirit lost its shape (much like Sauron's after the [[Akallabêth|Downfall of Númenor]] and after his defeat by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]]). As a discorporated spirit, he should have been called to [[Mandos]], but the tale implies that he was barred from returning. We may speculate that his spirit was left naked, powerless and wandering in Middle-earth (perhaps like Sauron's after the One Ring was destroyed).

== Characteristics ==
In appearance, Saruman was as an old man with black hair. At the end of the Third Age, his hair and beard had turned mostly white — he had only black hairs about his lips and ears. He was tall, his face was long, and his eyes were deep and dark. He would appear in a white cloak, a habit he later changed into a cloak that changed colours as he moved.

He was not actually a [[Men|Man]], or even an [[Elves|Elf]] (as Men often suspected), but a [[Maiar|Maia]] clothed in flesh — an [[Istari|Istar]] ((see ''Origins'' below). As such, he was immortal and extremely powerful, yet had limits on how far these powers could be used. His two most salient powers were his knowledge and his voice.

The name given to him by Men, ''Saruman'', is in the [[Rohirric|Language of Rohan]]. In Tolkien's works, the English language is used to represent the [[Westron]], the common speech of Middle-earth, while its ancestor, Anglo-Saxon, represents the Language of Rohan. In this case, Tolkien used the Anglo-Saxon root word ''searu'' which means "skill" or "cunning". As a scholar, Tolkien would also have been well aware of the name of a similarly-named historic 'head of his order', Jaruman. The real Westron version of his name remains unknown.

His name among the Elves was ''Curunír'' and was often followed by '''Lân'' (or ''Glân'', unlenited), which translates as his epithet, "The White". In Valinor, his name was ''Curumo'', which is the original [[Quenya]] version of the name. As Sindarin did not have the male suffix ''-mo'', it was replaced with ''-ndir'', which in turn did not exist in Quenya.

=== Powers ===
Knowledge of the "deep arts" (or magic, such as it is in Middle-earth) was of particular interest to Saruman, especially when relating to power—such as the [[Rings of Power]] and the far seeing ''[[palantíri]]''. He was also deeply learned in ancient lore regarding powerful kingdoms such as [[Númenor]], [[Gondor]], and [[Moria]].

His voice and speech were extremely convincing, more powerful than mere rhetoric. When he focused this power on a person or a group of people, he could sway their hearts, plant fears and sow lies as he pleased. According to the stature of the listener, this spell could last as long as the speech did, or it could take root in them and last forever.

Other powers include knowledge of machinery and chemistry, probably separable from explicit magic (for instance, the "blasting fire" employed by his [[Uruk-hai]] army in the battle of [[Helm's Deep]], was probably some kind of explosive). Machinery and engines characterized both his fortified [[Isengard]] and his altered [[Shire]]. In this, he probably sought to emulate [[Sauron]].

His science also extended to biological areas. He is believed to have crossbred Men and Orcs, creating a new race of Orcs unafraid of daylight, the Uruk-hai. His human spies in [[Bree]] were said to have Orc blood. He also employed birds in his service, although this might also be attributed to [[Radagast]] the Brown, ordering them to report to [[Orthanc]], Saruman's stronghold.

Being regarded as more powerful than [[Gandalf]] (at least before Gandalf's "rebirth"), it's fair to assume he would also wield explicit magic similar to Gandalf, such as artificial light, locking spells, creating fire, etc.

=== Personality ===
Saruman resembled Gandalf not only in appearance, but originally also somewhat in character, but unlike Gandalf, Saruman was proud. He saw himself as the most powerful of the Istari, expressing clear contempt for Radagast the Brown. Saruman was no fool (though he saw Ragadast as one); he realized Gandalf's power, and eventually came to see him as an equal, and later as a superior, much to his distress. He became jealous of Gandalf, eventually convincing himself that Gandalf was scheming against him, which justified his own scheming against Gandalf and the rest of the White Council.

Saruman likely was true to his mission in the beginning, and actually believed in working to stop Sauron, but his pride and later arrogance (as well as his jealousy towards the Grey Wanderer) turned him into a traitor to the cause he had once served. Saruman's betrayal was not sudden, but slowly grew over time, until at last he had convinced himself that he could not have taken any other path, and that it was too late now to repent. This false belief kept him from taking his last chance at redemption, and because he must have realized this he only became more bitter, blaming Gandalf more than anyone else for his own downfall. In fact he only had himself to blame, but he refused to believe this.

== Politics ==

=== Men ===
Tolkien writes of Saruman that "he went mostly among men". He always sought power, and in the Third Age the greatest power lay in the hands of the kingdoms of Men.

No records speak of his earliest journeys into the east of Middle-earth, but when he returned, he actually became for a while a servant of Gondor, receiving the keys to Orthanc from [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] ([[Steward of Gondor]]), as its warden.

Saruman later claimed Orthanc for his own, without any formal declaration (or real objection from a weakened Gondor). Still, he nominally remained an ally of Gondor and of Rohan. Throughout this time he also made long studies of scrolls and books in Minas Tirith.

When he turned to treachery, Saruman still employed men in his schemes, mainly from [[Dunland]], but also selected agents from other lands (such as Wormtongue.) Saruman was a master of deceit, and could easily turn old grudges into fuel for new hatred.

The Dunlendings found employment in his armies, and it also seems probable that he used some of these men in his crossbreeding programme to create Half-Orcs. The Dunlendings were enticed with the old stories that they had once lived in the plains of Rohan before the ''Strawheads'' had come from the north, and that their leader [[Freca]], a man with claims to the throne of Rohan, had been killed by [[Helm Hammerhand]].

Gríma Wormtongue played a vital role in Saruman's plans: a counsellor of the ageing king Théoden, he secretly desired the king's niece, [[Éowyn]], but she was repulsed by him and scorned his advances. It is not clear if Wormtongue approached Saruman or vice versa, but it is certain that with Saruman's council Gríma began to weaken the king, estranging him from his other councilors and even his own kin, until Gríma had in effect become the leader of Rohan.

=== Elves ===
Saruman was once on good terms with the Elves, and was voted in as the leader of the White Council, a group of Elves and Istari united against Sauron.

However, Saruman knew that Gandalf had been given the third Elvish ring [[Narya]] by [[Círdan]] the Shipwright. This nurtured his jealousy of Gandalf and his resentment towards the Elves.

The Elves also declined during the period of Saruman's activity in the west of Middle-earth. Their lands were few and secretive, and although they wielded in some senses marvellous power, they were not in the habit of projecting it in the manner Saruman found useful or interesting. Also, they succumbed less easily than other races to manipulation.

Even though his stronghold of Isengard lay very close to the Elven Kingdom of [[Lothlórien]], Saruman had very little or no contact with it. Indeed, after his treachery and ruin, Saruman stated clearly that he had never trusted [[Galadriel]] and that he suspected her of scheming for Gandalf at his expense.

In summary, Saruman had little use for, or interest in, the Elves.

=== Istari/[[Wizards]] ===
Saruman grudgingly brought with him Radagast as a companion from Valinor, at the request of [[Yavanna]], yet still managed to arrive alone, and first. Shortly after, he went into the East with the two Blue Wizards ([[Alatar]] and [[Pallando]]), and later returned alone. The Ithryn Luin (as the Elves called them) went with Saruman into the East, and there may have wrought many great works to diminish the influence of the Enemy. Of their fate little is known.

Radagast, even though Saruman scorned him (when he tried to convert Gandalf to his cause), served Saruman very usefully (and wholly unintentionally). Not only in the sense explained to Gandalf, "he had just the wit to play the part I set him"—that of persuading Gandalf to come to Isengard, but also because Radagast, at the request of Saruman (and Gandalf), sent birds to Saruman at Orthanc and to Gandalf to report the different happenings in Middle-earth (in this way Saruman gained valuable insight and Gandalf was able to escape from the pinnacle of Orthanc). Radagast, honest and noble, true to his mission as set by Yavanna, played a very valuable role in the fight against Sauron through the use of the birds and beasts of Middle-earth (i.e. the aid of the Eagles).

Saruman had always been jealous of Gandalf, and suspected him of keeping secrets from him—not unfounded suspicions, since Gandalf did indeed keep his knowledge (or early on, suspicion) about [[One Ring|Bilbo's Ring]] hidden. Gandalf also kept his own ring (the third of the Elvish rings) Narya secret.

Gandalf also suspected Saruman of plotting to gain the One Ring for himself, and hinted at this in a powerful scene at a meeting of the White Council. Gandalf blew nine small smoke rings and one great one that wavered a bit, seeming almost palpable, and yet blew away, symbolizing (almost prophetic of) Saruman's failure in achieving the One for himself.

In general, Saruman must have viewed Gandalf as his only peer, and as such to be feared and treated with (although not necessarily shown) respect. He always kept a watchful eye open for Gandalf's doings, and actually picked up the habit of smoking pipe-weed by sending out spies tailing Gandalf to the Shire.

When matters came to a head, Saruman sought to make Gandalf an ally in his plans. This was probably not just out of practical politics, but also of respect and a sense of companionship and shared destiny. And possibly out of hope, being daunted by the proposition of becoming Sauron's servant alone.

Nevertheless, Saruman exercised more power than Gandalf, even with the ring Narya, as became clear when he placed Gandalf under arrest at the pinnacle of Orthanc. The text does not make it clear whether Saruman lost power or whether Gandalf gained power, but when Gandalf returned as "Gandalf the White", he could summon Saruman at his will, forcibly keep him in his presence, and finally break Saruman's staff (with whatever implications that might have had for Saruman's powers).

Saruman several times came very close to setting aside his pride and to asking Gandalf for pity and help. The closest call came when the [[Ringwraiths]] (on their way to the Shire) arrived at Isengard while Gandalf still remained in captivity there. Saruman, realizing his predicament, actually went to seek Gandalf's pardon, only to find his erstwhile captive missing from the top of Orthanc.

=== Orcs ===
Saruman probably drew his original strength of Orcs from tribes in the [[Misty Mountains]], and perhaps from Moria Orcs. He made use of [[Wargs|Warg]]-mounted Orcs of the same kind that Bilbo and the dwarves fled from after they had been captured at the [[High Pass]] near [[Rivendell]].

He also bred Orcs in Isengard, eventually creating crossbreeds of Orcs and Men (probably [[Dunland|Dunlendings]]). This programme apparently also involved feeding these Orcs Man-flesh.

His [[Uruk-hai]] army displayed great discipline and fierce loyalty, in addition to the other improvements such as height, strength, endurance and resistance to sunlight. There also appears to have been middle stages between Men and the Uruk-hai, Men with varying degrees of Orkish appearance. These were reported by Pippin and Merry to have been part of Saruman's regular army, but were not Uruk-hai, since the hobbits would have recognized these from their earlier capture.

Saruman's servants called him "Sharkey" both in Isengard and later in The Shire. This was probably an adaptation of the [[Black Speech]] word ''sharku'' which meant "old man". Saruman was not aware of this meaning (which is remarkable, since Gandalf knew this language). Perhaps he took it as a distortion of his own name by the Orcs. This indicates that the Orcs took their leader less seriously than they might have given him the impression of (similar to how the Mordor Orcs overheard by Sam and Frodo tended to disrespect their authorities).

=== Ents/Trees ===
Saruman made contact with the Ents in [[Fangorn Forest]] shortly after he settled in [[Isengard]]. The oldest of the Ents, [[Treebeard]] received him and gave him free access to the forest.

Saruman also consulted with Treebeard, learning much old lore that the Ents would have remembered from ancient times. Saruman did not return this favour, but only listened.

The Ents saw Saruman's treachery early, and became very concerned, primarily with Saruman's Orcs felling trees on the edge of Fangorn for use in the furnaces of Isengard—or sometimes for no reason at all.

The Ents also appear to have had a sense of order, how things should be, that Saruman encroached upon. The crossbreeding of Men and Orcs particularly alarmed them, out of proportion to other concerns enemies of Saruman might have had. Also alarming was the pure fact of his treachery — the Istari were supposed to have a special responsibility.

Saruman used the Ents and the Fangorn forest without concern for the consequences. He clearly misjudged the Ents' abilities and will to act. This might not have been as incautious as it seemed, since major contributing factors to the Ent's actions were advice and requests from Gandalf, and concern about the rising power of Sauron (and their wish to support the front-line troops of the war, Rohan and Gondor).

Saruman clearly had the ability to understand the minds of the Ents when he found it useful. He managed to talk Treebeard into setting him free from Orthanc by pushing just the right buttons — Ents dislike the concept of caging up any creature.

=== Hobbits ===
The race of [[Hobbits]] and their lands seemed too insignificant to interest Saruman: until he took notice of Gandalf's special concern for them.

His secret interest in Gandalf's doings made him focus gradually more and more on the Hobbits and The Shire. For a period he actually travelled there in secret, mapping out the lands. Gandalf was aware of this, but at this point only amused.

He began smoking pipe-weed (a habit of the Hobbits that Gandalf had picked up), also in secret. His demand for tobacco opened up trading between The Shire and Isengard, and the power his money could wield there and the corruption it could cause began to fascinate him. Some of his agents went in secret, and some were known to Gandalf and the [[Rangers]] (who accepted them, but were suspicious).

His anger towards the Hobbits may possibly stem from the attention Gandalf showed them (and not himself, or his projects). It certainly strengthened immensely when he discovered that the Hobbits (to his mind) had conspired with Gandalf to keep the [[One Ring]] from him.

This, and the sudden urgency caused by the [[Ringwraiths]]' hunt for the Ring-bearer from The Shire to Rivendell, made him increase his activity in the area, leading to a build-up of power that would by the closing of the [[War of the Ring]] lead to virtual conquest of The Shire.

He might also later have blamed the ruin of Isengard at the hands (or branches, really) of the Ents on [[Peregrin Took]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]], who clearly catalysed events.

This all came together after Sauron's fall, when Saruman escaped from the Ents and retired to The Shire and his thug regime in place there. It appears he immediately switched the focus of this operation to wanton destruction: pollution, murder, fire, chopping down trees for no reason. He may have felt this would also allow him to deal a last blow to Gandalf.

At his final utter defeat by [[Battle of Bywater|a Hobbit uprising]], his life was spared even when he tried to assassinate [[Frodo Baggins]]. At this moment he actually conceded respect to Frodo, but it was (literally) short-lived.

=== Valar/Maiar ===
Saruman was supposedly eager to go to Middle-earth, against Manwë's counsel. After his 'death' he was apparently barred from returning to Valinor, and therefore was denied reincarnation and condemned to waft away and disappear like so much smoke. Sauron, in origin a Maia of Aulë like Saruman, amazed and frightened him. During the height of his arrogance Saruman thought to supplant Sauron as the Dark Lord, but in the end he found himself meddling with a spirit of far greater power than himself.

=== Animals ===
Saruman had control over many birds, probably through Radagast. These spied for him and brought him news. In addition, the Orcs Saruman took in his armies had amongst them [[Wargs]], a sort of intelligent demon-wolf.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Saruman from Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|thumb|right|Saruman from [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
'''1955: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The voice of Saruman is provided by [[Robert Farquharson]].

'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Fraser Kerr]] provided the voice of Saruman. From early on in the production, it was decided that "Saruman" and "Sauron" sounded too much alike, and might confuse viewers. On concept art, Saruman is called "Ruman"[http://www.ralphbakshi.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=5&pos=69], but prior to recording, this was changed to "Aruman". However, during recording, it was again changed, to "Saruman". Because of this late change, several instances of "Aruman" remain in the finished film.

'''1979: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|Mind's Eye's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The voice of Saruman is provided by [[James Arrington]].

[[Image:Saruman with Palantir from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|thumb|[[Christopher Lee]] as Saruman in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Peter Howell]] played Saruman.Because the series follows a chronological timeline rather than the flashbacks of the books, Saruman's betrayal is brought out much sooner than in the book.

'''2001-3: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Saruman was played by [[Christopher Lee]]. The film did not depict Saruman's adoption of the title "Saruman of Many Colours". The film also did not include the [[Scouring of the Shire]], but depicted Saruman being killed by Gríma Wormtongue in Isengard, after his encounter with Gandalf and Théoden. In the [[The Return of the King Extended Edition|extended edition of The Return of the King]], Gríma stabs Saruman in the back, causing him to fall on a spiked wheel below the tower of Orthanc.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Saruman|Images of Saruman]]

{{wizards}}

{{maiar}}

[[Category:Isengard and Saruman]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

[[de:Saruman]]
[[fi:Saruman]]

Legolas

2009-08-13T00:59:39Z

74.107.88.52: /* History */

{{disambig-two|the elf of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]|the elf in ''[[The Fall of Gondolin]]''|[[Legolas (Elf of Gondolin)]]}}
{{sources}}
{{cleanup}} 
{{sindar infobox
| image=[[Image:Jenny Dolfen - Legolas2.jpg|250px]]
| name= Legolas
| othernames= Greenleaf
| titles=Prince of [[Mirkwood]], one of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] members
| birth=c. [[Third Age]], [[Mirkwood]]
| realm= [[Woodland Realm]], [[Ithilien]]
| death= Sailed [[West]] - [[Fourth Age 120|F.A. 120]]
| age= Did not die
| gender= Male
| hair= unknown
| eyes= Blue
| parentage= [[Thranduil]] + Unknown mother
| spouse=None
| children=
|}}
'''Legolas''' ([[Sindarin]] "Greenleaf") was a [[Sindar|Sindarin]] Elf of the [[Silvan]] realm of [[Mirkwood]], the only recorded son of King [[Thranduil]]. He became famous because of his membership in the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], in which he served as one of their most valuable assets because of his superior sight, hearing, lightness of foot, and unrivaled archery. Despite this, however, he played only a minor role in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', and the least is known about him, perhaps, of all the members in the company.

==History==
===Early History===
Legolas was alive during the [[Battle of Five Armies]] and it is most likely that he took place in it, though nothing is mentioned of it.

===Fellowship of the Ring===
His first real mention was at the [[Council of Elrond]], as a messenger from his father [[Thranduil]]. He was dressed in green and brown, and his eyes were keen. His message was specifically to [[Gandalf]] – namely, that [[Gollum]] had escaped. [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] then immediately wondered out loud how Thranduil’s people could permit this. Legolas was quick to state that it was not through lack of watchfulness; if anything, from over-kindness, and related the details to the council. He spoke little for the rest of the council, if at all, but later volunteered (or was chosen by [[Elrond]]) to participate in the [[Quest of the Ring]] as the only elven member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. His capabilities would be welcomed, and would be his primary claim to fame for the rest of his life.

For the early part of the quest they went in single file, with Legolas at the back. Later, however, we appear to find him at the head of the company as they entered [[Hollin]], for The Lord of the Rings states “[[Gimli]]… had come up with Legolas, and was gazing out before him…”. Though all in the Company could feel the wholesomeness of the country, only Legolas could hear the stones lament the lost presence of the [[Elves]], and his words were poignant.

As they ascended [[Caradhras]], Legolas could walk on top of the snow, whereas the others were forced to trudge. He also attempted (unsuccessfully) to light a fire. The storm troubled him least of all the company, and it is written “he alone of the Company remained still light of heart”. After they were determined to retreat, [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]] and Aragorn tried to push a path through the snow to get out, while Legolas danced lightly on top, passing them easily. He soon spotted the way out for the rest of the company, and a bit of sarcasm edged his speech at Boromir’s words that they (the “strongest”) must seek a way out, when he said “There is the greatest wind-drift of all just beyond the turn, and there our Strong Men were almost buried”. The paragraphs in this section suggest the attributes of youth and unquenchable gaiety.

Perhaps a bit grumpy with the irrepressibility of the elf, Boromir during the vote as to whether or not they should pass through [[Moria]], asked “What do Legolas and the little folk say?” Legolas voted against the passage with Boromir, but was overruled, especially when [[Warg]] voices were heard. During their defense against these beasts, Legolas did more than perhaps all the rest of the company except Gandalf, shooting numerous wargs. Legolas collected his arrows unharmed (except for one) after the fight.

Legolas played only the most minor of parts in Moria. Though it is said that he had eyes that could see well in the dark, strangely, he seems not to possess this quality in the caves. For it is written that [[Frodo Baggins]] (due to his [[Morgul-knife]] wound) could see better than any of the company in the dark, except perhaps Gandalf. Legolas had to drag Gimli from the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] when the [[dwarf]] almost refused to go. Legolas was the first of the Company to recognize [[Durin's Bane]] as a [[Balrog]], or at least the first to express his dismay at the fact.

Legolas was most enthusiastic about coming to [[Lothlórien]], describing it to the rest of the Company, and mourning the fact that it was winter and they could not witness it in the pinnacle of its glory. As they rested by the [[Nimrodel (river)|Nimrodel]], Legolas told them tales of Lothlórien, and sang the [[Song of Nimrodel]] to them. Upon hearing the other Elves of Lórien, Legolas listened and responded in their own tongue. When [[Samwise]] queried as to what they were saying, Legolas slyly responded that they said he breathed so loud they could shoot him in the dark, horrifying Samwise until Legolas added that they need not fear them.

Legolas was called up to meet with the [[Galadhrim]], with Frodo only (Sam following, as always). The Galadhrim had heard him singing and knew he came from [[Mirkwood]]. They would readily accept all of the fellowship, save Gimli, because of his race and the grievances between his and theirs. Legolas was forced to answer for the company, with the reminder to keep an eye on "that dwarf". Legolas was forced by the others to go blindfolded into Lórien, especially at the urging of Gimli, who hated the thought of going such. Indeed, he declared he would submit himself to this restraint only if "Legolas here shares my blindness". In the end, Legolas had no choice but to submit.

Legolas would not translate the Elven lamentations for Gandalf, saying that he had neither the skill nor the heart. During their time in Lórien, however (with the influence of the Lady [[Galadriel]] working its magic on the dwarf), he became fast friends with Gimli, a friendship never to be broken. He was one of those of the Company that could handle boats, and so was assigned to one with the dwarf. He received a bow and quiver such as the Galadhrim used.

[[Image:Michael Kaluta - Legolas Draws the Bow of Galadriel.jpg|thumb|250px|''Legolas Draws the Bow of Galadriel'' by [[Michael Kaluta]].]]After ambushed by orc-archers on the [[Anduin]], Legolas quickly leaped out onto dry ground and searched for a mark to shoot at. As a dread fell on the Company, Legolas invoked the name of [[Elbereth Gilthoniel]], and shot the descending [[Fell beast]] from the sky, a masterful shot in the dark.

===The Three Hunters===
When ambushed on [[Amon Hen]], Legolas shot many [[orcs]] until his arrows ran out, then used his knife. Upon the [[breaking of the Fellowship]], he sang a lament for Boromir, who had fallen, with Aragorn, taking the part of the South Wind which came from the Sea. Legolas was of great aid to Aragorn in the days following, as he helped to track the [[Uruk-hai]] across [[Rohan]]. His eyes could see many leagues, and for a while he could see their quarry far ahead of them.

Legolas stood by his friend Gimli when confronted by the haughty [[Éomer]], threatening him with death if he attempted to harm the dwarf. He let Gimli ride behind him on the way to [[Fangorn]]. Under its eaves, Legolas noticed how the tree beneath which they sat seemed glad of the fire. He was reluctant to enter Fangorn, having no knowledge about it save for the stories of the [[Onodrim]], and that it was very old. Though the night was very dark, he was also the first to notice the absence of the horses. Later he asserted to Aragorn that the beasts sounded joyful, confirming Aragorn’s own opinion.

Upon entering Fangorn itself, Legolas declared that he almost felt young again beside those trees. He commented that in earlier days he could have been happy there. Gimli snorted, saying “''I dare say you could. You are a Wood-elf, anyway, though Elves of any kind are strange folk.''” Legolas would later reverse this declaration at the [[Hornburg]]. When the [[Three Hunters]] met with the apparition of an old man, whom they believed to be [[Saruman]], despite Gimli’s round encouragement Legolas did not shoot him, feeling moral objections to this. The old man declared "''Put away that bow, Master Elf.''" Legolas dropped his bow, but later picked it up again, and was about to shoot when it was seen that beneath the old man’s robes there was white. Yet he recognized that it was [[Gandalf]] just in time, and shot his arrow high in the air to be consumed by fire. Gandalf coolly added "''Well met, I say to you again, Legolas!''"

===With the Rohirrim===
Legolas was a leader in the conversation with Gandalf, being the first to ask about Merry & Pippin, and Gandalf’s apparently miraculous escape. After the story, Gandalf delivered [[Galadriel]]’s messages to each of them, Legolas' being:

<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
''Legolas Greenleaf long under tree
''In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea!
''If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore,
''Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more.
</poem>

Legolas again used his eyes for the help of the company, as he spied both the of [[Isengard]] and [[Edoras]] from afar. At the gates of [[Meduseld]], Legolas was the only one to lay down his weapons without hesitation. He played only a passive role in the healing of [[Théoden|Théoden King]], and later was arrayed in shining mail beside Aragorn. Gimli would not ride on Éomer's horse unless Legolas rode beside them, which he did gladly. Éomer declared "''Legolas upon my left, and Aragorn upon my right, and none will dare to stand before us!''"

[[Image:John Howe - Legolas and Gimli at Helm's Deep.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Legolas and Gimli at Helm's Deep'' by [[John Howe]].]]As Legolas stood at the [[Hornburg]] at the eve of battle, he said that though he did not like the place, Gimli comforted him, and he was glad that the dwarf stood by his side. He also wished that a hundred archers of [[Mirkwood]] were there, noting the small number of bowmen among the [[Rohirrim]]. At the opening of the battle Legolas shot twenty at least, this figure being taken as precise by Gimli. When Gimli returned to the elf for the second time to declare that he slew twenty-one, Legolas counted his kills as twenty-four. By the time the [[Fire of Orthanc]] blew out a piece of the wall, his quiver was nearly empty. With the last arrow the elf saved Aragorn’s life when he stumbled while pursued. At the end of the battle, Legolas had shot a total of forty-one, though Gimli surpassed his count by one.

Legolas showed great interest in the [[Huorns]] on the way to [[Isengard]], discussing them with Gandalf and a less willing Gimli. Legolas promised Gimli that he would go to [[Aglarond]] after the war upon hearing the dwarf’s eloquence, if only Gimli would accompany him on a visit to Fangorn. At Isengard he enjoyed a meal in the company of the Gimli, Aragorn, and the [[Hobbits]].

===The Return of the King===
[[Image:Luca Michelucci - 1999 - March.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Drawn by [[Luca Michelucci]].]]When Aragorn made clear his purpose as to the taking of the [[Paths of the Dead]], Legolas and Gimli willingly volunteered to go with him. Legolas predicted, when Gimli suggested that Galadriel might have sent them soldiers from their own lands, that they need not ride away to find war.

Amidst the paths of the dead, riding with the [[Grey Company]], Legolas alone (save for [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], [[Elrond|Elrond's]] sons) felt no fear of the [[Dead Men]], and it may be remembered that the High Elves had power both in the worlds of the seen and unseen. Yet his turn came to be struck to the heart in the opposite sense – when he heard the gulls at [[Pelargir]], fulfilling Galadriel’s prediction and warning. While telling this story later, he dropped off there, while Gimli promptly said "''For my part I heeded them not''". Legolas saw as Aragorn led the Dead Men what a mighty lord he might have been if he had taken the [[One Ring]].

Legolas came with Aragorn from the ships during the [[Battle of Pelennor Fields]], and fought there beside his comrades. He survived the battle, and several times that day afterward commented on the longevity and eventual domination of [[Men]] to the dubious Gimli.

===Battle of the Morannon and Aftermath===
Legolas rode for the last time into battle beside his friends to the [[Battle of the Morannon]]. He witnessed the Fall of the Dark Tower, and after the battle attended the ceremonies of the [[Field of Cormallen]] in the honor of Frodo and Samwise and their victory. That night Legolas would not go to bed, but instead went away to walk in the woods, singing of the Sea.

After attending the [[Coronation of Elessar]], Legolas remained (at the urging of Aragorn) in [[Minas Tirith]] for a time. During the parting of the [[Fellowship]], Legolas went with Gimli to Aglarond. After that, he rode off with Gimli to visit [[Fangorn Forest]].

===After the War of the Ring===
As noted in [[Appendix A]]: ''Of Durin's Folk'', Legolas returned to Minas Tirith with a company of Wood-elves, and they made [[Ithilien]] a green and fair land once more. After King Aragorn died, Legolas sailed West. Traditionally, he took Gimli with him.

==Character==
Legolas showed almost irrepressible cheerfulness throughout the journey, passing through [[Caradhras]] and even the [[Paths of the Dead]] without hesitation or complaint. His youthful nature can be seen from the mocking way he treated the "strong men" on Caradhras, whom Boromir (excluding Legolas) had said could forge a way out through the snow. He is perhaps most remembered for his friendship with Gimli the Dwarf, and it was during this friendship that we see his faithfulness, and also his love of beauty. Gimli’s words moved him when the dwarf spoke of the [[Glittering Caves]]. It can be assumed despite his suggested age of 500-700 that he had never before come near to the Sea, for his heart became suddenly torn when he heard the Gulls at [[Pelargir]], and could never remove their mewing from his mind. His naiveté is demonstrated again when Legolas comments that Aragorn has journeyed further than he has.

== Etymology ==
The name '''Legolas''' is a [[Silvan]] dialect form of pure [[Sindarin]] ''Laegolas'', which means "Greenleaf". This shows that '''''Greenleaf''''' is not his surname, as is sometimes erroneously believed; nor is it an epithet (like ''[[Oakenshield]]''), but a translation of his name. It consists of the [[Sindarin]] words ''laeg'', green; and ''golas'', a collection of leaves, foliage (being a prefixed collective form of ''las(s)'', "leaf"). The [[Qenya]] form (mentioned in the ''Book of Lost Tales'' in the context of another character of that name) is ''Laiqualassë''.

There might, however, be a certain meaning to his name: ''laeg'' is a very rare, archaic word for green, which is normally replaced by ''calen'' (cf. ''Calenhad'', mutated ''Parth Galen'' and plural ''Pinnath Gelin'') and is otherwise almost only preserved in ''Laegrim, Laegel(d)rim'' (Sindarin form of Quenya [[Laiquendi]]), the ''Green Elves'' of the First Age. It may be that Thranduil named his son ''Legolas'' to at least in part refer to this people, who were remote kin and ancestors of the later Silvan Elves, the people Thranduil ruled and to whom—very likely—Thranduil's wife belonged.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
<center><gallery>
Image:Ralph Bakshi's Legolas.jpg|<center>''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]''</center>
Image:Legolas at Amon Hen.jpg|<center>''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]''</center>
Image:Legolas viv lotr.JPG|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]]''</center>
</gallery></center>

'''1955: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)]]'':'''
:[[Frank Duncan]] was the voice of Legolas.

'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Legolas was voiced by [[Anthony Daniels]]. In the film, he takes [[Glorfindel of Rivendell|Glorfindel's]] place in the Flight to the Ford sequence; he meets Strider and the hobbits on their way to [[Rivendell]], and sets Frodo on his horse before he is chased by the Nazgûl to the ford of [[Bruinen]]. Here, he is apparently from Rivendell, because he answers to Elrond; he is not identified as a Wood-elf.

'''1979: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)]]'':'''
:[[John Vickery]] provided the voice of Legolas.

'''1980: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Neither Legolas nor Gimli appeared in this film, as they were essentially followers irrelevant to the plot.

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)]]'':'''
:[[David Collings]] provided the voice of Legolas.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Michael Reisz]] provided the voice of Legolas.

'''2001-3: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Legolas was portrayed by [[Orlando Bloom]].

:In the "official movie guide" for ''The Lord of the Rings'', a birthdate for Legolas is set to 87 of the [[Third Age]]. This would make him 2931 years old at the time of the [[War of the Ring]]. This date for Legolas' birth was made up by the movie writers. Curiously, the year 2931 was the year Aragorn was born; the writers may have picked the number at random from the ''Tale of Years'' in the [[Appendix B|Appendices]].

:He is presented as an unstoppable fighter, arguably to the point of stealing the show; he performs show-stopping yet implausible stunts in battle scenes. For example, in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], he slides down a staircase using a shield, shooting arrows all the while, and in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], he takes down an [[Oliphaunts|Oliphaunt]] all by himself. However, in the books, Legolas's exploits in battle are not presented in great detail. Aside from shooting the fell beast, he undertakes no major actions other than to make peace with Gimli, overcoming their longstanding mutual racial animosity — he and Gimli are followers, rather than leaders. The film-makers later stated that the entire scene of Legolas killing the Oliphaunt and its entire crew was filmed during pick-ups (months after original filming) to insert a major action scene showcasing him, because at that point they realized that he simply doesn't get to do much in the third part of the trilogy.

:Legolas wears green and grey clothes and uses boots, in contrast to Tolkien's green and "brown" clothes and "light shoes". It is notable that in the [[The Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition||extended DVD edition]] of ''The Fellowship of the Ring'', a scene in Lothlórien is included in which Legolas is wearing a different costume than his normal. This was in fact his original costume, which was later changed due to the filmmaker's dissatisfaction with it.

:Legolas bears two long knives, while in the book he bears only one. Another, more trivial change, was the number of Orcs he and Gimli kill at [[Helm's Deep]]: 42 and 43, respectively. It is not clear whether this was an intentional change on the part of the filmmakers, though it seems likely that it was, since the original numbers were so clear in Tolkien's own text.

:Due to technical mishaps involving Orlando Bloom's contact lenses, in the films Legolas' eye colour sometimes changes between brown, purple, and blue. This was justified by the notion that Elves' eyes change colour with their mood. This idea subsequently spread to fanfiction. However, it is pure [[fanon]], and is nowhere to be found in Tolkien's writings, and is often simply meant as a joke. In any case, his eye color was probably grey; see [[Elven Characteristics#Eye colour|here]] for more details. Another common explanation for Legolas' changing eye color is the obvious fact that light reflects off objects differently in different conditions and that, therefore, the Elf's eyes "seem" to change color in different lighting environments.

:Playing Legolas in the trilogy was Orlando Bloom's breakout route to superstardom. His handsome features and Legolas' "coolness", so to speak, as depicted in the film, have led to the character becoming a unprecedented fan favorite with both fangirls and fanboys, not to mention other Tolkien fans. Although the disproportionate popular reaction to Legolas met with mixed reactions from fans, many debaters on the Internet during earlier stages of production were worried that a film portrayal of Legolas might render him as far too effeminate for popular consumption. Later, many felt that Bloom was able to avoid this entirely. [[Christopher Tolkien]] recounts that his father wrote the following "wrathful" comment protesting against a "pretty" or "ladylike" depiction of Legolas:
{{quote|He was tall as a young tree, lithe, immensely strong, able swiftly to draw a great war-bow and shoot down a Nazgûl, endowed with the tremendous vitality of Elvish bodies, so hard and resistant to hurt that he went only in light shoes over rock or through snow, the most tireless of all the Fellowship.|[[The Book of Lost Tales Part 2]]}}

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Grant George]] provides the voice of Legolas.<ref>http://www.dynamicduovo.com/aboutgrant.html</ref>

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:[[Crispin Freeman]] plays Legolas.<ref>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crispin_freeman_fansite/message/9438</ref>
==See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Legolas|Images of Legolas]]
* [[Legolas/disputes]]

{{references}}

== External Links ==
* [http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/l/legolas.html Legolas Greenleaf] at the Encyclopedia of Arda
* [http://www.tuckborough.net/legolas.html Legolas] at The Thain's Book

{{fellowship}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

[[de:Legolas (Thranduils Sohn)]]