Saruman the White, one of the most powerful Istari in Middle-earth, began his journey as a wise ally of the forces of good. However, by the events of The Lord of the Rings, he had become a secondary antagonist, dreaming of power and serving Sauron. His turn to evil wasn’t sudden—it was a gradual process fueled by envy, pride, and his obsession with the Rings of Power.
Saruman as a Maia: His Origins
Saruman was a Maia, an immortal spirit created by Eru Ilúvatar before the world’s creation. His true name was Curumo, and he was a disciple of the Vala Aulë, the patron of smithcraft and craftsmanship. Aulë instilled in his pupil a love for creation, but this passion became a weakness. Like Sauron, who was also a Maia of Aulë, Saruman was prone to the corruption of his creations and a thirst for dominance. When the Valar sent five wizards—the Istari—to Middle-earth to combat Sauron, Saruman was chosen as their leader due to his knowledge and wisdom. However, even then, his arrogance and ambition began to overshadow his mission.
Envy Toward Gandalf and Other Allies
Saruman harbored envy and resentment toward his allies, especially Gandalf. This jealousy intensified when Círdan the Shipwright entrusted one of the three Elven Rings of Power to Gandalf, seeing his great potential. Furthermore, Galadriel had proposed Gandalf as the head of the White Council, but Gandalf declined, and Saruman took the position. Still, Saruman felt slighted, believing he wasn’t initially deemed worthy of leadership.
Read also: Unsuccessful Copy of 'Stranger Things': Audience Expresses an Independent Opinion
Obsession with the Rings of Power
Saruman was appointed head of the White Council because of his extensive knowledge of Sauron and the Rings of Power. However, his studies had an unintended consequence: in learning about the One Ring, he began to covet it for himself. This obsession became the catalyst for his downfall. Saruman saw Sauron not just as an enemy but as a rival whose methods he sought to understand and surpass.
Curumo turned to dark thoughts and had already become a traitor at heart, for he desired to find the One Ring for himself.
The Influence of the Palantír and His Bond with Sauron
The Tower of Orthanc, where Saruman resided, housed a palantír—a magical seeing-stone that allowed its user to communicate with others who possessed one. Using the palantír made Saruman vulnerable to Sauron’s influence. Through the stone, the Dark Lord began to exert pressure on Saruman, and over time, the White Wizard started to submit to his will. However, Saruman’s ultimate goal was not to serve Sauron but to seize the Ring and become the new ruler of Middle-earth.
Betraying the White Council
By the time of The Lord of the Rings, Saruman had already betrayed his mission. He was not only building an army of Uruk-hai but also deceiving the White Council. He knew the location of the One Ring but concealed this information to claim it for himself. He even lied to the Nazgûl to prevent them from reaching Frodo and the Ring.
Pride as the Root of His Fall
Saruman’s greatest weakness was his pride. He considered himself wiser than anyone else, including Sauron. His knowledge and ambition blinded him to the strength and resilience of the free peoples of Middle-earth. After his defeat at the Battle of Isengard, Saruman refused to surrender, even when Gandalf offered him a chance for redemption. This refusal sealed his fate.
The Consequences of His Choices
Following his defeat, Saruman lost his magical power and authority. He attempted to seize control of the Shire but met his end through the betrayal of Gríma Wormtongue. Saruman’s immortal spirit was cast out of Middle-earth and barred from returning to Valinor. His downfall serves as a reminder of how pride and the lust for power can destroy even the wisest and strongest.
Saruman didn’t become evil overnight. His path was a long one, marked by internal conflict, obsession, and betrayal. His story is a tragic lesson about how great ambition and selfishness can lead to the fall of even the most noble and powerful.
