Saruman the White

Saruman the White was a wizard, the Chief of the Istari. Since T.A. 2463 he was the head of the White Council. He was called Curunir in Sindarin, which means “Jack of all trades”. He got this name because of his great knowledge in the field of making rings and various devices.

Upon arriving at Middle-earth, Saruman spent some time in the West. In T.A. 2759 he was given the keys of Orthanc(a tall tower, more than 150 meters high) and took up his abode there. By no means was his dewlling comparable to hotel Punta Cana or any fancy accommodations you’d find on Cancun vacations, but it worked! Once, Gandalf was imprisoned on the pinnacle of the Tower of Orthanc. At first Saruman lived in Orthanc by permission of Steward Beren of Minas Tirith. In T.A. 2953 he refused to recognize Steward’s authority and declared Orthanc his property.

About T.A. 3000, Saruman used the palantir of Orthanc, and was trapped by Sauron, after which, though he thought himself to be free, he was controlled by the Dark Tower. Saruman set a trap for Gandalf using Radagast the Brown to lure him to Orthanc. When talking with Gandalf, a malicious tone was heard in Saruman’s voice. He claimed his titles were “Saruman the Wise, Saruman Ring-Maker, Saruman of Many Colours”. Of course, he knew about the Ring of Power and cherished a hope to possess it. With his sweet lies Saruman tried to persuade Gandalf to join him. He was no longer that white wizard who was once head of the White Council. Saruman says the following about white: “white cloth may be dyed. The white page can be overwritten; and the white light can be broken.”

Saruman had as his emblem – a small white hand in the centre of a black field with an S-rune. A similar emblem was depicted on the shields of the orcs, Uruk-hai, and the Dunlands.

Saruman likes to be the first in everything. There is a spirit of unsporting competitiveness and envy within him.

Saruman did not manage to foresee all the details of the War. He sent a 10 000-strong army against Rohan but left Isengard unguarded. At that time mighty Ents, whom Merry and Pippin persuaded to attack Saruman, appeared. They knocked down the fortress, but weren’t able to destroy Orthanc. Saruman used belching fire from mines and wells. Some Ents were badly burnt and as a revenge they sank Isengard.

Together with his servant, Grima WormTongue, Saruman hid himself in the Tower. Grima was King Rohan’s Adviser for some time and influenced him in Saruman’s favour. But his treason was revealed.

Gimli, the dwarf, says the following about Sauron: “The words of this wizard stand on their heads. In the language of Orthanc help means ruin, and saving means slaying, that is plain.” Theoden in his turn affirms that “you are a liar, Saruman, and a corrupter of men’s hearts.” And Gandalf adds: “Saruman, you missed your path in life. You should have been the king’s jester and earned your bread, and stripes too, by mimicking his counsellors.”

Saruman didn’t trust anyone and didn’t want to surrender. He played a kind of performance in front of Rohan’s army. He pulled a wry face every now and then. It seemed as if Saruman went out of his mind.

However, he was driven out from the White Council. His staff was broken into two thanks to Gandalf’s magic.

Together with Grima Saruman fled to the Shire and set his orders there. He was known in the Shire under the name of Sharkey or Chief’s Big Man. In the Shire Saruman is presented like a content old man with sinister sparkling eyes. As Isengard was wiped off by the Ents, who in their turn were inspired by the hobbits to do that, Saruman as a revenge decided to destroy their holes. “And it will be pleasant to think of that and set it against my injuries,” – said he. Of course, when a group of hobbits led by Frodo appeared before Saruman, he realized his defeat. But, nevertheless, attempted to stab Frodo with a dagger, which just glanced off Frodo’s armour.

For his foul deeds Saruman got an awful death – Grima sprang on him and sliced his throat. Saruman’s spirit rose from his body like smoke from a fire, looked toward the West, and disappeared with the wind.

Like Gollum, Saruman was the Ring’s slave, but did everything consciously unlike Gollum. But there are forces above insidiousness, and they win. Saruman could be compared with the scales, which pan of Evil outweighs the pan of Good. Saruman’s character as well as his personality are to blame.