Sanity Check Posted 12 hours ago (edited) In the LOTR book trilogy, there is a good wizard named Saruman who is seduced by evil. While Saruman's magic power isn't well defined. It is illustrated that one of his abilities is influencing others into believing everything he says is true. Whatever Saruman says, is what people believe. Late in the story, Saruman's tower is attacked by treeborn Ents and the area becomes flooded with water. Saruman's situation is desperate. In his desperation, Saruman unwisely abuses his power and overexerts himself, shattering his own magic. This has always been interesting to me. Saruman was never directly defeated in combat or war. Instead his story is that of a wizard who apparently defeats themselves. Is this something that actually happens in the real world? Or is it merely fiction? How did JRR Tolkien come by this plot twist. Long story short, people say I waste my time paying attention to fictional stories. Maybe they're right. Or perhaps there is something that might be learned at times? Edited 12 hours ago by Sanity Check 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted 9 hours ago It is a well known writer's theme because , guess what ? People like to read about others they consider have more 'power' (in various ways ) and their misuse of the power causing their demise . https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Literature-with-the-theme-of-self-destruction-PKXZPNL36ZYA Macbeth would be the classic example . Regarding specifically 'wizards' , Faust by Marlow ( although there is a variation of end theme in Goethe's version) is probably the classic example . The other would be ' "Der Zauberlehrling' by Goethe . Or you could watch 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' segment from 'Fantasia' Spoiler 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Master Logray Posted 6 hours ago Saruman's corruption probably came from owning a property. His tower needs lots of resources to build and maintain. Other wizards like Gandalf lived poorly. Even the Rohan King didn't have a proper palace. Owning huge property is not good for maintaining spiritual development. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apech Posted 3 hours ago 3 hours ago, Master Logray said: Saruman's corruption probably came from owning a property. His tower needs lots of resources to build and maintain. Other wizards like Gandalf lived poorly. Even the Rohan King didn't have a proper palace. Owning huge property is not good for maintaining spiritual development. Hobbits had holes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apech Posted 3 hours ago 8 hours ago, Sanity Check said: In the LOTR book trilogy, there is a good wizard named Saruman who is seduced by evil. While Saruman's magic power isn't well defined. It is illustrated that one of his abilities is influencing others into believing everything he says is true. Whatever Saruman says, is what people believe. Late in the story, Saruman's tower is attacked by treeborn Ents and the area becomes flooded with water. Saruman's situation is desperate. In his desperation, Saruman unwisely abuses his power and overexerts himself, shattering his own magic. This has always been interesting to me. Saruman was never directly defeated in combat or war. Instead his story is that of a wizard who apparently defeats themselves. Is this something that actually happens in the real world? Or is it merely fiction? How did JRR Tolkien come by this plot twist. Long story short, people say I waste my time paying attention to fictional stories. Maybe they're right. Or perhaps there is something that might be learned at times? He changed ‘white’ into many colours… representing his disintegration? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
