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I would have liked to see how his studies drove him to the dark side, and how he became so eager for his ideas that he succumbed to bullying and manipulating the freedom of others. Even more "telling" if not showing would have satisfied my curiosity in just how Tolkien sees the pursuit of knowledge leading to evil.
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An excellent observation,
Bethberry, and one that about sums up my view of Saruman as well. I always wanted to know why he fell so completely, and how his immersion in the ways of the Enemy caught him, beyond his ensnarement by Sauron in the palantir of Orthanc. Perhaps this is one aspect of the "fallen" character that is merely told in vague hints, as the mind of evil is itself shadowed and unclear. I always got the idea that Tolkien did not explore the causes of Saruman's fall even as much as he outlined the trickery that Sauron used against Denethor. Even in the UT, Saruman is portrayed as pompous and petty at the same time, worshipping things and ideas, and forgetting people, or using them as pawns. It makes one think that the Vala that sent him (was it Aulë?) should have seen this weakness in him before sending him from the West. But then again, perhaps he did not find the thing he coveted until he reached Middle Earth. More intellectual vanity here? A sinister version of Pippin's voiced desire to know all the names of all the stars and the sundering seas, etc. etc. ?
Saruman's behavior in the War of the Ring, however, is consistent and, although unfortunate, believable. Perhaps he falls under the heading of "how'd he get so evil, anyways?" as this simple hobbit scratches her head and strains her 25 watt brain, stares at the shrivelled evil guy...scratches head...remembers something about hoarding Isildur's bones in Orthanc...gee, what an evil guy! How'd he get so evil? That's what we'd like to know!
OK, end of evil guy rant...it was a little muddled, as my head is stuffed to capacity with some fellow shopper's cold from a week ago...oh, joy...
Cheers!
Lyta
P.S. It is indeed interesting that the more knowledge Saruman (and Denethor too) acquire, the more they crave. A sort of addiction, perhaps, merely tasted in a glimpse by Pippin in the palantir, perhaps a drive to "know the mind of Eru" and thus replace him? A real Morgoth-ian tendency if ever there was one!