I agree with Obloquy , Aldagrim and Sarin. Though in my opinion Saruman wasn't more powerful than Gandalf... he was more outspoken and "appeared" more skilled. Gandalf was more analytical and rarely underestimated the enemy. He acknowledges his limits as well, the one reason why he refused to bear the Ring.
Perhaps it was his (Saruman's) knowledge of the Ring that made him believe he could control it.
Each istari probably had his own forte, e.g. Radagast and his skill with animals. But to say that one was “more powerful” than the other, I must differ. The reason why Gandalf did not become the leader of the White Council was because he refused. Galadriel had wanted Gandalf to head the Council (perhaps through foresight?), but he refused because he did not want to ally himself to anyone.
*** I can’t give the quote, but this was in UT I believe, and some other book entries I can’t recall and am too lazy to get off the shelf…
Saruman copy Gandalf? Perhaps sub-consciously he may have. He scorned the practice of smoking pipeweed, I believe… but secretly he tried it. Regarding the Shire… Saruman grew suspicious of Gandalf’s interest in the Shire and his dealing with the hobbits.
|