Legate, I'm glad you brought up Radagast. It reminds me of what well-respected politician once said (and I'll keep it an unnamed politician to avoid any sort of political discussion
). Anyway he said:
'When good people sit back and watch evil happen; that is the greatest evil of all.'
It reminds me of Radagast, because as Tolkien remarks Radagast had always stayed 'good-willed'...and it is because of Radagast's good will that he is able to help at Gandalf:
Quote:
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But since he remained of good will (though he had not much courage) , his work in fact helped Gandalf at crucial moments.~Hammond and Scull's LOTR Companion (taken from Tolkien's Papers; Bodleian Library - Radagast the Fool)
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Radagast always remained good and I think it's echoed in Gandalf's words that it would have been useless for Saruman to try and
'win over the honest Radagast to treachery' (
The Council of Elrond).
The failure of Radagast must therefor be that he isn't 'evil,' he still fails, but it's a different failure from Saruman's. Radagast fails precisely because of his 'idleness.' He becomes fond of the birds, beasts, and plants of Middle-earth and starts neglecting the very reason he was sent to Middle-earth:
Quote:
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"Indeed, of all the Istari, one only remained faithful, and he was the last-comer. For Radagast, the fourth, became enamoured of the many beasts and birds that dwelt in Middle-earth, and forsook Elves and Men, and spent his days among the wild creatures."~UT; The Istari
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Radagast gave up and pretty much said 'forget you Elves and Men.' When as I think Gandalf points out not only for himself, but the task for all the Istari (note Gandalf says he is '
a steward' not
'the steward.') was to care for everything that
'lies in peril.' And to especially guide the resistance of Elves and Men against Sauron. Radagast does not do this and that is where he fails. That is also where I agree he is not a good figure of 'ultimate good,' eventhough Radagast always remained good.
