Why did the Nazgul not succeed in Bree and on Weathertop?

[A_Brandybuck]

I think, that it is worth considering the fact, that the Nazgûl were abroad and deep in the 'enemies land'. Although they are very powerful in spreading fear, they had to be careful not to attract much attention, because there are enemies, which are more powerful then they are.

Taking Glorfindel as a example, who drove four Nazgûl from the Bridge and Gandalf was still 'lurking around'. There was a bunch of 'terrible' High-Elves in Rivendell and many Ranger in the wilderness.

And before weathertop, the Nazgûl weren't sure about the bearer of the Ring. That is, in my meaning, important to know to understand the behaviour of the Nazgûl in Bree. A direct attack could fail, if the bearer has been very powerful and could use the Ring. Especially because a Ranger with a powerful aura is with them.

[Anguirel]

I've just thought of an ingenious, flawless conspiracy theory.

We neet to examine the Nazgul at two stages-during the hunt for the Ring, and at the siege of Minas Tirith.

While searching for the Ring in the Shire, they're quite scary, but only because we're seeing them from the Hobbit point of view. They're a bit feeble and pathetic really. Gandalf can take all nine of them, Glorfindel four or five. Aragon can scare them with a fiery stick.

Nevertheless-as detailed above-despite being vulnerable shadows (ho-ho) of their former selves, at several points they could easily have grabbed the Hobbits and nabbed the Ring...so why didn't they?

Because, fair readers, if they had seized the Ring before it reached Rivendell and taken it to their master, they would be quite unnecessary to Sauron. The Dark Lord, all-powerful, would have no need to increase their power or reward them.

As it is, the Ring slipped through their fingers, they were needed to counter the threat of a possible King of Gondor with the Ring, and so they-most notably the Witch King-had vastly augmented might and command. At Minas Tirith the Nazgul are truly terrifying, riding their beasties from an older world, with dark-flamed blades, souped-up armour...

This was the state they wanted to attain. And so they let the Ring go...

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by A_Brandybuck

I think, that it is worth considering the fact, that the Nazgûl were abroad and deep in the 'enemies land'. Although they are very powerful in spreading fear, they had to be careful not to attract much attention, because there are enemies, which are more powerful then they are.

I agree; as stated in the Hunt for the ring, "but Sauron did not underesteem the powers and vigilance of the Wise, and the Nazgul were commanded to act as secretly as they could".

They're a bit feeble and pathetic really
...
This was the state they wanted to attain. And so they let the Ring go

I disagree with both ideas:

Originally Posted by Hunt for the ring, UT

At length he resolved that no others would serve him in this case but his mightiest servants, the Ringwraiths, who had no will but his own, being each utterly subservient to the ring that had enslaved him, which Sauron held.
Now few could understand even one of these fell creatures, and (as Sauron deemed) none could withstand them when gathered together under their terrible captain, the Lord of Morgul
...
They were by far the most powerful of his servants, and the most suitable for such a mission, since they were entirely enslaved to their Nine Rings, which he now himself held; they were quite incapable of acting against his will, and if one of them, even the Witch-king their captain, had seized the One Ring, he would have brought it back to his Master

Originally Posted by Letter #246

I do not think they could have attacked him with violence, nor laid hold upon him or taken him captive; they would have obeyed or feigned to obey any minor commands of his that did not interfere with their errand - laid upon them by Sauron, who still through their nine rings (which he held) had primary control of their wills.

[Anguirel]

Who'd 've thought it'd need a scholarly exegesis on Nazgul monoethelitism to disprove my frippery!

Pah. I still like the idea of a scheming Blackadder Witch-King...

[The 1,000 Reader]

They could have just killed Sauron and taken the ring for themselves in that case.

[Durelin]

Originally Posted by Rumil

I've also had the impression that the Nazgul became more powerful the closer they came to Sauron in Mordor. During the passage of the Dead Marshes Sam and Frodo were more terrified by the cries of the Nazgul than they had been in the Shire.

I think this was perhaps only because both Frodo and Sam, and particularly Frodo, had a much greater understanding of what the Nazgul really were. By TTT, Frodo had been carrying the Ring quite a while, feeling its weight, feeling the desire to give in to it... He understood what the wraiths were, and that, essentially, he could become quite like them. I'd say that's enough to cause quite a great deal more fear.

And then there's the simple aspect of being out of one's element - being far far away from home!

Still, you definitely have a good point there. It is perhaps logical that they would be stronger, but that might require more of a mystical connection between the Ringwraiths and Sauron than anyone might be willing to even imagine.

[Raynor]

I've also had the impression that the Nazgul became more powerful the closer they came to Sauron in Mordor. During the passage of the Dead Marshes Sam and Frodo were more terrified by the cries of the Nazgul than they had been in the Shire.

According to the Tale of Years, RotK, that event happens ~two weeks before the attack on Minas Tirith. Concerning the witch-king at that time, Tolkien stated:

Originally Posted by Letter #210

The Witch-king, their leader, is more powerful in all ways than the others; but he must not yet be raised to the stature of Vol. III. There, put in command by Sauron, he is given an added demonic force.