Mouth of Sauron's helmet insciptions

[Lord Halsar]

Originally Posted by ninja91

In this gruesome close up of the Mouth's helm, we clearly see these "runes" that are inscripted on his helm. Just responding to a request for a pic.

though i hate to stray off topic, was the Mouth blind? in that picture that ninja91 put out(and many other places i have seen) his helmet stretches over his eyes. i seem to recall tolkien saying something about the mouth looking about after Aragorn and the others werent fooled by frodo's mail. was this possible lack of sight just Jackson's idea, or did tolkien really write something about this... just how lofty was his helm?

[Sir Kohran]

Originally Posted by Lord Halsar

though i hate to stray off topic, was the Mouth blind? in that picture that ninja91 put out(and many other places i have seen) his helmet stretches over his eyes. i seem to recall tolkien saying something about the mouth looking about after Aragorn and the others werent fooled by frodo's mail. was this possible lack of sight just Jackson's idea, or did tolkien really write something about this... just how lofty was his helm?

I think the point of the Mouth not being able to see was just that - by then he was just a Mouth. At that point he had become so consumed by his role as communication for Sauron that he had lost all other purpose in the world and as such he could only be what Saron needed him to be.

[Gothbogg the Ripper]

Terrible. In the books it states that he looks at those who have come to speak with him. It was a decent helmet but let me put it like this: I'm glad that they didn't include him in the theatrical version

[The Might]

In the books, it is made clear the helmet did not cover his eyes, as when Aragorn looked directly into his eyes, the Mouth of Sauron was really afraid.
So this is no idea of Tolkien's, just another PJ invention. The idea is that he could see with the help of dark magic, and so didn't need normal sight anymore. I think it makes pretty little sense, as the Mouth was after all only a Black Numenorean.

[ninja91]

Originally Posted by The Might

The idea is that he could see with the help of dark magic, and so didn't need normal sight anymore. I think it makes pretty little sense, as the Mouth was after all only a Black Numenorean.

Well, Sauron did teach this Black Numenorean evil sorcery, so who really knows what he was capable of?

And I am talking about the Mouth of Sauron in the books, so dont bring up his filmed decapitation!

[Lord Halsar]

Originally Posted by ninja91

Well, Sauron did teach this Black Numenorean evil sorcery, so who really knows what he was capable of?

And I am talking about the Mouth of Sauron in the books, so dont bring up his filmed decapitation!

True. Someone with such an influence over them (especially one as strong as Sauron's) would definateley have learned something of the sort.
but i do wonder what Tolkien's idea of the Mouth's helmet was?

[ninja91]

Originally Posted by Lord Halsar

True. Someone with such an influence over them (especially one as strong as Sauron's) would definateley have learned something of the sort.
but i do wonder what Tolkien's idea of the Mouth's helmet was?

I dont know how much this answers your question, but in many older illustrations the Mouth of Sauron is indeed wearing a helm, but with a visor-thing on it so he could see.

Or did he wear anything at all? Possibly he painted his face black along with evil sorcerous runes?