The Names of Sauron

[Dimturiel]

Perhaps the Mouth of Sauron used his master's name at the Black Gate to play with his enemies, to sort of daunt them. I mean, if all went his way - and, at that point, I don't think he had too many reasons to believe it would not - he would have taken Saruman's place at Isengard and he had to secure his position to his enemies, to make sure they would really never bother him again. He wanted to prove to Gandalf and the rest that he was not just a slave of Sauron's - although Gandalf does call him one at the end of their discussion, thus showing that the trick did not actually work. It was like he was saying to them: I am that deep in Sauron's favour, that close to him that I can actually afford to use this name, a thing he does not permit the rest of his servants to do. Therefore, I am to be feared almost just as much as Sauron, and you'd better fear me, for your own good. I mean, what better way to make sure no one would dare to openly challange his position in Orthanc than by proving that he was the second most powerful being in Middle-earth apart from Sauron and that Sauron sort of acknowledged that by allowing his ambassador liberties he would not normally have allowed to his other - less trustworthy and less important, it is implied - servants?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Dimturiel

He wanted to prove to Gandalf and the rest that he was not just a slave of Sauron's - although Gandalf does call him one at the end of their discussion, thus showing that the trick did not actually work. It was like he was saying to them: [I]I am that deep in Sauron's favour, that close to him that I can actually afford to use this name, a thing he does not permit the rest of his servants to do.

Not a bad idea, but the trouble is, Mouth of Sauron apparently called himself Mouth of Sauron always. That means, not only in this particular case. And that does not still quite answer the question why would Sauron allow him to call himself like that.

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Not a bad idea, but the trouble is, Mouth of Sauron apparently called himself Mouth of Sauron always. That means, not only in this particular case. And that does not still quite answer the question why would Sauron allow him to call himself like that.

I would add, why Sauron allow him to use a name that was given to him by his enemies, and which he did not like? Permitting him to use the name "Sauron" would be catering to his enemies, and saying "this guy is my mouthpiece only for scum like you," I should think. Of course, it would not obviate the premise that Sauron let the Mouth believe it was a sign of his favor. Like any good dysfunctional control freak "parent," Sauron no doubt had a number of servants that he told were "his favorite" or some such, just to keep them at odds with one another so that they couldn't get together, decide they were being treated badly, and start a rebellion. If the Mouth were really in Sauron's favor, he probably would have called himself The Mouth of Annatar (although from a story point of view, that would be introducing a name for Sauron that had not been mentioned in the book, and would need explanation).

An interesting notion, nonetheless.