Sauron - Physical form in The War of the Ring or not?

[jallanite]

Originally Posted by Zigûr

The Ainur could become incarnate however they pleased (Yavanna as a tree, for instance) but I don't think it at any stage behooved Sauron's interests to become incarnate as an isolated body part - he could not have worn his own ring had he recovered it, for starters.

Indeed. The texts you cite make this quite clear. See also the sketch by J. R. R. Tolkien of Sauron at http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/File:...n_-_Sauron.jpg .

See also Gollum’s description in The Two Towers where Gollum says, “He has only four [fingers] on the Black Hand, but they are enough.”

In the films Saruman tells Gandalf that Sauron isn’t yet able to “take physical form,” but that is an invention by the film writers.

[Nerwen]

Welcome to the Downs, Morzan!

–Now, about your idea: the thing is, you can’t justify a whole elaborate theory simply by referring back to your own belief in it. Yes, you can think what you like, and you can share your thoughts with us, and all that– but if you’re going to put them forward for serious consideration, as you seem to be, then I’m afraid you have to come up with actual supporting evidence.

(But please don’t think I’m picking on you– what I’ve just said is pretty much “Nerwen’s Standard Lecture to Newbies”.)

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Zigûr

The Eye was his symbol and how his psychic presence was perceived by those who encountered him in or through the unseen world or how its manifestation was interpreted by those who observed his power (see the flash from the summit of Barad-dûr witnessed by Sam in Mordor).

In line with that, I note that Frodo, as a Ring-bearer who had worn the Ring, seemed to have a special propensity to perceive the Eye. He saw it in the Mirror of Galadriel, and "felt" it while wearing the Ring on Amon Hen. Even earlier than that, while at Rivendell, it seems there was a psychic connection between Frodo and Sauron, via the Ring. Something as innocuous as looking at the night sky apparently put the Eye into his thoughts.

But low in the South one star shone red. Every night, as the Moon waned again, it shone brighter and brighter. Frodo could see it from his window, deep in the heavens, burning like a watchful eye that glared above the trees on the brink of the valley.

FOTR The Ring Goes South

[Nerwen]

Something I forgot to say earlier–

Originally Posted by Morzan

If Smeagol was tortured in Mordor by anyone besides orcs, it was the nine wraiths who could be taken as the quote by Smeagol about the Dark Lord's fingers.

Morzan, apart from the obvious point that there are nine Ringwraiths, not four (not to mention the quote being from perhaps the least likely character to speak in such complex, obscure metaphors) here’s what he's actually talking about:

"...Oh yes, [said Gollum] there were many tales about the Tower of the Moon."

“That would be Minas Ithil that Isildur the son of Elendil built,” said Frodo. “It was Isildur who cut off the finger of the Enemy.”

“Yes, He has only four on the Black Hand, but they are enough,” said Gollum, shuddering. “And He hated Isildur’s city."

–The Black Gate is Closed.
As you see, I don’t think it can be reasonably claimed that’s anything but a concrete description.

That’s basically the problem with that whole side of the argument: it rests on assuming total literalism in some cases and the reverse in others, without ever looking at the context.

[Mornorngûr]

This is the single most stupid and ruinous thing ever done by Peter 'Scumbag' Jackson; depicting Sauron as a giant eyeball!.

What the frack man?!?!

The tower of Cirith Ungol is also said to have an eye in it by the way (when talking of the red light), but nobody confuses that description for something foolish.

Sauron was manifest and there need be no further discussion on the matter.