Gandalf's Staff - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gothmog · 02-08-2006, 01:01 PM

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o why the inconsistencies? ie sometimes he uses his staff, and others he doesn't? is this just a fault of tolkien? (shock, horror!)

If we keep using Roa's Crucifixes and paintings of saint as an example it's easy to explain. A christian can direct his/her prayers directly to God, but can also use symbols. The human being can't always comprehend abstract things and uses real, physical items as help. A wizard's staff may be something that help the wizard to focus and makes it easier to perform magic, but they can manage without it.

Most of us seem to agree that the it's the wizard that holds the greatest power and the staff is there as an tool to increase the power or focus it. Then it's only natural that wizards can perform magic without it, even if it might be harder or not as efficient. A fault by Tolkien? The thought is horrifying!

Essex · 02-08-2006, 01:06 PM

LOL! yes, I agree! I was only joking!

fyi, here's where I can see the use of gandalf's staff in lotr (other than the breaking of the bridge which has been mentioned above)

On caradhras: "At last reluctantly Gandalf himself took a hand. Picking up a faggot he held it aloft for a moment, and then with a word of command_, naur an edraith ammen!_ he thrust the end of his staff into the midst of it. At once a great spout of green and blue flame sprang out, and the wood flared and sputtered."

Facing the wargs he held his staff up to ward off the wargs, but used a flaming branch and a spell to finish them off, not his staff

He tried to use his staff to open the doors of moria to no avail

He used it as a torch in moria and to flash a bolt of light to see what was about

He ‘lifted up his staff’ - possibly to ward off the blows of the 3 hunters when he met them in fangorn

He raised his staff in edoras making ‘a roll of thunder and to blot the sunlight out

But notice this: no mentioned of his staff against saruman – “He raised his hand, and spoke slowly in a clear cold voice. 'Saruman, your staff is broken.”

And notice saruman has a staff when the company overtakes him – but obviously no power to run ‘through’ it.

02-08-2006, 01:06 PM	#2
Essex Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Essex, England Posts: 886	LOL! yes, I agree! I was only joking! fyi, here's where I can see the use of gandalf's staff in lotr (other than the breaking of the bridge which has been mentioned above) On caradhras: "At last reluctantly Gandalf himself took a hand. Picking up a faggot he held it aloft for a moment, and then with a word of command_, naur an edraith ammen!_ he thrust the end of his staff into the midst of it. At once a great spout of green and blue flame sprang out, and the wood flared and sputtered." Facing the wargs he held his staff up to ward off the wargs, but used a flaming branch and a spell to finish them off, not his staff He tried to use his staff to open the doors of moria to no avail He used it as a torch in moria and to flash a bolt of light to see what was about He ‘lifted up his staff’ - possibly to ward off the blows of the 3 hunters when he met them in fangorn He raised his staff in edoras making ‘a roll of thunder and to blot the sunlight out But notice this: no mentioned of his staff against saruman – “He raised his hand, and spoke slowly in a clear cold voice. 'Saruman, your staff is broken.” And notice saruman has a staff when the company overtakes him – but obviously no power to run ‘through’ it.