Imagine No Redemption

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

I seem to have not made my point clear. I don't disagree. Indeed, I would think the fact that the failure to embrace the chance at repentance is what led to the final judgement on Sauron and Saruman.

Ah yes, now I see what you meant, I misunderstood. Indeed. Basically it's the refusal, quite interesting aspect present more often in the books. We are back at pride again, somewhat coming back in circle: at least in Saruman's case, it is plain that he would never suffer the "humiliation" (as he saw it) to accept forgiveness from somebody else (he says something along these lines to Frodo, too). In Melkor/Sauron's case I believe it was partially also simply the unwillingness to give up their idea of "how things should be done" (does this actually imply Saruman would have been able to change his view of "how it should be done"? Perhaps yes. I think Saruman was, maybe not "wise" anymore, but "educated by the past" enough after the War of the Ring to see that Gandalf's plans succeeded, not his, and he was only bitter and not willing to admit his defeat, but theoretically he knew that Gandalf had been right while his own ideas were flawed).

In any case, the main obstacle in redemption seems really to be the refusal of mercy, be it for whichever reasons. Likewise, Galadriel, when she thinks she no longer qualifies, but would take it (contrary to her end of First Age-decision), gets one more chance.