Of Domination and Tools

[Belegorn]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I would agree about Saruman, but I think Denethor genuinely believes what he says of Gandalf. Maybe at some point in the past he convinced himself that Gandalf means no good, and at that point it would have been a deliberate misrepresentation, but now Denethor truly sees Gandalf as someone who could use him as a tool (and yes, he could use him as a tool) and who isn't trustworthy.

In the Appendix Aragorn and Denethor agreed on everything except on their feelings about Gandalf/Saruman. I think before even his use of the palantir Denethor was not really in Gandalf's corner. After his use of the palantir I think he saw the return of the king, and knew who Aragorn was and grew to mistrust Gandalf.