The Inherent Incompatability of Morgoth and Sauron

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Faramir Jones

I agree with you here. When I first read the first part of "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age", I remembered what Satan said in John Milton's poem Paradise Lost to his followers, after their failed rebellion led them to be cast out of Heaven, and into Hell:

Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n. (Book I, lines 161-3)

The Silmarillion seems to make it clear that an aversion to penitently serving the Valar was indeed behind Sauron's failure to take advantage of the opportunity to turn his back on his past.He had had too much power and authority under Morgoth.

As an aside, could something similar be said of Denethor? He was so enamored of his position as de facto ruler of Gondor that he would not entertain the idea of relinquishing power, even to a proven, rightful king. Possibly the influence of Sauron via the Palantíri, enhanced by Denethor's own pride?