Questions about Gandalf - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Ruling Ring · 03-02-2003, 10:41 AM

Hello!

I'm something of a LOTR novice when it comes to this, so I was hoping someone could help me out.

Two things I want to know:

1) Is Gandalf (or Radagast, or any of the wizards) vulnerable to wounds by ordinary weapons, like swords and arrows? Could he be hurt by them, or could they kill him?

2) Can Gandalf do magic without his staff?

Thanks for any help you can give me! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Inderjit Sanghera · 03-02-2003, 11:17 AM

1-Yes he Was an incarnate, so he oculd be slain by weapons, like Morgoth and the other Istari.

LePetitChoux · 03-02-2003, 11:48 AM

I think, for the second question, it really depends on what one defines "magic" as. Because, what we call magic may be normal to someone like Gandalf. I think he can do rather "weak" magic (for him; for us it would be very great) with no staff and very great magic with it.
[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Annunfuiniel · 03-02-2003, 12:11 PM

I agree with Inderjit on the first point: you only have to think what happened to Saruman in the end...
But the Istari were Maiar and that is to say they are immortal spirits SO weapons can wound and/or kill only their incarnate part but the spirit still "lives". Most likely its weakened but this isn't always the case consider for example Gandalf after he defeated the balrog and "died". What happened to Sauron's spirit after the Ring was destroyed is also an interesting guestion...
2. -Yes, I believe so. He was a great spirit as mentioned above and must have possessed many magical skills (naturally depending on how you define the term 'magical'), e.g. some sort of limited foresight and so on. But his physical form seems to limit his powers or something. (Can't think straight now, I have a pounding headache [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] )
So, that's what I thought. Hope it helps even a bit. Most likely though someone will point some major flaw(s) in my conclusions. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[ March 02, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]

03-02-2003, 10:41 AM	#1
The Ruling Ring Haunting Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Deep Thought Posts: 83	Questions about Gandalf Hello! I'm something of a LOTR novice when it comes to this, so I was hoping someone could help me out. Two things I want to know: 1) Is Gandalf (or Radagast, or any of the wizards) vulnerable to wounds by ordinary weapons, like swords and arrows? Could he be hurt by them, or could they kill him? 2) Can Gandalf do magic without his staff? Thanks for any help you can give me! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ "Where now are the Dúnedain, Elessar, Elessar?"

03-02-2003, 11:17 AM	#2
Inderjit Sanghera Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Wolverhampton, England Posts: 716	1-Yes he Was an incarnate, so he oculd be slain by weapons, like Morgoth and the other Istari. __________________ “If I’m more of an influence on your son as a rapper then you are as a father then you've got to look at yourself as a parent” ~>Ice Cube. "Life is so beautiful"->Don Vito Corleone

03-02-2003, 11:48 AM	#3
LePetitChoux Vegetable of Doom Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: London Posts: 720	I think, for the second question, it really depends on what one defines "magic" as. Because, what we call magic may be normal to someone like Gandalf. I think he can do rather "weak" magic (for him; for us it would be very great) with no staff and very great magic with it. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ je suis une bonne odeur

03-02-2003, 12:11 PM	#4
Annunfuiniel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Something close like Shire Posts: 769	I agree with Inderjit on the first point: you only have to think what happened to Saruman in the end... But the Istari were Maiar and that is to say they are immortal spirits SO weapons can wound and/or kill only their incarnate part but the spirit still "lives". Most likely its weakened but this isn't always the case consider for example Gandalf after he defeated the balrog and "died". What happened to Sauron's spirit after the Ring was destroyed is also an interesting guestion... 2. -Yes, I believe so. He was a great spirit as mentioned above and must have possessed many magical skills (naturally depending on how you define the term 'magical'), e.g. some sort of limited foresight and so on. But his physical form seems to limit his powers or something. (Can't think straight now, I have a pounding headache [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] ) So, that's what I thought. Hope it helps even a bit. Most likely though someone will point some major flaw(s) in my conclusions. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [ March 02, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ] __________________ Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt.