As a long-time Tolkien enthusiast and self-proclaimed Middle-earth historian, I can confidently say that Saruman’s secret ring collection adds an intriguing layer to the rich tapestry of “The Lord of the Rings.” While Sauron’s quest for the One Ring hogs the limelight, Saruman’s lesser-known rings are a fascinating subplot that often gets overlooked.
In “The Lord of the Rings,” the central focus is undeniably on one piece of jewelry, yet it’s not just a matter of fame; it’s crucial because Sauron doesn’t possess it. Despite his relentless pursuit and obsession with it, he never regains his cherished artifact. The Dark Lord remains clueless about its location until it’s already been destroyed in the fiery chasm of Mount Doom. By then, his doom is irrevocable.
As a gamer, let me share some insights: There’s another formidable villain from Tolkien’s world, not just the Nazgûl, who controls and uses magical rings. I’m referring to Saruman here, the one who was once a trusted ally but ended up with one of the Rings of Power meant for Men destined to fall.
Indeed, you’re correct. The Wandering Wizard possesses enchanted rings. How can we confirm this? Through a couple of passages from “The Fellowship of the Ring” novel. Upon entering Saruman’s fortress of Isengard, Gandalf greets his fellow magician, and the narrative reveals, “He bore a ring on his hand.” Later in their interaction, Saruman refers to himself as “Saruman the Wise, Saruman Ring-maker, Saruman of Many Colors!” Notice the mention of ring-making? Coupled with Tolkien’s explicit indication of the ring on his hand, it becomes clear that at this stage in the tale, Saruman has crafted Rings of Power for himself.
The lesser rings
In the book “Fellowship of the Ring,” Gandalf hints at a connection between Saruman’s mysterious magical ring and the rings of power he had previously discussed with Frodo. When explaining these enchanted rings to the hobbit, Gandalf says, “Long ago, in Eregion, many Elven-rings were crafted, some more powerful than others.” At this point, Gandalf emphasizes that while the lesser rings might have seemed insignificant to the Elven-smiths, they could still pose a threat to mortals. However, he warns that the Great Rings, or the Rings of Power, were particularly dangerous. This suggests that Saruman’s ring may be one of these powerful Great Rings.
In this discourse, it’s made clear that there are more magical rings in Middle-earth apart from the well-known Rings of Power, which are considered the “Great Rings”. During this discussion, Gandalf explains Saruman’s connection to these enchanted rings, stating that he has extensive knowledge about them and has spent a considerable amount of time researching their creation. Given his fascination with the craft and the ability to manufacture additional magical rings, it’s no wonder that Saruman eventually possesses one, despite its ultimately proving unhelpful for him.
How many Rings of Power are there? (And who has them during The Lord of the Rings)?
During the events depicted in “The Lord of the Rings,” numerous magical rings, including lesser ones, were scattered throughout Middle-earth. J.R.R. Tolkien does not specify exactly how many lesser rings there are. Given their portrayal, it’s reasonable to assume that there are quite a few, and their total number remains unknown. On the other hand, we know precisely how many Rings of Power exist. In the early seasons of Amazon Prime Video’s “The Rings of Power” series, these rings are even forged on screen, albeit potentially altering the original timeline and order of their creation. However, it is not clear where all these significant rings were during “The Lord of the Rings.
As a devoted fan, I’d like to rephrase it this way: In the epic tale, The One Ring is no ordinary piece of jewelry; Frodo Baggins possesses it. By the story’s commencement, the Three Elven Rings are safeguarded by Galadriel, Elrond, and Gandalf respectively. The destiny of the Seven Dwarven Rings isn’t clearly defined, but Gandalf hints that they might have been devoured by dragons or reclaimed by Sauron. The Nine Rings for Mortal Men, though, are quite active; they’re being used by the Ringwraiths during the War of the Ring, until the One Ring is cast into the fire, which significantly impacts their activities.
Though the “major ones” often draw the most focus, it’s intriguing to learn that Tolkien incorporated lesser magical rings into his tales as well. These rings might have been weaker counterparts of the primary 20, but they held power nonetheless, and Gandalf showed both respect and apprehension for their potential effects. Given that Saruman had deciphered the secret to craft them, it’s likely a wise decision for the heroes to deal with him swiftly in the narrative before his nefarious creations pose a greater threat.
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2024-09-16 14:59