As a lifelong fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, I find myself both intrigued and slightly perplexed by these modern adaptations of Sauron‘s character. On one hand, I appreciate the creative liberties taken by the showrunners in “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” to flesh out Tolkien’s thin Second Age source material. Halbrand, as a humanized version of Sauron, is an interesting twist that adds depth to the story and keeps audiences guessing. However, as a purist who grew up with the original tales, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for the more canon-accurate versions of Sauron we’ve come to know and love (or loathe).
Sauron, in J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, is an intriguing antagonist due to his multiple appearances across different aspects of the world. Although he appears as a relatively straightforward character in “The Lord of the Rings,” with immense, sinister influence primarily experienced through his minions off-screen, his background before achieving such power is complex and extensive.
In various interpretations, there are brief glimpses of Sauron’s character. For instance, in Peter Jackson’s film trilogy, he portrays Sauron as a tall, armored figure. Similarly, in “The Hobbit” trilogy, he appears as the Necromancer. Moreover, the Amazon Prime series “The Rings of Power” offers insights into several intriguing aspects of the Dark Lord’s past.
A significant aspect of Sauron’s multifaceted visual history, as portrayed by Tolkien, is his shape-shifting ability, which is not akin to Mystique from the X-Men. In Tolkien’s works, assuming a physical form is feasible for certain entities, but it’s not a quick, effortless power like flipping a switch. Instead, the transformation process is typically depicted as laborious, restrictive, and time-consuming. The second season of “The Rings of Power” offered an imaginative glimpse into how a Maiar (Sauron’s celestial race) might adopt a new physical form following multiple deaths, even though the showrunners’ portrayal was invented for the series. This illustrates that it’s not an easy or enjoyable process.
After some time, it can be challenging to distinguish between Sauron’s various physical appearances as they often blend together. Let’s try to categorize his different forms, shall we? Here is a chronological list of every embodiment of Sauron in Tolkien’s works, starting from his origins and ending at the last appearance in his writings – including some alternate versions of the character (both by Tolkien and other creators) to keep things interesting.
Sauron’s original, unfallen form
To put it in a more personal perspective as a fan, I’d say, “In the very origins, I find myself tracing back to one of the Ainur – a unique and divine race of beings existing beyond the confines of time and space. These celestial beings were the first creations of Eru, the One, who is known as Ilúvatar in Arda. As the Silmarillion reveals early on, ‘Eru was the one who first created the Ainur, the Holy Ones, born from his thoughts, and they existed before anything else came to be.'” So, in essence, Sauron can be seen as an extension of the Creator’s mind.
In collaboration, Ilúvatar and the divine beings known as the Ainur compose a grand symphony that serves as a musical blueprint for the course of history. Following this, the One brings forth the universe, and certain of the Ainur choose to enter it – among them is Sauron. The Valar are the leading Ainur who descend, while the rest are called the Maiar; Sauron belongs to the latter group.
It’s important to note that one source, an issue of the linguistic journal Parma Eldalamberon, suggests that Sauron was originally known as Mairon during ancient times. However, no other writings by Tolkien support this, as far as we know. Initially, Sauron was a pure and innocent Maiar who appeared in the world in a spiritual form. He could assume physical shape if he desired, but for the Ainur, these bodies were more like clothing that they could put on or take off at will without altering their true forms. However, this state of affairs wouldn’t persist for Sauron, who was destined to become a dark lord.
Sauron, Morgoth’s lieutenant
When the initial Malevolent Master, Morgoth, turns to evil, he manages to sway Sauron to his side, making him one of Morgoth’s most powerful, loyal, and dangerous servants. A significant part of Sauron’s sinister reputation stems from his ability to transform into various forms, some appealing and others quite unappealing. As described in “The Silmarillion”, at this stage, Sauron was a sorcerer of immense power, controlling darkness and illusions, filled with malevolent wisdom, strength, and cruelty. He would distort or corrupt whatever he touched, dominate werewolves, and his reign was marked by torment.
In his role as second-in-command to the chief antagonist of Middle-earth, Sauron demonstrates peak ability in shape-shifting. During an encounter with the renowned couple from Tolkien’s lore, Beren and Luthien, the Dark Lord transforms into a wolf and engages in a thrilling battle with a legendary hound. When the beast captures him in its jaws, he attempts to escape by changing shape again. The text mentions various forms he adopts, stating that he transformed from a wolf to a serpent, then to a monster, and finally back to his usual form. Ultimately, he manages to flee in a bat-like, vampiric guise.
Essentially, during the early phase of his wicked existence, Sauron appears in a dreadfully embodied form that allows him to swiftly transform from one shape to another. At the conclusion of the First Age, he reverted to a benign appearance as a tactic to appease Morgoth’s adversaries following their victory over his master. In “The Rings of Power,” we encounter him during this transitional period of life, which is why throughout two seasons, the Dark Lord has been portrayed in various forms: first as a figure enshrouded in mystical armor, then as a human played by different actors in two distinct roles, and finally as Annatar, the Lord of Gifts.
Sauron as Annatar, Lord of Gifts
In a different form, Sauron is often recognized as a fearsome warlord. However, during the Second Age in Middle-earth, he assumed an intriguing and notorious persona – Annatar, the Lord of Gifts. This guise allowed the Dark Lord to insinuate himself into the Elven realms’ favor, subtly manipulating their trust. According to “The Silmarillion,” he traveled extensively amongst the Elves, except for Lindon, where the powerful rulers Gil-galad and Elrond viewed him with suspicion due to his seemingly benevolent actions and unasked-for offers of assistance.
In the text, it’s not heavily detailed, but we are told that [he] traveled extensively among them and maintained an appearance of both beauty and intelligence. Here, Sauron effectively persuaded the Elves to create Rings of Power prior to forging his own Master Ring, which he later attempted to manipulate.
Sauron the terrifying
After crafting the One Ring, Sauron seeks to dominate Middle-earth through military might. This aggressive approach ultimately results in his voluntary surrender to the military forces of Númenor. In this new position, he once again employs his guise as Annatar, gaining the favor of King Ar-Pharzôn of Númenor. To make a long story short, Sauron plays a significant role in the downfall of that kingdom, but loses his physical form during the process. His spirit then retreats to Mordor on the mainland, and as “The Silmarillion” recounts, “He lurked in the shadows there, plotting until he had forged a new hideous form for himself. Tragically, the beauty of his former appearance vanished forever when he was banished into the abyss at the sinking of Númenor.
Tolkien depicts this novel form as enveloped in power, and here we find one of the earliest mentions of the Eye of Sauron as a capitalized, proper noun. However, it’s crucial to understand that he is not merely an eye. Instead, he is a complete entity with a terrifying gaze that sends shivers down your spine.
In the initial scene of Peter Jackson’s “The Fellowship of the Ring” film, we encounter a towering and imposing figure that strikes fear. J.R.R. Tolkien, in a 1963 letter, provided additional details about this depiction of the Dark Lord, describing him as extremely terrifying. He was depicted as a man taller than average humans, but not gigantic in size. However, this form is only temporary; it disappears when Isildur severs the Ring of Power from his finger.
Sauron as The Necromancer
Following his loss of two physical forms and the One Ring, Sauron takes an extended period to adopt a new shape, which turns out to be one of the most unsettling yet. Unlike the Elf-like Lord of Gifts or the fearsome warrior he once was, he transforms into a ghastly entity known as “the Necromancer.” This is the form he assumes when he enters the tale of “The Hobbit,” although his presence is merely hinted at in this narrative as a distant and chilling menace.
During his Third Age life, we don’t have clear details about his physical appearance at the time. However, according to the appendices of “The Return of the King,” the council known as The Wise (consisting of figures like Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel) initially suspected he was one of the Ringwraiths, based on their descriptions. Given that the Black Riders are described as otherworldly or ethereal, it appears he may have kept a mysterious, almost ghost-like presence, although this is not explicitly stated. It wasn’t until much later in the Third Age that they began to understand that it was Sauron who was reemerging.
Sauron in The Lord of the Rings
After we arrive at the narrative of “The Lord of the Rings”, Sauron discards his Necromancer identity and returns to Mordor, reclaiming his title as the supreme Dark Lord. However, it’s worth noting that despite popular belief, driven by Peter Jackson’s portrayal, Sauron may not have a full physical body. While he is described as having an intense gaze and a powerful eye, Tolkien never explicitly states that Sauron exists solely as an eyeball throughout his villainous career. Instead, Sauron maintains an air of mystery by often staying out of sight.
Even though it’s primarily his eye that gets mentioned often, there’s another body part associated with a character in “The Two Towers.” Specifically, Gollum refers to Sauron’s “Black Hand,” suggesting he has actually seen Sauron physically. What makes this intriguing is that Gollum mentions the hand only has four fingers, hinting that Sauron may still lack his ring finger due to his ring, which he never removes.
Based on our findings, it appears there could be two possible scenarios. First, it’s suggested that Sauron intentionally shapes a four-fingered hand as a symbol of his enduring animosity towards Isildur and their kin, including Aragorn. Alternatively, he might be unable to assume a new, unique form due to the immense energy he’s expended on ring-making and controlling wills. This mirrors Morgoth’s fate in that he too became bound by his evil creations and actions to his physical body over time. It’s plausible that Sauron, at this stage, is also constrained to a limited earthly form. However, one thing we can confirm is that once Sauron loses the power of the One Ring, he will no longer be able to take any physical form whatsoever.
Sauron after The Lord of the Rings
As a devoted fan, I’d like to clarify that contrary to the dramatic scene in Peter Jackson’s adaptation where Sauron’s eye bursts like a firework, J.R.R. Tolkien portrayed a more somber and ominous ending for the Dark Lord in his books. When the One Ring was destroyed, instead of a spectacular visual spectacle, we were left with a chilling image: “A massive form of shadow rose, impenetrable, crowned with lightning, filling the entire sky. Immense it towered above the world, and extended towards us a monstrous hand, terrifying but powerless. For as it leaned over us, a great wind swept it away, and it vanished, leaving silence in its wake.
Regardless of appearances, it’s enticing to believe that the Dark Lord has met his end, but in truth, Sauron’s ultimate destiny surpasses death. In “The Return of the King” novel, Gandalf clarifies what transpires should the One Ring be destroyed, stating that “[Sauron] will forfeit a significant portion of the power inherent to him originally, and everything he has created or initiated with that power will disintegrate.” The sage finishes by predicting, “he will be crippled forever, transforming into an insidious spirit that feeds on its own misery in the shadows, but cannot regain strength or form again.
To put it simply, according to “The Silmarillion”, Sauron accompanies his master into a realm called “The Void”. This is a place devoid of time and space, where he continues to exist in a purposeless state for all eternity. It’s also worth noting that after this event, there’s no record or indication of him assuming another physical form again.
Sauron — Prince of Cats?
While we’ve followed Sauron’s canonical forms from his beginnings to his end, it’s important to note that Tolkien initially crafted several variations of the Dark Lord before settling on Sauron. One early depiction can be found in “The Book of Lost Tales,” where he is portrayed as a feline character named Tevildo, Prince of Cats. In this tale, Tevildo not only leads cats but also transforms into one himself. Remarkably, in this instance, he is described as the most powerful cat and one that was inhabited by an evil spirit.
There are entire stories with Tevildo, and it is semi-convincing stuff, but the entire time it smacks of some oversized ruckus that could have taken place in the backyard. There’s no doubt that Sauron is an upgrade.
Instead of moving directly from Tevildo to Sauron, Tolkien made a detour. First, he transformed the feline antagonist into Thû, a wicked necromancer who ruled over werewolves. It seems that Tolkien couldn’t break free from the cat and dog theme in his creations. Finally, Tolkien altered things once more, shifting from Thû to Sauron, and from there began the history of Middle-earth.
Sauron as a Southern King
So far, all our discussions have revolved around various aspects related to Tolkien’s original conceptions (or concepts) of Sauron. From Tevildo, the Prince of Cats, to Gorthaur the Cruel and Annatar, the Lord of Gifts, it’s clear that the author did not shy away from portraying Sauron as a complex, multifaceted antagonist with numerous different personas. It’s worth noting that in the 21st century, we’ve also encountered several new interpretations and extensions of this character beyond the pages of his works.
The latest character introduced is Halbrand, portrayed by Charlie Vickers in Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” series on Prime Video. In the first season, Sauron disguises himself as a rogue king from the Southlands. By doing so, he forms an alliance with Galadriel and sets in motion the development of Mordor and the Rings of Power. Towards the end, Halbrand’s true identity is revealed, forcing Sauron to transform his deception into the more alluring form of the immortal Annatar.
Halbrand seems entertaining, but it’s clear he isn’t an original character from Tolkien’s work. In the original stories, Sauron doesn’t assume a mortal form like Halbrand. Instead, when he spreads deception among the human tribes in Rhûn, Harad, Khand, and other parts of Middle-earth during the Second Age, he presents himself as a deity rather than a mortal. The idea of Sauron disguising himself as a Human is a creative liberty taken by the show.
In “Unfinished Tales,” before the events of Sauron’s ring-making, it was mentioned that his actions were not attributed to a single evil spirit yet. Screenwriters JD Payne and Patrick McKay interpreted this as an opportunity to develop more background for this enigmatic character. The character they created is Halbrand, a unique take on Sauron, although he does not fully embody the Annatar version of Vicker’s character we saw in Season 2.
Sauron as an Eyeball
Another intriguing contemporary reinterpretation we mentioned earlier is worth revisiting: Peter Jackson’s eye-like depiction of Sauron in “The Lord of the Rings” series. In the books, this version of Sauron does indeed exist, but Jackson’s portrayal of Sauron’s form during the War of the Ring is remarkably unique and somewhat unexpected.
In Tolkien’s work, the One Ring’s nemesis, Sauron, is often depicted as a relentless presence constantly searching for the ring. This ominous presence appears to Frodo in several instances, such as when he gazes into Galadriel’s Mirror and later while sitting on Amon Hen’s Seat of Seeing after Boromir attempts to seize the ring. As the hobbits journey through Mordor, Tolkien mentions the “Eye’s Window” in Barad-dûr. Furthermore, Frodo describes seeing a mental image of a flaming wheel and at one point notices a distant, flickering red light atop Sauron’s tower, which is portrayed as his piercing Eye.
To clarify, while Sauron is widely known for his eye, it’s important to remember that this representation as a glowing, stationary eyeball is not based on any direct description in the text. Instead, he is often depicted as having a physical form with a body and other features, such as Gollum mentioning his four-fingered hand. Despite this popular visualization, Sauron has a long history of various terrifying, intimidating, alluring, and awe-inspiring forms that make him a complex and powerful villain. He is more than just an eye; he’s one of the greatest villains ever created.
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2024-10-03 14:31