Did Sauron Ever Interact with Sméagol/Gollum?
Yes, Sauron did engage with Sméagol/Gollum after his capture by the orcs of Mordor. The Dark Lord subjected him to interrogation and torture in Barad-d?r, where he learned critical information that would shape the events of Middle-earth.
The Capture and Torture of Sméagol
Sméagol, originally a hobbit who lived in the glades of his home in the Grey Mountains, was captured by orcs of Mordor. This capture was not a random event but the beginning of a dark journey that would transform him permanently.
Once in Mordor, Sauron had Sméagol subjected to extreme interrogation and torture in his stronghold, Barad-d?r. This experience was intended to extort information from the seemingly insignificant being about the whereabouts and status of the One Ring. Of course, Sauron was aware that the Ring was essential to his ultimate goals and would have wanted to know anything that could help him find and destroy it.
The Transformation and Information
Sméagol's interactions with Sauron were instrumental in his transformation from a simple hobbit to the powerfully corrupted Gollum. During these sessions, Sauron gained vital information about the finding and possession of the Ring. It was from Sméagol that Sauron learned that the Ring had been taken to the Shire by a person named Baggins. This information was pivotal in setting the stage for the central conflict of the Third Age.
The Psychological Impact
It is fascinating to consider the psychological impact of Sauron's prolonged and intense interrogation on Sméagol. Being subjected to the angelic powers of a being like Sauron, capable of tearing information from the mind and dominating the will, would have fundamentally altered Sméagol. We can reasonably infer that the experience altered his psyche, fostering the split personality that marked Gollum: constantly seeking the Ring while fighting his inner demons.
Conclusion
The interactions between Sauron and Sméagol, though brief in comparison to the long-term impact, are crucial to understanding the narrative and psychological depth of The Lord of the Rings. The torturous and interrogative nature of their meetings contributed not only to the destruction of the Ring but also to the complex development of one of literature's most intriguing characters, Gollum.