Who is the Most Devious Villain in The Lord of the Rings: Saruman or Sauron?
The realm of The Lord of the Rings is teeming with malevolent characters, but intriguingly, two standouts in terms of deviousness and lasting impact are Saruman and Sauron. Both characters serve as the primary antagonists, yet their motivations, actions, and fates diverge in compelling ways. Let’s delve into their characters and explore who might be considered the more devious villain in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic saga.
Understanding the Role of Sauron
Sauron is the primary figure of evil. From his throne in Mordor, he represents the overarching evil that the Fellowship of the Ring must confront. Sauron has a long and detailed history, laid out in Tolkien's extended works, particularly in The Silmarillion. His reign begins with his service to the first Dark Lord, Morgoth, and later he assumes his own mantle, wielding the One Ring with immense power.
Key players, like Gollum and Sindraith (the Witch-king), serve under Sauron, but fundamentally, Sauron’s evil is utterly unchanged. He remains unforgivably corrupt, a figure who never seeks redemption and whose ambition is unceasing. The motivations of Sauron are profound and terrifying, deeply rooted in a desire to dominate all of Middle-earth.
The Traitor Saruman
Contrastingly, Saruman is a much more complex and intriguing character. Initially, he is one of the greatest of the Maiar - noble spirits - yet he falls from grace. His ambition and thirst for power lead him away from the path laid out by his peers. His villainy lies in his deception and betrayal.
Saruman’s first betrayal begins with his jealousy and resentment towards Gandalf. This envy drives him to seek the Ring for himself, which not only violates his trust as a fellow Istari (wizards) but also jeopardizes the alliance against Sauron. More insidious, Saruman’s betrayal is not just a one-time act but a pattern of actions that lead to the downfall of others, such as his weakening of the White Council and his influence on the reduction of the Fellowship’s choices and capabilities.
Deeper Characterization
Saruman’s character adds an extra layer of depth to his villainy. Unlike Sauron, who remains unchanged and resolute in his evil, Saruman undergoes a substantial transformation. From being a trusted and powerful member of the council of wizards, he descends into a shadowy existence, afflicted with physical and mental cruelties by his own doing and his enemies. In the end, he becomes a figure of shame and failure, with tragic justice served upon him at the hands of his former pupil, Gríma.
Pathetic Gollum and the Enigmatic Witch-king
While both Gollum and the Witch-king play pivotal roles in the narrative as minions of Sauron, their depictions are markedly different. Gollum embodies the concept of the fallen one, corrupted by the power of the One Ring but ultimately driven by desperation and a lack of understanding of its true power. His journey is one of gradual descent into madness, and while he is not a conventional villain, he is a tragic and curious figure.
The Witch-king is a being of great power and ancient hatred, a former human turned to an anguished despair. While he is a powerful adversary, his role mostly remains that of a formidable force rather than a complex character. His significance lies more in his otherworldly presence and his unique fall and origins.
Conclusion
Considering the complexities of their characters and actions, Saruman emerges as the more devious villain in The Lord of the Rings. His multifaceted nature, betrayal, and the permanent damage he brings about through manipulation and deception make him a more intriguing and unsettling character. Saruman’s story is one of a fall from grace and a descent into moral and physical degradation, whereas Sauron remains a pure and unchanging embodiment of evil.
Both characters contribute to the grand tapestry of Middle-earth, each in their own sinister way, but Saruman’s journey and transformation offer a deeper exploration of the depths of ambition and betrayal. This complexity enriches The Lord of the Rings and provides readers with a more nuanced understanding of villainy.