Of Wizards

By Slickman_G

The Wizards, or Istari, were Maiar sent to Middle-Earth to aid the Edain and the Elves in their war against Sauron. The Maiar are lesser members of an angelic race, the greater “angels” being the Valar. They can be considered “gods”, though their power is limited, as they are in a way Stewards to Ilúvatar, who is the Almighty and creator of everything. The Istari were hand-picked by the Valar and sent by them to Middle-Earth from Valinor in the Third Age. The exact requirements for being picked are uncertain. The Istari were certainly powerful Maiar, but since they were prohibited from using their power, this wasn’t the main requirement. Each of them was selected for the task by one or more of the Valar, however.

Five Wizards were sent to Middle-earth at different times, their names being:
Saruman (white, later “many colours”): persuasive, industrious. Fell to the lure of the One.
Gandalf (grey, later white): inspires hope, gives counsel. Succeeded.
Radagast (brown): friend of birds and beasts. Concentrated on other matters than the War.
Allatar and Pallando (blue): unknown specialty. Went to the East and never returned.

When they each arrived at Middle-Earth, they were ‘clothed’ in the bodies of men, wore different coloured cloaks, and each bore a staff. They were in the bodies of men because the Valar wished for them to succeed through the power or persuasion, not fear or force. At the centre of debate is whether the respective colours of the Istari identified their ranks, but I do not believe this is so. The only real distinction in rank was that Saruman was the head of the White Council, which consisted of the Wise. It’s not known exactly how big this Council was, but it certainly included Saruman, Gandalf, Radagast, Elrond and Galadriel. Other candidates appear to be Celeborn and Thranduil, amongst others, but it’s nowhere definitively stated who were the members.

Of the five Istari, only two appear prominently in Tolkien’s work, and two play hardly any role at all (that we know of). The two that appear most prominently, of course, are Saruman and Gandalf. Radagast also plays a small role, while the Blue Wizards (Ithryn Luin) are hardly mentioned.

Alatar and Pallando

Alatar and Pallando arrived at Middle-Earth in the 1000 year of the Third Age along with Saruman, and journeyed with Saruman into the East of Middle Earth and did not return. Whether they stayed there to try and dissuade the Easterlings from serving Sauron, or fell to the service of Sauron, or were slain/corrupted by Saruman is unclear. All we know is that they did not return, and that according to Tolkien, they probably failed in whatever task they had (since of the five, only Gandalf was said to have truly succeeded). The Blue Wizards were also named Morinehtar and Rómestámo, ‘Darkness-slayer’ and ‘East-helper’, possibly by the people of Middle-Earth. In later writings, Tolkien modified the date of their arrival to c. 1600 of the Second Age. He proposed that they must have had very great influence on the history of the Second Age and Third Age in weakening and disarraying the forces of the East, who would, both in the Second and Third Age, otherwise have outnumbered the West.

Radagast

Radagast the Brown, named Aiwendil as a Maiar, is also said to have failed, though he certainly played a part in Sauron’s downfall. He became enamoured with beasts, especially birds, and did not directly contribute to the war against Sauron. His main appearance in the stories is as Saruman’s messenger telling Gandalf to come to Isengard. He is then told by Gandalf to recruit the aid of as many birds and beasts as possible, which is how Gandalf’s capture at Isengard is swiftly noticed, allowing for his timely rescue by Gwaihir. Radagast plays no further part.

Saruman

Saruman the White (later Saruman of Many Colours), called Curumo as a Maiar, most obviously failed in his task of aiding in the war against Sauron, since he became an enemy of the Free Peoples himself, allying with Sauron for a short time, then betraying him as well and attempting to take the One for himself. Saruman hampered the efforts of the White Council for many years. He was considered the expert on Ring lore and had a major part in deciding the course of action to be taken against Sauron. He convinced the Council to delay their attack upon Dol Guldur, and not to search for the One in the area around the Gladden Fields (he did search there himself, however). Later, when he openly opposed the Free Peoples, he waged war with Rohan. His servants killed Théodred and Boromir, and kidnapped Merry and Pippin. During the siege of Helm’s Deep, Saruman’s fortress at Isengard was attacked and captured by the Ents, who were roused with the aid of Merry and Pippin, two Hobbits who escaped their captors thanks to the timely attack by Eomer and his personal éored. Saruman was also responsible for the corrupting of the Shire until he was killed at Bag End by Grima. His most notable power was in his voice, with which he was able to persuade and convince nearly anyone, especially in one-on-one conversation. His other strengths included the making of artifacts and the application of science and industry in general (he was called by the Elves Curunír, man of craft).

Gandalf

Last to arrive in Middle Earth was Gandalf the Grey, later Gandalf the White. The Elves called him Mithrandir, man of skill, while his true name was Olorin. He was recognized by Círdan to be the greatest of the Istari, and was given the Ring of Fire (one of the Three). Of all the Istari, he alone was interested in Hobbits, recognizing their great potential if pushed into a narrow spot. He mainly sought to rekindle hope and to give council where needed. He had no fixed abode, but instead travelled around, often appearing in times of danger. This earned him a questionable reputation in Rohan and Gondor, since his arrival was seen as a sign of coming trouble. Gandalf played a major part in the war against Sauron, leading the Fellowship until Moria, and removing the threat of the Balrog. Later, reincarnated as Gandalf the White, he healed King Théoden, thus enabling Rohan to effectively rejoin the war against Saruman and Sauron. He rallied the forces of the Westfold, which were scattered after the Battles for the Fords of Isen, and led them to Helm’s Deep in time to aid in the final victory. After the parley with Saruman, he rode with Pippin to Minas Tirith and led the defence of the city. Together with Pippin and Beregond, he saved Faramir from his maddened father, Denethor, and later convinced Aragorn to come to the Houses of Healing to aid Eowyn, Faramir and Merry. Gandalf counselled the Captains of the West to march on the Black Gate and, with the aid of Gwaihir, Landroval and Meneldor rescued Frodo and Sam from the ruin at Mount Doom.

References:

The Silmarillion, by J.R.R.Tolkien
http://www.tuckborough.net
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_of_the_rings