July 10, 2003

Sauron's Power
Colin

Something that I don't think anyone's ever mentioned in this forum is the extent of Sauron's power as a Maia concerning the Rings of Power. Tolkien is never entirely clear as to the 'powers' or 'abilities' of the Ainur, but it's clear to me that Sauron was certainly very powerful indeed. Tolkien's greatness as an author is, in my opinion anyway, his power of suggestion, allowing the readers to fill in the gaps using their own intuition.

In terms of the Rings of Power, there's a lack of specific detail about what exactly they confer on their bearers, but enough suggestions. We know that Sauron tutored the Elves of Eregion, passing on much forbidden knowledge that he had as a Maia of Aule, and enabling them to create the Rings. What I'm interested in is that, if borne by mortals, they seem to confer a kind of twisted immortality, albeit a state that's physically and mentally ruinous. By the time of LOTR, the Ringwraiths have been around for over 5000 years; Gollum's life was extended unnaturally; Bilbo was "stretched". Sauron created the One Ring himself, but the Nazgul rings were created by the Elves, under (presumably) Sauron's watchful gaze. I think the potential of these rings has been overlooked, but offer an interesting suggestion as to Sauron's own powers in the Second Age. The unnatural longevity conferred by the Rings doesn't seem to require their bearers to wear them all the time either - they seem to 'work' if in close proximity. Gollum and Bilbo certainly didn't wear the One Ring constantly, and it's never entirely clear whether or not the Nazgul wear their special jewellery. At one point someone says "The Nine the Nazgul keep", yet somewhere else, there's a reference to Sauron holding them. (Sorry for the vagueness of my own references!)

I suppose the point I'm making is that the powers of the Ainur are vast, and barely alluded to in the books. I just don't think they're conventionally magical or powerful beings of the type that are found in other fantasy stories. Sauron, said to be possibly the greatest of the Maiar, has the ability to confer a perverse kind of longevity, maybe immortality. Yet, originally at least, he was presumably 'only' a servant or helper to Aule, the Vala.