March 11, 2004

Staff Stuff
Thorongil

We know the Istari's staffs have power because of Saruman's speech to Gandalf at the end of the TT. Gandalf often uses his staff to perform magic. One very interesting thing concerning the importance of staffs is that when Saruman captures Gandalf, HE DOES'NT TAKE HIS STAFF. Maybe it was just an oversight by Tolkien, but we know staffs have power, and Saruman is the type of person that likes magival objects anyway, so I think he would have taken it if he could have. Maybe staffs are connected to the wizards and they can't be made to part. Also, when Gandalf breaks Saruman's staff Saruman loses his power, so staffs could be the imbodiement if the wizards power in Middle-Earth. Any way, I think it is important that Saruman doesn't take his staff.

Thorongil