August 27, 2004

Re: Annatar
G

It is my understganding that when Gandalf says "I am Saruman, or rather Saruman as he was meant to be" (or something along those lines) he isn't necessarily saying that he has taken any powers or even spirit from Saruman thus becoming a good, version of Saruman. Instead he has been instructed by the Valar to take over Saruman's role and become the new leader of the White Council (hence Gandalf the White. Gandalf doesn't take on Saruman's persona at all, just his job (which may be considered to come with the names Saruman and Curunir, meaning "man of skill" as it mustbe remembered that Saruman is a name used only in middle earth. Saruman as a Maia was originally named Curumo).

Anyway, with this in mind I cannot see how Tom Bombadil can have been Melkor in the same way as Gandalf was Saruman. For Tom to have come before the Dark Lord would not make sense as this theory would have him as Melkor's successor. Furthermore Gandalf the White did the work that was expected of Saruman but I do not see how sitting in a forest all day singing songs can be considered taking over the role abandoned by Melkor when he rebelled and effectively became Morgoth. Tom's work is more akin to that of Yavanna.

Anyway, sorry if I rambled a bit there and I hope some of whjat I said made some kind of sense.

G.