Date Posted:08:21:55 12/22/01 Sat Author: Omega Subject: Saruman, Gandalf = Balrog? Maybe. In reply to:
Adilbrand
's message, "Saruman, Gandalf = Balrog? Maybe." on 01:24:14 12/22/01 Sat
The Saruman= Balrog idea is explored in some of Tolkien's writings in "The Treason of Isengard." He eventually didn't go that direction, but it does point to some of the things Tolkien thought was possible about Saruman.
As for Saruman thinking he was free or not -- that is a different issue than whether or not he is. He can think he is free, and act on it, etc -- until Sauron took his attention to fix problems. Nonetheless, especially within the books, the role of Saruman = somewhat his own man expresses I think a more in depth and interesting story.
