Why didn't Saruman take Gandalf's Ring of Power? | Lord of the Rings Lore | Middle-Earth

Do you guys agree with our assessment on why Saruman didn't take Gandalf's Elven Ring? And can you come up with any other possible reasons? As always subtitles are available and feedback is welcome!

What did Galadriel say to Frodo when he asked about her ring? “That’s Nenya business.”

Christopher Lee played Saruman so unbelievably well. I can't think of another actor that was as well-suited to the role as he was

Saruman was insecure enough to chide Gandalf for "his love of the halfling's leaf" while simultaneously using it himself.

I think that some small part of Saruman actually feared taking Narya "For this is the Ring of Fire, and with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill." Nothing would undo his ambitions more thoroughly than the ring restoring his better nature.

Wow i didn't know saruman crafted his owne ring, that would be an interesting topic for his own video wouldn't it?

I'm pretty sure it was written in Tolkiens works, that at the point of Gandalfs defeat and capture by Saruman in Isengard, Saruman still was very unsure and conflicted about his decisions and his alliance with Sauron, but he was already so deep in it, that didn't have a way out. If i remember correctly it was written, that Saruman was about to go to Gandalf on top of Orthanc to ask him for forgiveness and help, but at that point Gandalf was already flying away on Gwaihir and Sarumans chance and potential change of heart was too late and gone, because at that point the White Council saw him as an enemy as well and he was on its own.

Easy answer. Galadriel explains this when she is talking to Frodo in her garden when he offers her The One Ring. She says, that only someone in possession of a Ring of Power can see another Ring of Power. Something not stated in the book but which was heavily implied is that a ring cannot be taken, but only given or found. Not one ring of power was taken that was also later used. Several were taken by dragons and according to Gandalf were destroyed by the Dragons who took them, but none were ever used again.

It is said by Gandalf in the Council of Elrond about 1 of the 7 rings: "The ring was taken by torture from Thrain..." Why Torture? Why not just take it? I think the rings of power protect themselves. Even Sauron could not just grab it from the hand of Thrain as long as he resisted. So, the feat of taking a ring of power from a bearer is not a simple thing. Isildur and even Gollum needed special circumstances to do so. Therefor I also think, that Saruman COULD NOT just simply take it from Gandalf, even if he knew about it.

Wait, Saruman made his own ring of power!? Oh please do a breakdown of that artifact.

I think firstly Saruman thought Gandalf would eventually surrender to him when he realized men are doomed and the only possible way to stop Sauron was to aid Saruman become the lord of the rings. We cannot forget Saruman thought his cause was just, in a ends justify the means sort of way. Thus it would serve him poorly to further antagonize Gandalf. Secondly, Saruman saw two possible end scenarios: become the lord of the rings, or serve Sauron, in neither case would having Gandalf’s ring benefited him. Thirdly, Saruman was a coward. If his plan would fail and the free people would be victorious. The treatment of Gandalf would be reflect on him. He spared Gandalf for not joining him, and hoped to be treated the same, as he was. Lastly, even Saruman was not without dignity. Stealing his fellow Istari’s personal belongs out of greed was below him.

Saruman, I find shares so many similarities with Count Dooku(up to and including being played by the late Sir Christopher Lee) that I feel the passage below could just as easily be written about Saruman as Dooku. His superiority complex is derived from secret insecurity and envy of those he subconsciously fears might be better than he is while also being impatient with the frustrations of trying to order the world conventionally. "Love, hate, joy, anger—even when he can feel the energy of these emotions in others, they translate in his perception to other kinds of feelings. The kinds that make sense. Jealousy he understands, and possessiveness: he is fierce when any being encroaches on what is rightfully his. Intolerance, at the intractability of the universe, and at the undisciplined lives of its inhabitants: this is his normal state. Spite is a recreation: he takes considerable pleasure from the suffering of his enemies. Pride is a virtue in an aristocrat, and indignation his inalienable right: when any dare to impugn his integrity, his honor, or his rightful place atop the natural hierarchy of authority. And moral outrage makes perfect sense to him: when the incorrigibly untidy affairs of ordinary beings refuse to conform to the plainly obvious structure of How Society Ought To Be. He is entirely incapable of caring what any given creature might feel for him. He cares only what that creature might do for him. Or to him."

Christopher Walkein: "So he hid it in the one place he knew he could hide it: his [redacted]"

Funny how the maiar serving Aule were very much like Aule himself. Saruman and sauron share a lot in common also

I think Saruman thought of Narya as a symbol approving his wisdom and power and therefore his position in the council. When a lesser Gandalf was given the ring instead, it became a reminder of the shame he felt, which gradually over the years calcified to his seething hatred for Gandalf. Gandalf was wise enough to see it, but I think he knew he needed it to carry on his duties.

It’s interesting that Gandalf had the ring of fire, because fire symbolizes rebirth. This explains why he was reborn with a white robe.

I think I have to reread the passages on how Saruman captured Gandalf. Because when I read the LoTR as a child, I only imagined Gandalf as trapped, not as defeated like in the movie. I always thought that there wasn't an actual physical confrontation and therefore Saruman was in no position to take away anything from Gandalf. He was content that he prevented Gandalf from leaving and that was enough for him at that moment.

Assuming Saruman knew Gandalf had Narya, it’s lack of usefulness for attaining dominion seems the most likely reason for not wanting it. But if he wanted it, the only good reasons for not taking it are because it would require some level of risk and could be more easily done later, or because he could not. The former makes the most sense in light of Gandalf also still being left Glamdring and his staff, but the ability to conceal it certainly seems well founded. However, the one thing I think you left out which is also a possible factor is that if Gandalf kept Narya and Saruman gained the One Ring, Saruman would be able to gain immense influence over him, since the One was designed to control the weirdest of the others.

Your reasoning for your theory is impeccable. I doubt Saruman ever subscribed to the saying, 'He who dares, WINS!'

Very simple, because the 3 elven rings are meant to conceal, preserve, heal and inspire. Not to grant the wielder greater power. Also, he couldn't see Narya, because the rings conceal themselves to all except the other 2 bearers of the Elven rings.