He Wanted to Outwit Sauron — and Lost Completely: the Main Tragedy of 'The Lord of the Rings' was Cut from the Film, but We Rememmber the Books
This is how envy destroyed the most powerful wizard in Middle-earth.
Saruman the White appears as a traitor: an ally of Sauron, the creator of the Uruk-hai, who broke the oath of the Istari. But Peter Jackson's films omit the main thing - when and why one of the greatest wizards of Middle-earth changed sides. But in Tolkien's legendarium, his fall is a separate tragedy.
Maia, enchanted by power
Saruman was not just a wizard - he was a Maia, an immortal spirit created before the beginning of time. True name - Curunir. His teacher was Aule, the same who instructed Sauron. And like Sauron, Saruman once confused the desire for order with a thirst for control.
Envy that poisons
He envied Gandalf - Cirdan's favorite, who received the Elven Ring. Envious of the trust of Galadriel, who saw a leader in another. Even though Saruman himself headed the White Council, the feeling of being deprived did not go away.
The Lust for the Ring
Having become an expert on the Ring of Power, he did not simply study it — he began to dream about it. He saw Sauron not as an enemy, but as a rival. He lied to the Council, hid the truth from the Nazgul, and hoped to get the Ring first.
The Illusion of Power
The Tower of Orthanc and the palantir connected to Sauron completely distorted his will. He thought that he could control even the Dark Lord — and became his plaything. And when Gandalf offered redemption, Saruman refused. Pride would not allow it.
He lost everything: magic, influence, respect. He was exiled, killed, and even his spirit was not accepted back to Valinor. But most importantly, he chose this path himself. His story became a warning: the fall begins with the confidence that you are smarter than everyone else.
