The Ultimate Showdown: Unveiling the True Powerhouse Between Saruman and Gandalf

The Lord of the Rings is an intriguing work of literature and cinema, often imitated by many authors. It has become an enduring cultural phenomenon, depicting the eternal struggle between good and evil. The story captivates both readers and audiences as they witness the resilence of virtuous characters against the allure of malevolent influences. They also witness the fall from grace of a character believed to be immune to the darkness of the world, who succumbs to the desire for absolute power. This character is Saruman the Wise, as once hailed by Gandalf. Unfortunatley, Gandalf discovers that his ally has taken a different path.

Both Gandalf and Saruman play significant roles in the events of The Lord of the Rings. It is perplexing to comprehend how Saruman could betray his allies in his pursuit of the One Ring, especially when Gandalf exemplifies a contrasting demeanor among the wizards of Middle-earth. Gandalf embodies wisdom and compassion, while Saruman appears cold and calculated. However, as is customary in fandoms, there is always a heated debate about who is stronger. Just like the ongoing disputes over whether Superman could be victorious over Goku in a battle to the death, TikTok influencers have continually settled and reignited this debate. And in the realm of The Lord of the Rings, the debate revolves around Saruman and Gandalf.

Who was Saruman the White?

The intriguing aspect about the five wizards in Middle-earth is their celestial nature as Maiar, beings present at the world's inception and who aided in its creation alongside the Valar. By the command of Ilúvatar and the Valar, five Maiar assumed physical forms and mingled with the inhabitants of Middle-earth. Their purpose was to defend and aid the free peoples against their corrupted brother, Sauron. Out of the five chosen Maiar, Saruman not only accepted the task willingly but also displayed great enthusiasm.

Saruman's enthusiasm to directly confront Sauron led him to be appointed as the leader of the five wizards, known as Curumo to the other spirits. Even Gandalf acknowledged his wisdom and power in "The Fellowship of the Ring" movie. Upon arriving in Middle-earth, Saruman embarked on frequent journeys, similar to Gandalf. According to the appendix in "The Return of the King," it is mentioned that Saruman "often journeyed into the East." This happens to be the same region where the two blue wizards, unnamed and unseen in both written and cinematic works, traveled. It is possible that Saruman, as their leader, maintained contact with them during his travels.

Saruman, unlike Gandalf, decided to establish a permanent residence in the Orthanc tower, which was granted to him by the steward of Gondor. This marked the beginning of Saruman deviating from his mission in Middle-earth. While the steward of Gondor appreciated having a wizard protecting a region of his land, Saruman's choice to live in a tower displayed a sense of arrogance. Another indication of his departure from his path was his discovery of a Palantir, a mystical seeing stone. Saruman came across it and kept it concealed from his fellow wizards.

In due course, Gandalf formed the White Council and appointed Saruman as its leader. Galadriel, a member of the council, would have preferred Gandalf to be the leader, recognizing his potential for wisdom that Saruman could only aspire to acquire. The council was unaware that, as stated in The Silmarillion, "Curunír had turned to dark thoughts and was already a traitor in heart." It further revealed, "He coveted the Great Ring, desiring to possess it and have complete dominion over the world."

How Powerful was Saruman?

Each wizard in Middle-earth possessed an exceptional level of power, surpassing most others. However, among the five wizards, there existed a vague hierarchy of power, with Saruman the White reigning at the pinnacle. During his early years, while mingling with the people of Middle-earth, he acquired numerous names. One such moniker was Curunír, signifying "the man of skill" or "man of craft." Even the films depict Saruman as a profoundly talented being capable of extraordinary accomplishments.

He undertakes the task of commissioning the creation of the Uruk-hai, which required a comprehensive understanding of biology and anatomy. Additionally, in The Two Towers, he impresses Wormtongue by revealing his knowledge of gunpowder and further proceeds to fabricate a bomb for the Uruk-hai's assault on Helm's Deep. Such tasks cannot be easily accomplished by just anyone. Moreover, Saruman possesses the ability to effortlessly bend the will of almost anyone with his persuasive words. He could have emerged as a truly formidable wizard, fighting against the forces of darkness. Unfortunately, his power was insufficient to resist the temptations of Sauron.

Was Saruman More Powerful Than Gandalf?

In terms of power, the movies provide an answer to the question of Saruman's superiority over Gandalf. Initially, Saruman is indeed more powerful than Gandalf the Grey. The two wizards engage in a brief battle inside the tower of Orthanc, which results in Gandalf being captured by Saruman. It is worth mentioning that Gandalf harbored a lot of self-doubt prior to becoming the new White wizard. He had reservations about coming to Middle-earth because he feared Sauron, which is partly why he was unable to defeat Saruman during their skirmish. It was difficult for him to perceive Saruman as anything but a stronger adversary.

Fortunately, audiences and readers were fortunate enough to witness more than just one confrontation between the two wizards. After Gandalf's death in combat against the Balrog, he is resurrected as Gandalf the White. Eru, the creator, sends Gandalf back to Middle-earth as the new White wizard, endowed with the combined power of all five wizards. This gift is given to Gandalf as recognition for being the only wizard to fulfill their duty.

During the ents' attack on Isengard, Saruman trembled inside his tower, while audiences witnessed Gandalf's remarkable transformation into a confident and formidable being. As a result, Gandalf expelled Saruman from the esteemed White Council of wizards and shattered his staff, effectively stripping the once-powerful wizard of his abilities. Even if Saruman were to retain his staff in a final duel, there is no doubt that Gandalf, reborn and revitalized, would emerge victorious. Saruman's waning power would prove futile against the renewed might of Gandalf.