"Of course they would try use the most powerful object on middle earth to destroy me. They're arrogant and think they can use it." Oh my poor, projecting Sauron.
The thing is, Sauron wasn't unjustified in that belief. The pull of the Ring is so powerful that it will eventually break the will of anyone trying to destroy it. It broke Frodo when they reached Mount Doom, and he was uncommonly resistant to it's influence. In the end, the Ring is only destroyed because Gollum fell with it into the fires of Mount Doom. And that was an outcome that was on exactly no one's bingo card.
Sauron’s logic was honestly pretty sound throughout the entire war. His fundamental assumption was that the free peoples would never even attempt to destroy the ring, it’s not even something he would think were possible because he made the rings to be a corrupting influence and being his enemies to heel, the One especially. He believed that so long as it was in their possession, it was only a matter of time until they would inevitably claim it for themselves and march against him, allowing him to corrupt the wearer and draw the ring to him once and for all. Even though the Nazgul had somehow been outwitted by halflings and could not accomplish that one task when it had been within their gasp for the first time in three thousand years, it ultimately mattered not. Sauron’s belief it would come back to him eventually dominated his thinking and his military strategy. But even without the ring, he had the numbers to win. Osgiliath was a ruin on the verge of being taken. Minas Tirith was trapped by its own geography and would be unable to escape. The corsairs would keep Dol Amroth to the south occupied while in the North, Saruman kept Rohan occupied, Dol Goldur kept Lothlorien and Mirkwood occupied and the Easterlings kept Erebor occupied. There was virtually no way that any nearby ally could arrive to save Gondor and Minas Tirith would be overwhelmed, the White Tree burnt and the White Tower desecrated. But that sound logic was undone when he refused to change in the face of obvious facts. Even when orcs brought him news of “elvish intruders” on his border, something which should have caused greater alarm than Aragorn revealing himself to be frank, Sauron still refused to heed the warning and change his strategy to not meet the west in open battle as they clearly wanted and instead put his army between the “elf” and Mount Doom knowing there could only be one reason someone would attempt to brave Cirith Ungol. The Dark Lord never truly knew how close he came to actual victory. It was not just arrogance that blinded him but fear. Fear that this enemies were about to use the ring in front of him clouded him so much that he never for a moment thought they would be strong enough to send it where his gaze could not see and destroy it.
The moments right before the Ring is destroyed are so great. I just imagine Sauron turning from the Black Gate to Mt. Doom, "the magnitude of his own folly. . .revealed to him", and staring out his window petrified as he sees Gollum trip into the fire.
And even as the Ring is destroyed he's like "I still got this!" and rises like a horrible black shadow over Mordor. Just before Manwe says "Nope!" and blows him away in a gust of wind.
I always liked how Sauron purposefully released Gollum in order for him to track down the ring for himself, yet never suspected that another halfling would be used in a similar way to destroy it.
"You cannot hide." Biggest mistake to make in chess is to move too hastily. But it's easy to forget that the war was almost lost. Specific things had to have happened in order for the outcome to b good. Makes u appreciate the little things in life that seem insignificant at the time but can change the entire future.
This is definitely a curious angle to examine things from. Like you said, when inspecting the situation from his perspective, it's kinda hard NOT to be confident he'd win until the loss at Pelennor Fields. And huge as that loss was, it wasn't over till it was over.
I really enjoyed this week's video. I hope you have more with the same theme planned but featuring other characters. I always look forward to your videos every Sunday. They let me escape from "fighting" my cancer. Even if it's just 10 or 15 minutes, it's a very welcome distraction. Just know, everything you've done means so much to our community, so keep up the great work!
Never again will I experience the full emotional impact of this story, like of when first read. At the Ford I remember weeping for Frodo, scared of what's going on. On Mount doom likewise. At the end I walked in a daze for weeks at the knowledge Frodo has gone west, leaving Sam. I felt empty like something cherished was gone. Now it's just a great enjoyable story.
Sauron would indeed know that the Ring made it to Rivendel, but from there on, he would expect Elrond not to be tempted by it (because he refused it once before). But he might expect the elves to take the Ring to Galandriel, apart from Gandalf the only person who might conceivably contest Sauron.
Sauron's biggest flaw was that he knew not the mind of Eru Iluvatar. And thus he did not comprehend that he was working contrary to Iluvatar's plan for Arda.
To be fair that may not be a bad thing (in Sauron's eyes (Eye?)). Unlike Melkor who played along to Eru's plans unknowingly this making things "more wonderous than he could have imagined", Sauron was a menace. Illuvatar had to intervene two separate times to stop Sauron (three jf we count Gollum's death). Not adhering to Eru's plans was ultimately foolish but made Sauron a bigger threat than Melkor ever was
Never thought The Dark Lord himself also had many uncertainties, and logistical issues due to the fog of war. I always pictured him as this far seeing, all knowing super villain with little regard for his own potential downfall.
"Cover the lands in a second Darkness" is not something Sauron would say or even think because evil never sees itself as evil, it sees itself as righteous. To Sauron's mind, what he would be trying to do is bring enlightenment and order to the peoples of middle earth, be the guiding hand that would allow them to maximise their potential, because only through order can enlightenment be achieved.
No. No there are plenty of people who know what they are doing is wrong and they are evil, but they see what they are doing as either payback or right by might. They can so why shouldn't they? Not every person let alone villian believes they are the hero and a good person. Nor does everyone have good intentions.
I agree with the point but not from your proof. He wouldn't say it because he wanted to turn middle earth beautiful. He would have said that. It's just his beauty is dark
@@bobbyrayvictory6905 I'm not ascribing motive, I'm ascribing linguistic framing. The inevitable result would be a fascist state, i.e. a darkness (and not colloquial fascism, Mussolini fascism and if you don't know what this is I suggest reading his own writings on it), but in the mind of a fascist a totalitarianism brings order, order brings stability, and stability is desirable because it brings order to chaos. It's not about what would happen, it's about how he would think and he would not see it as covering the land in a darkness, he would see it as an attempt to bring light to the darkness the land was already covered in. It's matters of perspective.
He knew was utilizing evil and darkness to forcibly instrict order upon his dominion. He may have been self-righteous, but not blind. He is the all seeing eye, after all.
I always found fascinating that Sauron didn't couldn't the fact that NOT everybody have grand and lofty ambitions. It shows how detached he is, well, from everything.
This video is so amazing!! I’m reading the books again literally right now and Im on Return of the king. Sauron just finally launched his assault on Minas tirith. And I was JUST thinking how little we get to see from Sauron’s perspective. You’re a legend 💪🏽
I dont know how much lore there is on this subject but a cool video idea would be about the process of the rings corruption, what it does to people and how long it takes etc
There's a "fanfiction" novel of sorts written about this called The Last Ringbearer. I believe it's written by a USSR writer as an objective novel to LOTR, but it was great to read, if way less rich in history, writing and lore.
One thing that might have hindered Sauron is that he would never consider sacrificing himself for a victory. Otherwise he should have been suspicious of such a meager force approaching Mordor. Because of that his only thought was that Aragorn must have The Ring. However, he surely understood deception and should have been considering all possible options.
To Sauron, I figured in his mind, it was only a matter of “when” he would come to rule Middle Earth. He did not realize he would be defeated through the power of friendship and unity. I love at the end of ROTK when Sauron finds out the ring is inside the cracks of doom, and is freaking out and panicking because he finally realizes what had really been going on the whole time. Someone actually taking the ring to Mount Doom and not falling to the power of the ring was just not something he comprehended. And that’s why evil is self destructive and good will always win :)
To be honest, he wasn't wrong. If it had gone the way it should of bar Gollums inceptions frodo would have worn the ring, I believe the power of the ring was that powerful it almost sauron deluded that much, but I do agree
Man Good Timing this Video, I have been rereading alot of Arda resently and I will be rereading LOTR later this week!!! *Again to those who don't realize what Timezone I am in, it's Monday for Me* This made me laugh while watching, it isn't Sauron is Dumb, no he didn't expect some things and Eru helped at the very end!!! Thanks Again Mellon for this Video, I will keep in Mind when rereading LOTR from later in the Week, Until Smaug's *again Great Timing going to soon read The Hobbit* ECH...Marion Baggins Out!!!
As an amateur military historian, I assure you this happens over and over for as long as men have been men. Except for fiction writers, it is nearly impossible to "get out of your own head" and into someone else's. Clausewitz in the 19th century attempted to sum this up as "no plan survives contact with the enemy," but the Second Thirty Years War of 1914-1945 demonstrated no one really *got* that. Sauron, just like us mortals, never considered second, much less third order effects to his plans.
Sauron’s fear is underrepresented here. He threw all 9 at the problem to prevent the ring from getting to Rivendell. Elrond’s dad flies the sky every night and once killed the greatest dragon that ever lived. The offspring of his brother defeated him in battle many times, and once cut the ring off his finger. I’d say he’d be even more terrified of Galadriel taking the ring, as one of his oldest foes, and the person to put her own ring to greatest, direct use. Possibly this was one of the reasons for trying to get Gollum out of Mirkwood. This would be a good topic for a video - who did Sauron fear most in possession of the ring?
@@BovineIntervention: Yes, but someone powerful enough could use the One Ring to defeat Sauron and take his place as the new Dark Lord - reducing Sauron himself to a bodiless wraith. Any one of Galadriel, Elrond, Saruman or Gandalf could have achieved this by using the One Ring.
I think Sauron knows that, although only a few left, there are some who are capable of welding the One Ring and powerful enough to resist him. Even if they do get corrupted by the ring, they still have dominion over the ring and do what they will with its power. These people are most likely, Ciridan, Elrond, Gandalf, Galadriel, Glorfindel, and Saruman. But of those six, he probably feared Gandalf using the ring the most. This is because he is also a Maia and is capable of holding his own against several nazgul. So, using the ring will increase his power as an individual. But most importantly, Sauron knows that Gandalf is the one person who can unite his enemies, Dwarves, Elves, and Men, under one banner and march against him. And that's without even possessing the One Ring, like what happened ar Erebor several years ago. But with the rings power, the might of his army also increases, perhaps to the point where the army of some of his allies switch sides out of fear.
It could honestly be a 45 minute and there still wouldnt be enough time to try and gather all of Sauron's thoughts. He was arrogant but tactical, and surely knew the grey wizard leading the fellowship was a fellow Valar and not to be taken lightly. The whole series is basically a chess match between Sauron and Gandalf afterall
Very good insights. For all others Sauron encountered, they became obsessed with the rings of power. He just make his One Ring as a way to control / command those obsessed. Really, Sauron was trying to make a surprise first strike attack to disable the groups around him before they could unite against him. (not to combine real world events and LotR, but kinda like the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, or the Germans' last major offensive through the Ardennes forest, aka: Battle Of The Bulge) If he'd waited another 5-10 years, those separate forces (elves, men, dwarves, Gondor, Rohan, and likely others) would have seen the growing danger and allied themselves together against Sauron, which he wasn't sure he could overcome. Another "last alliance between elves and men" situation. Once he lost the ring again at the river, but knowing the elves now had it, he just bided time gathering other forces, assuming it would corrupt whatever elf or human got it. Only thing Sauron (and Saruman) didn't count on was the steadfast heart and will of a Hobbit. Keep up your channel, have fun in your life, and stay Shiny! (you could take up a short video series on Firefly!........... I think you'd enjoy it!)
I really enjoyed this video ^_^ made me want to do the evil campaign on old school Battle for Middle Earth again :P Maybe a Saruman one too would be interesting?
It really is only such a great tale, when you read that Sauron really has thought of everything. Every alternative covered. Every nation besieged simultaneously. Every ally in position, with flanks covered. Back up armies in place. Who could have thought that your enemy would have sent a tiny halfling, alone, through the realm into your mountain, to destroy the only thing that could overpower you. And even then, without the help of a randon mutant fiend, that would have failed. The strength of the story is that they really were up against a one in a thousand peril. Well done Tolkien.
5:14 I like this view of Rivendell, it suggests plainly that farming in the dale was a major industry. Everyone has to eat something, and farms outside of Rivendell would be subjected to frequent Orc raids, as the human settlements not under Ranger patrol were.
Two years ago I read the LotR for the first time in about ten years. I paid close attention to Sauron's perspective. Because, decades ago, when I was young, many actions of Sauron felt dumb. I wanted to know if this holds up to scrutiny. In the end I concluded that while yes, Sauron made mistakes, they were understandable mistakes. For example: His arrogance in thinking that nobody would try to destroy the Ring was very founded. I tried to think of any artefact of power in Tolkien's writing that was relinquished voluntarily, I came up empty. Second example: I wondered about the Mouth of Sauron and how he described Frodo and Sam. I mean, a hobbit had the Ring and hobbits entered his realm. I thought that this would set off every alarm for Sauron. But thinking about it, about the information he got from whatever happened at the Tower of Cirith Ungol, I think he had every reason to believe that they were exactly what the MoS claimed: That they were indeed spies and nothing more. List list goes on.
Both Bilbo and Sam voluntarily relinquished the One Ring, both times ending up in Frodo's possession. This makes Frodo the only person who was the bearer of the One Ring twice. That time with Tom doesn't count because although he put it on, both parties knew that the ring still belongs to Frodo. And that after examining it, it'll still be returned to him.
@@shawn092182 All true. But it doesn't change my point for two reasons: One, Sauron didn't know about either occurances. Two: Neither Sam, Tom or Bilbo saw the Ring as a tool of power. They were indifferent towards it (Tom) or just a dangerous thing to get rid of (Sam). Closest would be Bilbo, but even to him it was only a very useful trinket, and even that was enough for him to be only barely able to give it up.
"Dum dum dum dum dum.... oh that battle looks to be going well.... dum dum dum dum dum wtf is that little turnip up to... NO! NOT MY RING!!!" - Sauron's last thoughts, probably
This video was perfectly timed cause yesterday I was thinking about what would have happened if Sauron got the ring and won the war? Would he look to conquer the dark lands or the seas? Would the Valar eventually stop him? Very interesting hypothetical
What's interesting is Sauron didn't need to get the One Ring back to win. His forces were far stronger than those of his enemies. Sure, he wanted it back very much but so long as it continued to exist, he could and eventually would have overrun Middle-Earth.
@istari0 not so actually. We'll at least I don't believe as much. Sharon was chiefly concerned with if Sauruman, Gandalf, or Aragorn got the ring. Perhaps with some lesser concern towards others like Galadrial and Elrond. The reason is because any of those people mentioned above getting the ring could potentially using its power and the armies at their command witln the war aginst him. I mean the battle of pelanoir fields was a crushing defeat as is. Now imagine the ring enhancing the armies of men and the precense of Aragorn or Gandalf. To add insult to injury though it wouldn't play a part immediately. His allies were defeated both in the south and in the north with the Easterlings. If the men of the west are willing to wait a little while they could assemble a rather large and impressive army. I'm not saying Sauron couldn't have won, victory without the ring was not assured. And of it fell into the hands of any of those he feared. Sure he might never be truely separated from middle earth, but that the land would be twisted by his Influance for ages to come is only a slight comfort for the dark lord who can not return to rule. In the case of Gandalf and Sauruman. It's a double trouble for him. As they might be able to bend the ring to their will so it would not attempt to betray them. Which is much more terrifying.
I cant help but equate my past addictions to be very similar to the one ring. Nobody is able to carry them and not be cursed or defiled. You know its evil but the temptation to put it on is so hard to resist, and only real peace comes when you get rid of it.
Durin's perspective: So I was just chilling in my crib when these band of nerds from dungeons and dragon convention stormed in and disturb my R and R. This old man won't even let me go to the bathroom. Said he'll not let me pass. Like dude, Chill! I'm just just gonna get a burrito.
This is a dope idea for a video. But, you should redo it 100% from a 1st person POV as Sauron with him laying out plans, concerns, desires. Coupled with a voice changer of some demonic voice of somekind and this could be next level content.
Imagine if neither Sauron nor the Free Peoples found the One Ring, and it remained hidden, essentially removed from the events of the War of the Ring. How would the free peoples deal with sauron
The book gives Sauron kind of a bad wrap. He had an incredible determination and vision, demonstrated a relentless commitment to his goals and even had an impressive ability to inspire and lead others. Even if his methods and intentions were a little misguided, he was just doing his job, you know? I get it. Someone has got to be the boss. I don't know anymore. He was just a dude trying to get his stuff back. How far would you go to get your stuff back? Sauron did nothing wrong!
Iz er garan -"It has begun" Bur ghan-maszh -"the East will fall" Dazb Angmu gul-liz ash -"So shall the kingdom of Angmar rise" Dag bur-shur nurb Ainur -"The time of the Elves is over" Burz-khan im bro -"The Age of the Orc has come" “Zat thraka akh… Zat thraka grishú. Znag-ur-nakh.” “We grow in number… We grow in strength. You will lead my armies.” "Guth-tú-nakash" War is coming.” “Thór-lush-shabarlak.” “Death will come to all.” "Shre nazg golugranu kilmi-nudu" three rings for the elven kings under the sky (edited) "ombi kuzddurbagu gundum-ishi bugu" seven for the dwarf lords in their halls of stone "Nugu gurunkilu bard gurutu" Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die "Ash Burz-Durbagu burzum-ishi" One for the Dark lord on his dark throne "Ash nazg durbatulûk" One Ring to-rule-them-all "ash nazg gimbatul" One Ring to-find-them, "ash nazg thrakatulûk" One Ring to-bring-them-all "agh burzum-ishi krimpatul" and in-the-Darkness bind-them "Daghburz-ishi makha gulshu darulu" In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
Great video! To put it in modern language Sauron was puffing some real dank copium every time he took an L thinking surely next time he ends up winnering
Very good. I think you have to mention Gandalf at some stage in this as he is the emissary of Sauron’s true enemy, the Valar. Or did Sauron not know it? I would have thought he would through his spies. Taking out Gandalf may have been a good plan -oh, the Balrog actually did that. Sauron couldn’t have foreseen his resurrection and return, but as you said in your other Sauron video, he would surely know that if he pushed his luck too far in dominating Middle Earth, then eventually the Valar must intervene. Did he care? Was he worried? Surely he will remember what they did to him and his plans at Numenor the last time he challenged domination of men. Perhaps he was thinking that at least until that day, he’d have free reign to reorder ME the way he wanted and would deal with that day when it eventually came. Even if it meant his effective destruction.
In addition to being a great reformer who would bring law and order in a scenario of cultural decay after the War of Wrath, I think Sauron saw himself as a Promethean figure who would lift Humanity out of cultural prehistory and technological ignorance: The Silmarillion says that the men of the East and South built cities of stone and had access to metallurgical knowledge. And bringing economic benefits: he proved himself a good economist in Númenor by multiplying the Island's wealth. Furthermore, he had to see himself as a deity of a great world unification: a single theocratic government, a technocratic political-economic system and a religious reformer to bring true belief through dogmatic ideas. This religious engineering reminds me (in some ways) of Gnosticism: a liberating god (Melkor) to rid rational beings of "Archons" (Valar) from a "Demiurgic monster" (Eru) who imprisoned everyone in a world of war and death. Interesting that Sauron spoke this of Melkor in the Second Age, but later he claimed to be Melkor in the Third Age.
There's a book from the 1990's written by a russian scientist called the Last Ringbearer which is basically an inversion and alternate telling of the Lord of the Rings from a Mordorian perspective. It is very different, more historical than mythos and charm, but its still really good.
It's been many years since I watched the trilogy, but if I remember correctly, Sauron was correct about the ring corrupting anyone who held on to it because Frodo decided not to destroy it. It was only destroyed because of a freak circumstance where Gollum got it back for a moment and ended up falling into the fire with it
Nice video. Sauron actually "wasn't" evil in his own mind; he just did bad things. To his mind he was bringing order. Everyone loves order! (Or else!). Interesting thing I read once. In the Soviet Union, they actually did take this point of view! A "popular" view of the The Lord of the RIngs was that it was a tale of the decadent bourgeouise (pipe tobacco and feasting?) repressing the hard working proletariat (perfectly dedicated and unified Orcs).
Sauron had sound logic with what information he had. This stresses the importance of the stealth aspect to the fellowships journey. As if Sauron even suspected they were going to attempt to destroy the ring. Any efforts on his part would have made the journy impossible or at least more difficult. And as is the fellowship bately managed it because of Gollum of all people.
Sauron is so terrifying that he was straight up right. Frodo and Gollum could not destroy the ring, they both fell to its corruption, completely. It took Eru himself making just his fourth direct act in Middle Earth. Sauron was directly responsible for Eru intervening directly twice.
Something I wish is that I/we could have a better view of how different things could have been for Sauron if he actually still had the Ring? People can debate over what powers it had, or what it could do in Sauron's hands being that it was more a quantity of his power, and not a relic that granted HIM extraordinary abilities he didn't already possess. It's obviously powerful, but its biggest detail was that, if it could be destroyed, he'd be finished, or if one of a few of the mighty acquired it, they might supplant him as Dark Lord, but it serving as part of his get out of death free card is the most notable, and he didn't need it on him for it to do that. The Elves would have had tp stop using the Three, which maintained their lands, but they wouldn't crumble in days, or even mere years, nor was their magical might dependent upon them. Even with the Ring, Sauron could lose, and he wad certainly not going to take the field again, and make himself vulnerable, even with it. I don't know if it woyld have enhanced his myriad Orcs, or empowered some other artifice he made, that we never saw, but I just wish we knew of some advantages it would give HIM apart from him knowing they couldn't destroy it, and thus him, if he had it; a thing he didn't believe anyone could do, anyway, even if they did get it, and even on the literal precipice of dissolution. He obviously wanted it, and I can see why, but I would have liked it more if I knew uses he'd have for it, apart from depriving them of his one bug vulnerability; its destruction. Otherwise, I mostly feel like his arrogance was often justified; he certainly didn't lose to pure chance, but he went in with many planned advantages, and lost mostly because it was simply of a higher will that he would.
Sauron was actually an idiot. Only an idiot would put the vast majority of his power into a freaking ring. It’s so easy to lose a ring. Being this foolish, arrogant, and stupid he wasn’t difficult to fool. He did the exact opposite of Sun Tzu’s teachings. He knew himself, but he didn’t know his enemies. Assuming your enemies are going to think exactly like you is the epitome of foolishness. His thought process was one dimensional being a Maia of Aule. Sauron was also foolish making the assumption that the Valar were not interested and were not watching. He even disregarded how Gandalf was brought back to life after defeating the balrog by non other than Illuvatar. There was no way Sauron was going to win by being such an idiot.
What you fail to understand is that putting his power into the ring was his insurance card, as long as it existed he could take physical form. Imagine if he did not have the ring once his form was destroyed on Numenor. Creating the ring was not his mistake and there was no scenario in which the free people could have won unless the ring was destroyed so I dont really see how Sauron was an idiot
@@Thin_Mercury Disagree. In a situation where he didn’t put most of his power into a ring if Sauron’s body was destroyed that doesn’t mean his spirit or power was destroyed. By putting most of his power into a stupid ring he made himself needlessly vulnerable. If the ring is destroyed then his spirit was greatly diminished and almost all his power was destroyed. If he doesn’t put most of his power and spirit into a ring then his spirit and power would still be mostly intact if his body is destroyed. Sauron was an Ainu.
@@nole8923 there is no evidence that the Maiar could take a new form once their body was destroyed. Why did Saruman die for good when he was knifed by wormtongue in the shire? Why did Gandalf need Eru to send him back? How come the balrog was gone for good when Gandalf killed him? Sauron’s ability to take shape again was unique among the maiar because he had possession of the one ring. He would have died and been gone forever on Numenor and after the Last Alliance without it, thus making what you say pointless. What good is a spirit that can’t take physical form again? Saying Sauron’s spirit would have endured after a physical death is irrelevant because all spirits endure, death is the separation from the spirit and the body you know. He would not have even been alive in lord of the rings without the ring existing so how does the thing that allowed him to return to a physical form two times make Sauron stupid exactly? Contrary to what you think, he was not invulnerable or impossible to defeat without the ring being destroyed. We saw proof of this when he was overthrown and killed during the war of Last Alliance and there is no proof he could have returned in the third age without it existing.
Sauron's inability to understand other people's motivations was always his greatest weakness. Being very intelligent, but also very arrogant and self-centered, he tended to assume that everybody else would be predictable according to his own sense of what he *thinks* he would do in their place. He should have known better. Bilbo had the Ring for decades and Sauron never knew who exactly he was or where he lived because Bilbo never tried to become King Bilbo of the Shire and Eriador. Gollum posed the same problem, coveting the Ring but not using it to accomplish anything meaningful. Sauron was all about big plans and great ambitions. He was wholly incapable of understanding anybody else who wasn't, even with examples in front of him.
I'm not watching ROP, but Isildur only ever had a single brother, Anárion, who was killed during the siege of Barad-dûr in the Battle of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.
@@whiteknightcat well he isn’t in it. Isn’t he essential for setting up the kingdoms of Arnor & Gondor which would be shorty after the events in that show so far? I know Elendil founded and ruled it all but we’d need Anarion in the show to rule over Arnor at some point. 🤷🏻♂️
@@6atlantis Without going and doing research again, as I recall both brothers were co-rulers of Gondor, and even had side-by-side thrones at one time in Osgiliath when it was the capital. Their dad, Elendil, was both the king of Arnor and High King of both realms. IF the showrunners chose to cut out Anárion, they probably could seeing as they almost seem to be making things up as they go.
Without Glorfindel Frodo would have never made it. And the death of Smaug some 60 plus years ago was a handicapp in the North too , right from the get go. So was the heightend elven attention and watchfull peace concerning Dol Guldur. Beornings, Old Tom Bombadil and beside Thranduil the dwarves under the lonely mountain and the Valar in their support through the eagles.. Basically in the West( mainly west of the Anduin) and the North he had some orcs and trolls bur he had also strong enemies there.His main power lay South East and he did not expect an attack there.
Perhaps he believed that the ring was indestructible. Had anyone ever destroyed a ring of power before? Was the entire quest really founded on a theory that was impossible to test until they had access to the volcano? What was plan B if the ring hadn't melted in the lava? Send Gandalf on an eagle to fish the ring out of the volcano and claim it for himself as the least bad outcome if the ring was impossible to destroy?
“Saruman has possession of the ring, which is why he’s letting me troll this halfling for the lolz” Sauron: *PANIK!* “But it’s ok, because all I need to do is send a Nazgul to retrieve the ring while he’s winning the war against Rohan” Sauron: _kalm_ “Not only has Saruman been defeated by trees, but the heir of Isildur has revealed himself, has the Palantir, has a reforged Narsil, definitely has the ring now too and is on his way to claim the throne of Gondor” Sauron: *P A N I K ! ! !*
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I like the idea that Sauron in his evil couldn't comprehend that the heroes were out to destroy the ring instead of take it for themselves
"Of course they would try use the most powerful object on middle earth to destroy me. They're arrogant and think they can use it."
Oh my poor, projecting Sauron.
@Dilmahkana not really projection. I mean that is what anyone IRL or in other fantasy series would have done.
The thing is, Sauron wasn't unjustified in that belief. The pull of the Ring is so powerful that it will eventually break the will of anyone trying to destroy it. It broke Frodo when they reached Mount Doom, and he was uncommonly resistant to it's influence.
In the end, the Ring is only destroyed because Gollum fell with it into the fires of Mount Doom. And that was an outcome that was on exactly no one's bingo card.
@@katherinegraham3803 except Eru’s, from which all things stem
@@katherinegraham3803 they say the fall of gollum to lava is the curse of the frodo the ring bearer
You forgot the part where Sauron’s like: “f**k!! f**k, f**k, f**k, f**k! F***********-!” Then he dies!
Yoystan is one of the most reliable sources on the Lore, and that is a great service.
Sauron’s logic was honestly pretty sound throughout the entire war. His fundamental assumption was that the free peoples would never even attempt to destroy the ring, it’s not even something he would think were possible because he made the rings to be a corrupting influence and being his enemies to heel, the One especially. He believed that so long as it was in their possession, it was only a matter of time until they would inevitably claim it for themselves and march against him, allowing him to corrupt the wearer and draw the ring to him once and for all. Even though the Nazgul had somehow been outwitted by halflings and could not accomplish that one task when it had been within their gasp for the first time in three thousand years, it ultimately mattered not. Sauron’s belief it would come back to him eventually dominated his thinking and his military strategy.
But even without the ring, he had the numbers to win. Osgiliath was a ruin on the verge of being taken. Minas Tirith was trapped by its own geography and would be unable to escape. The corsairs would keep Dol Amroth to the south occupied while in the North, Saruman kept Rohan occupied, Dol Goldur kept Lothlorien and Mirkwood occupied and the Easterlings kept Erebor occupied. There was virtually no way that any nearby ally could arrive to save Gondor and Minas Tirith would be overwhelmed, the White Tree burnt and the White Tower desecrated.
But that sound logic was undone when he refused to change in the face of obvious facts. Even when orcs brought him news of “elvish intruders” on his border, something which should have caused greater alarm than Aragorn revealing himself to be frank, Sauron still refused to heed the warning and change his strategy to not meet the west in open battle as they clearly wanted and instead put his army between the “elf” and Mount Doom knowing there could only be one reason someone would attempt to brave Cirith Ungol.
The Dark Lord never truly knew how close he came to actual victory. It was not just arrogance that blinded him but fear. Fear that this enemies were about to use the ring in front of him clouded him so much that he never for a moment thought they would be strong enough to send it where his gaze could not see and destroy it.
The moments right before the Ring is destroyed are so great. I just imagine Sauron turning from the Black Gate to Mt. Doom, "the magnitude of his own folly. . .revealed to him", and staring out his window petrified as he sees Gollum trip into the fire.
And even as the Ring is destroyed he's like "I still got this!" and rises like a horrible black shadow over Mordor.
Just before Manwe says "Nope!" and blows him away in a gust of wind.
And from a distance, one can hear voice faintly saying, "I'll be back."
I always liked how Sauron purposefully released Gollum in order for him to track down the ring for himself, yet never suspected that another halfling would be used in a similar way to destroy it.
"You cannot hide."
Biggest mistake to make in chess is to move too hastily.
But it's easy to forget that the war was almost lost. Specific things had to have happened in order for the outcome to b good.
Makes u appreciate the little things in life that seem insignificant at the time but can change the entire future.
Really, the whole world is ruled by those little things that no one can predict.
This is definitely a curious angle to examine things from. Like you said, when inspecting the situation from his perspective, it's kinda hard NOT to be confident he'd win until the loss at Pelennor Fields. And huge as that loss was, it wasn't over till it was over.
I really enjoyed this week's video. I hope you have more with the same theme planned but featuring other characters. I always look forward to your videos every Sunday. They let me escape from "fighting" my cancer. Even if it's just 10 or 15 minutes, it's a very welcome distraction. Just know, everything you've done means so much to our community, so keep up the great work!
Never again will I experience the full emotional impact of this story, like of when first read.
At the Ford I remember weeping for Frodo, scared of what's going on.
On Mount doom likewise.
At the end I walked in a daze for weeks at the knowledge Frodo has gone west, leaving Sam. I felt empty like something cherished was gone.
Now it's just a great enjoyable story.
Leaving Sam to live a happy life in the Shire with his wife and children.
Sauron would indeed know that the Ring made it to Rivendel, but from there on, he would expect Elrond not to be tempted by it (because he refused it once before). But he might expect the elves to take the Ring to Galandriel, apart from Gandalf the only person who might conceivably contest Sauron.
Sauron's biggest flaw was that he knew not the mind of Eru Iluvatar. And thus he did not comprehend that he was working contrary to Iluvatar's plan for Arda.
To be fair that may not be a bad thing (in Sauron's eyes (Eye?)). Unlike Melkor who played along to Eru's plans unknowingly this making things "more wonderous than he could have imagined", Sauron was a menace.
Illuvatar had to intervene two separate times to stop Sauron (three jf we count Gollum's death).
Not adhering to Eru's plans was ultimately foolish but made Sauron a bigger threat than Melkor ever was
Never thought The Dark Lord himself also had many uncertainties, and logistical issues due to the fog of war. I always pictured him as this far seeing, all knowing super villain with little regard for his own potential downfall.
Yo, Yoystan. It's the best part of Sunday evening again. Sauron time. 😊❤❤❤😊
"Cover the lands in a second Darkness" is not something Sauron would say or even think because evil never sees itself as evil, it sees itself as righteous. To Sauron's mind, what he would be trying to do is bring enlightenment and order to the peoples of middle earth, be the guiding hand that would allow them to maximise their potential, because only through order can enlightenment be achieved.
That's actually what he was trying to do tho
No. No there are plenty of people who know what they are doing is wrong and they are evil, but they see what they are doing as either payback or right by might. They can so why shouldn't they?
Not every person let alone villian believes they are the hero and a good person. Nor does everyone have good intentions.
I agree with the point but not from your proof.
He wouldn't say it because he wanted to turn middle earth beautiful. He would have said that. It's just his beauty is dark
@@bobbyrayvictory6905 I'm not ascribing motive, I'm ascribing linguistic framing. The inevitable result would be a fascist state, i.e. a darkness (and not colloquial fascism, Mussolini fascism and if you don't know what this is I suggest reading his own writings on it), but in the mind of a fascist a totalitarianism brings order, order brings stability, and stability is desirable because it brings order to chaos. It's not about what would happen, it's about how he would think and he would not see it as covering the land in a darkness, he would see it as an attempt to bring light to the darkness the land was already covered in. It's matters of perspective.
He knew was utilizing evil and darkness to forcibly instrict order upon his dominion. He may have been self-righteous, but not blind. He is the all seeing eye, after all.
I am so happy you are making these wonderful lore videos.
Great to see another Sauron video!
I imagine Sauron would be awaiting for the battle of Black Gate thinking that the men of Gondor will be doomed. 🖤🔥
Exactly. The Orcs had a tremendous numerical advantage.
I always found fascinating that Sauron didn't couldn't the fact that NOT everybody have grand and lofty ambitions. It shows how detached he is, well, from everything.
This video is so amazing!! I’m reading the books again literally right now and Im on Return of the king. Sauron just finally launched his assault on Minas tirith. And I was JUST thinking how little we get to see from Sauron’s perspective.
You’re a legend 💪🏽
Sauron feeling fear and dread when he senses the One Ring in Mount Doom is one of the most satisfying moments ever.
I dont know how much lore there is on this subject but a cool video idea would be about the process of the rings corruption, what it does to people and how long it takes etc
There's a "fanfiction" novel of sorts written about this called The Last Ringbearer. I believe it's written by a USSR writer as an objective novel to LOTR, but it was great to read, if way less rich in history, writing and lore.
One thing that might have hindered Sauron is that he would never consider sacrificing himself for a victory. Otherwise he should have been suspicious of such a meager force approaching Mordor. Because of that his only thought was that Aragorn must have The Ring.
However, he surely understood deception and should have been considering all possible options.
He sacrificed himself in order to gain victory over Numenor.
Don't forget. Sauron was spurned by his love for galadriel and so had a emotional outburst for thousands of years over a broken heart 😅
It was his time on a raft of peasants floating in the seas that really defined him.
So important that we had that story told.
@@JackChurchill101
Think he ever sang row row row your boat? 🤣👍
I hate that this has ever graced my brain.
@@sprgeorge333
Which part, the original post or the row row row your boat?
Maybe sauron could have a crossover with Spock McCoy and Kirk 😁🤣👍
That's why his army attacked Lothloren so many times. He was for vengeance, wanting to kill the elf who stole Galadriel from him.
The ring itself as an agent running psyOps for Sauron's hybrid warfare strategy. The parallels to 'enemies of the west' are still uncannily accurate.
To Sauron, I figured in his mind, it was only a matter of “when” he would come to rule Middle Earth. He did not realize he would be defeated through the power of friendship and unity. I love at the end of ROTK when Sauron finds out the ring is inside the cracks of doom, and is freaking out and panicking because he finally realizes what had really been going on the whole time. Someone actually taking the ring to Mount Doom and not falling to the power of the ring was just not something he comprehended. And that’s why evil is self destructive and good will always win :)
To be honest, he wasn't wrong. If it had gone the way it should of bar Gollums inceptions frodo would have worn the ring, I believe the power of the ring was that powerful it almost sauron deluded that much, but I do agree
@@RFCEB99: Gollum was the tool of Iluvatar at the end.
@@timonsolusHow so?
@@shawn092182 : Gollum destroyed the Ring, and with it all of Sauron’s power, after Frodo failed to.
@@timonsolus How does that make Gollum the tool of Iluvatar?
Man Good Timing this Video, I have been rereading alot of Arda resently and I will be rereading LOTR later this week!!! *Again to those who don't realize what Timezone I am in, it's Monday for Me*
This made me laugh while watching, it isn't Sauron is Dumb, no he didn't expect some things and Eru helped at the very end!!!
Thanks Again Mellon for this Video, I will keep in Mind when rereading LOTR from later in the Week, Until Smaug's *again Great Timing going to soon read The Hobbit* ECH...Marion Baggins Out!!!
The artwork is amazing.
For real!!! They always are but this video in particular uses some AMAZING art 😫
Am I the only one that thinks that Sauron is one of the greatest villains ever?
Him and Morgoth cannot be topped.
No, particularly when you know about his earlier history as well.
Best minions too
Potter heads will tell you Voldemort is more evil 😅😂
@@patrickolsLol. Lmao even.
As an amateur military historian, I assure you this happens over and over for as long as men have been men. Except for fiction writers, it is nearly impossible to "get out of your own head" and into someone else's. Clausewitz in the 19th century attempted to sum this up as "no plan survives contact with the enemy," but the Second Thirty Years War of 1914-1945 demonstrated no one really *got* that.
Sauron, just like us mortals, never considered second, much less third order effects to his plans.
Any chance you can bring back the Elven greeting at the beginning of videos? Love your channel!
Loved the video!
Sauron’s fear is underrepresented here. He threw all 9 at the problem to prevent the ring from getting to Rivendell. Elrond’s dad flies the sky every night and once killed the greatest dragon that ever lived. The offspring of his brother defeated him in battle many times, and once cut the ring off his finger. I’d say he’d be even more terrified of Galadriel taking the ring, as one of his oldest foes, and the person to put her own ring to greatest, direct use. Possibly this was one of the reasons for trying to get Gollum out of Mirkwood. This would be a good topic for a video - who did Sauron fear most in possession of the ring?
No one because they'd get corrupted with jt
@@BovineIntervention: Yes, but someone powerful enough could use the One Ring to defeat Sauron and take his place as the new Dark Lord - reducing Sauron himself to a bodiless wraith. Any one of Galadriel, Elrond, Saruman or Gandalf could have achieved this by using the One Ring.
I think Sauron knows that, although only a few left, there are some who are capable of welding the One Ring and powerful enough to resist him. Even if they do get corrupted by the ring, they still have dominion over the ring and do what they will with its power. These people are most likely, Ciridan, Elrond, Gandalf, Galadriel, Glorfindel, and Saruman. But of those six, he probably feared Gandalf using the ring the most. This is because he is also a Maia and is capable of holding his own against several nazgul. So, using the ring will increase his power as an individual. But most importantly, Sauron knows that Gandalf is the one person who can unite his enemies, Dwarves, Elves, and Men, under one banner and march against him. And that's without even possessing the One Ring, like what happened ar Erebor several years ago. But with the rings power, the might of his army also increases, perhaps to the point where the army of some of his allies switch sides out of fear.
It could honestly be a 45 minute and there still wouldnt be enough time to try and gather all of Sauron's thoughts. He was arrogant but tactical, and surely knew the grey wizard leading the fellowship was a fellow Valar and not to be taken lightly. The whole series is basically a chess match between Sauron and Gandalf afterall
Very good insights.
For all others Sauron encountered, they became obsessed with the rings of power. He just make his One Ring as a way to control / command those obsessed.
Really, Sauron was trying to make a surprise first strike attack to disable the groups around him before they could unite against him. (not to combine real world events and LotR, but kinda like the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, or the Germans' last major offensive through the Ardennes forest, aka: Battle Of The Bulge) If he'd waited another 5-10 years, those separate forces (elves, men, dwarves, Gondor, Rohan, and likely others) would have seen the growing danger and allied themselves together against Sauron, which he wasn't sure he could overcome. Another "last alliance between elves and men" situation.
Once he lost the ring again at the river, but knowing the elves now had it, he just bided time gathering other forces, assuming it would corrupt whatever elf or human got it.
Only thing Sauron (and Saruman) didn't count on was the steadfast heart and will of a Hobbit.
Keep up your channel, have fun in your life, and stay Shiny!
(you could take up a short video series on Firefly!........... I think you'd enjoy it!)
I really enjoyed this video ^_^ made me want to do the evil campaign on old school Battle for Middle Earth again :P
Maybe a Saruman one too would be interesting?
It really is only such a great tale, when you read that Sauron really has thought of everything.
Every alternative covered. Every nation besieged simultaneously. Every ally in position, with flanks covered. Back up armies in place.
Who could have thought that your enemy would have sent a tiny halfling, alone, through the realm into your mountain, to destroy the only thing that could overpower you.
And even then, without the help of a randon mutant fiend, that would have failed.
The strength of the story is that they really were up against a one in a thousand peril. Well done Tolkien.
5:14 I like this view of Rivendell, it suggests plainly that farming in the dale was a major industry. Everyone has to eat something, and farms outside of Rivendell would be subjected to frequent Orc raids, as the human settlements not under Ranger patrol were.
Two years ago I read the LotR for the first time in about ten years. I paid close attention to Sauron's perspective. Because, decades ago, when I was young, many actions of Sauron felt dumb. I wanted to know if this holds up to scrutiny.
In the end I concluded that while yes, Sauron made mistakes, they were understandable mistakes. For example: His arrogance in thinking that nobody would try to destroy the Ring was very founded. I tried to think of any artefact of power in Tolkien's writing that was relinquished voluntarily, I came up empty.
Second example: I wondered about the Mouth of Sauron and how he described Frodo and Sam. I mean, a hobbit had the Ring and hobbits entered his realm. I thought that this would set off every alarm for Sauron. But thinking about it, about the information he got from whatever happened at the Tower of Cirith Ungol, I think he had every reason to believe that they were exactly what the MoS claimed: That they were indeed spies and nothing more.
List list goes on.
Both Bilbo and Sam voluntarily relinquished the One Ring, both times ending up in Frodo's possession. This makes Frodo the only person who was the bearer of the One Ring twice. That time with Tom doesn't count because although he put it on, both parties knew that the ring still belongs to Frodo. And that after examining it, it'll still be returned to him.
@@shawn092182 All true. But it doesn't change my point for two reasons: One, Sauron didn't know about either occurances. Two: Neither Sam, Tom or Bilbo saw the Ring as a tool of power. They were indifferent towards it (Tom) or just a dangerous thing to get rid of (Sam). Closest would be Bilbo, but even to him it was only a very useful trinket, and even that was enough for him to be only barely able to give it up.
"Dum dum dum dum dum.... oh that battle looks to be going well.... dum dum dum dum dum wtf is that little turnip up to... NO! NOT MY RING!!!" - Sauron's last thoughts, probably
Lmao I hope so 🤣
“It’s melting! My precious power ring! Gone forever!”
*Screech from the depths of hell*
@@alpharius2omegaboogaloo384For someone reason this just made me picture Homer crying out over his melting sugar 😂
Little turnip…..LOL
Not his last thoughts. He is not mortal. He just became top weak to create a body or affect the world
This video was perfectly timed cause yesterday I was thinking about what would have happened if Sauron got the ring and won the war? Would he look to conquer the dark lands or the seas? Would the Valar eventually stop him? Very interesting hypothetical
Interesting to see from the other side, much appreciated 👏
Wow! This was so cool!😮😮
What's interesting is Sauron didn't need to get the One Ring back to win. His forces were far stronger than those of his enemies. Sure, he wanted it back very much but so long as it continued to exist, he could and eventually would have overrun Middle-Earth.
@istari0 not so actually. We'll at least I don't believe as much.
Sharon was chiefly concerned with if Sauruman, Gandalf, or Aragorn got the ring. Perhaps with some lesser concern towards others like Galadrial and Elrond.
The reason is because any of those people mentioned above getting the ring could potentially using its power and the armies at their command witln the war aginst him. I mean the battle of pelanoir fields was a crushing defeat as is. Now imagine the ring enhancing the armies of men and the precense of Aragorn or Gandalf.
To add insult to injury though it wouldn't play a part immediately. His allies were defeated both in the south and in the north with the Easterlings. If the men of the west are willing to wait a little while they could assemble a rather large and impressive army. I'm not saying Sauron couldn't have won, victory without the ring was not assured. And of it fell into the hands of any of those he feared.
Sure he might never be truely separated from middle earth, but that the land would be twisted by his Influance for ages to come is only a slight comfort for the dark lord who can not return to rule.
In the case of Gandalf and Sauruman. It's a double trouble for him. As they might be able to bend the ring to their will so it would not attempt to betray them. Which is much more terrifying.
Can never get enough Sauron content
I cant help but equate my past addictions to be very similar to the one ring. Nobody is able to carry them and not be cursed or defiled. You know its evil but the temptation to put it on is so hard to resist, and only real peace comes when you get rid of it.
Watch LOTR as if the One Ring is a drug; it changes your perceptions completely.
@@jackcrawford6078 Its true. I am glad you saw that too.
good point. i personally think that Gollum is the quintessential addict; willing to sacrifice anything and everything for his precious fix.
@@MrBrunoUSABut like it is with Gollum, one should have pity for addicts(the positive way), and have hope that with help, they can turn away from it.
This was great!
Nice work dude thanks
Durin's perspective: So I was just chilling in my crib when these band of nerds from dungeons and dragon convention stormed in and disturb my R and R. This old man won't even let me go to the bathroom. Said he'll not let me pass. Like dude, Chill! I'm just just gonna get a burrito.
This is a dope idea for a video. But, you should redo it 100% from a 1st person POV as Sauron with him laying out plans, concerns, desires. Coupled with a voice changer of some demonic voice of somekind and this could be next level content.
I like this idea of LotR from a different character’s perspective. I could see this being done from every major character’s perspective.
Great video
Imagine if neither Sauron nor the Free Peoples found the One Ring, and it remained hidden, essentially removed from the events of the War of the Ring. How would the free peoples deal with sauron
Interesting perspective
Thank you!
The book gives Sauron kind of a bad wrap. He had an incredible determination and vision, demonstrated a relentless commitment to his goals and even had an impressive ability to inspire and lead others. Even if his methods and intentions were a little misguided, he was just doing his job, you know? I get it. Someone has got to be the boss. I don't know anymore. He was just a dude trying to get his stuff back. How far would you go to get your stuff back? Sauron did nothing wrong!
Excellent video
Iz er garan -"It has begun" Bur ghan-maszh -"the East will fall" Dazb Angmu gul-liz ash -"So shall the kingdom of Angmar rise" Dag bur-shur nurb Ainur -"The time of the Elves is over" Burz-khan im bro -"The Age of the Orc has come"
“Zat thraka akh… Zat thraka grishú. Znag-ur-nakh.”
“We grow in number… We grow in strength. You will lead my armies.”
"Guth-tú-nakash" War is coming.” “Thór-lush-shabarlak.”
“Death will come to all.”
"Shre nazg golugranu kilmi-nudu" three rings for the elven kings under the sky (edited)
"ombi kuzddurbagu gundum-ishi bugu" seven for the dwarf lords in their halls of stone
"Nugu gurunkilu bard gurutu" Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die
"Ash Burz-Durbagu burzum-ishi" One for the Dark lord on his dark throne
"Ash nazg durbatulûk" One Ring to-rule-them-all
"ash nazg gimbatul" One Ring to-find-them,
"ash nazg thrakatulûk" One Ring to-bring-them-all
"agh burzum-ishi krimpatul" and in-the-Darkness bind-them
"Daghburz-ishi makha gulshu darulu" In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
Sauron the deceiver deceived himself , or, if I’m allowed to make a joke, he ignored Murphy’s Law
Great video! To put it in modern language Sauron was puffing some real dank copium every time he took an L thinking surely next time he ends up winnering
Noone could willingly destroy the ring amongst the free people
"Certainty of death? Small chance of Success? What are we waiting for!"
Sauron thought “as long as the great eagles don’t fly my ring to Mount Doom I’ll be fine”
Very good.
I think you have to mention Gandalf at some stage in this as he is the emissary of Sauron’s true enemy, the Valar. Or did Sauron not know it? I would have thought he would through his spies. Taking out Gandalf may have been a good plan -oh, the Balrog actually did that. Sauron couldn’t have foreseen his resurrection and return, but as you said in your other Sauron video, he would surely know that if he pushed his luck too far in dominating Middle Earth, then eventually the Valar must intervene. Did he care? Was he worried? Surely he will remember what they did to him and his plans at Numenor the last time he challenged domination of men. Perhaps he was thinking that at least until that day, he’d have free reign to reorder ME the way he wanted and would deal with that day when it eventually came. Even if it meant his effective destruction.
In addition to being a great reformer who would bring law and order in a scenario of cultural decay after the War of Wrath, I think Sauron saw himself as a Promethean figure who would lift Humanity out of cultural prehistory and technological ignorance: The Silmarillion says that the men of the East and South built cities of stone and had access to metallurgical knowledge.
And bringing economic benefits: he proved himself a good economist in Númenor by multiplying the Island's wealth.
Furthermore, he had to see himself as a deity of a great world unification: a single theocratic government, a technocratic political-economic system and a religious reformer to bring true belief through dogmatic ideas.
This religious engineering reminds me (in some ways) of Gnosticism: a liberating god (Melkor) to rid rational beings of "Archons" (Valar) from a "Demiurgic monster" (Eru) who imprisoned everyone in a world of war and death. Interesting that Sauron spoke this of Melkor in the Second Age, but later he claimed to be Melkor in the Third Age.
RIP Sauron. Gone but never forgotten.
Correction. Sauron’s first set back was the death of Smaug and the dwarves reclaiming Erebor.
"Me: The Fellowship of the Ring"
"Me: The Two Towers"
"Me: The Return of the King"
"Wait, what was that last one again...??"
There's a book from the 1990's written by a russian scientist called the Last Ringbearer which is basically an inversion and alternate telling of the Lord of the Rings from a Mordorian perspective. It is very different, more historical than mythos and charm, but its still really good.
It's been many years since I watched the trilogy, but if I remember correctly, Sauron was correct about the ring corrupting anyone who held on to it because Frodo decided not to destroy it. It was only destroyed because of a freak circumstance where Gollum got it back for a moment and ended up falling into the fire with it
I'd like to see you do this again with Morgoth and some of his skirmishes.
Please do. Just reread The Silmarillion. The Great Tales would be interesting to hear in his eyes.
He thought his greatest threat and rival was Aragorn, when in reality his greatest danger was a hobbit.
Nice video. Sauron actually "wasn't" evil in his own mind; he just did bad things. To his mind he was bringing order. Everyone loves order! (Or else!). Interesting thing I read once. In the Soviet Union, they actually did take this point of view! A "popular" view of the The Lord of the RIngs was that it was a tale of the decadent bourgeouise (pipe tobacco and feasting?) repressing the hard working proletariat (perfectly dedicated and unified Orcs).
Sauron had sound logic with what information he had.
This stresses the importance of the stealth aspect to the fellowships journey. As if Sauron even suspected they were going to attempt to destroy the ring. Any efforts on his part would have made the journy impossible or at least more difficult.
And as is the fellowship bately managed it because of Gollum of all people.
I like Sauron more in the Silmarillion. Maybe having him being present in those stories just left a stronger impression.
Sauron is so terrifying that he was straight up right. Frodo and Gollum could not destroy the ring, they both fell to its corruption, completely.
It took Eru himself making just his fourth direct act in Middle Earth. Sauron was directly responsible for Eru intervening directly twice.
I love how alot of this reads like an orc giving a business presentation with a bunch of other dark minions lol
Something I wish is that I/we could have a better view of how different things could have been for Sauron if he actually still had the Ring? People can debate over what powers it had, or what it could do in Sauron's hands being that it was more a quantity of his power, and not a relic that granted HIM extraordinary abilities he didn't already possess. It's obviously powerful, but its biggest detail was that, if it could be destroyed, he'd be finished, or if one of a few of the mighty acquired it, they might supplant him as Dark Lord, but it serving as part of his get out of death free card is the most notable, and he didn't need it on him for it to do that. The Elves would have had tp stop using the Three, which maintained their lands, but they wouldn't crumble in days, or even mere years, nor was their magical might dependent upon them. Even with the Ring, Sauron could lose, and he wad certainly not going to take the field again, and make himself vulnerable, even with it. I don't know if it woyld have enhanced his myriad Orcs, or empowered some other artifice he made, that we never saw, but I just wish we knew of some advantages it would give HIM apart from him knowing they couldn't destroy it, and thus him, if he had it; a thing he didn't believe anyone could do, anyway, even if they did get it, and even on the literal precipice of dissolution. He obviously wanted it, and I can see why, but I would have liked it more if I knew uses he'd have for it, apart from depriving them of his one bug vulnerability; its destruction.
Otherwise, I mostly feel like his arrogance was often justified; he certainly didn't lose to pure chance, but he went in with many planned advantages, and lost mostly because it was simply of a higher will that he would.
Agh burzum-ishi dûrbat Sauron. 🏴✊🏽
Um, viva la Raza, and stuff!
@@whiteknightcat Firme 🪖🪽 xd
Wait, I'm confused. He wasn't actually trying to win Galadriel (back)? Weird. Seems like Amazon's The Wigs of Power does not follow the lore...
The only lore is from Tolkien, rings of power, Peter Jackson, computer gsmes they’re all abominations
@@tevildo45 correct.
@@tevildo45”abominations” lol book purists are cringe.
Cool map
Sauron was actually an idiot. Only an idiot would put the vast majority of his power into a freaking ring. It’s so easy to lose a ring. Being this foolish, arrogant, and stupid he wasn’t difficult to fool. He did the exact opposite of Sun Tzu’s teachings. He knew himself, but he didn’t know his enemies. Assuming your enemies are going to think exactly like you is the epitome of foolishness. His thought process was one dimensional being a Maia of Aule. Sauron was also foolish making the assumption that the Valar were not interested and were not watching. He even disregarded how Gandalf was brought back to life after defeating the balrog by non other than Illuvatar. There was no way Sauron was going to win by being such an idiot.
What you fail to understand is that putting his power into the ring was his insurance card, as long as it existed he could take physical form. Imagine if he did not have the ring once his form was destroyed on Numenor. Creating the ring was not his mistake and there was no scenario in which the free people could have won unless the ring was destroyed so I dont really see how Sauron was an idiot
@@Thin_Mercury Disagree. In a situation where he didn’t put most of his power into a ring if Sauron’s body was destroyed that doesn’t mean his spirit or power was destroyed. By putting most of his power into a stupid ring he made himself needlessly vulnerable. If the ring is destroyed then his spirit was greatly diminished and almost all his power was destroyed. If he doesn’t put most of his power and spirit into a ring then his spirit and power would still be mostly intact if his body is destroyed. Sauron was an Ainu.
@@nole8923 there is no evidence that the Maiar could take a new form once their body was destroyed. Why did Saruman die for good when he was knifed by wormtongue in the shire? Why did Gandalf need Eru to send him back? How come the balrog was gone for good when Gandalf killed him? Sauron’s ability to take shape again was unique among the maiar because he had possession of the one ring. He would have died and been gone forever on Numenor and after the Last Alliance without it, thus making what you say pointless. What good is a spirit that can’t take physical form again? Saying Sauron’s spirit would have endured after a physical death is irrelevant because all spirits endure, death is the separation from the spirit and the body you know. He would not have even been alive in lord of the rings without the ring existing so how does the thing that allowed him to return to a physical form two times make Sauron stupid exactly? Contrary to what you think, he was not invulnerable or impossible to defeat without the ring being destroyed. We saw proof of this when he was overthrown and killed during the war of Last Alliance and there is no proof he could have returned in the third age without it existing.
Sauron's inability to understand other people's motivations was always his greatest weakness. Being very intelligent, but also very arrogant and self-centered, he tended to assume that everybody else would be predictable according to his own sense of what he *thinks* he would do in their place. He should have known better. Bilbo had the Ring for decades and Sauron never knew who exactly he was or where he lived because Bilbo never tried to become King Bilbo of the Shire and Eriador. Gollum posed the same problem, coveting the Ring but not using it to accomplish anything meaningful. Sauron was all about big plans and great ambitions. He was wholly incapable of understanding anybody else who wasn't, even with examples in front of him.
I wonder what Sauron would make of other worlds like game of thrones or Star Wars if he was put into those roles
We need a middle earth orc pov scenario.
Thought this video would just be one continuous shot of a volcano
Where is Isildur’s brothers in Rings of Power? Won’t that be a problem down the road?
I'm not watching ROP, but Isildur only ever had a single brother, Anárion, who was killed during the siege of Barad-dûr in the Battle of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.
@@whiteknightcat well he isn’t in it. Isn’t he essential for setting up the kingdoms of Arnor & Gondor which would be shorty after the events in that show so far? I know Elendil founded and ruled it all but we’d need Anarion in the show to rule over Arnor at some point. 🤷🏻♂️
@@6atlantis Without going and doing research again, as I recall both brothers were co-rulers of Gondor, and even had side-by-side thrones at one time in Osgiliath when it was the capital. Their dad, Elendil, was both the king of Arnor and High King of both realms. IF the showrunners chose to cut out Anárion, they probably could seeing as they almost seem to be making things up as they go.
Pride does indeed come before the fall.
They must have ranch dressing in Rivendell. I mean, hidden valley after all ...
Funny how what happened to Gondor is happening to the UK now..
hubris usually brings down those powerful only in their own minds.
Are you LOTR creators passing around the same scripts?
Sauron puts guards on MT Doom=win.
👍🏻👍🏻
Without Glorfindel Frodo would have never made it. And the death of Smaug some 60 plus years ago was a handicapp in the North too , right from the get go. So was the heightend elven attention and watchfull peace concerning Dol Guldur. Beornings, Old Tom Bombadil and beside Thranduil the dwarves under the lonely mountain and the Valar in their support through the eagles.. Basically in the West( mainly west of the Anduin) and the North he had some orcs and trolls bur he had also strong enemies there.His main power lay South East and he did not expect an attack there.
Perhaps he believed that the ring was indestructible. Had anyone ever destroyed a ring of power before?
Was the entire quest really founded on a theory that was impossible to test until they had access to the volcano? What was plan B if the ring hadn't melted in the lava? Send Gandalf on an eagle to fish the ring out of the volcano and claim it for himself as the least bad outcome if the ring was impossible to destroy?
“Saruman has possession of the ring, which is why he’s letting me troll this halfling for the lolz”
Sauron: *PANIK!*
“But it’s ok, because all I need to do is send a Nazgul to retrieve the ring while he’s winning the war against Rohan”
Sauron: _kalm_
“Not only has Saruman been defeated by trees, but the heir of Isildur has revealed himself, has the Palantir, has a reforged Narsil, definitely has the ring now too and is on his way to claim the throne of Gondor”
Sauron: *P A N I K ! ! !*
The ring was that powerful it made sauron that deluded you could not make him even come to guess the ring would ever be destroyed
Doesn't everything look red through Sauron's eyes?