LOTR: Saruman HP: Voldemort HHGG: Slartibartfast All villains who enforce their will on the world around than and don't give a damn what others think. Maybe this illustrates the power of social sanction? (I mostly didn't read the other replies before answering.)
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semi-independent vassal state is also a non-entity under Sauron global domination. he doesn't share power. Sauron would have turned on him as soon as it was convenient.
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there is direct evidence of this and Saruman should have known better! all 9 of the Nazgul were originally the kings of "semi-independent vassal states" that Sauron corrupted and then absorbed/conquered.
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It's not a great plan. But <fight a conventional war against Sauron's armies> is also a terrible plan. Saruman made his bet for the best option he could foresee. Ring found + king returned + ring destroyed is just so unlikely.
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yes yes! this is why I'm saying Saruman was constrained and that his actions were all ultimately in the service of Sauron. He had no road to success, only various modes of failure all of which benefited the true lord of the rings one way or another.
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I guess the freedom to fight a losing war against an overwhelmingly superior foe is not a super great amount of freedom. But maybe more than any other character? Most LOTR characters have limited ability to change their situation. Saruman had a lot and used it.
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Sam, Merry, and Pippin have the most personal agency of any of the main characters of the story.
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their own personal involvement ends up being the critical difference-maker in all of those pivotal situations. Sam carries Frodo. Pippin mobilizes the Ents. Merry is critical in restoring Aragorn's regency in Gondor.
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amazing discussion guys, the things you find on Twitter
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i guess he...chose the way of pain
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