Why Did Saruman Want to Be a Maia: Insights from Tolkien’s Middle-earth
Why Did Saruman Want to Be a Maia: Insights from Tolkien's Middle-earth
The character of Saruman in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is a compelling subject of study for many fans of Middle-earth. One of the questions that often arises is why Saruman sought to be a Maia. To understand this, we must first delve into the nature of these beings and the context in which Saruman functions within the story.
The Nature of Maia in Middle-earth
A Maia, as defined by J.R.R. Tolkien, is a being of energy created by Eru, the Almighty. These beings are distinct from the Valar, who are the greater and more powerful energy beings. While the Urulóki, or the Balrogs, are a subtype of Maia, the kind of Maia that we focus on in this discussion are the Maiar that serve as servants and agents of the Valar.
Notable examples of Maia in The Lord of the Rings include Saruman, Sauron, and Gandalf. These beings are the weaker of the two sets of energy beings, and while they are powerful in their own right, they often serve or strive to serve the Valar.
Sauron and the Choice of Being a Maia
Sauron, another powerful Maia, was originally created by Eru to be a spirit of light and order. However, Sauron chose malice and became the Dark Lord, turning against the Valar. Interestingly, Sauron's creation as a Maia was not his own choice but rather a product of the will of Eru. This highlights the idea that while beings like Saruman and Sauron had the potential for great power and goodness, their destinies were largely determined by external factors beyond their control.
Similarly, the creation and nature of Saruman as a Maia were also outside of his control. Saruman, as a Maia, was meant to serve the Valar but found himself drawn towards ambition and a desire for power. The question then arises, why did Saruman want to become a Maia in the first place, given that he was born into this role?
Saruman's Desire for Power and Knowledge
While Saruman was a Maia by birth, it could be argued that he always had a desire for more. Saruman was born with a hunger for knowledge and control. In the Silmarillion, it is mentioned that Saruman desired to be a Vala, and was one of the few Maiar who showed the greatest hatred for Melkor. This desire for power and a sense of strategic ambition was likely what drove Saruman to seek a greater role in the world of Middle-earth.
Saruman's love of learning and his ambition to rule were intrinsic to his character. He aspired to have a greater understanding of the world and its workings, a hunger that could not be satiated as a mere Maia. His thoughts and actions were driven by his own internal motivations, rather than external forces. As a Maia, Saruman understood his limitations but found in them the potential for remarkable achievements and a desire to surpass them.
The Human Essence of Saruman
When considering why Saruman wanted to be a Maia, it is fitting to consider the human essence of his character. Saruman was not content with his status as a Maia but saw himself as capable of something more. His human-like qualities—ambition, intelligence, and a deep longing for power—transcended his natural form. Saruman often envied the power of Melkor and the Valar, and his desire to be more than a mere Maia can be seen as an echo of this human-like ambition.
Furthermore, as a Maia, Saruman possessed a type of consciousness and power that is distinctly human. He had the ability to think, to strategize, and to acquire power in a way that was more akin to the actions of a human than a lesser spirit. It is this aspect of Saruman that makes his character so complex and relatable. His desire to be more than a Maia is not unlike the aspirations of human beings to achieve greatness, fame, or power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Saruman's desire to be a Maia is not fully explained by the nature of these beings themselves but rather by his unique character and his inherent human qualities. While he was born as a Maia, his quest for power, knowledge, and control was driven by his own inner desires, ambitions, and the aspirations of a human-like spirit. Saruman's conflict with his true nature—fueled by his Maia heritage yet influenced by his own human-like qualities—makes him a fascinating and complex character in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.