The Existence of Sauron and Saruman After Their Defeats: Spiritually Unfettered but Powerless

In J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium, both Sauron and Saruman faced significant defeats, and their fates post-defeat are imbued with ambiguity regarding their continued existence. This article explores the details of their spiritual and physical states after their losses, delving into the implications of their final moments and their subsequent journey through the spirit world.

Sauron's Fate

Following his defeat at the end of the Third Age, when the One Ring was destroyed, Sauron was vanquished permanently. His physical form was destroyed, and he lost the ability to influence the world. Despite Sauron being a powerful Maia spirit, his essence was tied to the Ring, and without it, he could not manifest or exert any form of awareness or power.

Tolkien suggests that Sauron’s spirit would continue to exist, but in a formless state, gnawing at itself in anger and utterly impotent. In the spirit realm, even such a powerful being would lack the power even to re-embody and would not be powerful enough even to speak. Their state is described as a mere shadow of their former selves.

Saruman's Fate

After his defeat at the hands of the Ents and later by the Hobbits in the Shire, Saruman was left powerless. His body was transformed into a grey mist that was blown away and disappeared. It is presumed that this was Saruman's soul going on its way after his physical body was destroyed.

While Sauron faced complete annihilation, Saruman's situation is more ambiguous. His spirit was evidently not destroyed, but it was significantly weakened. The question arises whether Saruman's Ring, if it was not bound to Sauron's, could potentially allow him to reform in much the same way that Sauron did after the destruction of Numenor.

spiritual Implications

Maiar, the beings to which Sauron and Saruman belong, cannot "die" in the human sense. They are formless spirits, and after their physical defeat, they remain in a state of anger and impotence, unable to re-embody or interact with the physical world in any way. In the spirit realm, they would be similarly impotent, incapable of even speaking.

It is unknown whether beings like Glorfindel, who can see into both worlds, would be able to perceive the remnants of Sauron and Saruman's spirits. Their existence would be a ghostly and pitiful one, unable to influence the physical or spiritual realms in any meaningful way.

Conclusion

While Sauron and Saruman may have had some form of awareness as spirits, their defeats rendered them powerless and unable to affect the world again. Their fates are intricately tied to their respective losses, with Sauron facing complete annihilation and Saruman being diminished and ultimately destroyed. Their post-defeat existence is a testament to the enduring spirit of those who fall in J.R.R. Tolkien's world, even as their power wanes and their influence fades.