The Nine Nazg?l: Their Origins, Powers, and Roles in Middle-earth
The Nine Nazg?l: Their Origins, Powers, and Roles in Middle-earth
The Nine Nazg?l, also known as the Ringwraiths, played a significant role in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. These nine powerful individuals were originally mortal Men who were transformed by Sauron during the Second Age of Middle-earth, each receiving a Ring of Power from the Dark Lord. This article delves into their origins, the differences among the nine, and their roles in the story.
Origins and Transformation
In Middle-earth, the power of the Dark Lord Sauron attracted many to his cause. Among them were nine Men, each of whom were powerful and influential in their own right. These men received Rings of Power, which amplified their already considerable might. However, these rings came at a cost, gradually turning the recipients into immortal though wraith-like shadows, bound to Sauron's will.
Differences Among the Nine Nazg?l
Despite their similar fate, the nine Nazg?l are not all alike. Sauron appears to have made a distinction between the nine, the seven, and the three. In the "Unfinished Tales" and "History of Galadriel and Celeborn," it is revealed that when Sauron captured Celebrimbor, he interrogated him to find the whereabouts of the nine Rings. When Celebrimbor refused to disclose the location and died, it became clear that despite their similar origins, there were subtle differences between the rings.
It is suggested that Celebrimbor's three rings were made with a different purpose, possibly intended for different stages or purposes in Sauron's plans. However, the specific differences remain a mystery. Nevertheless, all nine rings were lost or destroyed during the War of the Ring, marking a significant turning point in the tale.
The Names and Roles of the Nine Ringwraiths
Of the nine Nazg?l, only two are definitively named in the canon. These individuals were:
The Witch-king of Angmar
Known as the leader and the strongest of the Nazg?l, The Witch-king was originally a Numenorean prince. He was the first to fall at the Battle of Fornost, and his fall is pivotal in the narrative as it creates a weakness in Sauron's forces. Despite his power, he is not often the primary antagonist in the story, with more detail given to other members of the group.
Khamul the Easterling
Known by various aliases such as Shadow from the East or the Black Easterling, Khamul was a Second Age King of Rhun. He was one of the few who directly interacted with the Fellowship of the Ring, visiting the Shire seeking information about the growing threat. Khamul visited Farmer Maggot and Mr. Gamgee, seeking knowledge about the location of Bilbo Baggins and any other information that could be critical to Sauron's plans. He was also seen attacking Bucklebury Ferry during the pursuit of Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, among others.
The Other Members of the Nine
Beyond The Witch-king and Khamul, the identities and roles of the remaining Nazg?l remain largely unknown. One member who might have been a Nazg?l is the Captain of Morgul, Gothmog, who took over after the fall of the Witch-king. However, this is subject to debate and not definitively established in the canon.
The other six members are often referred to by their collective fear. They were described as an "unnameable dread" that followed the Fellowship, particularly Frodo and his companions, until they reached Rivendell. Once the rings were destroyed, the Nazg?l were "unhoused" and fled back to Mordor.
Conclusion
The nine Nazg?l, or Ringwraiths, represent a dark and formidable presence in Middle-earth. Their transformation from mortal leaders to shadowy wraiths at Sauron's command is both a cautionary tale and a testament to the corrosive nature of power and corruption. Their stories, particularly that of The Witch-king and Khamul, play significant roles in the narrative of The Lord of the Rings, emphasizing the themes of decay, betrayal, and ultimate defeat of evil.