Why Didn't Saruman Kill King Théoden in The Two Towers?

In The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Saruman refrained from assassinating King Théoden while under the influence of Wormtongue. This decision was not merely a matter of compassion or ethical restraint; rather, it was a strategic choice deeply rooted in Saruman's broader objectives and his cunning manipulation of the political landscape. Here, we delve into the reasons behind this pivotal decision and explore the tactical implications of Saruman's actions.

Saruman’s Strategic Interest in Keeping Théoden Alive

Saruman had a strategic interest in maintaining Théoden's life. At that moment, his primary goal was to weaken Rohan and create chaos rather than outright destruction. By controlling Théoden through Gríma Wormtongue, Saruman aimed to manipulate the king and the people of Rohan to serve his own ends. This strategic move was essential for his overarching plan to align Rohan with Sauron’s cause and conquer Middle-earth.

Having Théoden as a puppet ruler was considered more beneficial than outright eliminating him. If Saruman had killed Théoden, it could have incited resistance and rallied the people of Rohan against him. Keeping Théoden alive allowed Saruman to maintain the illusion of legitimacy and control while furthering his agenda. This approach highlighted Saruman's reliance on deceit and manipulation, rather than brute force.

The Consequences of Killing Théoden

If Saruman had killed Théoden, several negative consequences would have ensued:

A new king, likely Eomer or a more vigorous successor, would have taken the throne.

This new ruler, aware of Théoden's weakened state, might have been less susceptible to Wormtongue’s influence.

A younger, more vigorous king is less likely to tolerate encroachment from Orthanc or the Wild men that Saruman was courting.

This could have strengthened the alliance with Gondor and established a more stable monarchy in Rohan.

Replacing a controlling figure like Théoden with an unknown or potentially resistant leader would have been counter-productive to Saruman's objectives.

The Timing and Opportunity

Saruman did not get the chance to kill Théoden because of a series of fortunate (or fortunate for Théoden) circumstances:

The confrontation between Saruman and Gandalf lasted only about five minutes, during which both wizards were occupied with each other.

Gandalf was standing right there, ready to intervene if Saruman attempted any harm to Théoden.

Theoden had a son who was killed early in the conflict, and Eomer was next in line as the king's nephew.

A confused and weakened Théoden, under Grima's guidance, kept Rohan paralyzed until Saruman was ready to strike.

Killing Théoden would have only seen him replaced by a younger man advised by his cousin, Eomer, who likely would not have tolerated Saruman's influence as easily as his uncle had.

These factors combined made it strategically unwise for Saruman to kill Théoden, as it would jeopardize his planned take-over of Rohan and Middle-earth.