Behind the apparent collapse of the conspiracy, we explain the battle of power and strategy between Sarman and ESDLA ancient trees
At first glance, Saruman’s failure to attack the Ents in the Two Towers seems like a plot hole. However, a closer look reveals the cunning and calculation behind this decision. Consumed by corruption and lust, the wizard Saruman underestimated the power of the Ents and their love for the forest and saw his downfall.
The struggle of values
The Ents, guardians of the forests, represent all that Saruman has left behind. His desire to industrialize Middle-earth collided head-on with the Ents’ mission of defense. The Battle of Isengard was not only physical, but also a clash of ideas: Saruman’s devastating destruction of the Ents’ deep protection of nature.
Saruman’s mistake was in his arrogance and mixed relationship with nature. Although he was friends with the Ents, his greed prevented him from seeing his deep connection with the forest and his fighting potential. The appearance of Gandalf the White and the influence of Merry and Pippin in Fangorn roused the Ents, something the White Wizard never expected.
Pride and contempt
Istari’s turn to evil and pride made him underestimate not only the power of the Ents, but also his own vulnerability. Believing in the supposed weakness of these forest guards, he did not anticipate the anger and determination of those who would fight to protect the house, which is fatal to the ruler’s plan.
Although Saruman considered the Ents a real threat, a direct attack would have greatly weakened his forces. Acknowledging the strength of the Ents is tantamount to admitting that they can destroy the Uruk Hai, a major threat to their ambitions to conquer beyond Fanghorn. The Istari focused on larger goals and decided not to waste resources on a conflict that they thought was impossible.
A journey from wisdom to corruption
Originally known as Saruman the White, the wizard played an important role in the history of Middle-earth. Wise and noble, he was one of the Istari sent to fight the growing threat of Sharon. However, his transformation from a being of light to a corruption is an integral part of the narrative. Saruman’s story is a warning about the dangers of power and how even the greatest can fall.
Unlike other characters in ESDLA, Saruman represents a betrayal of the original ideals of the Istari. While Gandalf remains faithful to his mission, Saruman is seduced by the power of the One Ring and his own desire for dominance. This contrast between both magicians highlights the choices and paths one can take in the presence of absolute evil, and how these decisions define one’s character and ultimate destiny.
The irony of the strategy
In the end, Saruman’s strategy was his undoing. His hasty move made him underestimate the strength of power between Rohan and Gondor, as well as the resilience of their enemies, contrary to Ent’s intentions. This lack of foresight combined with his arrogance sealed his fate at ESDLA.
The conflict between Saruman and the Ents in SDLA goes beyond physical conflict. It is a lesson about natural power and the consequences of excessive desire. Saruman was blinded by his lust for power, failing to recognize the strength and courage of the Ents and leading to his inevitable downfall. Thus, what appears to be the failure of a conspiracy is revealed to be the final natural triumph of a complex set of strategies, values and greed.