Gandalf was more of a guide and teacher than a warrior in The Lord of the Rings, despite his power being beyond that of many Middle-earth beings.
Gandalf is one of Middle-earth’s oldest and most powerful beings, but he could never demonstrate his full ability in The Lord of the Rings. The wizard’s role in Sauron’s downfall has long been a topic of confusion since his purpose seemed to be to mentor and guide rather than fight. A being as powerful as he should have been able to stand up against the Dark Lord himself and end the death and destruction that befell the beings of Middle-earth. However, despite Gandalf’s power, his hands were tied during The Lord of the Rings.
Though he appeared to the characters of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring to be an aged wizard, Gandalf was actually an angel-like being known as a Maia. He was created by the god of Tolkien’s works, Eru Ilúvatar, to help with the creation of the universe. After, Gandalf (who was initially called Olórin) lived in Valinor and served under the king of the Valar, Manwë, until he and two other Maiar (the three together called Istari) were sent to Middle-earth to assist in the fight against the evil Maia Mairon (AKA Sauron). Ultimately, Gandalf was the only one of the Istari successful in this mission—but shouldn’t he have been able to do more?
The Valar Prevented Gandalf From Using His Full Power
When the Istari were sent to Middle-earth, they were forbidden to use their power to influence the beings or natural order of Middle-earth. Ultimately, it was always the job of the Children of Ilúvatar, the Elves and Men, to defend their world against the forces of evil. As a wizard, Gandalf’s role was to assist them, to stand against the forces beyond their power (such as Balrogs), and ensure that the right beings were in the right places at the right times (like Aragorn being prepared to take the throne of Gondor and Frodo having the support necessary to make it to Mordor). Aside from this, the ancient Gandalf of Lord of the Rings had to let things run their course.
Saruman is the perfect example of the dangers of interfering with the natural order of things in Middle-earth. When he was sent to help the Children of Ilúvatar, this leader of the Istari was eager to prove himself against Sauron. However, the more power he used over the beings of Middle-earth, the more he desired control. The Maiar were never meant to be rulers—they were assistants, guides, and keepers of wisdom. Stepping beyond this was a recipe for trouble, and Gandalf, who had always been far more humble than Saruman, understood this.
Did Gandalf Hold Back, Or Was He Weakened?
Gandalf certainly needed to exercise a certain level of control while he was in Middle-earth. Saruman’s fall proves that the Istari were still capable of being tempted and could, therefore, exceed the limits placed on them by the Valar. However, they could only take this so far. Though wizards are technically Maiar, they do not possess all the same abilities in their wizard forms. This is why, despite Balrogs and Sauron also being Maiar, Gandalf wasn’t evenly matched in his wizarding form—especially as Gandalf the Grey.
Though it’s never entirely clear in The Lord of the Rings, it’s implied that Gandalf doesn’t have all the memories of his life before coming to Middle-earth. His soul was still that of Olórin, but his body and brain were of a wizard. When the Balrog killed him in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, he was resurrected by Ilúvatar and sent back to Middle-earth in a new body, and was christened Gandalf the White. In this form, he had more power, fewer memories of Gandalf the Grey, and possibly more memories of his time as Olórin. Still, he wasn’t equipped with the full power of a Maia and was still forbidden from overstepping his boundaries as an Istari.
How Strong Gandalf Actually Is In Lord Of The Rings
If Olórin the Maia were to come to Middle-earth, he would have the power to shapeshift into anything he chose or remain invisible. He could also control the minds of those on Middle-earth (to a point) and influence the land and its animals. Gandalf, on the other hand, had a different brand of power. He had a physical body and therefore could not change his form and could, as seen in The Lord of the Rings, die. However, he was still a force to be reckoned with. In battle, he demonstrated strength far beyond that of an old man and could use a limited form of telekinesis.
In addition to Gandalf’s abilities as a wizard, he also possessed one of the Three Elven Rings of Power, Narya. This ring allowed him to control fire (which was helpful in his fight against the Balrog) and had an inspirational effect on those around him that helped them stand against tyranny and despair. The combination of Gandalf’s limited magic and that of his ring contributed significantly to his task in assisting the beings of Middle-earth in their fight against Sauron. However, the wizard’s true power in Lord of the Rings was his wisdom. Unlike his fellow Istari, Gandalf was an astute and endlessly curious student of the universe, and it was precisely this that Middle-earth needed.
