Gandalf is a major character in the "Lord Of The Rings" trilogy and its' prequel "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien.

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Why did the fellowship not choose to pass the misty mountains further north or south?

At the Council of Elrond, it is known that: Saruman is a traitor, thus it’s not possible for the Ring to pass through the fords of Isen Nobody has heard any news of Balin and Moria for a long time; ...
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Why does Cirdan give Narya to Gandalf instead of Saruman?

In the Lord of the Rings I recall some mention of when Cirdan gives Narya to Gandalf when the Istari arrive in Middle Earth. I think it is in the appendices but I cannot recall exactly, but I remember ...
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Did Gandalf wear his Ring of Power throughout the trilogy?

After Gandalf discovered that Sauron was back and sent Frodo on his quest to Rivendell, did he continue to wear Narya(of the Three Rings)? It seems like a huge risk to continue to wear it after the ...
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Was Gandalf ignorant of the effects of Frodo having the ring for 17 years?

In an answer of mine for the question 'Who are all the characters to have touched The One Ring?', someone astutely asked 'how come?' Was Gandalf aware of the Rings' effects on a holder before ...
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Did Gandalf know that the One Ring still existed during the events of the Hobbit? [duplicate]

In the Hobbit, when Bilbo finds his magical ring, Gandalf only warns him that some magical rings are not save because he has no idea that Bilbo's magical ring is actually the One. Does Gandalf at ...
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Is Gandalf an elf?

In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, when Gandalf is walking alongside the Elven king Thranduil, I noticed some similarities between the two, like their height and their hair. Gandalf seems too ...
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Why Gandalf said nothing when he saw Bilbo's ring

I don't know how it is the story in the book (I would like to know), but in the movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Thorin asks Bilbo why he came back, and Gandalf tries to evade the question ...
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Why did Gandalf chase the Balrog down?

From the Fellowship of the Ring: From LotrWikia: Neither he nor the Balrog was killed by the fall, and Gandalf pursued the creature for eight days until they climbed to the peak of Zirakzigil. ...
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What are Gandalf's powers?

Gandalf is a wizard. He is also the Tolkien equivalent of a mortal angel (if I understand what the Maiar are correctly.) What are his powers though? Specifically what magics does he use in The Hobbit ...
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In 'The Hobbit: AUJ', why is Gandalf submissive in Saruman's presence?

In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey movie, Gandalf appears particularly subdued/submissive in Saruman's presence during their meeting at Rivendell. Why is this so? Is it simply because Saruman is of ...
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How were Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel able to comunicate telepathically?

In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), when the company arrives in Rivendell, Gandalf is asked to attend a surprise reunion with Elrond, Galadriel and Saruman the White. While Saruman opposes ...
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How did Sauron not know about the ring?

It says in the fellowship of the ring that Sauron learned that the One Ring was still in existence, partially from Gollum. Gandalf says during his explanation to Frodo that "he believed the one had ...
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Who are the rest of members at Elrond's Council?

In Peter Jackson's film The Fellowship of the Ring, when the Council of Elrond takes place it shows a total of 22 members: We all know the names of the ones who were part of the Fellowship, but I ...
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Why does Gandalf seek counsel from Saruman about the One Ring after leaving Frodo in the Shire?

We know that Saruman bore ill-will toward Gandalf for millennia before the events of The Lord of the Rings. It began with their arrival in Middle Earth when Cirdan gives Narya to Gandalf, or at least ...
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Why does Theoden call Gandalf “Stormcrow”?

In the movie "The Two Towers", Theoden calls Gandalf "Gandalf Stormcrow". Where does that name come from?
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What does Gandalf mean by “Secret Fire”, “Flame of Anor” and “Flame of Udun”?

In Moria, when Gandalf confronts the Balrog on the bridge of Khazad-dum, Gandalf says the following: I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark ...
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To what “power” in the Shire does Gandalf refer to in the Fellowship?

"Indeed there is a power in Rivendell to withstand the might of Mordor, for a while: and elsewhere other powers still dwell. There is power, too, of another kind in the Shire. But all such ...
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What does Gandalf say To Galadriel in the Hobbit trailer?

In the Hobbit trailer Galadriel asks Gandalf: And he responds: What does he say to her? Its very hard to understand the last few words of his sentence
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Where does Gandalf Live?

Does Gandalf have his own home or does he just live where he goes? Is there a place that he prefers to live and calls home most of all?
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Why did Saruman not kill Gandalf?

Gandalf travels to Orthanc to take advice from Saruman, at which point Saruman reveals himself as a traitor. Why does he then simply imprison Gandalf on top of Orthanc instead of killing him? Clearly ...
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Was Frodo able to see that Gandalf wore Narya and Elrond wore Vilya?

Frodo sees Nenya on Galadriel's finger after looking into the Mirror of Galadriel, and yet Sam is unable to see it. Galadriel also says the following: It is not permitted to speak of it, and ...
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How does Galadriel know that Gandalf 'survives' his encounter with the Balrog?

In The Two Towers, when Gandalf meets Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli for the first time since the Balrog encounter, he briefly gives some details of the encounter which to me are (perhaps intentionally) ...
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What did Gandalf actually try as passwords to Moria gates?

In The Fellowship of the Ring, when the party is at the gates of Moria, Gandalf tries to open the doors by speaking bespoke paswords. The password is actually "Mellon " but he tries various other ...
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How does a Wizard change his colour?

During the LOTR we see Gandalf change from 'Gandalf the Grey' to 'Gandalf the White' and we see 'Saruman the White' change to 'Saruman the Many-coloured'. What does this mean and how and why does it ...
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Can Gandalf actually appear out of nowhere like in 'The Hobbit'

In the 1977, animated version of 'The Hobbit' we see Gandalf appear out of nowhere in front of Bag End and again as they travel to Rivendell. Can Gandalf really appear out of nowhere in Tolkiens ...
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The Hobbit: Why did Gandalf insist that Bilbo go with the dwarves?

I know that The Hobbit was more of a child's book. Nevertheless, I wonder if Tolkien ever explained why Gandalf insisted that Bilbo go with the dwarves on their journey to reclaim Erebor? Gandalf ...
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Is Gandalf the Gray's power actually limited or did he merely promise to not use it?

We know that Maiar sent to Arda as Istari are not using their full Maiar power. Gandalf the Gray is more than a human power wise, but not nearly equal to his full real power. Is it known (from canon) ...
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How much of Gandalf's power is tied to his staff?

Before Gandalf freed Théoden form Saruman/Grima's hold, he refused to give away his staff. H.ma: I cannot allow you before Theoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame... by order of Grima Wormtongue. ...
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How is Gandalf the White a “significantly more powerful figure” than Gandalf the Gray?

After his fight with the Balrog of Moria, Gandalf changed: Gandalf was sent back as a significantly more powerful figure; Gandalf the White. - ...
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How did Gandalf get his staff back after being captured by Saruman in Orthanc?

In the books, it doesn't explicitly describe Gandalf's staff being taken or broken during his imprisonment in/on Orthanc, but in the film, Saruman is shown with Gandalf's staff, and Gandalf is shown ...
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Why didn't Saruman take Narya from Gandalf?

We know that Gandalf was given Narya, the Ring of Fire (one of the Elven three) by Cirdan the shipwright. When Saruman imprisoned Gandalf, why did he not attempt to take the ring from him? It would ...
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Why was Gandalf afraid of the Balrog of Morgoth?

As depicted in the film, Gandalf appeared to be shaken and in fear of the Balrog of Morgoth, even just as Saruman mentioned it. Why was this so? Did they have any previous encounters?
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What is the place that Gandalf falls to after the battle with the Balrog?

I was wondering; what is the name of the place Gandalf falls to when the Balrog drags him down, after the fight in Moria? What lore is there available about this place?
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Why was Gandalf so concerned about Gollum?

In The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf seems to be particularly sensitive to Gollum's wretched state. When explaining his recent activities to Frodo, Gandalf says things like: 'Unless [the evil part of ...