Questions tagged [gandalf]

Gandalf is a major character in the Lord Of The Rings and Hobbit novels by J.R.R. Tolkien (and their film adaptations). Use this tag for questions about this character, not those that merely mention him. Use with the [tolkiens-legendarium] tag.

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7 votes
4 answers
26k views

How did Gandalf get his second staff back after it was destroyed by the Witch-king of Angmar?

In the Return of the King film, Gandalf's staff is destroyed by the Witch-king: During the battle of the Black Gate he uses his sword, Glamdring. But at the end of the ...
29 votes
2 answers
6k views

Did Gandalf think that Frodo was dead?

When the Host of the West march upon the Black Gate, the Mouth of Sauron reveals 'Tokens' (including Frodo's Mithril shirt). At this point, Gandalf looks defeated. Did he think that Frodo had been ...
15 votes
2 answers
7k views

Why Gandalf did not take Frodo and the One Ring to Rivendell immediately after he examined it?

I checked the book and the wikipedia and summarized some of the timeline of Gandalf: TA 3018, April 12 - Gandalf check the One Ring with Frodo in the Shire, tells Frodo that he must leave the Shire ...
13 votes
5 answers
5k views

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 ...
49 votes
10 answers
19k views

What is the purpose of the "Good Morning" dialogue from The Hobbit?

In the novel The Hobbit, towards the start of the story Bilbo wishes Gandalf a good morning: "Good Morning!" said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. ...
94 votes
6 answers
21k views

What does Gandalf intend to chat with Tom Bombadil about?

Close to the end of The Return of the King, Gandalf tells one of the Hobbits that it's time for him to go and have a long talk with Tom Bombadil. Was there anything significant to this talk? Does ...
15 votes
1 answer
1k views

Did Gandalf do anything else in Middle-earth after talking with Tom Bombadil?

In "Chapter 7: Homeward Bound" of the The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Gandalf tells the Hobbits, I am turning aside soon. I am going to have a long talk with Bombadil: such a talk as ...
18 votes
1 answer
4k views

Why didn't Gandalf identify the troll's swords?

Elrond identified the swords by their runes in The Hobbit: Elrond knew all about runes of every kind. That day he looked at the swords they had brought from the trolls’ lair, and he said: ‘These are ...
25 votes
2 answers
6k views

What are all the times Gandalf was either late or early?

Gandalf, who is ever-quotable is well known for saying: A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to. I often cite this to re-assure my friends who're being harsh ...
60 votes
3 answers
12k views

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. ...
84 votes
6 answers
19k views

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?
-6 votes
1 answer
363 views

Did Tolkien ever address Gandalf's propensity to take risks? [closed]

Gandalf wanted to get rid of Smaug, fearing that Smaug could eventually become an ally and tool of Sauron. But at the time of The Hobbit, Smaug was slumbering in Erebor. Gandalf explicitly discouraged ...
30 votes
3 answers
8k views

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 Elrond ...
19 votes
1 answer
7k views

How did Shadowfax 'appear' when Gandalf summoned him?

Considering the following quote: 'They have not returned,' said Legolas. 'It will be a weary walk!' 'I shall not walk. Time presses,' said Gandalf. Then lifting up his head he gave a long ...
9 votes
3 answers
8k views

How does Gandalf know that the Ring had previously been called precious?

In The Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf says: It [the ring] has been called that [precious] before, but not by you. But we know that, at that time, Gandalf didn’t know whether that ring was the One ...
10 votes
1 answer
681 views

On the meta-history of the Istari

Gildor says to Frodo: “But it is said: Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.” He speaks as if the Elves have experience with many Wizards. It is later ...
16 votes
1 answer
5k views

Was Gandalf on Middle-earth in the Second Age?

Amazon's Rings of Power shows someone who may be Gandalf operating in the second age. When does Gandalf first arrive to Middle-earth in Tolkien's writings?
9 votes
3 answers
4k views

What was Gandalf doing with his hand in this scene at the Black Gate?

At about 0:31 onwards in this video, Aragorn turned around and the camera then focused on Gandalf who proceeded to wave his hand: What is Gandalf doing here? Is it ...
8 votes
2 answers
2k views

Did Gandalf and Sméagol ever meet before Sméagol got the One Ring?

I am thinking that since Gandalf enjoyed being with Hobbits and liked to visit them, I am wondering if there is anything in LotR canon that mentions whether he had visited the Stoor Hobbits during his ...
32 votes
6 answers
38k views

Why didn't Gandalf say anything when he saw Bilbo's ring?

I don't know how the story is 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 after ...
45 votes
4 answers
15k views

Why did Gandalf use a sword against the Balrog?

Shortly after Gandalf first sees the balrog, he orders Aragorn to lead the fellowship to the bridge. Aragorn hesitates, fearing to leave Gandalf alone against such a fearsome enemy, until Gandalf ...
-2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Did the Istari arrive in Middle Earth simultaneously? [duplicate]

From the wiki it is said that Saruman and one of the blue wizards came first, followed by Gandalf. Later Radagast and the other Blue wizard was sent. Was this arrival practically simultaneous ("...
4 votes
3 answers
1k views

Why didn't Gandalf have spies just like Saruman?

In The Fellowship of the Ring we see the Gap of Rohan being constantly watched by Dunland's Crebains (crows) which Saruman used as spies. So, when Gandalf was reborn as Gandalf the White, or even ...
15 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why did Gandalf go out of time?

Given that the Ainur, like the Elves, were bound to the universe as long as it lasted, only Men being able to escape (the Gift of Men), why on the death of his Earthly form did Gandalf leave time and ...
1 vote
1 answer
693 views

What happened to Gandalf when he died? [duplicate]

Did Tolkien ever describe in any detail, other than Gandalf's own words, what happened to him in the brief period when he was "dead"? For that matter, can we truly say that Gandalf did in fact die? ...
59 votes
5 answers
14k views

Why did Gandalf not return to help Frodo and Sam?

It says on the Lord of the Rings wiki: Gandalf returned as the White Wizard (named anew "Gandalf the White"), and he claimed leadership of the order of Wizards. Gandalf's power and wisdom ...
46 votes
1 answer
9k views

What does Gandalf the White mean by his strange speech about Boromir?

In The Two Towers, chapter five, soon after Gandalf has returned as Gandalf the White, he says something very peculiar to Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas in Fangorn: ‘You have not said all that you know ...
50 votes
3 answers
10k views

When does Gandalf learn the nature of Durin’s Bane?

Durin's Bane, the Balrog of Moria, was unearthed at some time in the Third Age. Shortly afterwards, the city was abandoned, and no one with any sense came that way again for a long time. As stated ...
69 votes
8 answers
22k views

Was Gandalf "meant" to confront the Balrog?

We know Frodo was meant to have the Ring, but did Tolkien ever discuss Gandalf traveling through Moria and having his confrontation with the Balrog? We know he initially pushed the Fellowship to go ...
108 votes
8 answers
114k views

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?
23 votes
2 answers
5k views

Gandalf - open displays of power versus his restrictions as an Istar

Throughout both the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings (and I need to stress that I'm talking about the books, not the movies) we see Gandalf quite liberally tossing magic about. He uses lightning in his ...
27 votes
6 answers
6k views

Why does Gandalf say "the West that is forgotten"?

Inspired by this question and namely by this passage (emphasis mine): “Many are my names in many countries: Mithrandir among the Elves, Tharkûn to the Dwarves; Olórin I was in my youth in the West ...
28 votes
4 answers
35k views

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 (one of the Three Rings)? It seems like a huge risk to continue to wear it after ...
96 votes
9 answers
132k views

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 ...
183 votes
9 answers
220k views

What does Gandalf mean by "Secret Fire", "Flame of Anor" and "Flame of Udûn"?

In Moria, when Gandalf confronts the Balrog on the bridge of Khazad-dûm, Gandalf says the following: I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass! The dark fire ...
102 votes
14 answers
32k views

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 Círdan the Shipwright. When Saruman imprisoned Gandalf, why did he not attempt to take the ring from him? It would ...
54 votes
7 answers
17k views

Why didn't Saruman break Gandalf's staff on Orthanc as Gandalf broke Saruman's?

In The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers after becoming Gandalf the White, Gandalf cast Saruman from the Order and the Council. He also got the power to break Saruman's staff, which was very powerful. ...
50 votes
6 answers
15k views

Could Gandalf not have made his own One Ring?

Sauron created The One Ring to gain control over the other ring-bearers, but it also amplified his power. Since it's a bad idea for anyone to claim The One Ring, wouldn't it be possible for Gandalf to ...
10 votes
3 answers
2k views

How does Gandalf know that the ring's destruction will imply Sauron's "death"? [duplicate]

During the last debate, Gandalf says: "Concerning this thing, my lords, you now all know enough for the understanding of our plight, and of Sauron's. If he regains it, your valour is vain, ...
13 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why does Elrond call Mithrandir "Gandalf"?

Why does Lord Elrond call and refer to Mithrandir as Gandalf? Suggesting that it is because he is (only) half-elven would seem illogical, IMHO.
54 votes
6 answers
11k views

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) ...
50 votes
7 answers
106k views

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 ...
43 votes
5 answers
60k views

Why does Theoden call Gandalf "Stormcrow"?

In the movie The Two Towers, Theoden calls Gandalf "Gandalf Stormcrow". Where does that name come from?
30 votes
2 answers
35k views

What did Gandalf actually try as passwords for Moria's gates?

In The Fellowship of the Ring, when the party was 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 ...
47 votes
3 answers
11k views

How is the name "Gandalf" pronounced?

I've been reading answers to the question asking how "Smaug" should be pronounced and I was wondering, is there an authoritative answer to the pronunciation of "Gandalf"? I first read The Hobbit ...
17 votes
2 answers
7k views

Why was Gandalf unsure if Bilbo's ring was the One Ring if he had seen an image of Sauron's Eye when he was about to pick it up?

In the movie LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring, Bilbo drops the One Ring on the floor and then leaves his house. Gandalf then goes to pick it up but just before he touches it, he sees an image of ...
-6 votes
1 answer
2k views

The Witch-king vs Gandalf [closed]

I've been reading answers to this question but none of them answer it. Who is stronger in magic and sword-fight? Who would win? People say Gandalf is equal to Sauron, but I find that extremely hard to ...
-5 votes
1 answer
320 views

Why did Gandalf's soul leave his body after defeating the Balrog?

After defeating the Balrog on Zirakzigil, the summit of Celebdil above Moria, Gandalf's soul left his body as if he died, and went to Valinor. Why did Gandalf do that? Did he actually die? If so, what ...
-3 votes
2 answers
343 views

Did Gandalf fly on an eagle back to Middle-earth?

How was Gandalf able to return to Middle-earth and get to Fangorn that fast? The most logical explanation is that he either took an eagle of Manwe, or travelled, like, "spiritually" similar ...
10 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why did Gandalf change from blue to grey?

Everyone is familiar with Gandalf being described as "Gandalf the Grey", or, later, "Gandalf the White", and he was shown in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies as ...