Middle-earth

Character

Gandalf

Also known as Mithrandir, Olórin, Tharkûn, Incánus

A Wizard of the Istari, keeper of the Elven-ring Narya, and the chief architect of the resistance to Sauron.

Tolkien’s textsSupported by the narratives published in Tolkien’s lifetime.
Race & kind
Wizards & the Istari
Allegiance
The Fellowship
Titles
The Grey, The White, Wielder of Narya
Gender
Male (in mortal form)
Languages
Westron, Sindarin, Quenya, Black Speech (understood)
Gandalf

Overview

Gandalf is a Maia sent to Middle-earth in the guise of an old man to encourage the Free Peoples against Sauron. He is a guide rather than a conqueror: his greatest weapon is not fire but counsel, timing and an unshakeable trust in ordinary courage.

WizardsMaiarThe Fellowship
Ancestry
A Maia, one of the Ainur, of the people of Manwë and Varda; not mortal and has no parentage among Men or Elves.

Biography

Olórin of the Maiar

As Olórin he dwelt in Valinor and learned from Nienna, associated with pity and wisdom. He was sent by the Valar as one of the Istari, or Wizards, around T.A. 1000.

The long watch

As Gandalf the Grey he watched the North, discovered the truth of Dol Guldur, and joined the quest of Erebor, where he acquired the map and key of Thrór and helped secure the Lonely Mountain against Sauron.

The Ring revealed

He identified Bilbo’s ring as the One Ring, guided Frodo out of the Shire, and led the Fellowship as far as Moria, where he fell with the Balrog at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.

Gandalf the White

Returned from death with greater authority, he broke Saruman’s power, aided Rohan and Gondor, and stood at the Black Gate. He sailed West with the Ring-bearers at the end.

Arc & development

Gandalf’s return as the White is a change of office rather than personality: freed from some of the Istari’s constraints, he becomes able to act as well as counsel.

Character

Personality

  • Wise
  • Often impatient
  • Humorous
  • Compassionate
  • Manipulative only in service of good

Fears

  • That he will be tempted by the Ring
  • That pity and time will run out
  • To rouse the Free Peoples to resist Sauron
  • To counsel rather than compel

Abilities & limits

Strengths

  • Fire and light
  • Deep lore and lore of the Rings
  • Authority and persuasion
  • Wielding the Elven-ring Narya
  • A mortal form’s endurance

Limitations

  • Forbidden to match force with force openly
  • Can be deceived and delayed
  • Bound in a body that can die

Deeds

  • Uncovered the identity of the One Ring
  • Saved the quest at multiple points
  • Fell and returned at Moria
  • Broke Saruman
  • Organised the defence of the West

Relationships

Places

In the histories

Artifacts

Appearances

In adaptation

Adaptation note

  • The films preserve his role closely while adding action at Dol Guldur and presenting his resurrection more visually.

Quotations

“A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.”

— The Fellowship of the Ring, “Strider” (as rendered in adaptation)

Sources

  • The Hobbit · 1937

    Published in Tolkien’s lifetime. The primary narrative of Bilbo’s journey.

  • The Lord of the Rings · 1954–55

    Three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.

  • The Silmarillion · 1977

    Posthumously edited. Contains the Ainulindalë, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion, Akallabêth and Of the Rings of Power.

  • Unfinished Tales · 1980

    Expanded and alternative accounts of the First, Second and Third Ages.

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