Saruman’s Unfolding Plans After Defeating Rohan in 'The Lord of the Rings'

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, after Saruman's victory over Rohan, his primary goal was the consolidation of power and a strategic positioning to challenge Sauron. This article delves into the key aspects of Saruman's plans and how they unfolded.

Control of Rohan

Saruman sought to dominate Rohan using his forces of Uruk-hai to crush the kingdom and eliminate its king Théoden, allowing him to secure a strategic position in Middle-earth. By crushing Rohan, Saruman aimed to establish a formidable presence that would provide him with advantages both politically and militarily.

Alliance with Sauron

Seeing Sauron as a means to gain greater power, Saruman intended to align himself with the Dark Lord. He believed that by demonstrating his strength through the defeat of Rohan, he could negotiate a position of influence within Sauron's regime. Saruman's strategic move was aimed at elevating his own status and ensuring a favorable relationship with the most powerful being in Middle-earth.

Creation of an Army

Besides consolidating power, Saruman was also focused on building a powerful army. This included not only Uruk-hai but also the corruption and rallying of other creatures and men to his cause. His goal was to create a force that could rival Sauron's armies, giving him the strength and resources necessary to achieve his broader ambitions.

Search for the One Ring

Driven by the desire to possess the One Ring, Saruman believed that such possession would grant him ultimate power and make him a rival to Sauron. He sought to manipulate and control the events surrounding the Ring's fate, believing that he could wield its immense power for his own ends.

Destruction of Rivendell and Lothlórien

Looking beyond Rohan, Saruman aimed to eliminate other powerful realms such as Rivendell and Lothlórien. These were strongholds of opposition against Sauron and his followers, and their destruction would further weaken the forces aligned against him. By targeting these regions, Saruman sought to diminish external threats and secure his dominance.

However, Saruman’s ambitious plans began to unravel as he underestimated the resistance from Rohan, led by Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. The unexpected resilience of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth also played a critical role in his downfall. His defeat at the Battle of Helms Deep marked the beginning of his slide from power, and his subsequent downfall saw him lose all influence and control.

The quote from Theoden suggests a glimmer of hope in the form of a past when Saruman was 'good' and believed in ordering things to his own design. However, this idealism is juxtaposed with the stark reality that even such wisdom and power could not legitimize the use of force over others, particularly in the face of Saruman's own acknowledgment that "were you ten times as wise still it would not give you the right to rule me and mine as you wish."

Frodo's hope for Saruman's redemption seems naive in light of the irreversible damage that Sauron's influence had on him. Once the Ring was forged, Sauron’s acquisition of it was tantamount to the loss of a crucial part of his essence, leaving no room for redemption in the future.