Why Didn't Sauron Duplicate the Strategy of Voldemort?

Ever wondered why Sauron, the powerful Dark Lord of Middle-earth, didn't follow in the footsteps of Voldemort by creating a horcrux to preserve a part of his spirit? This article explores the interesting differences between the strategies of these two iconic villains and sheds light on the unique nature of Sauron as a character within the lore of J.R.R. Tolkien's works.

Sauron's Superior Mortality Plan

Sauron, known for his strategic prowess, understood that his immortality was a significant advantage over the mortal Voldemort. Unlike Voldemort, who ultimately faced a mortal's inevitable death, Sauron was an immortal being, belonging to the species known as Maacute;iar. This fundamental difference in their natures influenced their approaches to ensuring their survival.

Immmortality and the One Ring

Sauron’s Perspective: Sauron had no fear of death. As per J.R.R. Tolkien's mythology, Sauron was already an immortal being, having existed long before the creation of the One Ring. The primary purpose of the One Ring was to gather power and control, specifically to dominate the elves and enslave their wearers. The ring itself became a vessel for his power, but this was not by design but as a side-effect. Sauron never anticipated losing the ring, and thus did not see the need to create a horcrux to preserve his essence.

The Fallacy of a Wider Spread of Power

Voldemort's Fears: On the other hand, Voldemort's actions, particularly the creation of the horcruxes, stemmed from a deep-seated fear of mortality. He sought to cheat death by splitting his soul into pieces, ensuring that even if his body was destroyed, a part of him would remain. However, Sauron, being immortal, had no such fears. An endurance outline in time and the preservation of his essence through the One Ring alone was sufficient.

Maintaining Power and Influence

Sauron's Strategic Aims: Sauron’s strategy was to accumulate and maintain immense power, primarily through the One Ring. He intended to use this power to dominate and enslave the races of Middle-earth, particularly the elves. The ring gave him control over the other elven rings and the powers vested in them. Sauron's actions can be seen as a more straightforward and focused approach to power consolidation, compared to Voldemort's convoluted and risky methods.

Lost Power and Spiritform

When Sauron lost the One Ring, he did not die. Instead, he was reduced to a formless spirit, a wandering wraith of sorts. This state of existence was not a death, but a state of reduced power. It is unclear how long this phase lasted, and it is likely that Sauron spent much of his time in this form, unable to fully exert his influence on the physical world.

Conclusion

Both Sauron and Voldemort have left an indelible mark on the myths and legends of the fantasy world. However, their strategies and the reasons behind them are fundamentally different due to their differing understandings of mortality and power. Sauron, as an immortal, saw no need for the additional measures that Voldemort took to preserve himself, instead relying on the One Ring to maintain his power and influence.

In the end, the strategies of these two iconic villains reveal much about their characters and the unique nature of the storytelling within the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Keywords: Sauron, Voldemort, One Ring, Horcruxes, Middle-earth