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the lord of the rings - 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 battles with the Nazgul (on Weathertop) and the Balrog (in and above Moria).

  • He regularly ignites fires.

  • He casts light from his staff.

  • He uses spells to (attempt to) open doors, to close doors (even bragging about how many of the former he knows).

  • He speaks "words of command".

  • He casts shafts of white light at flying Nazgul.



And many more examples.


Yet, as a member of the Istari he is supposed to be restricted from using power. He is supposed to inspire, encourage, and get results primarily through the actions of other people.


Now, I consider myself quite well-read in my Tolkien, but I'm having some difficulty reconciling the two. What's going on there, then?


Answers I'm looking for would include sourced quotes that need not go so far as to explain this exactly, but at least support it's plausability.



Answer



The Wizards were not restricted from using their power. They were forbidden from using their power against Sauron directly and from using their power to subjugate the peoples of Middle-earth.


From Appendix B:



Istari... were messengers sent to contest the power of Sauron, and to unite all those who had the will to resist him; but they were forbidden to match his power with power, or to seek to dominate Elves and Men by force and fear.




They were not restricted from using their abilities, or even from openly displaying their power. The kinds of actions they were forbidden to take might include:



  • Ruling their own lands

  • Going one-on-one (five-on-one) with Sauron (one wonders if the incident at Dol Goldur might have been a violation)

  • Creating their own Ring of Power in which to dominate the peoples of Middle-Earth and take out Sauron


The examples cited in the question seem quite trivial compared to what they might be capable of.


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