the lord of the rings - Would Gandalf have been allowed to fight Smaug?

This is not a Gandalf vs Smaug debate.

The question is more about whether, if presented with the opportunity, Gandalf would have been permitted (by the Valar) to fight Smaug without any limitations to his power?

I know that as a wizard, he is instructed to only be a guiding spirit and not unleash his full power. However, in Moria, he fights the Balrog using his abilities as a wizard in full.

Answer

Probably.

The prohibition on the Istari:

"Their emissaries [the Istari/Wizards] were forbidden to reveal themselves in forms of majesty, or to seek to rule the wills of Men or Elves by open displays of power"
_{Unfinished Tales, The Istari}

"But they were forbidden to match his [Sauron's] power with power, or to seek to dominate Elves or Men by force or fear".
_{LOTR, Appendix B}

Fighting Smaug wouldn't constitute trying to rule or overawe Elves or Men, nor trying to defeat Sauron directly, so it would probably be OK.

Comments

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