Gandalf the Grey

“The Council of Elrond” is a delightfully convoluted chapter, but here I will focus on just one small part of it: the scene where Gandalf recounts his encounter with Saruman the White (see yesterday’s interpretive art post).  Gandalf’s behavior during the confrontation really captures his overall personality in the book – particularly his incarnation as Gandalf the Grey.  Saruman arrogantly announces, “For I am Saruman the Wise, Saruman Ring-maker, Saruman of Many Colours!”  Gandalf dryly replies, “I liked white better.”

Gandalf shows his characteristic philosophical depth in this scene, as well, when he observes “he that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom.”  His vision of wisdom is based on reverence for life, respect for nature, and a sense of humility.  And ancient istari spirit though he may be, we see the human-like frailty of Gandalf in this encounter, for when Saruman threatens that Sauron may “devise, say, a fitting reward for the hindrance and insolence of Gandalf the Grey,” the wizard counters with the boast, “That may not prove to be one of the lighter matters” – but he admits to Elrond’s guests that “my words were empty, and he knew it.”

Grey – the color of mist and smoke, but also of the clear eyes of Arwen.

The color of ambiguity and mediation and time-worn hoary heads.

The color that marks the presence of fire.

 

Grey – the color of Gandalf.

 

 

 

 

Image: Adapted from the photograph of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow by Julia Margaret Cameron.