How Important is a Wizard's Staff? | Middle-Earth Lore

[@gallendugall8913]

You never see Gandalf having to file paperwork, do you? No! That's because he has a good staff.

[@Fluffy._.Doggo.123]

💀

[@BOKNOKB7]

Nice

[@shizukagozen777]

🤦‍♀️😂

[@KorithStoneheart]

Ha!

[@timesthree5757]

I gonna block you now.

[@danielbaucom5252]

Think of Gandalf’s staff in the same vein as Thor’s Hammer. It is not the source of the user’s power, it’s more of a channeling device for it.

[@TETASARAIVACS]

More or less, because others were able to pick up the Hammer and use it (if they were deserving of so)

[@danielbaucom5252]

@@TETASARAIVACS yeah, but in this case if aragorn picked up gandalf’s staff he wouldn’t have been able to use it for anything.

[@TETASARAIVACS]

@@danielbaucom5252 Well, he could try to use it to break some Orc’s skulls 😅

[@sirbreadstick5664]

I think this is a great comparison because we know that others can lift Thor’s hammer and they can use it at least in ways that are inherent to the hammer (ie throwing it and summoning it back) but they can’t use Thors powers. I think that if someone else were to try to use any of the wizards staves they would be as useful as any ordinary staff. Great for hitting people, leverage, or assisting in walking but otherwise not particularly useful

[@danielbaucom5252]

@@sirbreadstick5664 exactly! well said. You could pick it up and start whacking orcs but you’re not defeating any balrogs or nazgul with it

[@Yde9800]

As I remember Gandalf was given a new staff by Galadriel, when he came to Lothlorien after his resurrection. This indicates that the staff might be an instrument or chanal of power, but not directly connected to it.

[@ConstantChaos1]

Even in irl wircraft staves and wands serve to focus energy, they are a larger version of a pointing finger or a guide for energy You can still pull off spells without them but it makes it a lot easier, it's pretty common across most forms of magic and mythology Similar to how a crystal focuses the eye on the target (or minds eye more often) the stave is a tool to specify the casting Based off how many pagan influences there are in the books (especially for a devout Christian) he notably went for a Wiccan inspired creation myth instead of a genesis type so its a pretty safe assumption

[@taroupriapus9760]

Gandalf has five staffs in the span of these films Staff 1 ... His original staff, it was later destroyed by Sauron in the Hobbit Battle of Five Armies Staff 2 .. after he lost his original staff, Radagast gave his staff to Gandalf. Gandalf later removed the blue stone on its top and returned it to Radagast. This second staff is used by Gandalf in the remaining of Hobbit Battle of Five Armies and the same staff we saw on the first half of LOTR. It was later confiscated by Saruman after he defeat Gandalf at Orthanc Tower Staff 3 .. Lord Elrond gave gandalf a new staff after he escaped Orthanc Tower. This staff was used by Gandalf until Moria where he lost it during his fight with the Balrog Staff 4... After resurrection and become Gandalf the White, Galadriel gave him a new white staff. This staff was destroyed during Gandalf s encounter with the Witch King of Angmar Staff 5 ... On the last scenes of LOTR when Gandalf is about to ride the ship to Grey Havens, he is seen using a new staff. Perhaps given again by Galadriel.

[@Alexanderiii]

Everyone sing along, "Oh, a wizard's staff has a knob on the end...

[@captainufo4587]

Is there a hedgehog too?

[@taroupriapus9760]

Gandalf has five staffs in the span of these films Staff 1 ... His original staff, it was later destroyed by Sauron in the Hobbit Battle of Five Armies Staff 2 .. after he lost his original staff, Radagast gave his staff to Gandalf. Gandalf later removed the blue stone on its top and returned it to Radagast. This second staff is used by Gandalf in the remaining of Hobbit Battle of Five Armies and the same staff we saw on the first half of LOTR. It was later confiscated by Saruman after he defeat Gandalf at Orthanc Tower Staff 3 .. Lord Elrond gave gandalf a new staff after he escaped Orthanc Tower. This staff was used by Gandalf until Moria where he lost it during his fight with the Balrog Staff 4... After resurrection and become Gandalf the White, Galadriel gave him a new white staff. This staff was destroyed during Gandalf s encounter with the Witch King of Angmar Staff 5 ... On the last scenes of LOTR when Gandalf is about to ride the ship to Grey Havens, he is seen using a new staff. Perhaps given again by Galadriel.

[@surfdocer103]

Do-dah, doo-da

[@EIegie]

​@@taroupriapus9760Interesting, thank you

[@clone547]

I always thought of it more as a symbol of authority or purpose. Gandalf breaking Saruman's was stripping him of that authority, and emphasizing that he abandoned his duty. Gandalf being able to break the staff would also show Saruman that Ilúvatar had gifted Gandalf with more power and new purpose.

[@TETASARAIVACS]

Yes, a phallic symbol 😊

[@chamuuemura5314]

@clone547 That seems right. So many books, films, and games released after LotR have used staffs with magical enhancements or buffs that we forget that they’re just tools in the original.

[@Trapsarentgay133]

Which makes sense when the witch king breaks Gandalf’s staff because that was saurons power at its peak so he would be able to show the istari that they were weaker than him

[@TETASARAIVACS]

@@Trapsarentgay133 Actually, the Witch King never breaks Gandalf’s staff. The Witch King defies Gandalf by the gates of Minas Tirith, with pride because he’s much stronger than the last time they met (atop Amon Sul). But he didn’t realise that Gandalf himself was also much stronger than before. But before they could clash one against each other, the Rohirrim arrived and the Witch King was drawn to the battlefield.

[@Zzrik]

When Gandalf became Gandalf the white i think there was part some where in one of the books where he spoke of being Saruman as Saruman should have been or something along those lines.

[@Marcus-ki1en]

I think the staffs are just a symbol of their role. Grima is afraid of Gandalf with staff because he know of Saruman with staff. The staffs may be able to channel or focus power, but the power originates within Gandalf or is channeled through him and then through the staff.

[@rexmagi4606]

It could be that in his fight with the Balrog, Gandalf knew it would be a close combat falling battle for a lot of it where a sword that he could project magic through would make more sense than a staff which I feel may extend the range of his magic. I think wizards can channel magic through any object, but they use a staff because it isn't threatening to most people and they can bring it everywhere. This isn't based on anything other than speculation, but it could work.

[@thomasmatherly6109]

That’s cool I like that.

[@Minicheche250]

He even uses that excuse to infiltrate rohan's court

[@mrdark9916]

Don't forget tho that this PARTICULAR sword is an extremely powerful magical item in its own right, worn by the King of Gondolin and forged, and imbued with magic and nigh on indestructibility by mighty beings at the height of their power. Created SPECIFICALLY to fight and kill the servants of darkness I always figured that's how he was able to summon lightning on command and imbued the sword with it's power to kill the Balrog. I wonder if he could have with a NORMAL sword.......a normal sword couldn't even block the Balrogs blade of fire, not to mention holding a lightning bolt and its power. I think Glamdring in particular was more pivotal than people even realize

[@taroupriapus9760]

Gandalf has five staffs in the span of these films Staff 1 ... His original staff, it was later destroyed by Sauron in the Hobbit Battle of Five Armies Staff 2 .. after he lost his original staff, Radagast gave his staff to Gandalf. Gandalf later removed the blue stone on its top and returned it to Radagast. This second staff is used by Gandalf in the remaining of Hobbit Battle of Five Armies and the same staff we saw on the first half of LOTR. It was later confiscated by Saruman after he defeat Gandalf at Orthanc Tower Staff 3 .. Lord Elrond gave gandalf a new staff after he escaped Orthanc Tower. This staff was used by Gandalf until Moria where he lost it during his fight with the Balrog Staff 4... After resurrection and become Gandalf the White, Galadriel gave him a new white staff. This staff was destroyed during Gandalf s encounter with the Witch King of Angmar Staff 5 ... On the last scenes of LOTR when Gandalf is about to ride the ship to Grey Havens, he is seen using a new staff. Perhaps given again by Galadriel.

[@SCScholar1]

I saw the breaking of saruman's staff as his expulsion from the istari.

[@taroupriapus9760]

Expulsion from the Council

[@zachharper7386]

Yeah new video! Best lord of the rings channel in the world. Love and appreciate you guys at The Broken Sword.

[@elipeace4234]

I think it's important to remember that a wizard's staff has a knob at the end.

[@barryon8706]

I was looking for this comment. 😀

[@meganfoster8838]

@@barryon8706 I was going to make it if nobody else did.

[@notthemusewere]

somebody had to say it

[@laughingvampire7555]

the way I see it is that since the wizards in Tolkien are not wizards in our terms, they are low ranking "angels" sent to Middle Earth with the power restricted, the staff acts like an kind of unlocking mechanism for their restricted powers. Now, if you go to the pre-christian, pre-islamic folklore, ALL magic comes from spirits, there is no such thing as "nature" only magic because even nature works by magic, the wind, the rivers, gravity, all the laws of nature, everything is lesser spirits or spirits moving it in the world. And gods were the highest spirits or even something entirely different to spirits that rule them all. In other words, magic is in essence an animistic believe. A famous mathematician, Leibnitz who was a christian believer tried to explain this and he formulated a theory called Monadology to explain this.

[@Negetive2digit]

Unless I'm misreading, Gandalf DOES shoot light out of his hand to repel the Nazgul in the book. Whether this is a prosy way of failing to mention the staff or not, it's relevant to the discussion.

[@BlackHoleForge]

I always considered the wizard staff as two parts. The actual shaft helps tie the user to the Primal magic of the world. And the stone of the staff serves two purposes as well. The stone acts as a capacitor, storing up the trickle of magic that the user can cast. Then the user can release all that stored energy at once in a powerful spell. The second purpose of the stone is to act as a magical lens. Just like a lens can spread out light to a larger area or focus it to a tight spot, the Stone allows the user to take the stored magic and choose how to focus or disperse it.

[@banthaexplosion]

Nice take Sir.

[@Nepthu]

Interesting, but you put a lot of thought into something that is barely in the films. Magic itself was never realized or explored in LOTR. Compare it to Wheel of Time, where the magic system is thoroughly explained.

[@oldmandan7057]

@@Nepthu a lot of people refer to the books as opposed to the films for what they are referencing. I might one day delve into the Wheel of Time series myself though!

[@lunganigumede6678]

I hope you mean this as like a general comment for all wizard staffs

[@TETASARAIVACS]

I guess the power of the Wizards is the power of the Maiar, intrinsic to himself, not bound to the world around them. But they have important limitations, imposed by the Valar, which prevented them from using all of their power. The staff could be a form of channeling that godlike power without breaking their mortal bodies apart (we don’t know if their mortal-ish bodies are in fact “breakable”). I don’t remember if Tolkien ever told us that the Wizards had stones atop their staffs. Maybe that’s a movie thing.

[@taco12]

I would think breaking Grima Wormtongue's hold on Theoden would be in the realm of the ring Gandalf wears.

[@jackstrawful]

oh, you're right, I'd forgotten about that - Narya is described as having the power to inspire others to resist tyranny and domination (among other things). But, of course, the movies don't go into that, so it makes sense to assign that to the staff and Gandalf's own power instead.

[@cptnmus8996]

Great video as always, my theory is that their mortal forms can only output so much magic without taking damage, the staff acts as a focus and an amplifier or perhaps a better metaphor would be a fuse, the staff blows before the wizard, so acts as both a magical "weapon" and dead man switch to prevent them channeling so much of their true power that they destroy their corporeal body. The visual difference in staffs appears to reflect the personality of the wizard, I think a wizard without a staff is like a warrior without sword and shield, still as capable but likely to die in victory, so the wise rarely engage in magic (other then the simple kind) without using their staff.

[@60sfoley]

I agree with your assessment here. The staff is just a conduit to allow the wizard to focus his power. The power itself for me is either internal to the wizard (granted by the gods) or from the gods themselves, in which case the wizard could be viewed as a sort of tool, like a staff. I love your content, please keep making more like this.

[@haroldsaxon1075]

I've always considered the staff as a tool, like a blacksmiths tools. The power doesn't lie in the tool, and even without it he is formidable. He knows his power and the power of the fire that aids his work, but without the proper tools that power is hard to use, and may burn the hand that tries to grasp it.

[@Ptaaruonn]

I always thought of the staves like spell focuses of D&D, an item that is held by some spellcasters to direct and focus their magic and maybe a way to bypass some spell components (don't know if that's a thing or not in LotR).

[@Milark]

Magic in Tolkien’s works doesn’t really have ‘mechanics’ to begin with. It’s a soft magic system through and through. More of a manifestation of their holy authority as Maia.

[@ethinwhite3454]

I've always wondered this. Thanks for the video.

[@tzisorey]

I always figured it was similar to Thor's hammer in Ragnarok - a focus that doesn't necessarily limit their power, but allows them to use their power more precisely, more subtly. They can use powers without it, but they're more gross, and at greater risk of injuring those who are nearby.

[@jackstrawful]

nice use of the the word gross (the more uncommon meaning of broad or unrefined/non-specific, rather than disgusting), I like that 👍😀

[@V4N6U4RD]

A wooden staff is just a stick, but an old traveler can use it as a weapon to fight, use it like a lever to move large objects, and in the movies Gandalf turned it into a flashlight, a key to the doors of Moria, in the ExtROTK Saruman turned his into a Flame thrower, and in the Hobbit Rhadaghast uses a crystal to remove a curse. The Istari know their human bodies cannot endure the powers of the Maiar, so they need tools that fit their human form

[@michaelmaltzer5426]

He spoke “friend” and entered… his staff was not needed

[@V4N6U4RD]

@@michaelmaltzer5426 Gandalf was not needed either. Frodo solved the riddle and both Aragon and Legolas knew the answer as well. Istari and a staff were the wrong tool for the job. So tell me: How did Gimli not know the answer? (Book or Movie)

[@banthaexplosion]

@@V4N6U4RD Gimli wasn't from Moria. And you just skated around Mike's comment.

[@mordechai-]

@@V4N6U4RD It was Gandalf who figured out tonsay "Mellon," not Frodo, not Aragorn, or anyone else. At least in the book. I don't remember nor care about the movies.

[@V4N6U4RD]

@@banthaexplosion You're comment implies that Gimli is not a Dwarven prince, just a tourist, and is willing to endanger the Fellowship and the mission to destroy the ring, so he can gamble on free dinner and show off to Legolas, which doesn't explain his invite to the Council of Elrond. Mike's comment was about how Gandalf didn't need his staff, which is true (so nothing wrong there) My point from my original post is that he still tried the staff, not knowing if it would work. If you wanna play "Who knows more Tolkein?", just go take an online quiz, and beat my score which will be zero, because I don't use those

[@TETASARAIVACS]

Gandalf the Grey’s staff breaks when he use it to destroy the Bridge of Khazad-Dum

[@jaredboyd2562]

I was going to comment this if no one else had. This was a point that was even missing from Tolkien Gateway a while back.

[@taroupriapus9760]

Gandalf has five staffs in the span of these films Staff 1 ... His original staff, it was later destroyed by Sauron in the Hobbit Battle of Five Armies Staff 2 .. after he lost his original staff, Radagast gave his staff to Gandalf. Gandalf later removed the blue stone on its top and returned it to Radagast. This second staff is used by Gandalf in the remaining of Hobbit Battle of Five Armies and the same staff we saw on the first half of LOTR. It was later confiscated by Saruman after he defeat Gandalf at Orthanc Tower Staff 3 .. Lord Elrond gave gandalf a new staff after he escaped Orthanc Tower. This staff was used by Gandalf until Moria where he lost it during his fight with the Balrog Staff 4... After resurrection and become Gandalf the White, Galadriel gave him a new white staff. This staff was destroyed during Gandalf s encounter with the Witch King of Angmar Staff 5 ... On the last scenes of LOTR when Gandalf is about to ride the ship to Grey Havens, he is seen using a new staff. Perhaps given again by Galadriel.

[@Hellosidney123]

Thank you I was incredibly confused about the last two staffs

[@annaroselarsen4218]

I never thought about this and it a great idea!

[@lawrencemick1665]

I disagree about no one except Bilbo was able give up the ring. Remember Sam thought Frodo was dead. He took the ring and set about to finish the task of destroying the ring, all alone with no one to aid him. Although in the book and the movie we nowhere see or hear Sam make the profesion that it is his and claims it for his own, that had to be the case. Because he was alone and certainly wasn't going to lay it aside. He took the ring thinking Frodo dead did in action maybe not in some spoken declaration did take it for his own. I don't think it can be taken another way. J m o

[@A.Martin]

I think that is what is suggested, he took it to destroy on behalf of Frodo and not as his own possession.

[@BEDLAMITE-5280ft.]

We need to sort this out!

[@arcanecrisis]

I will have to disagree. Because Tolkien specifically stated through Gandalf's dialogue, that the manner of receiving the ring had a great role to play in its effects upon its bearer. Smegol killed his own blood to take it. But Bilbo found it and chose to spare the same villian. The ring effected smegol almost immediately, while Bilbo lived with it In his possession for decades and was still able to give it up. Sam recieved the ring on the extreme side of the positive spectrum, having recieved the ring in mourning of his master, with determination to destroy It, along with in depth knowledge of its effects. Even in the crack of doom, he yelled "DESTROY IT!". Imo Sam could have completed the journey, if not for his loyalty to his master.

[@pkthunder7008]

I like your take. This is a super difficult to parse though. Surely Sam had more ownership of the ring than Boromir did when he temporarily had the run and gave it back. But definitely not as much as Bilbo had. I wouldn't be surprised if Sam still thought of the ring as Frodo's. But I have no textual evidence. Could go either way. Maybe Sam should get more credit. Maybe not though. Hard to say.

[@tomschmitty8793]

I always thought it was because Sam never put the ring on as Hobbits didn't seem to be effected by being in it's vicinity.

[@dukstedi]

i flew here so fast! thx for another one! i love this channel!🎉🎉🎉 subbed 2days ago🫀

[@trjozsef]

Note 1: Gandalf did have two tools at his disposal that in and by themselves allowed him to cast magic, the ring and the staff. Note 2: Gandalf seems to get tired from using magic. If he knew it was going to be a battle of endurance between him and the Bane of Durin he had to reduce his magic footprint. Balrogs' element is fire, so focus on the ring that gave him control of fire (and was less unwieldy in combat) seems like the smart choice.

[@jackstrawful]

As for note 2, I buy that, pretty clever interpretation. But for note 1, it's true that the ring Narya gives him access to certain magic abilities, but, as a Maia, he also has his own inherent magic. I don't think the staff provides any magic of it's own - I don't think any normal person could make any use of it, it would only be useful to a wizard, or other of the Ainur. Possibly also elves, since I think I remember that Galadriel is responsible for creating one and some elves also have a limited amount of magical ability, I think due to their time spent living under the light of The Two Trees.

[@trjozsef]

@@jackstrawful I figured why he didn't "attempt to keep his staff." Per the book "he smote the bridge before him. The staff broke asunder and fell from his hand." There was no staff to begin with.

[@jackstrawful]

@@trjozsef ah, yes, the old scourge of book knowledge becoming befuddled by contradictory movie knowledge, the bane of LOTR fans, Dune fans and Harry Potter fans alike.

[@johns1625]

Gandalf also used the flash attack when the Mouth of Sauron was offering terms of surrender when shown the mithril rings Frodo was wearing. Gandalf says "These we will take", and then made a bright flash and snatched the things away from him faster than anyone could see.

[@olinseats4003]

I think it''s a bit of everything. As higher beings crammed into a mortal form, the staff is both a symbolic reminder of their task and a way to more effectively channel the divine within the bounds of their restricted shapes. You could argue that during Gandalf's fight with the Balrog the staff wasn't really necessary for him because once the fight was taken out of the sight of mortals, he had a freer hand with his powers and that he had no real plans to survive the fight, so it didn't matter if there were any repercussions for moving a lot of power through a mortal shell not really made for the task. I've always seen their Wizard form as something like a fragile mask. They use the staff to preserve the disguise. If they use more than a fraction of their real power without it, then the mask rips apart. They don't want that to happen because it runs counter to their mission to reveal their true selves, and is basically admitting failure. With that in mind, to stay within their roles as guides and sort of muses of hope, they do everything they can to stay in their disguise.

[@jacobspencer5295]

I've been watching some videos before subscribing and I'm no fanatic, but this man's work influenced so much its hard not to see his work's aspects everywhere. Great video!

[@MsKat_7]

I, like others, think the staff holds multiple meanings and uses. 1. Focus power like a wand in Harry Potter or crystals and wands in current use, as well as the example given of the Spell focus in DnD. 2. Amplifies his power with Magick properties of the wooden staff itself. Most people could relate in wood for wands in Potterverse and many ritual practices today in Magick. 3. Amplifies and focuses power via the crystal in the staff. Thinking of the way a crystal will take a single beam of light and splits the light into individual wavelength of color. Crystals also could have Magikal properties probably chosen to suit his Magick focus 4. Symbol of his purpose and still having the blessing and authority given to him when he went forth into Middle Earth

[@patrickhenry236]

Something else to think about. The Istari were limited from using their full powers when they went to middle earth from valinor. This differentiates them from the Sauron who from the start exercised his power over the people's of middle earth under Morgoth. The Valar instead sent the istari as guides for the free people of middle earth, not as champions. I think Broken sword got it right, in that the wizards are conduits of the deity, and the staves extensions of them. This especially makes more sense with the understanding of their roles as emissaries.

[@ptolemeeselenion1542]

Hm.

[@TV_Covers]

MORE BOOKS VS MOVIES! Also, didn't Galadriel or the elves make Gandalf a new staff when he became Gandalf the White? And if so, then what implications does this have? Lastly, why didn't Saruman take Gandalf's staff when he imprisoned him in his tower if it was so important?

[@TETASARAIVACS]

Gandalf’s staff breaks when he brings down the Bridge of Khazad-Dum. Galadriel clothes him in white and gives him the new staff (which I think stays with him until the end)

[@BenFrayle]

The staves were symbols of office, nothing more. They may have had some minor enchantments (there were quite a few 'minor' magical items in Middle Earth from the magical weapons, cloaks and Palantir to the novelty gifts Bilbo gave people at his party and the Old Took's magical bracers).

[@jacksdaughter7989]

I am so happy to have found this channel a few days ago. I absolutely LOVE these videos and this one was outstanding. Thank you so much for your work. I so look forward to sitting down in the evenings and watching your channel.

[@migapiga]

Love this. Love the separation between nature magic which comes from self and “other” magic which is received from something outside oneself. Harry Potter innately has magic within him. Gandalf receives it, even from birth, from the Valar - ultimately Illuvitar. As long as I understand the point correctly. Love it. Thank you (dare I say it?!) KZbin for your algorithm taking me down this rabbit hole. Thank you broken sword for taking all the time to go down this rabbit hole for us. Why is this so filling to think about these things?!

[@EdwardSnortin]

YWNBAW

[@uncleruckus5686]

Not as big a nerd as you on this one so I might be wrong here, but. Wouldn’t Gandalfs ring have effect over Bilbo when he gives up the ring? Gandalfs ring is many times proven to instil hope where there is none and make people braver and “greater” than they ever would be without his presence. This could make bilbo “Brave” enough to give up the ring. Again, I might be wrong but I’m just saying. Would be interesting to read your take on it.

[@TETASARAIVACS]

Not necessarily because of his Ring, but because of himself, and his intrinsic powers as a Maiar. It is said that Gandalf was sent to Middle Earth to instil hope in peoples hearts. Maybe it had something to do with Gandalf’s past in Aman (the places where he’d dwelt and the Valar with whom he’d lived)

[@williammcdonald3147]

I’d love to see a comparison between books n films on the dynamics of elves and dwarfs ? Do the relationships work the same

[@TETASARAIVACS]

“Sometimes a staff is just a staff” Freud, Sigmund. 😁

[@justincurll1110]

In the book, Gandalf shoots the beam of light that drives the Nazgul away from Faramir with his hand. Tolkien specifically describes it as coming from his hand. In the books the staff seems to just be a tool meant more to disguise their power, as if it led people to belueve the power didn't come from the Istari themselves.

[@JoeDM28]

I just found your work and I love your videos. It definitely is a bit of a worm hole your channel. Every video I watch has a reference to another of your videos. I have to make sure I have a hour at least before watching anything of yours because I can't keep from every reference video you card during. Idk what was the first one I saw, but I came out with 5 tabs of your other videos, not even half way through the first one.

[@Aellef]

More books vs movies! It's a really cool tool to have in the toolbox for Legendarium discussions across levels of exposure

[@brandonbest8489]

I’ve been watching this channel on and off for a few weeks.. I truly enjoy this channel and the lore discussed :)

[@sectureverothoughtcriminal7734]

Could it be that the magic in the Elvin sword allowed Gandalf to use it like his staff?

[@TETASARAIVACS]

“At that moment Gandalf lifted his staff, and crying aloud he smote the bridge before him. The staff broke asunder and fell from his hand.” (LotR, Book Two, Chapter 5: THE BRIDGE OF KHAZAD-DÛM)

[@TarMody]

In Tolkien, magic can be defined as the ability of the being that has the potential to do this to have an effect on beings in the Seen and Unseen Worlds through the incarnation of spiritual power. Usually, there is a temporary decrease in spiritual power depending on the size of the effect of the spell, and it takes time to regain it. The staff is a tool for focusing and channeling this power. The staff is not essential to use this ability, but its presence makes it easier to display. I think like this.

[@FatherMulcahy10]

I feel the staff is both a sign of authority with which of the valar they served and a way to focus one power of what the wizard is in tune with. For Sarumon his staff may give his voice more power that it could on it own and he was supposed to be the most powerfull of them all given he was associated with a greater valar ruler. And the fact his staff was broken might have ment that not only he lost his rank but was also disown from the valar for failing them. And another thing I'm curios about is that did Gandalf go thought as many staffs as he did or was it only in the movies that happened.

[@jackstrawful]

In the books, his staff is broken when bringing down the bridge of Khazad-Dum and it's Galadriel who gives him a new one (as well as reminding him who he is) when he returns as Gandalf the White.

[@JackSilver1410]

I would think that a wizard's staff is primarily a symbol of rank, it often seems to be referred to it that way. Saruman asks Gandalf if he wants the rods of all five wizards and the keys to Orthanc in one go, like they share similarity. On their own it's just keys and some sticks, but what they represent is the important part. The only difference is that the istari's rank was given by Iluvatar so it comes with actual powers that can't be tossed by a healthy lack of respect for authority. Saruman's staff being destroyed is the same as pulling the stars off a general, they no longer have any rank or authority, and without that badge of office, they no longer have any powers either. Saruman is no longer a wizard, but he is still a Maiar so he's still head and shoulders above the common man, but he can no longer contend with Gandalf.

[@douglaslindeman797]

Hello all, the Tolkienesque novelist D L Lindeman here again. Wizard staves, in some "fantasy worlds" (including mine) function as a conduit for focusing ambient magical energies. As noted, in J K Rowling's "world", young wizards and witches need their wands, but as they get more proficient they need it less. Experienced 'magic users' can cast certain basic spells without the need for such a conductive device. Examples; One of my MC's, a mage, in the 5th book casts a "Magical Dart Barrage" spell as a reflex without using her staff. Snape blocking "Expeliamus" with a wave of his hand. Gandalf casting an "Aura of Might" (my name for the spell that made the room get dark and himself seem more imposing while saying to Bilbo, "Do not take for some player of parlor tricks. I am not trying to rob you..." [I may not have remembered that statement exactly right] On another note... When Gandalf was fighting the Balrog the magical sword Glamdring "The Foe Hammer" acted as a magical conduit (summon lightning), plus it was a potent weapon in battle where his staff was not a viable weapon against a Balrog. On a final note... Sarumon when he invaded the Shire as Sharky, he did not need his staff to use his "poison words". A minor spell of influencing (like Gandalf's aura spell) rather than a spell for attacking.

[@MusikCassette]

The power of the Istarie mostly comes from them being Ainur. Other Ainur don't use staffs to do their work. Th special thing about the Istarie is, that they took less powerful form in order to assume roles as councils. So what I think is, that the power that is in their staffs is their own. The staffs might be a housing for part their power so that they even could inhabit this form.

[@Maglorfin]

A staff in the hands of a wizard may be more than a prop for age.

[@stephenhill6003]

This is a very thoughtful analysis. Thanks for the hard work that you put into this.

[@janregenda1690]

I think that in the books the light that Gandalf uses to "scare" fellbeasts comes from Narya, not from his staff.

[@GeomancerFelix]

I love staves as both a weapon and as a character development device! In fantasy, they are often just regarded as magic focuses. As you said, something to enhance or direct the flow of magic, helpful but not critical. We can't overlook the fact that the Maiar really do, in varying capacities, have to travel long distances, so the usefulness of a walking stick isn't entirely rules out. Now for my favorite bit: Different tribes throughout history have used a talking stick, or "Speaking staff," as an instrument that shows authority and ability to speak or guide. The linguist staves of the ȯkyeame is a great example of this, I believe. Gandalf's gift of reassuring speech is repeatedly alluded to, so the staff is not directly linked to this but it may further highlight him as an important speaker and orator. Lastly, something that resides largely in Judeo-Christian imagery is the concept of a shepherd. They use staves, a "crozier," to guide and help corral the wayward sheep. This function of guiding the lost is central to Christian ideology, hence why the clergy sometimes carry stylized croziers and staves, as well. If they Maiar were sent to Middle Earth to guide the peoples, it's thematically appropriate that they do so while exhibiting the qualities, and instruments of what the reader might also consider to be a wise, benevolent guide. Saruman's corruption might be a counterpoint here, but I would also argue that in his moral shift he continues to act as a speaker and guide, just to the benefit of Sauron's armies, instead.

[@isaackim7675]

I still wonder how strong a wizard’s staff is? Given to Gandalf manages to kill both Orcs and Uruk-Hais with a swift blow

[@CompositesNG]

Love this content. Watching from España 🇪🇸

[@TheSauceYouGetLostin]

I think the staff is more like a way to channel his magic, not the source of his magic. He can still do magic without it but it's more chaotic and uncontrollable.

[@ryancialone3045]

Personally, I don't think it would be less controllable but slower and much more taxing to cast to the point of higher feats of magic being impractical. Think of it as the difference between digging a hole with your hands vs using a shovel

[@Broom-SSN]

Great piece. I would say, the most significant piece of evidence is Gandalf's unwillingness to part with his Staff when he went to see Theoden. He would not have worried about any harm coming to it briefly in the hands of the Hama. That coupled with worm tongue's reaction pretty much seals the deal - the staff is of value for it's power, not just it's significance as a symbol.

[@scotthutchinson9724]

A wizard's staff has a knob on the end.

[@twistedvtuber9894]

My own headcanon is that the Staff is more of a focusing crystal, which let's them aim their power. If not for the crystal, it will lash out violently and without much direction, while the staff let's them actively choose who gets hit. Hence why he wasn't too nerfed against the Balrog, since he didn't need to worry about crossfire, but when he has allies, it becomes a liability

[@jerimiahrobert1585]

More books vs Movies please and THANK YOU! You all have proven yourselves as True Dunidain

[@Brandon-a-writer]

*Hanta*!

[@orthicon9]

I've always thought of his staff as being like a pen. With it one may write a check, compose a poem, or sign a death warrant, yet the pen does not have any money, imagination, or power to condemn. Some fountain pens are just really nice though, to use and/or look at.

[@HACKTACULAR.]

In The Desolation of Smaug, Sauron breaks Gandoff’s staff before he imprisons him!

[@nlee1943]

What a fascinating exploration of this often wondered at idea. Thank you for the insightful analysis on the wizards' staffs. I was pleasantly surprised by the discussion of the holy tramp from Tolkien's letter, and I think that image matches fairly closely with Gandalf the Grey. Your conclusion makes a strong point: the Istari are ultimately servants of God in Middle Earth, and their power comes from him and not from a staff. Pretty deep.

[@christopher-lotr]

Brilliant video. I love the concept of the Holy Tramp.

[@juanausensi499]

My take is that the staff serves as a convenient prop to protect the magic wielder from the effects of his own powers. For example, Gandalf could choose to fire a lightbeam from both the staff he wields or his own hands, but in his mortal body, those are the hands of an old man, so he could injure them in process. Same with the breaking of the bridge of Moria: he could break the bridge with his own hand, but not without destroying it completely while doing the deed.

[@stephenjaros9268]

I always saw the wizards staff as a tool. Casting a spell is like making a pair of pants, it's possible to do without the proper tools, but the pants would be poor and it would take forever, however; with the proper tools, you could make a proper pair of pants. But also, a tool cannot act alone, and a tool in an unskilled hand is useless. The staff is the same way.

[@champagnecamping65]

Could you talk about maybe how in the Lego Set The Tower of Orthanc, the Blue wizards staffs are in the top room. Seems like maybe Saruman has killed the 2 Blues

[@BlackHoleForge]

I thought Gandalf was just salty from when he had his staff taken away. So in return he destroyed it

[@johnparish6566]

I like the idea that an entity's magical strength is limited to the amount of authority their voice is born with (or whatever they are left with after they first enter the physical realm). Throughout their lives as they use their voice to manipulate/produce magic it decreases. A staff will allow them to access that original measure of magic, for a short while.

[@anthonyeder8360]

I reminded of the sufi poet Rumi. He once wrote about a reed that was chopped down and made into a flute. The musician's breath didn't create the music, but released all the music that was always in the reed.

[@JimmyMFP]

In the films, I assumed it was to do with focusing their power; I don't know if we want to consider it, but it would explain why the wizard in The Rings of Power uses his magic without control, so I assume he gets his staff in Rhun. However, in the books, I always read it as a symbol of wisdom and authority, as though their power came to them through the staff, acting more like a lightning rod or pylon, rather than a power source or focusing source.

[@kibagami25]

You narrate the book so well. I would love to hear the book. You should do a audiobook.

[@davis.fourohfour]

I'd think that Gandalf was using his Elven ring of inspiring courage and resistance to help Bilbo give up his claim to the Ring.

[@AJPennyPacker2]

14:00 very well said and awesome breakdown. In my later years, (meaning here more recently) I’ve equated Gandalf as a holy figure in LOTR. He is essentially an agent of Eru in the books, (like you’ve stated here in this video) and I compared his ride out to drive away the Nazgûl from Pelanor fields as being like an act of God, driving away the darkness of evil with His Light. Your breakdown in this video confirms what I’ve drawn comparisons to. Your continued breakdown is so true. You can’t take away God’s power by removing some singular object. God’s power is all-encompassing and ever-present. Gandalf is a Maiar sent from Eru, which is Tolkien’s fantasy’s comparison to one of God’s angels. 👏🏼

[@zemxxi2765]

They had to do something about that ridiculously sounding threat when Bilbo refers to the ring as "his precious". "Don't say that again or you will see Gandalf the Grey uncloaked". Sounds like he's threatening to do a striptease, which we probably just don't want to imagine Gandalf doing.

[@AzulaFarum]

I always thought the staff was not for the sake of the Istari, but for the sake of Elves, Dwarves, and Men to understand the power they wielded. If Men could look at Gandalf and not understand his power, they could at least point to their staff and say "the wizard performs magic through their instruments."

[@jeremymaxwell7251]

I wholeheartedly agree,the assessment that a gift given by the divine has nothing to do with a physical object.2 examples come to mind,inside the world of cinema.but,out side of middle earth."are you the god of hammers?no your the god of thunder."Odin to Thor on the subject of mojiner being shattered."what does god need with a space ship?"-captain Kirk st v.ty for the vid,enjoyed it much.

[@GCJACK83]

Sam: "A small bit of a garden is all I need." Goes on to re-plant The Shire.

[@danshaw1096]

I saw the staff as necessary more for what a wizard was allowed to do, rather than what they could do. That by carrying one, a wizard held proof of the trust the Valar had placed in them and the limits placed on their power when they accepted their task were lessened. I don't think that the staff was needed in Gandalf's fight with the Balrog because the purpose of the restrictions placed on the wizards were to keep them from dominating the people of Middle Earth with excessive uses of magic, but against the Balrog, all (or at least most) bets were off.

[@jackstrawful]

For the movies, at least, it makes sense that the staff focuses and amplifies the wizard's power - Gandalf only needed it to free Theoden because he was going against Saruman, who was also using his staff. As for the final section of the video, I think it is pretty explicit in the books that Gandalf IS an instrument of Eru Iluvatar (God) - it's why he's able to be reborn after dying in his battle with Durin's Bane: only Iluvatar can wield the Secret Fire to bestow life.

[@vDawGG]

I think the staff has a plus focus. It makes their tasks easier, like a vulcrum. Maybe it is also a comfort, helps the Miar keep their memories like a teddy bear reminds big kids of their yonger years, only deeper.

[@taroupriapus9760]

Gandalf has five staffs in the span of these films Staff 1 ... His original staff, it was later destroyed by Sauron in the Hobbit Battle of Five Armies Staff 2 .. after he lost his original staff, Radagast gave his staff to Gandalf. Gandalf later removed the blue stone on its top and returned it to Radagast. This second staff is used by Gandalf in the remaining of Hobbit Battle of Five Armies and the same staff we saw on the first half of LOTR. It was later confiscated by Saruman after he defeat Gandalf at Orthanc Tower Staff 3 .. Lord Elrond gave gandalf a new staff after he escaped Orthanc Tower. This staff was used by Gandalf until Moria where he lost it during his fight with the Balrog Staff 4... After resurrection and become Gandalf the White, Galadriel gave him a new white staff. This staff was destroyed during Gandalf s encounter with the Witch King of Angmar Staff 5 ... On the last scenes of LOTR when Gandalf is about to ride the ship to Grey Havens, he is seen using a new staff. Perhaps given again by Galadriel.

[@ez9566]

Dont know, but little detail: when the staff broke, it did at the same point where his hand was, showing that it was his influence that made the staff break in the first place. It seems like the staff is a focusing tool, like when gandalf used the sword to have more stability. The wizzard casts and the staff focuses like a lense, giving focus and helping save energy.

[@Sir_Gerald_Nosehairs.]

How many other people saw "A Wizard's Staff" and started singing "..has a knob on the end"? Bless you, the late Sir Terry.

[@Xtechno26]

could also be that the staffs are there to make the spells/magic more powerful

[@Borel-nv5bq]

I always assumed the staffs were basically used to channel or focus their power. They don't need them, but they're a tool to be used and helps them out a lot

[@MorriganWarrioress]

A small idea: What if the the staff works as like a battery? Like being around the Wizards and being held while the Wizards use magic again and again over years, allows a certain storage to happen. Then, when the Wizards are in tight spots, they can use that as both a focusing tool, but also to add some wattage to their power when they are throwing down some magic in a fight. So yes, Gandalf could have done things like splitting the sky with light or breaking Saruman's staff, but the staff makes it easier/swifter and at times can be used to help have a little more power/energy to throw into the magic they are doing (like having a protein shake just before an activity).

[@SteelValyrian]

6:14 - I always thought Gandalf had broken his staff on the Bridge of Kazad'Dum- when he destroys it to cast down the big boi. The Jackson movie either doesn't make this clear or doesn't really have it happen at all. I always imagined it tho like it sort of got weakened and shattered on the way down.

[@porcus123]

i always see these magical objects has energy/magic storage for the user when he needs. works in so many lores and is simple

[@gwiz6278]

In real world Magick circles, the wand is an extension of the magickians Will. It focuses and directs ones magickal energy. So it is with the staff.

[@Uncivil_Dreams]

im confused, how did he take over the shire later if he lost his body? i thought he was unable to affect the phisical world after he was killed, and wasnt allowes to return to the undying lands and so wasnt granted a new body?

[@TheBrokenSword]

Saruman?

[@clfoster82]

I assume you're referring to the movies and not the book. The movie kills him prematurely in the extended edition. He does not die at that point in the book. Nor does Grima. So there's your explanation. Movies take liberties.

[@xyreniaofcthrayn1195]

My purview on the istari staves is that they are both the one personal item allowed in middle earth given form, a tool whether that be a fighting staff, walking stick etc, the physical housing of excess power that mortal forms would crack and be destroyed otherwise and a notice of when an istari has decided to work with the enemy and another istari has confirmed they have broken themselves (saruman is the only istari to have had his staff and white coat broken in such a manner).

[@ChasoGod]

A Staff/Wand/ect allows a magic caster to collect, focus, and direct their magic in a more controlled manner. Without one their magic would spread out around them and can even harm those around them they didn't wish to hurt. For example a wizard who is trying to strike their foe with fire and they don't have a wand/staff would create an area of fire around themselves, but if one was wielding a staff/wand they have something to channel their magic through and create beam of fire giving them greater distance and accuracy with the same magic. Another example I can think of is the Wizard Duel between Gandalf and Saruman: they were channeling their magic through their staffs to strike at each other from a distance with each blow smacking them around the room, but if they weren't using their staffs the blows would have been lessened and less accurate due to being more spread out.

[@itsirrelephantman]

"A wizards staff has a knob on the end" -One of Nanny Oggs favourite songs

[@Overlegen]

Thank you for this interesting analysis! Please more book vs film-videos 😊

[@ajm2872]

"Are you 'Gandalf, Lord of wooden sticks'?" -MiddleEarth Odin, probably

[@getreal9400]

In the series rings of power when he used magic it done physical damage to him maybe it helps negate that

[@2shadesofgray752]

Not cannon

[@getreal9400]

What capacity his staff plays in reference to his magic is never discussed in the literature so this entire discussion is primarily speculation we can only have personal beliefs in the role the staff might play that is one of the characteristics of Tolkien literature Not all things are known

[@Brandon-a-writer]

@@getreal9400 And not all who WONDER are lost :P

[@emessick]

More books be movies would be cool

[@golwenlothlindel]

I think you were on to something when you said that Saruman's staff was a symbol of his authority, because looking at the abandoned language that Tolkien made for the Ainur: authority seems to be a very important concept. There is a group of eight Valar called the Mâchanuma, which means "The Authorities": Aratar in Quenya. But the difference there between Quenya and this Valarin language is kind of interesting: "ara" in Quenya, means "high". It doesn't necessarily imply authority or control, while the Valarin word certainly does. In at least some limited fashion, it seems, the Aratar have control over the other Valar. The Valar also seem to have implements which represent their authority: their mâchalluma, thrones, in the Ring of Doom. Obviously a Vala is powerful when not on their throne (the word "vala" literally means "power"), but note the reappearance of that word meaning "authority". Clearly the throne has some kind of use. I wonder if perhaps a wizard's staff is akin to a Vala's throne, not the source of their power but a conduit and symbol of their authority. As you said, a badge of office, but not a mundane item that simply symbolizes authority (like Aragorn's crown, or the Ring of Barahir). Something more like the Elessar, that is a symbol of authority but also interacts with Aragorn's innate power. He is still a descendent of Melian without the stone, capable of feats of healing that others could not perform. With the stone however, his power is focused: and thus more powerful within a more limited space or range. This would explain why Gandalf doesn't seem to be bothered if he loses the staff during the fight with the Balrog: they are just hurling raw power at each other without giving much thought to where else it goes and what it effects. Especially given that there already seems to be enough leftover magic on Caradhras to make people think it is sentient. Probably from when Elladan and Elrohir rescued their mother. Not leaving behind weird enchantments probably wasn't on their priority list in that specific instance. But if Gandalf let his glamour drop in Theoden's hall without his staff, then *everyone* would be dazzled: not just Theoden. Similarly, Narya is attuned to light: so while Gandalf could have used light without his staff, he needs the staff in order to aim a sunbeam at the Nazgûl. Otherwise he'd just be vaguely directing the sunlight in their direction which wouldn't be nearly as helpful.

[@simonhadley8829]

The staffs operate sort of like a big battery or capacitor to store up some of their own power for quick access. If the staff is lost or destroyed, the wizard isn't broken with it, he just loses access to that power. It was like that with the One Ring except that Sauron put too much of himself into the ring and leaned to heavily on it for everything. It was literally a part of him so that when it was cut from his hand he lost too much of himself to be able to exist in the physical world anymore.

[@eastindiaV]

Well, you have to start somewhere.. when you master a certain kind of combat, and unlock your psychic potential.. you could craft a tool to aid your abilities. Mine is called: The Staff of Eternal Dawn

[@Hemskelol]

While persuading Bilbo, Gandalf is also armed with the elven ring Narya, augmenting his power of persuasion.

[@el0blaino]

Exactly, and in his other displays of power, - I think Narya had an effect too.