Gandalf: More Than Just a Wizard - Tolkien Lore Video

When it comes to badass heroes of Middle-earth, there's really no one better than Gandalf. He's responsible for setting in motion the downfall of Smaug, a balrog, and Sauron himself. And he did it all without ever taking command!
For more information on other badass Lord of the Rings characters, check out these videos on Galadriel, Elrond, and Bilbo.
Galadriel: • Galadriel: Ambition VS...
Elrond: • Elrond: A Tragic Tale ...
Bilbo: • Bilbo: Baggins VS Took...
Much love and many thanks to the artists who make the wonderful art. No Tolkien art is created by myself, and all credit goes to the individual artists. If an artist is not credited, it is because I cannot find the source of their image, but if any of your artwork is featured during this video, please drop a message or a comment and I can link your page in the description of my videos!
All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, parody, or use a copyrighted work for educational purposes. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.
Thumbnail art salemallangawiart - by www.salemallangawiart.com
Rainbow Dave is kindly drawn by Goldswoof. Check out more of her art at www.goldswoof.com
Art credits in order of appearance:
Eru Ilúvatar - EnanoAKD
Melkor - Joel Kilpatrick
Manwë - Dymond Starr Illustrations [This is miscredited as Dymond Starr Registrations in the video]
Oromë - Steamey
Varda - Tania Weil
Irmo - Elena Kukanova
Nienna - Aerankai
Aulë - Alice Falto
Yavanna - Sedeptra
Ruin of Beleriand - PyramideMarciana
Downfall of Numenor - Edvige Faini
Blue Wizards - Quinton Hoover
Saruman -AIMaNeGrA
Radagast - LOTR Strategy Battle Game
Rhosgobel - Ted Nasmith
Glorfindel - Venlian
Círdan - sstefiart
Nazgul - Istrandar
Dol Guldur - WETA Workshop
Balrog awakened - Skal0man
Olorin - Annie Claudine
Mahanaxar - Jacek Kopalski
Battle of Pelennor Fields - RUIZBURGOS
Battle under the Trees - Battle for Middle-earth II
Battle of Dale - Battle of the Five Armies Extended Edition Appendices.
Elessar - John Howe
Lothlorien - Tim Catherall
Much love and many thanks to the music makers!
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Melodic/Celtic/Fantasy → Fjörður (Full Album) // Royalty Free Music - Royalty Free Music - Alexander Nakarada
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♩♫ Epic and Emotional Music ♪♬ - Parallel (Copyright and Royalty Free) - by Ross Bugden - INSTAGRAM! : / rossbugden (rossbugden) TWITTER! : / rossbugden (@rossbugden)
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"Dungeons and Dragons" - Royalty Free Music For Commercial Use - Epic/Celtic Fantasy Royalty Free Music - Alexander Nakarada
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Much love, stay groovy, and navaer mellyn nin!

[@ItJustDre]

My favorite interaction I see in the first Hobbit movie was when Galadriel asks Gandalf "Mithrandir, why the halfling?" To which he replies "Why Bilbo Baggins? That is because I am afraid, and he gives me courage."

[@Robutnikon]

🥺🥰 love this

[@jerryknuckles736]

"300 lives of men I've walked this earth and now...i have no time." I love that line! Poor Gandalf is so busy!!!

[@erikblaas5826]

Why have you given me the body of an old men, I feel so tired. ( Maybe not the right words, but this is how I remember them. ) That is exacly where I felt the restrictions put upon Gandalf, but also his greatest power, the power to have some foresight in what needs to be done and the power to guide and instruct the people in a friendly way who needs to do it.

[@jerryknuckles736]

@@erikblaas5826 good thought! I always thought he was sent as an old man so he would learn the daily struggles men go through so he could learn to inspire hope in them. Maybe I'm dead wrong, but i like what you're thinking. He must struggle in a similar way that men do

[@MostlyJoshin]

Gandalf has become one of my favorite characters, with the current world in such a dark state. He is a reminder of hope, humility, and fidelity. His subtle influence in middle earth is amazing, when you consider how powerful he was and how easy it would have been for him to take the ring for himself and become ruler of all. His journey west after the war was well-earned. We need more Gandalfs, to "rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill."

[@tolkienuntangled]

I couldn't agree more! In a world full of Sarumans we should all try to be a bit more like Gandalf 😀

[@danieltatman3803]

" Saruman believes only great power can hold evil in check ..... But that is not what I've found ..... "

[@danieltatman3803]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGi9lYOlpr2Anck

[@joemck74]

It is a constant source of puzzlement and frustration that this channel is not the top channel for Tolkien *lore*. There are, of course, many channels who post almost daily with info about films/TV/adaptations of every kind, and vent their (totally righteous) fury about the abominations Amazon is spawning. But that's a different thing. When it comes to having not only an encyclopaedic knowledge of everything Tolkien (and his son) ever wrote, but being able to make the story come to life - to put the characters in context and make us care about them and their actions, this channel is without peer. The whole legendarium is so vast and spans such a huge amount of time that it can be very easy to become overwhelmed and retreat to the comfort of the tiny area that is The Hobbit and the LotRs, with everything before the end of the Third Age becoming just a blur of names and dates. TolkienUntangled guides us through this intimidating world and lets us actually connect with some of the characters as 'real' people rather than words on a page, and give us a feel for how small actions thousands of years before can have huge consequences much later, and help us see the tiny nudges Eru Iluvatar gives to the Pattern over the eons.

[@tolkienuntangled]

That's so lovely of you to say, thanks so much! I'm really glad you enjoy the channel and exploring Tolkien's many works.

[@elisestanley3152]

That is exactly how I feel about this channel. It is absolute perfection! His passion and respect for Tolkien and his masterpiece are evident in every video, and it refuels my own passion and makes me want to read it all over and over again. And the depth of his knowledge of Tolkien’s legendarium and of Tolkien himself is just absolutely mind-blowing! Thank you Rainbow Dave for bringing these incredible stories to life and for providing some insight into the incredible man Tolkien was. I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job! Much love and respect!

[@tolkienuntangled]

@@elisestanley3152 thank you! I really appreciate it.

[@tammygant4216]

I know right! I'm a Tolkien geek and I really enjoy several Tolkien channels but somehow this channel never popped into my feed until about a week ago. (What's up with that TUBE??!!??? ) And I can't stop binging. Every video is my favorite ...I love all the connections and backstory. And the depth and layers he uncovers. LOVE IT!!! Oh and I love his voice and recording style!!!

[@johnnyedelhoff5866]

In later notes Tolkien said that the Blue Wizards led the resistance against Sauron in the East and kinda succeeded, because without them, Sauron might've an even larger army of Easterlings

[@jesseh.5223]

I like the idea that his close confidant and fellow councilman, Elrond Peredhil, always called him Olorin. Elrond saw the potential in Gandalf, the possibility to return exalted. He also saw *Gandalf's past*. He was one of the very few who would listen to the mentor's past, the mentor's worries, and truly be friends, creating a reciprocal dynamic rather than one of Gandalf giving and giving and getting little.

[@jtrinidad9625]

I would also add that Tolkein changed his mind on the Blue Wizards and said if it weren’t for their actions in the East. The forces of the west would be so greatly outnumbered victory would be impossible.

[@jerryknuckles736]

Bettet than them being cult members in the new shadow. Those wizards turn evil if they arent kept busy.

[@witherwolf3316]

Gandalf is such a beacon of hope and love that I nearly cry every time he speaks. All of his quotes are both comforting and inspiring.

[@jansandman6983]

When Pippin said to Gandalf "we got the white wizard that's gotta count for something" it made me smile because I would have said something like that too if I will be put in that situation as a glimmer of hope. 🙂

[@ChiefMouse]

I just binged all your videos over the past couple of days. What a fantastic channel! As someone who never quite got into The Silmarillion, this is a wonderful resource of knowledge. Thank you and can't wait for more!

[@tolkienuntangled]

I'm really glad you enjoy it! Thanks for watching.

[@WMfin]

I must recommend The Silmarillion. While it is rather heavy to read and countless names just flies past, it is my favorite book to date.

[@mike-mz6yz]

I personally like to believe that when Gandalf returned to the west he decided to stay as Gandalf, maybe a slightly younger version but the same.

[@mayaamis]

it suits him :)

[@missanne2908]

In Tolkien's unpublished epilog to TROTK, it states that Gandalf brought Shadowfax with him on the last voyage (the mearas being a sort of elf-equivalent for horses). It would be difficult for Gandalf to interact with Shadowfax if he doesn't have some sort of incarnate form.

[@Sophie-gp3fv]

The deeper you dive into the lore, the more you have to appreciate gandalf as a character. Because while he was arguably the greatest most otherworldly of the (good) characters, and thus the most removed from human worldly understanding, if you look at the way he came to middle earth and the way he worked his plans, he turns out to be a very familiar tolkien archetype: a reluctant hero (albeit on a much higher order of magnitude). I find that weirdly comforting. Olorin too, was afraid when he set out of his home to undertake a task that might claim the very essence of his being (look at saruman and his end as an example) or might have prevented him from ever returning home (like the remaining three istari). And yet he went there, and came back again. ;) Again, another reason why he was able to empathise so deeply with the other reluctant heros of this story.

[@tolkienuntangled]

Very well said.

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

I wonder if Radagast ever found his way back west. If not, he was the Maia servant to the Valar of nature so maybe he was always meant to “fail” to be in Arda for the nature.

[@jandunn169]

My absolute favorite....I love his facial expressions which show so much about his character. Ian Mckellen also takes on Gandalf's persona when he puts on his magic garb. Reminds me of Nichol Williamson when he played Merlin. He couldn't quite feel the part until he put on the silver helmet.

[@tolkienuntangled]

Gandalf is the only character (apart from Gollum) where I picture the movie counterpart while reading the books. I think Ian McKellen's portrayal was one of the absolute best things about the movies.

[@OdderPZ]

I don't know if I can even measure my love for Gandalf.

[@77mpickett]

I wish there was something written about their arrival back in valinor. Like did gandalf explain to frodo what he was cuz I feel like it would've been kinds shocking they get to valinor and gandalf just morphs into an angelic spirit. Frodo is terrified gandalf?!?! It's Olorin bro...

[@degrelleholt6314]

There is one thing that's missed. I love Gandalf, and he's great; however, one needs to recognize that all the others, Elrond, Galadriel, Aragorn, Faramir, Theoden, etc. were remarkably humble people who had the wisdom and patience to allow this outsider, even upstart, to help them and take his council. Wisdom, like charity, seems to be a two-way street. Interestingly, many of Gandalf's plans seem to be somewhat incomplete--as though he, sort of, trusted to luck or fate to see things through to conclusion.

[@smp6565]

I think it wasn't luck or fate he trusted, I like to think that he (consciously or not) had a trust in the will of eru iluvitar. So he knew(or felt) he had the task of putting the "players in place" for eru to bid his will

[@davidthetraveler1466]

All the more reason why I am proud to call Gandalf my favorite character in all of the Legendarium.

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

He’s got to be up there as one of the best characters in all fantasy. Something about his humility and humanity but also his skill as a leader and healer of spirit is just so awesome.

[@MrARock001]

It's somewhat chilling to recognise that of the 8 others in the Fellowship, only Aragorn (and maybe Legolas?) understood that Gandalf was literally a god in a sense - a being created directly from the thought of Eru. I suppose it's only his intimidating air that prevents anyone else from asking about his origins - imagine if Pippin got into a long conversation with Gandalf about where he was born, and Gandalf had to admit "well, I wasn't born so much as manifested from the thought of Iluvatar - obviously long before time or the creation of Arda." It's also a bit of a loss that Eru isn't really mentioned in LotR (apart from the throw-away line by Gandalf "I am the servant of the Secret Fire), since he would presumably be the centre of any religion that would exist among elves or men - though admittedly it's nice that Eru wasn't a god that demanded worship.

[@yaseminbayramoglu7967]

"A god that does not demand worship" thank you for this, gave me a new perspective to ponder through.

[@kellydavidson3379]

Beautiful video. You connected a number of dots about the Grey Wizard I had not considered or had forgotten. I don't know if it is my deep and abiding love for Yavanna or just a desperate belief that the failure rate among the Istari couldn't be so high, but I am still hoping that there is more to Radagast than we think. Thanks so much for your insights!

[@tolkienuntangled]

Interesting that you mention Radagast. I have a whole video about him coming in a few weeks 🙂

[@kellydavidson3379]

@@tolkienuntangled 👏👏Excellent!

[@albussr1589]

I kinda Gandalf shouting "I´m not finished yet!!" after dying and Eru sending him back because this dude get´s the job done out of sheer spite against all dark Ainur

[@picardsflute5849]

Because of you I can add "dude, you had just one job" when Gandalf returns to Orthanc to add to my collection of mental images including "Trifactor of Awesooome!! " at the ford of Bruinen. You're certainly painting a picture.

[@johnnyedelhoff5866]

Sauron didn't really went rogue in the 2nd Age. Before that he was Morgoth's most powerful servant. In the 2nd Age, Evil was just "under new managment"

[@charlesmartin1121]

Gandalf was just fulfilling Eru's plan, as were they all.

[@lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615]

Gandalf is that spark that just when you think the fire is out. Just when it seems all is lost. Gandalf keeps hope alive. He turns the smoldering into a blue blaze...

[@lucasbakeforero426]

That's why he has the ring of fire.

[@sophiejones3554]

Yes. Though as Gandalf would be the first to say: this orchestration was not his alone. Elrond and Galadriel both deserve some credit for all the White Council’s decisions: and it was Elrond who hid the heirs of Isildur after the fall of Arthedain (which like… hiding shit from Sauron is HARD so that’s pretty major). And Elrond who convinced everyone that the Ring needed to be destroyed. And Galadriel’s foresighted gifts that ensured the mission’s success.

[@justmecarter1717]

I thought that one of the powers of the Ring of Fire, given to Cirdan, as the last of the Istari to step foot in Middle Earth, was "To kindle hope in the hearts of men".

[@sacarissacripslock2649]

Gandalf is endlessly fascinating. Thank you!

[@retbookers]

If I remember correctly Manwe was asking for Olórin before the meeting began. The King of Arda was already convinced that he was perfect choice. I like to believe that Eru and Manwe may have had a conversation about this prior the meeting. Eru: "Send Olórin. He will be essential." Manwe: "Yes. It shall be done."

[@willdemi5618]

I love that even watching out of order (as I excitedly await the completion of your Children of Húrin playlist) I can tell roughly when it was made based on the language of greetings and whether you still have your animated avatar and how much it's featured with the blackboard (I assume?) Background/viewing window. I must say that worked out in a really charming way.

[@ancientwatchmanTV]

A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to. Gandalf the Maiar 🌬🌀🌪🌊🔱✋️🧿

[@christopherhicks8656]

...March 15th, huh? "Beware the Ides of March"... Sauron. ;)

[@KipIngram]

Yeah, I know the idea is that there was no one hero that defeated evil - no one individual *could* - it was the grace of Eru that achieved that. But... there's just no way not to look upon Gandalf exactly the way you do here. The dude's a hero - there's just no questioning it - and imagining him returning to Valinor after his total success just is a joyous thing.

[@totsphoenix8147]

Man I love this video especially the closing statements this is my second time watching it

[@Raziel1984]

in shiort gandals was the guy who casted the band called "heroes of middle earth" ... and he also performed with his own band... and they were the greatest hit ever! PS: i find it cool to imagine that when gandalf arrives in valanor he not just gets his maya form back but that manwe and the other valar raise him up to be the 15th valar: Olorin the Valar of Wisdom and Foresight.

[@nomojo1110]

Your writing is fantastic and you've been immensely helpful in clarifying *film details. Last year my brain was bored and decided to stroke out. Because of this the *book memories are mostly lost, compounded by current information retention rating somewhere between 1% and 1 multiplied by another small, but slightly larger number than 1. So I thank you for your work and insights, sincerely. And a question for anyone who may know the answer... Was it -foreseen- that four of the Istari would fail when sent from The West?

[@ruthhartling3067]

Beautiful video. I just wish there'd been a mention of Nienna's influence, from whom he learned pity and courage.

[@seanbuch8015]

He was the double og of the whole story

[@ianheins650]

Nice work dude

[@artewilliams758]

I cried like a baby when I saw this ending for the 1st time; "the farewell" (as I had never read the book). I still cry at the end at this point. It so meaningful and moving. But then the LoTR trilogy is so magical, inspiring and moving thanks to all the work, feelings, emotion put into all the stories. I have watched many movies in my lifetime and enjoyed them all, but the LOTR has been the only where I can still, laugh, cry and be moved by the movie/s. Even though I have seen them many times before, I can still experience all the feelings and have never had that with ANY other movie/s. Thank you J R R Tolkien and sincere thanks Dave for your videos and the work you have put into them to make them even more understandable and even more enjoyable. Helping us to experience/feel the emotions and feelings as if we were right there. I look to many more of your videos, long may they last also. :-0

[@millermful]

High quality video. Very well done!!

[@imaginemyshock8067]

The comparison with a complicated machine is an interesting because so many things had to work out a certain way, some of them beyond what even Gandalf knew about, and contrary to wisdom. When Sauron made the one Ring he made it that no-one, even Sauron himself, could willfully cast it into the fire. The Wise clearly did not know this or they would not have opted to try and destroy it that way. So the destruction of the Ring ultimately depended on chance, which caused Gollum to fall over the edge with the Ring and plummet into the fiery lava. Gandalf had no influence on this event, but he did set up all that led to Frodo being there with the Ring. As Gandalf had said, he believed that Gollum still had some part to play, whether for good or for evil. Because Gandalf brought Bilbo along to Erebor, it meant that he was in Gollum's cave, and Bilbo had a merciful heart that stopped him from killing Gollum. Gandalf didn't cause everything, but he did set in motion the intricate machine, more complicated than even he could foresee, in motion.

[@willdemi5618]

❤🎉Happy to see your subs more quickly ticking up!🎉❤

[@willdemi5618]

My only complaint of the battle of free people's (at least the march on the black gate) was perfectly voiced by Gimli in the ROTK film "I wish I could muster a legion of dwarves, fully armed and filthy" (from memory so idk if it's perfect), I always envisioned them rolling up on their boars and rams and cutting a swath through those orcs. Ahh I would've actually enjoyed that breaking of cannon lol..

[@WMfin]

Beautifully put!

[@mariacvale]

As always, wonderful storytelling. I'm hooked. Going thru all your videos. Thanks!

[@DaleCoreySanford]

Amazing details in your content. I would like to ask a question. Any chance we would have a detailed account of the second and 3rd age?

[@tolkienuntangled]

When I first created this channel, my plan was to go through all three ages in chronological order. So it might take a while, but I definitely would like to eventually do a detailed account of the second and third ages 🙂

[@ThunderhawkVeronicaLazerwolf]

Do you think there's something, in tone, and in the spirit of Middle Earth, more than any direct correlation, between Radagast and Bombadil. Something along the lines of, "Once you commune with nature enough, you're out of the fight between Good and Evil'. Some type of natural neutrality?? Once the Professor finds a theme, he tends to employ it

[@princekalender2154]

The chessmaster of Middle Earth

[@konor6456]

We can propably assume that Gandalf returned to Valinor and absolute Chad xD

[@hueytlatoani1177]

A simple being doing the job that the gods should've done. Gandalf is the GOAT.

[@ghouling1111]

14:23..because we all know Pippin saved Middle Earth ☺️

[@ofb1583]

Gandalf did not leave with all the ring bearers, Sam Gamgee followed along much later. Tom Bombadil also held it briefly though he was not a bearer. As a second point aren't the wraiths ring bearers? Radegast was a genuine success if you consider what Yvanna wanted him to do.

[@itayshorek6872]

another wonderful video 🙌

[@TheKennn22]

I have always been a little confused on who knew Gandalf was a Maia and how much did he know himself

[@north.by.northeast]

At the time of LotR I reckon: The White Council, most elves, Sauron, possibly Tom the Bomb & Goldberry and Gwaihir; and I think likely Aragorn too - raised in Rivendell among elves. Many others know of Gandalf the wizard though may not know specifically that he's an immortal demi-god. I believe Olorin knows who he is though he has that little touch of amnesia post Balrog barney: "Gandalf... Yes that was the name, I was Gandalf."

[@patrickols]

Every time I always asked myself why is Olorin/Gandalf look’s like a young Patrick Stewart 😊

[@hyperionlightseeker1814]

There is a difference between Melkor/Morgoth and Sauron and that is that one is an Aratar Vala(created directly by Illuvatar as one of the first singers and creators of Arda through their music, though he then lost the status of Aratar, he is the creator of the dragons, balrogs, trolls and the rest of the dark creatures) and the other is a Maiar(also an ainur but created with the purpose of helping the valar in their tasks, he was under the command of Aüle but corrupted by Melkor he became his first lieutenant). So even though we see Sauron as the big bad guy he's actually also a servant(even though Melkor is chained and banned to the void)

[@claudiasanjuan202]

What are your thoughts on Tolkien’s sources of inspiration for Gandalf’s character? I’ve read that he mainly had Odin in mind when creating him - his old, bearded ‘Wanderer’ aspect, his death-rebirth. Knowing he was also such a devout Catholic, I can’t help but thinking of Christ too, for Gandalf the White. And I always like to think of Apostle St James the Great - who was said to turn the tides in mythical Battle of Clavijo (844) by appearing, then leading outnumbered Christians to victory, on a white steed.

[@tolkienuntangled]

You're absolutely right about Odin. In fact the name Gandalf comes from Gandalfr - an Old Norse dwarf named in the Völsupá, which is where almost all dwarf names in the Legendarium come from. I don't know enough about early Christian tradition to weigh in on St James (although of course in the books Gandalf's horse is not white but silverfish grey), but there does seem to be a striking parallel between Gandalf's divine rebirth and Jesus'. The other inspiration story that I've heard is a more secular one. There's a Swiss postcard labelled Der Berggeist, which means "the Mountain Spirit" and it portrays an old man with a wide hat and a long beard. Supposedly Tolkien bought this postcard and at some point he wrote on the back of it "the origin of Gandalf".

[@claudiasanjuan202]

That’s really interesting! Thank you Dave for those extra facts. :)

[@jerryknuckles736]

Also!!! I have a massive white cockatoo that is named Gandalf. He was born in 2009 if the last age of earth. Dont know id that counts. He is a wise bird though. Always squaking.

[@lindsaypeterson9772]

I am intrigued by the fact that you start every video which I love with the saying. I would love to learn the language. Is there any way that you can explain it or let me know how to find it?

[@tolkienuntangled]

In the older videos I say 'alatulya meldonyar ar hara mariessë', which in Quenya means 'welcome my friends and live well in happiness'. In later videos I say 'mae g'ovannen melyn a meneg suilaid', which in Sindarin means 'well met my friends and a thousand greetings'.

[@mayaamis]

what a character ❤

[@Tmindful182]

To be fair… perhaps no one is more neglectful & prone to sloth than the valar. The sheer level of suffering caused by their malaise is astonishing. They even went a step beyond doing nothing & did unspeakable actions like releasing Morgoth for round 2 on Arda’s free people. It’s easy to see why Feanor & many of the Noldor were a bit perturbed at them for doing nothing while melkor ravaged the world. Melkor, after all, is a Valar not one of the Eldar or Edain & as such the Valar should handle it. It’s a common folly for those caught up in the prose to lay the blame at Feanor’s feet & surely he didn’t react the way he should have either… but the true blame in this story lays at the feet of the Valar. Unable to recognize evil & even unchaining it again to the ruin of all. You can say Eru made them this way & thus even the evil is turned to his good purpose…but if thats the case then why blame feanor who also was clearly made that way? Or even Melkor? The valar are a lot like the christian god playing with Jobe & making him suffer unspeakable torment just to prove a point… They’re like children in a way, tasked with protecting Arda, then quickly doing nothing. Even going as far as to be detrimental & oblivious to the terror one of their own laid upon the feet of a world. A world not equipped to fight Demi gods while they remain safe in a bubble of paradise. If Radagast failed… then it was in the Valar’s image he did so

[@CouragePope]

So very excellent

[@tylerbarrett6652]

I have to wonder... what was so different about Gandalf that he alone would succeed? It could be that he alone was a servant of Niena... and so he was well trained in pity/compassion. Does this say something about pity/compassion? (Could empathy be a better term here?) Or, perhaps, he succeeded because he was the only one of the 5 with an elven ring? Or do both of these facts have to come together in such a way that he can find success? Could he have been victorious without the elven ring? I suspect not. He held the ring of fire, as it is described, and I thought about this a good bit. My problem is that we don't truly know just how powerful he is as one of the Maiar... and I don't think we know the true extent of the limitations placed on using that power. The other characteristic he had more than any of his peers - wisdom. Perhaps it took a special combination of all 3 of these elements to produce a positive outcome? I was hoping that you would go into it in one of your uploads. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on all this. I'm thoroughly enjoying your channel.

[@yxngwood6536]

Gandalf to sauron we have a hobbit...

[@Clannluan]

It's implied that Gandalf past into the West, the end of the The Lord of the Rings because he was a ring bearer, and not because his task in Middle Earth was completed..., what about the other Wizards? Do we know if they ever returned to Valinor?.... could be a video idea for you 😊

[@marioszabo174]

Love your videos!

[@MrARock001]

I wonder if there's a reason (beyond narrative) that Galdalf (or perhaps all the Estari) don't remember things very well. Gandalf the White has difficulty remembering he used to be Gandalf the Grey, and he "quite forgets" the names of the two Blue Wizards. Other Maiar don't seem to suffer from this. Is it a flaw that comes with taking the form of an old man? Or is it key to him maintaining his mission?

[@michaelogrady232]

Balrog another Ainu who went rogue.

[@michaelfisher7170]

Gandalf was the only...ONLY of the Istari remaining true to the cause he was sent to MIddle earth to complete....even Radagast strayed away. Gandalf was the true hero, along with Sam, little, little Samwise, who accompanied Frodo....of the tale...remove either of them from the story and things turn out very differently....

[@jebediahoflannerty7479]

I'd like to know how familiar Gandalf was with Mairon. Like, did they know each other before Mairon switched sides? Were they friends?

[@callmealex69]

Wasn't morgoth an ainur while Sauron a maia?

[@tolkienuntangled]

Ainur is a catch all term for the offspring of Iluvatar's thought. The mightiest of the Ainur are the Valar (although Melkor was never truly counted among their order) and all the others are Maiar. Like Sauron.

[@callmealex69]

@@tolkienuntangled thank you

[@thomasedwards6873]

Never realized how GOATed Gandalf is!!

[@michael198427]

He had to sit back and let things play out master chess player I have to get the sil hobbit and lor books now thank you

[@Fubarius42]

After LoTR, when Gandalf returns to Valinar, would he have reverted to his Maia state and would be recover his memories from the time before he was sent to Middle Earth?

[@scottbeutler4459]

I don't believe he did go to the west. He returned only for a short time to finish his task which he'll return from where he came. In my opinion, he returned to Erü. He might have gazed on Valanor but didn't step foot in the western shore.

[@AshGreen359]

Weren't the Blue Wizards seems during your second age?

[@florinnatu]

Hmmmm. 2022 years. Interesting

[@alex.scaraoschi]

I haven't seen the series of LOTR books vs movies, but why did Gandalf seem fearful when he spoke of the Witch King to Pippin before the orcs attacked Minas Tirith? He was a demigod after all and I don't think the ghost of a human was more powerful than a balrog.

[@tolkienuntangled]

I think this is one of the dumbest changes in the movies. It makes no sense that Gandalf would consider the Witch-king an equal. The scene where the Witch-king breaks Gandalf's staff is nonsense. In the book, it's the complete opposite that happens.

[@alex.scaraoschi]

I imagined so... I had no idea Gandalf was a Maiar the first time I watched the films, but then I started doing research and found out more about him and his nature so it it me pretty quickly that scene was odd. Thanks!

[@mingthan7028]

"He should have stay dead''

[@victorianguyen6620]

I thought Aragorn gave Awem Elesar as am engagement ring. Am I wrong?

[@dymondstarrillustrations]

Manwë art is by Dymond Starr Illustrations Not Dymond Starr “Registrations” Thanks

[@SquirrelASMR]

How did gandalf spend his retirement

[@lizzt396]

Making even more exciting fireworks perhaps

[@bobsterclause342]

The movies were great, but the seriously messed up Sauromon's character big time Saruman in the movie: Booring typical flat basic Sauron is my Maste because we can't win Subordinate villian Saruman in the books: So strong willed and minded that he most certainly was not going to be told that 'no, not you may not, you can not- no, I mean no one other than Sauron can use the ring' use the ring against him and he's going to raise an army of orks, make better Uruki, and defeat Sauron with his own the worlds's one ring. Saruon Movies: Oh no. We can't possibly defeat him, He must become my master. Sarumon Books. I ain't be no servant, Ima be king of the world, and you, mister, are going to loose. Oh your powerful? Ha, I will make better elf orks and use your ring to be even more powerful. And if, and that's a pretty fine big if, if you manage to be only equal, or by some mirical from the great lordy himself, be just slightly more powerful at maximumly best case senario to the likes of you, I will still nail your ass. In fact, I will plow your stupid spoiled aprenticed-by-the-second-god-himself face into the dirt wiht or without your dang precious little ring. Movies. Yes master Books I'm an old man too, and I'm going to kick your butt. It's not about how old you are, it's about what you do with your time, and how you use it to better yourself, how you become smarter, wiser, stronger, more powerful. ALSO SARUMon in the movies and books Movies after the war. Dead. Wormtounge killed him high on a tower when it wouldn't have even really helped him at that point After the war in the books. Time to invent the FRICKING FIRST INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION and turn the shire into an INDUSTRIAL FACTORY and waste land by INVENTING A COAL PLAN that probably smelts steal during the MEDEIVLI AGESs in FANTASY TIMES, because he learns form his mistakes and because he lost. Sarumon doesn't need the renisance, forget all that preperation and years of innovation and cultural change that lead to the industrial revolution. no Sarumon IS the renisance, and he is the cultural change that is coming to a neighborhood near you weather you like it or not ;and your going to like it if you know what's good for you. TAKE THAT IRON MAN. You didn't invent exosuites, you made the first best one bud. Also, worm toungue only kills him when he is surrounded and tries to turn traitor to get on the good people's side, not understanding that that is not redeeming yourself but being traitorous and backstabby- literally.

[@synoptic4753]

Truly captions in Dutch? Gallimatias translation.

[@TheToshikomaeda]

Can I ask a silly question ? I only watched movies and have not read books. When Gandalf said in the movie (I think 1st one) he said " You shall not pass!! " to giant monster. I tought the magic was very powerful. I tought he could kill all other enemies with the magic in other scenes without fellowship. Why he did not use the magic ?

[@MatthewScheffel]

Magic in the legendarium is subtle and more like technology and skill; not like the magic fireballs of other fantasy. There are things like curses, explosions of fire, and the like, but it's rarely as obvious and blunt as we see in something like Dungeons and Dragons. Perhaps he did use his power and magic, but it is difficult to discern what it did.

[@daximil]

Even though this is an old post, I thought I would add here that the Wizards, such as Gandalf, and the Balrogs, such as Durin'sBane, were both the same species. Gandalf wasn't just battling a giant monster. He was fighting an ancient and magical equal. A great deal of magic was used by both of them.

[@TheToshikomaeda]

@@daximil LOTR gives me never ending questions! I googled and watched many explaining videos, but after that I came up another questions!!! lol thank you for explaining.

[@smp6565]

​@@TheToshikomaedaI'd recommend you watch the "in the beginning" vids on here and then move on to the specific ones diving into the 5 "wizards" or maiar. It might shed some light on Erü (god) and his will/the maiar tasks etc that answers a lot of questions about what they're on earth for/creatures and their powers etc ☺️

[@tsemiu]

I don't speak Spanish, can you translate when you're speaking a foreign language?

[@johndavidson2365]

I disagree. Does the queen, rook, or pawn win a chess game? No. The chess player wins a chess game. Gandalf is the chess player. Strider was the king, Frodo but a pawn.

[@eddieford9373]

I feel like Gandalf halfway accidentally succeeded. He failed in the ways he wanted, but everything still worked out for him. I think he only gets half credit for saving middle earth.

[@emmadefrost1235]

Is it just me or is Iluvatar kind of a douchebag? He does interfere, multiple times, he revives Gandalf, for example. But why doesn't he just use his power to, I don't know, destroy Melkor and Sauron and make the world a happy place ?

[@davidching7260]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@JNastran]

🥹

[@neilgoldsmith5482]

Methrandir

[@henrikg1388]

Not that it matters, but are you some type of gay hippie? You call yourself Rainbow Dave and always finish with "groove". 🤣🤣

[@MatthewScheffel]

It is not clear to me if you are asking with love or with only ridicule. You probably did not intend to bully but if you did you would do it better if you made it more clear! Your friends might understand your intent, but us random folk on the internet do not know your mind.

[@henrikg1388]

@@MatthewScheffel It was not meant as bullying or ridicule. It was meant as humor with no ill will. Hope that answers your question.

[@malcolmneate5852]

I hate this right wing imperialist crap of these books. Let’s put Tolkien in his imperialist power context . I loved these books when I was growing up, but they are fantasy fiction, we do jot want the Devine right of kings etc. This kind of thinking is so toxic. Thanks but no thanks.

[@jerryknuckles736]

"300 lives of men I've walked this earth and now...i have no time." I love that line! Poor Gandalf is so busy!!!