XPost: rec.arts.books.tolkien   
   From: mr@sandman.net   
      
   In article ,   
    Michael Ikeda  wrote:   
      
   > > Perhapsmaybe, there's little to give us any good intel on that.   
   > > We know, however, when he started using the palantir and got   
   > > lured specifically by Sauron.   
   >   
   > The footnote to the Appendix B entry for the year TA 2851 (when   
   > Saruman overruled Gandalf's request for an attack on Dol Guldur.)   
   > says that "It afterwards became clear that Saruman had then begun   
   > to desire to possess the One Ring himself, and hoped that it might   
   > reveal itself, seeking its master, if Sauron were let be for a   
   > time."   
      
   Indeed, which I think qualifies as not much good intel. It's unclear   
   how it became clear, and through what source. This is a footnote to an   
   appendix to Return of the King, not part of any narrative story.   
   Canon, of course, but we don't know much more than those few words.   
      
   > (2851 is also when Saruman begins searching near the Gladden   
   > Fields, where the Ring was lost by Isildur.)   
   >   
   > So he's already setting White Council policy based on how it   
   > affects the likelihood of him getting the One Ring.   
      
   But it's unclear just how much "corrupted" he is. As I said below,   
   desire for the ring seems to be universal amongst Maiar.   
      
   > > Gandalf feels himself drawn to the ring as well, as well as   
   > > Galadriel - but neither should be called "turned" or evil for   
   > > feeling that. I always felt that the lure of the ring would be   
   > > stronger for Maiar (which is why so many of them seem to   
   > > confront the ring bearer so often, you'd think), and Saruman   
   > > were no different than any other in this regard until Sauron got   
   > > his hands on him.   
      
      
      
      
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