Beyond the screen, and the tremendous trilogy of films from Peter Jackson, there’s so much lore for The Lord of the Rings, found among books, interviews, and history details from Tolkien.
One thing that many fans of The Lord of the Rings often wonder, is what happens to certain magical characters when they die - it’s a fantasy, after all, death isn’t always the end.
Saruman's fate was written with his death at the hands of Gandalf
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Saruman, a dark wizard who betrays the people of Middle-Earth, meets his end thanks to Gandalf, however, being a Maiar, he’s technically a god-like being, so death isn’t quite so simple.
One fan asks on Reddit, what happened to his spirit, or soul, after dying and being refused by the Valar.
“So what happens to the soul of Saruman? We don't know what happens to Maiar when their physical forms die in the grace of the Valar,” asks Kodama_Keeper.
Another Redditor is quick to jump in and give an answer based on what we know of Sauron’s death, which could be very similar.
User aaukson explains, “His spirit was reduced so much that he could not have any impact on the world in any way. Just a spirit doomed to wander earth observing without being able to have any interaction or communication. Seems like a fate worse than death to me.”
Because Saruman attached himself to The One Ring via his own ring of power, much like Sauron, his spirit would have been destroyed when the ring was thrown into Mount Doom.
Another user, postmodest, explains further, “So his fate was the same as Sauron’s: reduced to a mere malevolent spirit that could tug at wills but have no material effect.”
I’d say this is a pretty spot on explanation, and it’s a fitting end to a dark wizard who would align with Sauron - go off and wander the world with no power at all.
Topics: The Lord Of The Rings, TV And Film