🧙Gandalf not using magic in battles

[vinnie78xx]

Just watched the lotr for the umpteenth time. Extended versions of course. I have the books on order. I'm an avid reader so don't know myself why I have yet to read them. Anyway, just wondered what peoples thoughts were on Gandalf, being as powerful as he is.....why does he not use magic in the many battles throughout? He uses swords and his staff as a club, but not to (apart from holding off the Nazgul) protect or kill during the fights. Thoughts? Sorry if it's explained in the books, I will find that out soon enough. Thank in advance.

 

[Ent]

The Wizards were sent to Middle-earth not to use their powers, but to aid the free-peoples in dealing with their enemy. The wizards' role was to assist through counsel and advice.
Thus there were very few times they actually used their more extensive gifts - such as Gandalf being a wielder of the Flame of Anor, but only using it at need such as against the Balrog in Moria - a foe against whom men had no ability to win.

Gandalf's fidelity to the charge he was given is one of the great examples of the measure of his faith in Eru's plan.

(In time, when you get to The Silmarillion, you'll see a little more of the background of all this. It's not entirely covered in Hobbit or Lord of the Rings.)

Welcome aboard @vinnie78xx .
Don't hesitate to introduce yourself in our 'new members' thread.

https://thetolkien.forum/threads/another-new-member.32215/

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

Tolkien was subtle in his use of the meanings of "magic"; for example, in the scene at Galadiel's Mirror, she says to Sam:

'For this is what your folk would call magic, I believe; though I do not understand clearly what they mean; and they seem also to use the same word of the deceits of the Enemy.'

I don't recall if that appears in the film version. As Ent indicated, you'll find out much more about this as you read the books. I'm afraid you may be a bit disappointed to discover no magical "Battle of Wizards" between Gandalf and Saruman, but believe me, it's no loss, compared to the richness you'll find in the books.

Welcome to our forum! 😊