🧙Gandalf's Power?

[WizardKing]

So if gandalf is supposed to be all powerful why didnt he use his poer to subdue all the orcs before the balrog chase them?

 

[Lantarion]

'Magic' isn't a striaghtforward entity in Middle-earth; indeed Tolkien was very vague on the actual magical potential of the Istari, or indeed any characters of high Valinorean stature. I don't think he could have 'subdued' the couple of hundred Orcs that were chasing them at all, not even as the White Rider.
But it is said in Unfinished Tales that the Istari were not allowed to use their powers for dominating or ruling over the minds of others. The direct quote was something very close to "they were not allowed to display themselves in forms of majesty." If you don't know why, thikn about it a bit more.

 

[LordOfMoria]

I guess a wizard can have only so much power. Why didnt Saruman use his almighty wiseness when treebeard and the ents destroyed Isengard? Their are just some things u cant do in middle-earth..

 

[Gothmog]

Saruman could not "use his almighty wiseness" against the Ents as he had already left the path of wisdom when he named himself " Saruman of Many Colours".

"In which case it is no longer white," said I. "And he that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom."

Gandalf talking to Saruman at Orthanc.

 

[wee kev]

Sauron is the most powerful of the wizards but he still required the help of an army to get his way, so it stands to reason the Gandalf, a lesser wizard, would not not the power to just wave his staff/wand and put everything right.

 

[BlackCaptain]

I doubt that Eru would even allow the making of any spirit that could dominate other life forms. I mean...

Eru wouldnt make anything, that can have control over everything else.

And anyways, if Tolkien allowed Gandalf to do that, and he did, it would make the story that much duller

 

[Húrin Thalion]

But he did not see that for every creature that he controlled (orcs and men filled with hatred) that his power lessened. He could not create without using his own powers, look at the hosts of Sauron when the Ring is destroyed and his will leaves them, they loose their minds almost. He turned away from the path of wisdom. And Gnadalf (no one) could justr wawe a wand and set everything right, the world was hurt and could not be cured entirely.

Húrin Thalion