Amazon Prime’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has indeed sparked much excitement as it delves into the rich lore of Middle-earth’s Second Age. The series has the challenging task of exploring this less familiar era and setting the stage for the epic storylines that lead up to the events of The Lord of the Rings. One of the most intriguing elements introduced is “The Stranger,” a mysterious character who is later revealed to be an Istar.
What is an Istar?
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s expansive legendarium, the Istari (plural for Istar) are a group of powerful, divine beings sent to Middle-earth by the Valar, the god-like entities responsible for shaping the world. Their primary mission is to guide and assist the peoples of Middle-earth in their struggle against the dark forces of evil. The Istari are described as having immense wisdom, longevity, and magical abilities, setting them apart from the mortal inhabitants of Middle-earth.
The Istari in Tolkien’s Lore
The Istari did not arrive in Middle-earth until the Third Age, which is after the events that The Rings of Power is exploring (the end of the Second Age and the forging of the Rings of Power). In Tolkien’s works, especially The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the most prominent Istar we encounter is Gandalf the Grey, who later becomes Gandalf the White.
There are five Istari in total:
- Gandalf the Grey/White: Known for his wisdom and compassion, he plays a crucial role in the fight against Sauron.
- Saruman the White: Initially the chief of the Istari, he falls to corruption and aligns himself with Sauron.
- Radagast the Brown: A more enigmatic figure who watches over the natural world.
- Alatar and Pallando: The two Blue Wizards who journeyed into the East of Middle-earth. Their fates and specific roles are less well-documented, leaving room for speculation.
Tolkien’s writings suggest that the Blue Wizards might have played a significant role in influencing the East, possibly founding secret cults and magic traditions that persisted beyond Sauron’s fall. They arrived in Middle-earth much earlier than the other Istari, around the same time as the Elven lord Glorfindel.
The Rings of Power and Its Departure from Canon
The Rings of Power takes creative liberties with Tolkien’s lore, particularly in its portrayal of the Istari. The series introduces a character known as “The Stranger,” played by Daniel Weyman. This character’s arrival, marked by a dramatic meteorite crash and his otherworldly abilities, has led many fans to speculate that he might be one of the Istari, possibly a younger version of Gandalf.
While the show diverges from Tolkien’s precise timeline and character details, such adaptations are not unusual. Peter Jackson’s films also made notable changes to better fit cinematic storytelling. Given the established practice of creative adaptation, it’s plausible that the series could provide a fresh take on the roles and significance of the Istari, including potentially expanding on the Blue Wizards’ influence.
As The Rings of Power continues its narrative, fans can look forward to uncovering more about The Stranger’s true identity and the broader role of the Istari in the rich tapestry of Middle-earth’s history.
