Why Gandalf The White Is More Powerful Than The Grey
Why is Gandalf the White more powerful than Gandalf the Grey in The Lord of the Rings? When Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship of the Ring watch their funny old bearded Shire-botherer fall to his death in the Mines of Moria, none expect to see Gandalf again. One must never underestimate a wizard, however, and Gandalf returns one film/book later in The Two Towers. Before his tussle with the Balrog, the wizard's official title was Gandalf the Grey, but upon announcing his return in the dank, green surrounds of Fangorn Forest, Ian McKellen's character identifies himself as Gandalf the White.
The Lord of the Rings (both J.R.R. Tolkien's original novels and Peter Jackson's movie trilogy) keeps the full extent of Gandalf's powers deliberately obscured, before and after his grand return. Nevertheless, it's evident Gandalf the White is the more formidable. Both Gandalf iterations deploy mostly flame and light magic in The Lord of the Rings, with Gandalf the Grey depicted illuminating darkened paths, conjuring fires, and emanating brilliant white light that knocks back enemies. Gandalf the White carries considerably more wisdom and authority than Gandalf the Grey, and his magical prowess expands as a result. His second incarnation shatters Saruman's staff effortlessly, fends off the Witch-king of Angmar, and relinquishes Théoden from his rival's control. As Tolkien himself writes, "His wisdom and power are much greater… the old Gandalf could not have dealt so with Théoden, nor with Saruman."
Related: Amazon’s Lord Of The Rings Can Fix One Key Mistake From Original Trilogy
To understand Gandalf the White's higher power, one must first consider where the wizards came from, and their purpose visiting Middle-earth. The Lord of the
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