Was the Witch King Aware of Gandalf's Identity During Their Battle at Minas Tirith?

At the Battle of Minas Tirith, there was no direct confrontation between the Witch King and Gandalf in terms of personal recognition. Instead, their interactions were more indirect, primarily through oracles and the palantíri (scrying stones).

Understanding Gandalf and the Istari

During the events of The Lord of the Rings, knowledge and recognition of Gandalf’s true nature were limited. The only individuals in Middle-earth who could guess the true identities of the Istari (the White Wizards) were those who worked closely with them.

Cirdan: A Speaker of the Truth

Cirdan, the Grey Wizard, had surmised that the Istari were emissaries from the West and that they were indeed Maiar, but he did not know for certain their true identities. Cirdan recognized that they were powerful messengers from beyond Middle-earth, though he may have only guessed at their celestial origin.

Saruman: Puppet of Sauron

Given Saruman’s role as the head of the Istari and Sauron’s puppet, it is highly likely that Sauron was aware of Gandalf’s true nature through Saruman’s revelations. Saruman, being in Sauron’s service, would have conveyed vital information to the Dark Lord about his enemies. However, Sauron himself may not have personally recognized Gandalf’s true origins as a Maia.

The Question of Direct Recognition

Was Sauron aware of Gandalf as a Maia sent by the Valar to contest his will? The answer is not definitively known. Sauron’s perception of Gandalf largely revolved around the idea that he was a nuisance and a coward, as evidenced in his taunts through the Mouth of Sauron.

“Have we not heard of thee at whiles…ever hatching plots and mischief at a safe distance.”

Sauron’s estimation of Gandalf was one of contempt, suggesting that Sauron did not view Gandalf as a significant threat. If Sauron had known Gandalf’s true nature, it seems unlikely that he would have spent time on such trivial matters. Instead, his focus would likely have been on the more prominent and powerful characters like Aragorn or the definitive forces of good.

The Eye of Sauron: A Mindless Observer?

In the confrontation at Minas Tirith, when the Eye of Sauron observed from afar, it focused on the more immediate and significant threats:

“The Dark Power was deep in thought and the Eye turned inward pondering tidings of doubt and danger: a bright sword and a stern and kingly face it saw and for a while it gave little thought to other things…”

Despite the immense power and awareness of Sauron, the Eye’s perception did not highlight the importance of Gandalf. This further suggests that even if Sauron knew of Gandalf, he did not consider him a significant threat.

Power and Its Ancestry

In Tolkien’s world, power is defined as the ability to dominate the wills of others. This concept is evident in the fall of Sauron and the subsequent dispersal of his forces.

“The Captains bowed their heads and when they looked up again behold! their enemies were flying and the power of Mordor was scattering like dust in the wind.”

Tolkien emphasizes the weakened nature of Sauron’s forces after his capture, indicating that dominating and controlling others can deplete one’s own power. The Istari, who were forbidden from matching Sauron’s power directly, are seen as exemplars of this idea. By not using their power to dominate others, they preserved their own strength.

The Legacy of the Istari

This restriction was not merely to prevent the wizards from setting up a tyranny but also to preserve their own power. By abstaining from direct control over others, they maintained their spiritual and magical faculties. This is subtly akin to a rule of thumb, as mentioned in the Appendices:

“They came out of the Far West and were messengers sent to contest the power of Sauron and to unite all those who had the will to resist him, but they were forbidden to match his power with power or to seek to dominate Elves or Men by force of fear.”

In effect, this restriction served not only to maintain ethical conduct but also to safeguard the inherent power of the Istari.

Conclusion

While there is no definitive answer, it is reasonable to conclude that Sauron did recognize Gandalf as an ally of the West. However, it is equally likely that he did not see Gandalf as a significant threat to his power, focusing instead on more prominent and direct challenges.

Overall, the recognition of Gandalf’s identity spans a fine line of subtlety and personal perspective, echoing the intricate balance of power and knowledge in Tolkien’s epic world.