Who Was Sauron's Least Valued Servant: Shelob, the Mouth of Sauron, Saruman, the Witch King, or Gothmog?

When considering the hierarchy and value of Sauron's servants in The Lord of the Rings, it is intriguing to ponder which one held the least importance. Among the Mouth of Sauron, Saruman, the Witch King, and Gothmog, the Great Spider Shelob might be considered the least valuable to Sauron's grand plans. While Shelob was formidable and posed a significant threat to enemies, her independence and lack of direct control made her less essential to Sauron's strategic objectives compared to the others.

A Comparative Analysis

Let's delve into a closer analysis of each servant:

The Mouth of Sauron

The Mouth of Sauron served as an emissary and represented Sauron's interests. His role involved diplomacy and communication of Sauron's will, making him a valuable asset in negotiations and propaganda. While he presented insults to figures like Gandalf and Aragorn, his primary function was to serve as an authoritative voice for Sauron.

Saruman

Saruman was initially an ally who sought power but soon became a tool for Sauron. After his defeat in Isengard, Saruman was clearly subservient to Sauron's control, accompanying him to Mordor and taking part in Sauron's military strategies. His transformation from a rival to a follower reflects his value as a strategic asset.

The Witch-King of Angmar

The Witch-King was a key figure in Sauron's military strategy. As the leader of the Nazg?l and a Balrog from the First Age, his value lay in his leadership and combat prowess. His position as the leader of the Nazg?l made him indispensable, as he directly contributed to Sauron's forces and vision for dominion.

Gothmog

Gothmog was a Balrog, a powerful creature from the service of Morgoth. He was a colleague of Sauron, not a servant. In historical context, they could have had a rivalry, with Morgoth attempting to maintain his control. This suggests that while Sauron may have respected his power, he did not consider him a direct subordinate.

Shelob's Case

Shelob, a monstrous spider, occupied a unique position. Though powerful, she did not operate under Sauron's direct command. The relationship between Shelob and Sauron was more akin to that between a cat and its owner, with Shelob holding the upper hand. Sauron attempted to control her through military and magical pressure, but it is uncertain to what extent she was ever truly subservient. This independence diminished her overall value to Sauron's plans compared to the more directly aligned servants.

Strategic Considerations

The independent nature of Shelob, Saruman's initial autonomy, the Witch King's definitive role, and Gothmog's ambiguous status all contribute to a nuanced understanding of Sauron's hierarchy. While Shelob was formidable, her autonomy and lack of direct service to Sauron made her less valuable compared to the others who were more aligned with his will.

In summary, among the mentioned servants, Shelob and Saruman were the most independent. Saruman, though initially an ally, ultimately became a much more valuable tool for Sauron as his power and loyalty shifted. The Witch King, with his proven leadership and strategic importance, was clearly the most valuable. Gothmog, with his ambiguous role and clear connection to Morgoth, was less valuable to Sauron's immediate plans.