Back to Middle-earth Month

Saruman's position is particularly interesting here, I think, in his clear sympathy with the Men of Numenor - very consistent given the tendencies he and they share to kick against the pricks, to dispute the "natural" order of things, to want to use technology to change their apparently-ordained fate.

And the touches of humour undercut the high-toned dialogue nicely - you can see the seeds of Gandalf's grumpiness already, in the fact that he can't magically get a drink. Of course, no pipeweed yet!