How Did Men Become Nazgûl? A Deep Dive into Tolkien’s Lore
The Nazgûl, also known as Ringwraiths or the Black Riders, are terrifying figures in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. But how did mortal Men become these undead servants of Sauron? The answer lies in the Rings of Power. Specifically, nine rings were forged for Men, and those who accepted them were ultimately corrupted and enslaved by Sauron’s will. The rings, far from granting everlasting life and power as promised, extended their wearers’ lives unnaturally, fading them slowly into the unseen world until they became spectral beings entirely dominated by the One Ring and Sauron. Their physical forms diminished until they became wraiths, invisible unless cloaked in darkness or viewed through the power of the Ruling Ring. Their wills were broken, and they became extensions of Sauron’s own, bound to his service until his ultimate defeat.
The Allure and Corruption of the Rings
The story of the Nazgûl is a potent allegory about the corrupting influence of power and the dangers of seeking immortality through unnatural means. The nine Men who accepted the rings were likely kings, sorcerers, and warriors, individuals already possessing a strong desire for power and control. Sauron, disguised as Annatar, the Lord of Gifts, used this desire to his advantage. He offered them the rings, promising them long life, dominion, and the ability to see things hidden from ordinary sight.
However, these gifts came at a terrible price. The rings gradually warped their wearers, extending their lives far beyond their natural span but also draining their spirits. They became increasingly dependent on the rings, their physical forms fading and their connection to the mortal world weakening. Eventually, they crossed over entirely into the wraith world, becoming spectral beings bound to Sauron’s will.
The process was gradual but relentless. The rings amplified their inherent desires and vulnerabilities, making them susceptible to Sauron’s influence. He was able to dominate their minds and bend them to his will, turning them into his most fearsome and loyal servants. They lost their individual identities, becoming mere extensions of his power, instruments of his malevolent designs.
The Servants of Sauron: The Nazgûl’s Role
As Ringwraiths, the Nazgûl became Sauron’s primary agents in his quest to recover the One Ring. They were feared throughout Middle-earth for their terrifying presence, their keen senses, and their deadly weapons. They could sense the presence of the Ring and its bearer, and they relentlessly pursued it, spreading fear and despair wherever they went.
Their power stemmed from the rings they still possessed, but their ultimate source of strength was Sauron himself. As long as he remained in power, they were virtually indestructible. However, their fate was tied to his. When the One Ring was destroyed, Sauron’s power was diminished, and the Nazgûl were unmade, their spirits fading into nothingness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Nazgûl
1. Who were the Nine before becoming Nazgûl?
Tolkien doesn’t explicitly name all nine Men who became Nazgûl. It is implied that they were kings, sorcerers, and great warriors, individuals with significant power and influence in their own right. One is known: Khamûl, the Easterling. This ambiguity enhances the mystery and dread surrounding them.
2. How long did it take for the Rings to corrupt the Men?
The corruption was a gradual process that took years, even centuries. The rings extended their lives unnaturally, blurring the lines between the mortal and wraith worlds. This slow erosion of their identities made them increasingly susceptible to Sauron’s influence.
3. Could the Nazgûl be killed?
While difficult to destroy, the Nazgûl were not invulnerable. Their power was tied to Sauron and the One Ring. They could be temporarily defeated, as demonstrated by Glorfindel’s encounter with them at the Ford of Bruinen. Ultimately, their destruction was linked to the destruction of the One Ring.
4. What were the Nazgûl’s weaknesses?
The Nazgûl were vulnerable to anything that could harm Sauron’s power. This included fire, water, and, most importantly, the destruction of the One Ring. They were also susceptible to the power of Elves, such as Glorfindel and Arwen, and their influence was diminished in areas of great light or purity.
5. Why were they so afraid of fire?
Fire, particularly the light of the sun, represented a purity that repelled the dark power that sustained them. The Nazgûl existed in a twilight realm, and light revealed their wraithlike forms and weakened their influence.
6. Could the Nazgûl see in daylight?
While they could perceive the world in daylight, their senses were sharper in darkness. The darkness helped to conceal their spectral forms and amplified their ability to sense the presence of the Ring. Their sight was also greatly enhanced by their link to Sauron.
7. What was the relationship between the Witch-king and Sauron?
The Witch-king, Lord of the Nazgûl, was Sauron’s most powerful and trusted lieutenant. He commanded the other Ringwraiths and played a key role in Sauron’s military campaigns. He was fiercely loyal and completely subservient to Sauron’s will.
8. Why couldn’t a man kill the Witch-king?
The prophecy that “not by the hand of man shall he fall” was fulfilled by Éowyn, a woman, who, with the aid of Merry Brandybuck, slew the Witch-king during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. This demonstrated that the Witch-king’s doom lay outside the realm of conventional warfare and male strength.
9. What happened to the Nazgûl after the destruction of the One Ring?
With the destruction of the One Ring, Sauron’s power was extinguished, and the Nazgûl, being extensions of his will, were unmade. Their spirits faded into nothingness, their existence entirely dependent on Sauron’s continued power.
10. Did all the Ringwraiths ride Fellbeasts?
Yes, during the War of the Ring, the Nazgûl rode Fellbeasts, terrifying winged creatures that served as their steeds. These creatures added to their terrifying presence and allowed them to cover vast distances quickly.
11. Could the Nazgûl be redeemed?
Given their complete subjugation to Sauron’s will and the extent of their corruption, it is highly unlikely that the Nazgûl could have been redeemed. Their identities were so thoroughly subsumed by Sauron’s power that any hope of reclaiming their former selves was essentially lost.
12. How did Sauron control the Nazgûl so completely?
Sauron’s control stemmed from his creation of the Rings of Power and his mastery over the One Ring. By forging the rings, he established a link between himself and their wearers. The One Ring amplified this link, allowing him to dominate their minds and wills.
13. What languages did the Nazgûl speak?
While not explicitly stated, it is likely they retained knowledge of the languages they spoke in life, though their primary mode of communication seemed to be through fear and dread. They likely understood and could speak the Black Speech, the language of Mordor, and possibly Westron (the Common Tongue).
14. Was there any way to resist the Ring’s corruption?
Yes, characters like Gandalf, Galadriel, and Aragorn demonstrated the ability to resist the corrupting influence of the Ring. Their strength of will, moral integrity, and understanding of the Ring’s nature allowed them to withstand its allure. Frodo was also able to resist it until the very end.
15. Are there any real-world lessons to be learned from the story of the Nazgûl?
Absolutely. The story of the Nazgûl serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power, the allure of immortality, and the corrupting influence of greed and ambition. It highlights the importance of moral integrity, resistance to temptation, and the recognition that true power lies in self-control and virtue. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org often explores themes of power, corruption, and moral choice in the context of game design and learning, making Tolkien’s work relevant to understanding complex societal dynamics.