Why Does Gandalf Say He Will Go to Dol Guldur?

One of the key moments in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and the broader mythos of Middle-earth is when Gandalf decides to go to Dol Guldur. This decision is pivotal, affecting not only the immediate plot but also the overall narrative of the story. Let's explore the reasons behind Gandalf's journey into this dangerous and mysterious location.

Reasons from the Books

In the original books, particularly in "The Hobbit," Gandalf's plan to meet with the Council of the Wise is outlined early on. The Council, consisting of a group of wise individuals, was aware of the presence of a dark figure casting a malevolent shadow across Mirkwood known as the Necromancer. Despite some speculation that the Necromancer might be one of the Nazg?l, such as the Witch-king himself, the Council ultimately decided to investigate without facing the Necromancer directly.

Gandalf's original intention was to continue the resistance against this dark presence. However, the unfolding plot required a new twist. The 13 dwarves of the company asked for a 14th member to prevent an unlucky number. Gandalf, being the most experienced and powerful of the Council members, seemed like an ideal candidate. Yet, Tolkien decided to remove Gandalf from the story for a time to allow the characters like Bilbo Baggins to grow and develop their own agency.

Plot Device and Revisions

In his later revisions, Tolkien decided that the Necromancer was actually Sauron, who had long been believed by the Council to be locked away in the East. This decision added a layer of complexity to the narrative and provided a greater threat for the later works, "The Lord of the Rings."

Gandalf's journey to Dol Guldur becomes a critical moment as he uncovers evidence that the Necromancer is in fact Sauron. This discovery was not immediate; Gandalf first suspected that the Necromancer might be one of the Nazg?l. It wasn't until his arrival in Dol Guldur that he realized the true identity of the dark figure. This revelation adds depth to the story and emphasizes the complexity of the fictional universe Tolkien created.

Reasons from the Movies

In Peter Jackson's cinematic adaptations of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," the reasons behind Gandalf's decision to explore Dol Guldur are presented slightly differently. Radagast, another member of the Council of the Wise, detected signs of hidden danger in Dol Guldur. The rest of the Council dismissed these warnings, but Gandalf decided to investigate further.

Gandalf's investigation led to a confrontation with a hidden army of orcs, an illusion designed to confuse and disorient him. It was in this confrontation that Gandalf faced the true identity of the Necromancer. Radagast, who realized the danger, managed to escape and alert others, like Galadriel, Saruman, and Elrond, who came to Gandalf's aid and helped him defeat Sauron.

Conclusion

The decision for Gandalf to go to Dol Guldur serves multiple purposes within Tolkien's narrative. It is a plot device to create suspense and danger, provide a turning point in the story, and ultimately add depth to the character of Gandalf and the impending threat of Sauron. Gandalf's journey to Dol Guldur is a pivotal moment that sets the stage for the epic struggle that unfolds in "The Lord of the Rings."

The use of Dol Guldur and the Necromancer as a plot device was later refined by Tolkien, reflecting his understanding of the broader mythos he was building. This decision to go to Dol Guldur not only advances the plot but also provides insight into Gandalf's character and the overarching conflict of the tale.