Table of Contents
Is Sauron a maiar like Gandalf?
These affirmations are often result of the common knowledge that these three beings (Gandalf, Sauron and the Balrog of Moria) are all of the caste of the Maiar. The Balrog of Moria is a lot more powerful than Gandalf the Grey, who needs to use a ring of power to defeat the monster.
Was Gandalf respected?
Among his greatest qualities, Gandalf was humble and selfless. He was very respected and revered by many elves, men, and dwarves. The elves knew his greatness from the beginning. Displaying these qualities throughout his life, he is very respectable and admirable.
Why does Gandalf rarely use magic?
Gandalf is constrained in using magic, because he has a mortal body and also because he is not allowed to use force on the inhabitants of Middle-Earth.
What power would the Ring give Gandalf?
As they were made to ward off the effects of time, at best the rings could give the wielder extra stamina and endurance, as Cirdan stated when he gave Narya to Gandalf. The ring was revealed on Gandalf’s finger at the Grey Havens, where he bore it back to the Undying Lands and presumably kept it as a relic.
What if Gandalf had turned the ring against Sauron?
Assuming Gandalf was capable of turning the Ring against Sauron, he would have defeated him just as surely as had the Ring been destroyed. Of course, this would introduce whole new problems, but that’s neither here not there
Would Gandalf the Grey have been more confident in his powers?
And this is Gandalf the White, who had undergone an “enhancement” of his powers; it seems unlikely that Gandalf the Grey would have been more confident. Additionally, as pointed out in Lord Bubbacub’s answer, Gandalf lacked confidence in his abilities even when he was Olórin:
Why didn’t Sauron actually have the ring?
On one side the true allegiance of the Ring to Sauron; on the other superior strength because Sauron was not actually in possession, and perhaps also because he was weakened by long corruption and expenditure of will in dominating inferiors.
Why didn’t Gandalf have confidence in his abilities as olrin?
Additionally, as pointed out in Lord Bubbacub’s answer, Gandalf lacked confidence in his abilities even when he was Olórin: Manwë replied that he wished Olórin to go as the third messenger to Middle-earth (and it is remarked in parentheses that “Olórin was a lover of the Eldar that remained,” apparently to explain Manwë’s choice).