Why Was the Witch-king so Powerful? Middle-earth Explained
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2022
- The Witch-king was a formidable enemy in Tolkien’s Middle-earth, and many were the evil powers he possessed, but what made him so powerful? We explore some of the possible origins of his powers in this video! Thanks for watching, let me know your thoughts on the powers of the Witch-king in the comments below! As always, a great thanks to the online artists whose visual works made this video possible! If you are one of the artists, please let me know and I will post your name and a link to your work in this description!
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“What of the Wizard?”
Witch King: “I will break him”. Gives me chills every time.
I thought movie Witch King was stronger than in the books?
Literally never happened.
@@johnquach8821 Yeah, Jackson made him like a million times more powerful for reasons that are completely unclear.
ya, no.
Gandalf hadnt been tested yet, but he would not have lost the duel. Only Sauron was stronger than him, left in middle earth, after Gandalf was sent back. Sarumon was diminished.
yes it gives me the chills each time to, to see how Jaksson completly destroyed the books
The Witch King, leader of the Nazgûl. I would love to see a mini-series on how the nine men became the Nazgûl.
Yeah. But its 2022. Any tale would involve diversity, gay and trans characters and the Witch King would be a white supremacist wearing a MAGA hat. Just make up your own story
Absolutely! I'd love to see each of the Nazgul get their own miniseries, so that we get to know each of the nine.
Well, the upcoming series The Rings of Power will talk about the forging of the Rings, so it is quite possible that the Nine will appear, both as humans and as ringwraiths.
It will never be canon
Well not like in Shadow of War. That video game was fun to play, but it did many heroes of legendary a disservice.
I like the theory that Sauron was capable of infusing the Witch-King with his own power, since it makes sense lorewise. Morgoth was capable of such, as he did it with the Balrogs, the Dragons and most of his servants (and possibly even Sauron), so Sauron, as Morgoth's greatest servant and successor, probably could do the same.
He even fed parts of his flesh to his werewolf
Then the Witch King could be viewed as more of an avatar for Sauron in the Third Age. I’m not entirely sure, but I don’t think Sauron could take physical form after loosing the Ring.
@@MandalorV7
If you are talking about Sauron after the Last Alliance: While in the movies Sauron only appears as a burning eye on top of Barad-dûr, the books heavily imply that he had regained his physical form. Gollum, who was captured and tortured in the Dark Tower, claims that the Dark Lord had only four fingers in the hand that was cut off by Isildur.
If you are talking about the War of the Ring: Gandalf claims that Sauron would be unable to regain neither form nor his power after the Ring was destroyed. He would forever remain a weak spirit that would most likely be sent to the Void.
I agree. Sauron’s power derived from Morgoth’s. When Morgoth was cast out, Sauron ran away and hid, robbed of his power to take physical form . It took him centuries to rebuild Baradur and gain power over the Orcs again.
@@thegungadfly8930 When Morgoth was cast out - at the end of the First Age - Sauron had a body/physical form and considerable power. Sauron didn't derive his power from Morgoth. Read the Silmarillion, if not the complete History of Middle Earth.
I suspect the answer in part is simple and tragic. That the man that became the witch-king was the not merely the greatest of the nine in life. But also the best. The strongest will, the purest spirit, perhaps even one of old believers during the darkening of Numenor. The purest heart that is finally corrupted often becomes the most vile.
Strangely, a very similar idea occurred to me too while watching the video. I don't know about the Witch-King being "pure", but I suspect that of the nine Nazgul he was probably the most impressive when he was a living man -- smarter, more charismatic, and (as you say) stronger willed.
One running theme in Tolkein's work is that evil doesn't create, it just corrupts. Another related theme is that evil ultimately leads to physical and mental enfeeblement (despite, or maybe because of, evildoers being obsessed with power). You can see this in the way that both Melkor and Sauron deteriorate in strength and purpose over time. Melkor starts the Silmarillion as a sort of creative genius whose rebellion against Eru is at least spiritual in nature. By the time of the story of Beren and Luthien, he's become a greedy humanoid ogre who seriously thinks about raping Luthien.
My theory is that the Nazgul's "immortality" took its toll on them, physically and mentally. When we see them in Fellowship of the Ring, they don't come across as particularly smart or articulate---they're almost like zombies in the way they act. But maybe there was enough worthy "raw material" in the Witch King's original character so that Sauron was able to keep his intelligence and power better preserved.
@@lucasdavies8268 That is a keen observation. I had noted such with Morgoth and Sauron. But hadn't considered that a similar principle applied to the Nazgul.
I like this thought. Another great example is Boromir and Faramir. Boromir was always considered the stronger, the more charismatic, the greater leader...but that pride and strength was turned to weakness against the temptation of the Ring. Faramir was always considered the lesser son, especially by his father--a poor replacement for the son he had lost in a wild goose chase, a good man, but not the warrior or the leader Boromir was. But within that more humble man was a strength to resist temptation. Faramir had a great quote in Two Towers, which I will paraphrase to the best of my memory: "I love not the sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness. I love only what they protect."
Agree. The other 8 I believe were easily corrupted. The Witchking was the the strongest in life, so is as a wraith. He would also be Sauron’s choice to be their leader.
I think it's pretty simple too one way or another. I honestly think he had the most power cuz he was already the most evil. He might have been somebody that was worshiping sauron and Melcor! What's weird is we don't see any men practicing magic at all that I can think of. I have not read the Simarillian though! I can think of people like the black numanors that had more magic in them cuz they were stronger tougher and lived longer but inherent magic I don't remember them being able to do things like that. But if he was already a super strong and evil at heart I imagine the ring would even enhance that more. Cuz only the more evil beings can really wield the dang thing to its potential. It cannot be used by the good. Which is different than the other three Elven rings! We just know it enhances what's already there. So this is what makes sense to me but I'm not trying to be a smart aleck or know it all I welcome your opinions
I think it was a combination of factors. He was of Numenorian descent so that would have had given him more powers of strength and mind. According to legend he most likely, along with the other Nazgul, practiced sorcery when he was a mortal Man. He was a powerful king among Men, a Black Numenorian. Another factor is he might have received the most powerful of the rings that were given to the 9 by Sauron. Thus the Witch King was able to perceive and understand his designs much more than the others. The WK you could say filled the same role for Sauron that Sauron himself had with Melkor-Morgoth.
The Witch-king of Angmar in the hunt for Frodo was not the same in power level in the siege of Minas Tirith. His tactical defeat at Weathertop, for example, was not Aragorn's action (as shown in the film), but Frodo's sudden attack and a "prayer for Elbereth/Varda" repudiating Sauron's ghosts, and that gave strength:
"At that moment Frodo threw himself forward on the ground, and he heard himself crying aloud: O Elbereth!
Gilthoniel! At the same time he struck at the feet of his enemy. (...) More deadly to him was the name of Elbereth."
So much so that the Witch King avoided (I think) such an assertion at the Fords:
"By Elbereth and Lúthien the Fair,’ said Frodo with a lasteffort, lifting up his sword, ‘you shall have neither the Ring nor me!’ Then the leader, who was now half across the Ford, stood up menacing in his stirrups, and raised up his hand. Frodo was stricken dumb. He felt his tongue cleave to his mouth, and his heart labouring. His sword broke and fell out of his shaking hand."
Here we already have the use of a spell rarely remembered in the book: in addition to having given a "silence" lv 2, it still made Frodo lose consciousness.
For those who play D&D 5e, we can make a list of some of the Witch King's abilities:
A) Black breath:
"He seemed to be asleep. ‘‘I thought I had fallen into deep water,’’ he says to me, when I shook him. Very queer he was, and as soon as I had roused him, he got up and ran back here like a hare.’ ‘I am afraid that’s true,’ said Merry, ‘though I don’t know what I said. I had an ugly dream, which I can’t remember. I went to pieces. I don’t know what came over me.’ ‘I do,’ said Strider. ‘The Black Breath"
B) An aura of Inexplicable Terror to the point of driving the armies of Gondor and generating a fighting frenzy for the allied forces:
"Some said that it could be seen, like a great black horseman, a dark shadow under the moon. Wherever he came a madness filled our foes, but fear fell on our boldest, so that horse and man gave way and fled."
C) Control of the weather to the point of generating a windstorm and a blizzard:
"Do not mount on this sea-monster! If they have them, let the seamen bring us food and other things that we need, and you may stay here till the Witch-king goes home. For in summer his power wanes; but now his breath is deadly, and his cold arm is long."
(...)
"But Arvedui did not take his counsel. He thanked him, and at parting gave him his ring [the Ring of Barahir], saying: 'This is a ring of worth beyond your reckoning. For its ancientry alone. It has no power, save the esteem in which those hold it who love my house. It will not help you, but if ever you are in need, my kin will ransom it with great store of all that you desire."
And a lightning storm in Minas Morgul:
"And Minas Morgul answered. There was a flare of livid lightnings: forks of blue flame springing up from the tower and from the encircling hills into the sullen clouds."
D) A certain ability of necromancy to imprison evil spirits for the creation of Barrow Wight.
E) Control over fire - to trigger an explosion spell on Grond:
"Then the Black Captain rose in his stirrups and cried aloud in a dreadful voice, speaking in some forgotten tongue words of power and terror to rend both heart and stone. Thrice he cried. Thrice the great ram boomed. And suddenly upon the last stroke the Gate of Gondor broke. As if stricken by some blasting spell it burst asunder: there was a flash of searing lightning, and the doors tumbled in riven fragments to the ground. "
And create a flame-sword (Azor Ahai):
"Old fool!' he said. 'Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!' And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade."
There is a writing by Tolkien that speaks (in letter 210) of the "Demonics force" that anabolized the witch king, to the point of making him an active weapon in addition to the innate fear he generated in opponents, so much so that he managed to approach a region "on fire" (fire being a weapon against the Nazgûl) in the siege of Minas Tirith, but continued anyway.
In my opinion, the Witch-king only had one chance against Gandalf: if the Morgoth Ingredient nullified Gandalf's powers and the Witch-king could make use of this ability.
your ending, what do you mean exactly? btw very cool summary!
@@arturleperoke3205 I theorize that the Morgoth Ingredient (the evil essence left by Melkor in Arda) is used by the Witch-king. And I believe that this demonic energy is capable of nullifying Gandalf's powers in the clash at the gates of Minas Tirith.
@@rafaelgustavo7786 Considering how Melkor was an Ainur and a Valar, and Gandalf only a Maia, that would make sense.
I've always had a problem with the Witch-King breaking Gandalf the White's staff in the extended version. Leader of wraiths though he was - I would see Sauron alone having that power, and no other. Gandalf the Grey ultimately did defeat Durin's Bain, and those were Morgoth's servants. A servant of Sauron (a man, no less) would not be so powerful.
@@phillmoore1561 Same here!
I imagine that Sauron looked upon The Witch King in a relation that resembled his own relationship with Morgoth. He was a Protege, Apprentice, Pupil, Student and etc. What I love about your content is how you delve deep into the Lore and present it in a way that adds so much depth and further questions to ponder. Really a fresh breath of soul air that is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much! Cheers!
Sauron was more like Morgoth’s executor. Morgoth would have a vision and Sauron would see it through. Sauron’s perfectionism led to him serving Morgoth. In the War of the Ring, he is merely continuing what Morgoth does, sowing conflict and discord to challenge everyone. To test their character.
@@cryptosporidium1375 that is still very akin to the nazgul and Sauron, Sauron perceives a threat or growing power and the witch king or the other nazgul would take action on that threat or opportunity
@@abnercliff9624 indeed
@@abnercliff9624 I don't think the analogy holds at all. Morgoth and Sauron are both Ainur, and while Morgoth was the most powerful Vala, Sauron was among the most powerful Maia. The Witch King was a mortal.
@@dlevi67 among the most powerful mortals
In the History of Middle earth Volume 8, there was an early version of the Witch King, who was a numenorean wizard who accepted a ring of power. Although no longer canon due to the fallen wizard character was changed into Saruman, and the wizard king changed into the witch king, it still, in my mind at least, gives us an idea of where the witch king was from in the mind of Tolkien.
Then again, Tolkien did love his parallels.
This was mentioned in The Red Book's videos if memory serves.
Now I think of him as an Istari even if it's not mentioned in LoTR.
Whether on the page or on the screen, I always get chills when the Witch-king swoops in to kill Theoden at Pelennor Fields.
Got a witch king action figure last month and it's exactly as cool as I thought it was going to be
I personally think it might have been something inherently within the Witch-king even before he received his Ring of Power. Maybe he was a king who always had an appetite for conquest, and thusly was the first to succumb to the Dark Lords influence. However, unlike his fellow Nazgul, the Witch-King needed no persuading but rather choosing to serve Sauron willingly, and as such was in fact the first of the nine, and the most favored by his Master. That is my theory, but as for what truly was the reasons for the Greatest of the Nines higher status, there’s no way of knowing. Perhaps it is better left that way.
I would love to see a series on the witch king and the topics we are talking about! I'm just afraid whoever did it besides Peter Jackson would screw it up. For transferring things over to movies he did pretty good. There are a lot of things he changed but if he didn't the movies would have sucked compared to just going along with the books. Riding a book and making a movie is completely different I've done both.
"Do you not know death when you see it, old man?!? This is my hour!!!"
One of my favorite bad guys ever 😍 The more u want to know his past the less u find out. Even if it's not cannon I'd like to see an interpretation of his origins. I imagine his fall to darkness was slow and methodical, like with Smeagol.
I always found it odd that he wasn't named, like with Khamul
If he's the most powerful why no name? *cue mysterious music*
I think Tolkien said that he had been around for so long, his original name had been forgotten. In fact, I think it was suggested the Witch King himself forgot it, that his whole personality was basically gone. He was a void, a spirit tied to some armour.
Also, in the ancient world, a name signified one's identity. To know someone's true name gave one a measure of power over that person. For a person to lose a name means that they have lost their true identity. In Tolkien, a parallel can be seen in Smeogol, a creature who had forgotten his own name. Only in his interactions with Frodo did he come to recognize his old name (and thus regain some of his lost identity, though that identity was as evil as Gollum, but in different ways). Perhaps the significance of the Witch-King having no name signified that his identity was so tied to Sauron that in effect he had no true name anymore, and was ever only the Witch-King, the Servant of Sauron. Another parallel can be seen in the Mouth of Sauron.
@@englishlady9797 You are confusing the Witch King with the Mouth of Sauron (of which it is said that "his original name had been forgotten, even by himself").
The Shadow of Mordor games are really interesting lore wise check videos out on the witch king in the game
His name was Andy. Andy Angmar.
He was in a band. Andy Angmar and the Aardvarks.
He had his own brand of cheese. Andy Angmar's Asiago.
He wrote a book about controlling your temper. "Assuage Your Anger by Andy Angmar"
He had a pet food store that catered to Aardvark owners. Andy Angmar's Ant-Mart
The armor at 8:13 is sick. So cool.
The Witch King might have been loyal and/or more aligned in thinking to Sauron before his descent into a ring wraith. Might have been more successful with victories. Sauron might have given him more power to show his favour.
Thanks for making this content and having such an inviting narrative.. these videos make me feel like idk beyond home like I'm in Middle Earth and it's amazing thank you so so much Keep it up. Much Love
I do like the idea of the Witch King's power stemming from a number of factors. He was a Numenorean King, which was powerful in itself, then his socery, likely coming from his worship of Melkor, and then power he drew from Sauron when being enlisted into his service. I think it's definitely a combination of all these factors that made him so powerful.
@Aner ; actually, all the Kings of Numenor are accounted for and none were turned into Nazgul.
Yes, I believe he was a powerful Black Numenorian and also a Sorcerer but he did not receive the title of "King" until he became known as "The Witch King of Angmar", for the Arnorians had no real clue who the dude was. They thought the Nazgul all fell with Sauron at the Battle of the Last Alliance. As the war in the North progressed, they realized who they were dealing with and Glorfindel knew who he was, during the final battle up there.
I just want to add that I am in love with your videos and channel. You do your homework and it shows. You love to make these videos and it shows. But also, at the end of each video, you’ll tell the viewers the lesson that each character has and I love it
So glad for another video always makes my week
If you have read the books, specifically The Two Towers, Chapter 5 - The White Rider, Gandalf himself explains that: "Dangerous!' cried Gandalf. 'And so am I, very dangerous: more dangerous than anything you will ever meet, unless you are brought alive before the seat of the Dark Lord.' So, no matter how powerful the Witch King might have been, he wasn't as powerful as Gandalf, especially as Gandalf the White, (at least in the books, which are canon.) This is why I hate that extended scene in the movie where the Witch King knocked Gandalf from Shadowfax and burst his staff.
I hate that scene too. Gandalf the White would feed the Witch King his lunch, twice. The idea that a man/wraith with a lesser ring of power could over power a Maia, even one clothed in flesh, is a joke. When you also realize Gandalf wielding an Elven Ring of Power as well, it becomes even more ridiculous. Even Gandalf the Grey would kick his ass, and we know he does, on Weathertop he fought off 5 of the Ringwraith's.
This is incorrect. Gandalf is not considerably more powerful than the Witch King because Gandalf is extremely limited in how he can use his powers. The Valar themselves decreed this. The wizards cannot use the full extent of their power while in Middle Earth for any reason. The Witch King has no such limitations. The man has spent hundreds if not thousands of years learning and mastering black magic from Sauron. It shouldn’t upset you that the Witch King broke Gandalf’s staff. If anything it goes to show how powerful Sauron and his servants are and how weak Gandalf is due to his extreme power limitations. Gandalf was afraid of going to middle earth to face Sauron because he knew how powerful Sauron was. The Witch King has spent all of this time learning sorcery from Sauron and Sauron does not have the limitations on his power that Gandalf does. It makes complete sense that the witch king would be able to hold his own against a considerably weakened Maiar.
I don't like that scene either. But I guess it's there for people who haven't read the books. iirc Jackson said he wanted to make it seem like the good guys might lose.
@@royaltyfree9607 Gandalf as 'the Grey" destroyed a Balrog who were fallen Maiar and extremely powerful evil beings. Hardly anyone from the first age on was able to do destroy a Balrog. Glorfindel, the great elven warrior was an exception and in a similar fashion killed a Balrog, although he died in the process, too. Also, note that the Witch King fled from the reincarnated Glorfindel early in the 3rd Age during the Battle of Fornost , which makes me speculate that the Witch King (a Black Númenórean man) would not have stood much of a chance against a Balrog (evil Maia).
Gandalf the Grey died at the end of the battle with the Balrog and was sent back by Eru as Gandalf the White because his task was not complete. He also came back with further powers, unleashed as it were. He also had one of the Elven rings, Narya, the Ring of Fire, to aid him in his quest. And, as I quoted in my comment above, Gandalf states that they will meet no one more dangerous than him, unless they come before Sauron himself. It cannot be any clearer than that. I do understand that the movies (which I really loved) portray Aragorn, Gandalf, Faramir, etc., as weaker persons, to give the protagonists much more jeopardy. But, this is not canon as far as the books are concerned. By the way, the Witch King is one of my favorite evil characters in the movies and the books.
@@odinn50 no he did not come back with further powers. He was still under the same conditions as before. Grey vs White is not a matter of power. It’s literally just a symbol of status. Also, the elven rings do not grant powers the same way the 9 human rings do. And so what if the witch king fled from glorfindel, he was a fucking badass yeah I wouldn’t want to fight him either. And yeah no shit the witch king would have stood no chance against the balrog, the balrog wasn’t under the power limitations that Gandalf was, the balrog was in the same boat as Sauron. Yes Gandalf is powerful and dangerous even if his powers were limited, not everyone in middle earth knows magic or sorcery, he’s a fucking Maiar spirit, literally an angel in flesh.
I started drawing to your videos, your narration is really well spoken :3
Gosh man I can’t get enough of your videos.
Hello Men of the West, interesting video as always! I made an hour long music summary from the three melodies to the end of the war of Wrath. And your video's really inspired me and were quite helpful. So thank you very much.
A friend of mine has theorized that the Witch King was not just any Numenorian, but the son of King Ar-Pharazon himself as a potential contributor to his great power.
That would make sense. As he is so powerful. And the Prince would be very powerful as well. And Sauron corupting the Prince would be a massive power move
I don't think so, the Nazgul got their rings 2000 years before the fall of Numenor.
@@ghostdreamer7272 perhaps Its within the late kings blood line? A family that still used their knowledge and power? And he corrupted them?
Interesting idea.
No he was the 2nd son of the 12th king of Numenor
You’re a beautiful person. I love this channel. And I love that you care enough about this to make videos. I watched the movies as a kid yea But have read all the books as an adult. For years. It’s hard to get out of this universe for me. I listen to the audio books every day at work. And I read after work. Can’t seem to get away from it. It’s like history, it’s fantasy, it’s an incredible story. I’m hooked man. And your channel keeps me going. You’re a hero. Just know that.
these weekly sunday vids are always a nice routine for my lunch break at work
Thanks wonderful subject.
Nice work dude
Great video! The witch king is hands down my favorite lotr villain. He is one of if not the most diverse character in Tolkien's universe and his back story is as mysterious as it is intriguing.
Great video!!!
Excellent video and a very good theory.
I love your videos please never stop they are amazing
Interesting description of ‘spiritual magic’ - thank-you.
Well, there’s comparisons between Tolkien’s characters and characters in the Bible.
@@FireLordJohn3191 Tolkien once described The Lord of the Rings as a Catholic work.
Tolkien actually had the idea of making the Witch-King originally part of the Istari who would have been mortal men from Numenor, given a ring by Sauron some way or another and eventually abandoning the Istari to serve Sauron alike to Saruman. I guess that would have diminished that sense of mystery.
A few ideas: What if the witch king were the only one of the Nazgul to still retain his ring while Sauron held the other eight? Would this make him more powerful? Maybe Sauron simply wanted to impart some of his power to the witch king so as to have a pupil. Similar to how Sauron served Morgoth in the early ages. Great video as always, Yoystan!
Here we go one of the most metal villains ever
The Witch King of Angmar is my favorite Nazgûl out of the nine and to hear more about him in how he’s more powerful than the other Nazgûl makes him all the more fascinating and interesting great video! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I read some of the comments on the facebook page, especially the one who decided to leave a negative comment saying he cancelled the facebook page and the youtube page. Though I understand where he is coming from, I do not agree with the way he went about doing what he did. I enjoy your content, do not worry about the negative comments people leave. Excellent content as always, keep up the good work.
He did 100 situps, pushups, and squats followed by a run of 6.2-mile (10-km) everyday
If he did that, he would have been unstoppable and Sauron wouldn't need an army...
Then why couldn't he beat Gandalf with one punch?
Love the new title sequence!
Power is such a beautifuly vague concept in Middle Earth, for we see with the Nazgul that fear is power, and with Gandalf that inspiring others is power. The two are often set against one another in fan theories (and a much-maligned deleted scene).
Seeing the Witch-king as an extension of his master (powerful on his own, but waxing and waning with the Lord of the Ring) I wonder what the apex of his power was. Close to Modor, with Sauron rising, a black fume strangling the dawn, and perhaps sent out with yet more power gifted by the Dark Lord when he set out from Minas Morgul... was he Gandalf the White's match in the power to dominate and destroy others? Maybe he was, or at least close enough that with Sauron behind him he believed he could.
The Witch-king had skirmished with Gandalf the Grey before at Weathertop, and even at night with the other Nazgul was driven back (though clearly still a threat to one another). I suspect at their second meeting, BOTH were much more powerful than their first. Perhaps Gandalf the White might have easily defeated the Nazgul outright at Weathertop (instead of only driving then off), and the Witch-king at Pelennor Fields might have easily broken Gandalf the Grey's power at Weathertop.
I'd like to think that in that moment, besides Sauron himself (and perhaps Galadriel), the Witch-king and Gandalf the White were the two most indomitable beings in Middle Earth. I suspect if they had directly fought (instead of the Witch-king's fated end) it would not have been as simple as Gandalf breaking Saruman's staff (or as easy for the Nazgul captain as the deleted movie scene). It might have been a more terrible battle, as Gandalf had with Durin's Bane: long and exhausting.
But, in the end, no matter how a battle might have gone, Gandalf was more "powerful" in the way that counted. The Witch-king could not inspire others and draw out their courage, only drive them with fear. He was felled by two mere mortals with the courage to face him despite that fear. He is an enduring reminder that no matter how terrible a force, it can be overcome so long as good people have the courage to face it. It did not take a great king of Numenorian descent, or angelic Istari, or an Eagle sent by the Lord of the Valar -- just a human and a hobbit.
In my world Sauron saw his nazgul as puppets. He can manipulate and control men but his chief was the last werewolf of Tol-in-Gaurhoth. He protects a secret power of Melkors. The last werewolf taught and twisted the Witchking into the Chief of the Nazgul. This werewolf is the alpha of the North pack of wargs. His name is Bubhoshum Gaurhoth and he can take the shape of a man.
Love your content
Great topic and video! You’ve inspired my thoughts: the bad guys like to have lieutenants and the Witch King is Sauron’s lieutenant. An extension of himself strengthen by his own infernal power.
Sauron saw a capable Númenóreans sorcerer who would make a perfect extension of his hand…
The witch king’s screeches always use to scare the crap out of me! Love this video! Thank you 💛
Man I fucking love your channel, please don’t stop
I think the Witch King was a Ninja Wizard. Gandalf was only a Wizard and not a Ninja.
The thumbnail is gorgeous
That opening quote on the breaking of the Gates of Minas Tirith calls me back to LOTRO's big battle, defending the gate. It's amazing how well represented that scene is in-game.
Great video. I think the Witch King was one of those Black Numenoreans who conquered lands in middle earth and established kingdoms. I think he might have delved into forbidden magic before Sauron got to him and Sauron augmented his abilities.
Most of the Witch-kings exceptional powers stem from the fact that Tolkien conceived of him as an evil wizard when writing most of LotR. Before Tolkien determined wizards were embodied Maiar and not just old men with magical powers, the leader of the Nazgul was named the Wizard-king in his drafts of LotR - which includes relatively close to final versions of the chapters involving the siege of Minas Tirith.
When we were kids one of my brothers had an action figure of the twilight-witch king (the ghost form Frodo sees them as when wearing the ring), it was one of the collest most detailed action figures I had ever seen at the time.
I mean the dude has spent thousands of years serving Sauron. He’s obviously had a lot of time to learn and master black sorcery
Mae govannen Yoystan. Keep up the good work. :)
I just watched the Dork Lords channel make a case that the Witch-King of Angmar is Tar-Atanamir, the 13th king of Numenor, and I have to say it's pretty much a rock solid case. God I wish Tolkien got to see the Silmarillion published to we could have some more clear questions answered by him.
I think it's important to acknowledge that the scene in the films where the Witch King has a showdown with Gandalf is lifted almost entirely from the book, The Witch King faced down Gandalf at the gates of Minas Tirith and laughed in the face of Gandalf forbidding him entry, doing very much what is shown in the films, raising his sword and imbuing it with a terrible fire: "Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!", dude was pretty confident in confronting Gandalf The White, an Istari, after fleeing from Glorfindel many long years earlier. Clearly his power must have grown by the time of the War of the Ring.
Murazor, the second son of the 12th king of Numenor was certainly a powerful sorcerer.
I LOVE the idea that he could somehow draw power from his master for me it would have to be at least part that in order for him to stand against a powerful Maiar spirit such as Gandalf!
Clicked play as fast as I could!
one thing the Jackson trilogy left out (and maybe for good reason) is how many actions have magic attached to them. and how subtle it sometimes is. the swords literally glowing in fire in the heat of battle, riders on their mounts appearing as vengeful valar in the charge...would make a good anime I think
In all honesty, I can't come across your videos without thinking of some incredibly bad "Southwest" pun. Still, love your videos. 👍🏻
Yoystan, I think I have a perfect idea for a "What if" video. "What if Thorin took the Ring from Bilbo?". I really hope you see this and consider, it wouod be an amazing video.
I still want to know the name of the rooster.
Also, you added stickers!!!
I ordered stickers!!!
I also thought they were more powerful when nearer to Sauron, perhaps especially while beneath the shade belched forth by Orodruin. Wre they not weak while Sauron was also weak for centuries? This seems to demonstrate that the Nazgûl are mostly extensions of Sauron so if one is more powerful than the rest it is likely due to a stronger link with Sauron. Perhaps he was the first to be turned and Sauron was unable or unwilling to tie up as much of his being in later creations, having a finite will. It is made clear that he put much of himself into the creation of the one ring so there may have been a similar cleaving of his power to the lesser rings or their thralls.
I think it's an interesting progression as we watch Melkor corrupt Sauron and in turn Sauron corrupt the Witch King. It is as if they are of a succession of evil.
As Sauron's power grows, so does the power of the Nazgûl, since they're all connected and bound to Sauron.
And with that I believe the Nazgûl can draw their power from the Dark Lord, as someone in the comments had already mentioned.
Can't wait for your 'The Rings of Power' videos, once the series are out!! Sending much love, @Men of the West 🙏
Great video but one thing a lot of people forget is that the Witch king never skip leg day and thats where his power really comes from. True story. But really good video liked and subed
I like to think the witch king was a avatar of sorts of sauron. Sauron gave him a great deal of his own power while trying to rebuild his own power back.
I have long loved LOTRO because of how much they delve into and sometimes tastefully expand on the lore of places like Angmar.
I've sometimes mused that the Witch King might be a descendent of Aragorn? A great great great great great great grandfather or the like... However, whatever theory is thrown up, I suspect Tolkien would have addressed it at some point had he lived a little longer... though with that said, it is also a good thing to leave some things left unexplained in a story. After all, the best writers leave the reader to dream and make up their own stories within their own!
"I speak with the witch kings voice!"
-thrallmaster
I'm curious what that "forgotten language" was.
3:04 maybe he was related to Elros ?
Nice work dude thanks
He was so powerful to make the good side seem not over powered
What I really love about the nazgul is that they are shrouded in almost complete mystery, that element makes us search for answers that will never be provided and creates this awesome down the rabbit hole chase that we love as humans. We will never get the answers to most of the questions and the mystery just makes the nazgul even more amazing and scary, that sauron could just take 9 powerful kings and.make them his slaves and erase their identities. Gives that scary it could you idea that makes them truly terrifying
I always believed anything closest to Sauron, or any powerful Maiar/Valar, would exude traits, power or even become physical influenced by their very appearance. It would explain why his face was that of hellfire with glowing red eyes...almost an Ethereal form similar to Sauron. Even just Saurons Ring can greatly influence anyone snd had dramatic effects upon them.
'Soft' magic systems are a dying art. Still love hard magic (of Sanderson and the like) but the mystery of Tolkien (and Jordan's ideas beyond the One Power) have a special narrative tone/style
thanks
Interesting! Your comments brought to mind Anne Rice‘s books and the vampire Lestat. He was far and away the most powerful of any of the vampires, in part because of the strength of his will, but also because he had risked much, suffered much, and survived it all. A key element was that he became the chosen one of the Queen, the first vampire. They shared blood on numerous occasions, increasing his strength each time. He was eventually even able to tolerate sunlight, something that destroyed vampires as a rule. Perhaps the relationship between Sauron and the Witch-King is similar. As an especially powerful king and sorcerer to begin with, then (perhaps) Sauron‘s favorite, he was given strength far beyond that of the others.
Well i think its a combination, of him being very powerful before having the ring, the ring enhansing his powers while "alive" and ones getting under Sauron having both teaching and power from Sauron. He is most likly a numenorean that took controll over some land in the south since he clearly never was a king over numenor. Him named as a sorcerer basicly tells that he was into dark magic even when alive and i think that is what differs him from the other nazguls. The other nazguls was most likly "just" kings and leaders from the beggining. Its alos possible that the witchking came into service of Sauron earlier than the others. Gandalf says that one by one they were drawn under the power of Sauron according to their natural goodness and intention from the beggining, meaning if you were evil and had bad intentions you became a wraith quicker, and that seems very likly for the witch-king being pointed out as a sorcerer even when alive. Also the witch-king was Saurons main instrument of operation while he himself was hidding for long long years, regaining his strength. During this time he could surly not have had the strength to teach them all or give power to, so he probably choose the witchking and concentrated on him. Although he wouldnt go so far as to say that the witchking could have achieved anything against Gandalf at the gates, they couldnt bring him down all of them at weathertop...him throwing down Gandalf is mostly in the deluded mind of Peter Jaksson.
Just as Sauron poured his power into the One Ring, Morgoth poured his into Arda itself. I would surmise that the "sorcerors" probably gained their strength through the power of Morgoth's corruption, and the Witch King's ability to do so was enhanced by his Ring of Power.
That's how the One power works in the wheel of time which does in some writings just a later age of middle earth (obviously as extended universe but still the author thought about this a lot). Actually it was initially a power he devised just for his servants that kind of got beyond the Dark One's control. His later servants could draw on a separate source of power directly from the Dark One called the True Power as most of his influence is still trapped beyond creation by the creator - actually it was in discovering some extradimensional magical place of power that could allow more power-wielders to work together in unison and magically drilling into it accidentally that got the Dark One out of their prison in the Age of Legend. But the one power itself is just the two parts (male and female) that drive the Wheel of Time sort of like the power of fate, or nature, or the ambient continual procession of creation.
It’s possible that Sauron infused the Witch-King with extra powers for the War of the Ring, but, without the One, didn’t have the strength to enhance the power of the other Nazgul.
If I'm not mistaken Sauron cursed the Witch-King by not allowing him to be slain by any man in battle. And if he is a sorcerer by most fantasy definitions then he would be able to cast any spell that Sauron knows because it's Sauron casting it through the Witch-King. The Witch-King says the incantation and such and then Sauron releases the power for the spell through the Witch-King. But just an hypothesis. It maybe like a sorcerer in Dungeons and Dragons where Sauron would act his patron and grant him spells and other powers as he needs them due to faith or loyalty. But we will never truly be sure I guess unless we can find ourselves a necromancer to ask J.R.R Tolkien himself to explain it for us. Anyway a great video.
Here’s a thought- and I’ll draw on a bit of D&D lore for this:
The Witch King was a numenorean warlock. Warlocks gain their power through binding themselves to a supernatural spirit (usually a demon or evil god.)
I bet one of two things happened:
1. Before the Fall of anime or, the Witch King was a warlock that tried to bind himself to Morgoth. When Sauron approached him, he still retained that binding to his old Master and Sauron recognized his intelligence and power.
2. The Witch King wasn’t bound to Morgoth, but when Sauron offered him his ring, the warlock had the intelligence and will to make it a binding and essentially bargained for Sauron to give him power as *his* warlock rather than a slave like the other Nazgûl. Sauron accepted, recognizing he’d need an able lieutenant he could still keep on a strong leash.
First, thanks for another great one
I have always enjoyed theorizing wether the Witch-king was originally the most evil of the Nine, and thus the quickest to fall, or wether he was the most principled one, and thus fought the influence of his ring the hardest and longest.
In any case, it seems clear that the Nazgûl draw most if not all of their power from Sauron himself, and that's what makes the Nine, but the Witch-king specifically, so powerful.
Talking about realm of Sourcery.. you remind me of the "New Shadow" and the black Tree. Probably that was the next chapter of Tolkien's work. Also, we will never know what happen to the blue wizards.. maybe they could raise in the East and command evil spirits?
Whats the song called thats running in the background? 2:30
Dark Times by Kevin MacLeod: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3611-dark-times
@@MenoftheWest Thank you!😊
He was one of Sauron's rings too, as well as wearing one.
Make a video on Eonwe herald of manwe
I hope that *maybe* LOTR: ROP (still getting used to typing those 3 letters) explains somehow why he is so powerful...I mean honestly, he is named the "Witch-King" he must be 1000% powerful with a name like that!!!
Thanks, Mellon for this explanation I think I will wait and see before I answer why our main Nazgul was Powerful...
Until Samwise and Rosie's Romance, aw Mellon that would be so lovely for next week...Marion Baggins Out!!!
Thx for great video, In mine opinion he is most powerful Nazgul as he draws his power from Morgot even so he was freez up inside out of time prison like cell in time when King of Nazguls are getting dark magic powers he"Morgoth " may still drops his powers out of the cell..
Suggestion: What if he draws power not from Sauron, but the other ringwraiths? That the other 9 serve sort of like a conduit to fuel his power?
I keep subscribing to you ut everytime I go to watch a video it says I'm not subscribed
I like your discussion of magin in LOTR. A friend who knows far more about Tolkien than I do gave an explanation that might cast additional light on "magic" in Tolkien.
He said that Tolkien, a devout and orthodox Catholic, believed that all creation is the result of the will of God--Eru Illuvatar. Even "natural" processes like plants growing are in fact the results of will. Tolkien held the view that everything--EVERYTHING--every object that exists, every event, is the result of Will. Human live and faculties are the result of the will of God. We then have a certain amount of power to do things with that will. We are pretty feeble compared to other sentient beings. One example I like is the Mirror of Galadriel. In the book, Galadriel asks Sam if he would like to see it too. She then said, "I believe this is what you call 'magic', though I have never understood what you mortals mean by that word. You seem to use the same word for the deceits of the Enemy." Notice that Galadriel, the great and powerful Elf Queen, has no idea what "magic" is. I like to think that if, during the Goblin Wars of Gondolin, a Man who was given an Elven sword, might ask the Elf who forged it how he made it glow blue when Orcs are near, and, like Galadriel, the Elf would not understand the question. What else would it do? he would ask. It seems to me that Sam and others, when they saw or heard of someone yielding mysterious powers beyond their own abilities or understanding, came up with the term "magic" to explain it, for it seemed like something mysterious and existing on its own, rather than a natural power like speech but far greater than their own.
So, according to my friend, all the "magic" in LOTR is in fact due to the direct power of someone's will; and a measure of the greter power--Elf over Man; Maiar over Elf--is simply a manifestation of that person's supernatural--yes--status, and the powers it gave to what their will could accomplish.
This helps explain a lot about the Rings of Power. In order for them to have power their wielders can use, the power of the makers has to irrevocably pass into them. Tolkien said that the Three Rings of the Elves were in fact an error. They succeeded in delaying the natural process of decay, but in the process expended the power inherent in the Elves themselves. Not just the individual Elves who kept each Ring, but all the Elves of their peoples. Eventually the power of the Rings inevitably faded, leaving the Elves diminished. They had expended much of their power irrevocably; of their own free will.
Tolkien's doctrine of "will" clarifies a lot about the One Ring, too. The process of forging the One Ring gave its keeper the power to control all the other Rings of Power. But at a price. They were so great that Sauron had to put nearly all his own power into the One Ring to be able to control them. And in order to make this work, he had to make an irrevocable choice of will to put most of his power into the One Ring permanently. This was why, if it was destroyed, he would be so weakened that he would remain a powerless spirit, gnawing itself in the shadows, but never again able to grow or take shape. I imagine the spirit of Sauron still being around, and trying and failing to give a baby mouse a nightmare.
The doctrine of "will" also explains how someone powerful enough to master the Ruling Ring might start out will good intentions, but would inevitably become another Dark Lord (or evel Bright Lady, as Galadriel foresaw).
I think of it this way: The One Ring has no power at all to do something for the sake of benevolence but only to enhance and exercise its bearers power over others. But if someone with the strength to master it took it, they could start out doing a lot of good things. But it would work like this. Suppose Aragorn became Lord of the Ring. He might start out galvanizing all the Free Peoples of Middle Earth--the men, the elves, even the Hobbits and Dwarves, to unite to oppose Sauron. He would even be able to get many Southrons to switch sides. Those who still followed Sauron would find themselves cowed and weakened before Aragorn and his followers. He would defeat Sauron. He could imprison him until the end of time. Then, say, he would make peace between peoples; make everybody prosperous and safe. But the good would not last.
Imagine Aragorn confronting an alcoholic. Aragorn could command them never, ever to drink again. They would not be able to refuse. Suppose they got a net benefit, and were able to return to a productive life, being a good friend and parent, etc.
But the Ring has no interest in helping anyone but the ego of its keeper. Therefore the only way Aragorn could use it to stop the alcoholic from drinking was to use his own desire to control others simply for the sake of controlling them. We all have this dark side. In a good person like Aragorn, without the Ring, he would have this dark side fully caged. But all he did with the Ring would HAVE TO be through his dark side. The Ring would do nothing for the part of him that wanted to help others and do good. For a while, the net effect would be good. But the One Ring would necessarily strengthen the evil part of Aragorn's character at the expense of the good parts. If he kept the ring long enough, he himself would become entirely evil. It is questionable how culpable he himself would be, for as the new Dark Lord, the evil would utimately come from Sauron's will.
This would explain why, in the Council of Elrond, neither Elrond nor Gandalf would take the ring to wield it. No amount of danger from Sauron would outweigh the danger of using the Ring itself.
BTW, in another letter, Tolkien remarked that he thought there were only three beings around during the Wark of the Ring, besides Sauron himself, who could have mastered the One Ring: Aragorn, Galadriel, and Gandalf. I note that he excludes Saruman and even Elrond and Glorfindel from this list. If someone without the power to master the One Ring tried to use it against Sauron, he would simply control them and take it away from them.
I hope you find these ideas interesting. I do not vouch for the full accuracy of them; I am not the Tolkien scholar my friend is.
But I think you may find that Tolkien's doctrine of "will" explains all the "magic" in LOTR; and also explains why it's mysterious to us. We are Men; what do we know of the details of power of greater beings? Of course we would find them beyond our understanding. "Magic" is not like some cookbook that simply depends on the right spells or possessing the right magical object.
I concur with the key point you raised on Tolkien's view (doctrine) on 'Will'. Many of the fans who critique his work lack connecting his deeply Catholic redemptive views and how ME expresses those views in a mythic way, but treat the material as pure 'fantasy' using ideas gleaned from pagan folklore instead.
The Nazgul couldn't find a couple of hobbits hiding behind a tree, lol.
"In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl."
For a moment when I heard, "Hey everyone!" I thought that was supposed to be the Witch-king as he rode in.
For those in the comments below pointing out the unseemliness of the Witch-King knocking Gandalf down and breaking his staff in the film; I agree...I remember thinking when I first saw it that it was a pretty stupid gambit on the WK's part, since he was perfectly aware of the prophecy. You'd think he'd always keep a healthy distance between himself and any powerful elves and fricking _Maiar_ that might be in the vicinity. Heck, just riding up to the Ford of Bruinen was a pretty risky move, being that he's on Elrond's doorstep and all, and he's aware of a certain Glorfindel fellow in the vicinity, possibly galloping right up his backtrail.
totally agree with you about Gandalf getting knock down by witch King. It was impossible because Gandalf answers to Eru and was sent back after the fight with the balrog, so was reborn with stronger powers. Witch King would`ve been history if they had fought
You mentioned that possibly the Witch-King had drawn power from Morgoth. I think it's quite possible that Morgoth could be the source of much evil magic (especially among mortals) since Morgoth spent his power buffing his servants, and much of his essence (ingredient) is still an innate part of nature. Sauron may have known how to harness Morgoth's evil energy from nature. On Numenor Sauron was essentially a priest for Morgoth, and although his devotion was probably insincere, his teachings probably had a pay-off for his followers who may have including the future Witch-King. Furthermore, there is evidence that subtly hints that Sauron was making use of Morgoth's leavings. For instance, Mordor itself was created by Morgoth. Mount Doom in particular seems to be supernatural as it's where the One was created/destroyed. The One itself is made of gold, which is said to house more of Morgoth's essence (as opposed to silver). Anyway, the Witch-King's an enigma wrapped in a riddle.
He's such a cool character! I Really like the guy.
The Witch King is like that one Sub Boss in a game that could have been a main villain in any other story.