Lord Of The Rings: What Is The Eye Of Sauron? Explained
The Eye of Sauron is a complicated lore detail from Lord of the Rings. It has multiple definitions, but the films are much clearer about their presentation.
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So far, The Lord of the Rings remain one of the most successful epic fantasy franchises both on screen and on paper. Perhaps one of the most talked-about aspects in the novels or films is the Eye of Sauron, which is best described to fans as a symbol for Sauron the Dark Lord. Continue reading to learn more about the details of the element in J. R. R. Tolkien's books and Peter Jackson's movies.
According to Game Rant, in the books, the Eye of Sauron is a symbol representing the will of Sauron, his network of spies, and his omnipotent view. His Orcs carry shields with a big red eye to show his power. In the books, there is rarely ever mentioned a flaming eye, though it does a couple of times. The movies use the flaming eyeball interpretation, while in the books he is actually described as a phantom.
The Flaming Eyeball appears in the Window of the Eye, a glass window on the tower of Barad-dûr-when Frodo and Sam view it-and in Galadriel's mirror, showing that Sauron waged mental warfare upon his enemies. Actually, the book refers to the Eye Of Sauron as a single entity which appeared in the abyss and gradually filled the Mirror.
The novel mentioned that the Eye was "so terrible" that Frodo failed to either to cry out or to withdraw his gaze from the same. The Eye is described by Tolkein as an entity that was "rimmed with fire, but was itself glazed, yellow as a cat's, watchful and intent." He also described that the black slit of the eyes' pupil opened on a pit and led to "a window into nothing."
In the movies, the Eye of Sauron is portrayed as a flaming object overlooking Mordor. He appeared as the soul of Sauron-the only reflection that had lost every trace of physical appearance in the War of the Ring. It also appeared several times in Frodo's mind, and often it left him tormented. In one instance in The Return of the King, the camera zooms into the Eye to reveal the humanoid form of the Dark Lord.
In the books, it considers that the Eye of Sauron is more of a symbol of Sauron's will, network of spies, and omnipotence. The Orcs bear shields with a large red eye, enforcing his power. The flaming eye does appear in the books a couple of times, but rarely. Films have used the interpretation of the flaming eyeball, whereas books interpret Sauron as a phantom. The flaming eyeball is seen in two scenes: Frodo and Sam seeing it in the Window of the Eye, and Frodo looking into Galadriel's mirror.
The Eye of Sauron was a character in the books who lost his physical form to become the wayward spirit. His body dies when Isildur hacks off his finger. He drowns in the books once the god Eru IIlúvatar defeats him, casting Númenor into the sea and thus killing him and all of his companions. The drowning of Sauron takes from him his bodily form so that he may assume new forms with which to disguise himself. First, he recuperates after the attack by Eru before returning in that really questionable form that was in the book. He remains in Barad-dûr yet somehow acquires the ability to cast shadows over Middle-earth during the Third Age.
The Eye of Sauron is a psychic weapon which constantly breaks into the minds of its foes with fear and terror. Gandalf battled with the Eye of Mordor, but he remained capable. Frodo and Galadriel felt the Lays peering into them. It sent shivers running down their spines. It is so full of intense hostility that even those who do not look at it can feel its presence. The Eye is representative of Sauron's all-knowingness and power, thus creating a dark, discouraging atmosphere that made the armies menacing, poking into the minds of enemies.
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