The Mouth of Sauron: Unraveling the Mystery of Tolkien's Most Ghoulish Messenger!
The Mouth of Sauron: Who Was This Horrifying Herald?
The Mouth of Sauron is one creepy dude! He’s that gross, unsettling messenger who shows up outside the Black Gates in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. He wasn’t in the original Peter Jackson movie but made it into the extended edition—proving just how much those extra scenes really add a lot of context! Even more, J.R.R. Tolkien had some very specific descriptions for this figure that completely add more complexity.
Jackson's version differs significantly from Tolkien’s written work and thus requires different interpretations. It distorted canon, yet gave this figure a more dramatic visual representation in a manner that created a lot of mystery and questions for those audiences! The film’s portrayal of Sauron’s messenger generated major interest and intrigue even beyond the movie. So let’s dive into his origins, and powers!
The Mouth’s Ancestry: A Númenórean Fallen From Grace
In The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien says The Mouth of Sauron is one of those "Black Númenóreans." Let’s unpack this! That initial term already hints at the source material and history. It also connects to the longer stories. Those "Edain" (the early Men in Hildórien, fighting against the mighty Morgoth) who joined Númenor were totally chill with Elves, aware of Tolkien's demigods (the Valar). Those Númenóreans had a golden age and started moving into Middle-earth!
But this story then involves an evil influence – Sauron – which entirely changes everything; a powerful force that twists loyalty; shifting a political movement towards dominance. These are those initial people from Númenor, called "King's Men," they expanded in Middle-earth— becoming those brutal "Black Númenóreans". This adds even more context, explaining just why this specific messenger came to exist.
Powers and Position: Sauron's Elite Lieutenant
The Mouth of Sauron, whose name is utterly unimportant— introduces himself as Sauron's "herald and ambassador," which implies a huge amount of context. It’s the text itself that emphasizes he’s also a seriously important dude: The Lieutenant of the Tower of Barad-dûr! The rank means something; an actual army rank; which implies this was more than just an office job or any messenger's work! While many high-ranking officials were hinted at, very few actually got descriptions as specific as what’s featured for the Mouth here.
There are other unnamed high-ups: the Witch-king of Angmar, Gothmog, the orcs Shagrat and Gorbag, and Khamûl (from Unfinished Tales). This isn't an average servant, folks; this was far more important, given what the lieutenant's title already implied and adds significant intrigue to the events.
The Mouth’s Dark History and Rise to Power
The Mouth of Sauron, before he took on that role; served Sauron for a very, very long time; thus this relationship played a much more significant role; creating intense devotion. And through his devoted service and gaining trust; he acquired significant skill— acquiring tremendous power via "great sorcery" and knowing much of Sauron's mindset. But even those details about his origin is shrouded in mystery, hinting at that complete lack of memory, "forgotten by all"! This adds even further mystery—and a sense of oblivion as it directly ties into themes within Tolkien’s stories; those complete obliterations and submissions towards powerful forces that completely destroy someone’s identity. Yet, he isn't only shrouded in this ambiguity— his physical descriptions remain a notable and unique element.
Tolkien describes him as basically an animalistic brute —"wild beast"— this implies an important contrast. Yet Tolkien insists "a living man"— it aligns closely with Jackson’s disturbing design for the movie and shows a monstrous interpretation that’s remarkably apt considering how little there truly is that's confirmed within Tolkien’s descriptions, giving Jackson considerable leeway. His approach however involved a huge difference from how Jackson and the movie approached him.
The Movie Changes: Aragorn vs. Gandalf
Jackson's movie takes significant liberties with that whole arc; this really does matter in some instances because the deviations have impacts elsewhere in the story’s events and impact! In the books, this messenger deals with Gandalf; however that pivotal encounter becomes something else entirely in Return of the King with Aragorn. This also involves the movie changing major events that could've otherwise been present if the story was kept faithful to Tolkien's material. This was also an attempt to emphasize Aragorn as the main hero!
There’s a huge problem here. The book's negotiation emphasized Frodo’s imprisonment. But in the movie? The Mouth claims Frodo is dead; which removed any leverage in negotiations. And Aragorn simply beheads him. In short? This was not Tolkien. This wasn't an action consistent with Tolkien's own style; nor would such behavior really make sense in a political context that emphasized proper diplomacy; given that murdering heralds is considered war crimes. This became the unfortunate point and greatly undermines Tolkien’s written intent!
Conclusion: A Horrifying Figure in the Lord of the Rings’ Vast Legend
The Mouth of Sauron is iconic– the ambiguity surrounding this specific character gives viewers an immensely detailed perspective of some truly unique elements and complexities inherent in Tolkien’s universe. His blend of mystery—this deep connection with those "Black Númenóreans" and being a lieutenant gives a context only realized with that deeper dive. His shocking appearance; both as he appeared in the novel itself but also with those amazing graphical depictions seen in Jackson’s movie–it totally establishes that frightening position he’d occupied within Sauron's hierarchy; becoming memorable precisely for its eerie horror elements. He truly exemplifies just why Tolkien's own world and characters remained intensely interesting for a century.
