Gandalf - a manipulator?

[Haradrim]

Did he really see images? That kind of destroys my idea of magic there. I never thought it was like that. I thought you just kind of knew something. You didnt know what you knew but you knew something.

[Radagast The Brown]

Originally Posted by Haradrim

Did he really see images? That kind of destroys my idea of magic there. I never thought it was like that. I thought you just kind of knew something. You didnt know what you knew but you knew something.

Actually, I'm not sure of it myself. It's my guess, consaidering everything I know from the books... maybe they saw images, maybe they didn't - I don't think they saw images, though.

[Haradrim]

phew well my magical trust has now been reinstated. Thanks Radagast (big hug) Then coughs masuclinely and gets a mug of ale and watches hobbit football.

[Thorir Orcbane]

Originally Posted by Radagast The Brown

When I think of foresight I don't think he knows everything - not at all. You know only few things, glimpse of things that would happen - like the warning of Aragorn to Gandalf not to get into Moria, or Melian saying to Thingol that a man of Beor's men will get into Doriath. They don't know everthing - when, how, etc. - and sometimes are not sure it will surely hapen.

I do think Gandalf had this talent - he explains it as a feeling, I think it's kind of a foresight. (He explains it in UT)

I think what "gift" Tolkien was trying to give Gandalf was,as being a Maiar, was the gift of imposing his will on people, not by force, but by his "magic'. When you keep arguing w/ someone and you take hold of the situation and adress them with power in your voice, they tend to listen, like training a dog. That is how I see it anyways.