The Lord of the Rings: 5 Things That Still Make No Sense About Sauron

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With The Lord of the Rings being such a beloved and impactful fantasy series, its villain, Sauron, is considered one of the best in the genre. J.R.R. Tolkien’s original books are incredibly famous and Peter Jackson’s films were a huge success, both of which helped establish Sauron, the Dark Lord, as a truly iconic movie villain. While Tolkien’s books delve deeply into Sauron’s history and personality, the films present his backstory with less detail.

Sauron is known as one of the most powerful characters in The Lord of the Rings, but many aspects of his story remain a mystery, including his plans, reasons for acting, and ultimately, how he was defeated. For viewers who aren’t deeply familiar with Tolkien’s world, the films leave some questions unanswered. While Sauron remains a truly frightening villain, certain parts of his story in the Lord of the Rings trilogy don’t quite add up.

5) He Couldn’t Sense How Close The Ring Was At The End

Many inconsistencies surrounding Sauron and the One Ring exist, and most can be explained by details from Tolkien’s broader Middle-earth history that weren’t fully explored in the films. However, a common frustration for movie fans is that Sauron couldn’t detect the Ring, even when it was close by. Earlier films showed the Ring actively seeking its master, making it puzzling that Sauron didn’t realize it was being destroyed until it was too late. Given that the Ring supposedly contained a piece of Sauron’s own essence, his lack of awareness of its nearby presence feels particularly strange.

4) He Should Have Made More Rings

Sauron gained control over Middle-earth partly by creating the Rings of Power and giving them to Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Since Men were easily swayed by the desire for power, it’s curious why Sauron didn’t make more rings for them. If they were so susceptible to corruption, he could have created a much larger force of powerful Ringwraiths instead of just nine. The films don’t explain why he didn’t, making it seem like a strategic mistake on Sauron’s part.

3) He Sent The Nazgul Out With Horses (Instead of Fellbeasts)

While the Lord of the Rings movies are beloved, they have some plot inconsistencies. One noticeable issue involves the Nazgûl, the Ringwraiths. They initially pursue Frodo and his companion on horseback, but later films depict them riding Fellbeasts – creatures bred in Mordor. This creates a confusing situation, as the Ringwraiths seemingly had a more effective way to hunt for the Ring all along, making the horseback chase feel unnecessary.

2) His Inconsistent Corporeal Form

Sauron’s presence is a key link between The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, so his appearance in The Hobbit wasn’t unexpected. The films show him in a physical form, even though the story suggests he lost his body long before. Later, in The Lord of the Rings, he’s shown as a spirit, which creates confusion about his true nature. The movies never explain this inconsistency, leaving many fans puzzled and frustrated.

1) Why He Was Allowed To Rebuild His Strength

One of the most puzzling parts of Sauron’s story in The Lord of the Rings isn’t about what Sauron did, but about what no one else did. After Isildur defeated Sauron, Elrond let him keep the Ring – a clear error in judgment. Even more surprisingly, no one – not Elrond, Gandalf, or any other powerful being – bothered to check on Sauron or watch Mordor, even though it was obvious he still had power. This oversight allowed Sauron to rebuild his forces, when a little bit of monitoring could have prevented all the trouble shown in The Lord of the Rings.

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2026-04-03 19:13