Did Saruman Know About Hobbits? A Deep Dive into Middle-earth’s Overlooked Folk

Introduction: A Curious Case of the Hobbits

It’s a question that pops up more than you'd think: Did Saruman, the White Wizard himself, know about Hobbits before the War of the Ring? At first glance, it seems like an obvious yes—after all, Frodo and Sam end up playing a massive role in the downfall of Sauron. But when you dig deeper, things get murky. Saruman was wise, yes, but also arrogant and dismissive of "lesser" creatures.

Let’s unpack this little mystery, one layer at a time.

Saruman’s Early Knowledge: The Academic Years

What Saruman Knew from Lore

Saruman, as a Maia and one of the Istari, was supposed to be well-versed in the lore of Middle-earth. So, theoretically, he should have known about Hobbits—at least on paper. But here's the twist: Hobbits were kinda off the grid. They didn’t get much attention in old scrolls or songs. Even Gandalf said they were mostly forgotten by the Wise.

So yeah, Saruman might've skimmed over them in some dusty tome and gone, “Pfft, irrelevant.”

A Glimpse into the Shire

There is evidence Saruman eventually knew quite a bit about the Shire. Remember the “Sharkey” business? Yeah, he ends up outright invading and industrializing Hobbiton. That wasn’t random. He clearly had knowledge of the Shire's layout, resources, and people. But—important point—it came later. Not necessarily from the get-go.

Saruman’s Obsession with Power (And the One Ring)

The Moment He Took Interest

Let’s not forget Saruman’s dark turn. He got obsessed with the Rings of Power and started scheming for the One Ring. That’s when his attention likely shifted more seriously to the Hobbits—because of Bilbo. Word got around that some Halfling had found a powerful magic ring. That’s when Saruman started snooping around.

He even sent spies to the Shire. So yeah, eventually, he definitely knew. But again—it wasn’t out of fondness or respect. It was pure opportunism.

Wait, Did He Underestimate Them?

Oh, absolutely. Saruman thought Hobbits were soft, simpletons. He underestimated their courage, loyalty, and stubbornness (bad call, dude). Even when he invaded the Shire, he didn’t expect resistance. The “Scouring of the Shire” bit him hard.

Gandalf vs Saruman: Two Views on Hobbits

Gandalf’s Curiosity

Gandalf is like the anti-Saruman when it comes to Hobbits. He actually spent time in the Shire, smoked pipe-weed, and enjoyed fireworks with them. He saw something special in them long before anyone else did.

That difference in attitude says a lot about their characters. Gandalf saw value in the small and unexpected. Saruman? Not so much.

Saruman’s Dismissal

Saruman famously scoffs at Gandalf’s love for “Halflings and their pipe-weed.” That wasn’t just a burn—it was an expression of how little he really thought of them. Until, of course, they became a threat to his own plans.

So... Did Saruman Know About Hobbits?

Here’s where we land (finally): yes, Saruman did know about Hobbits, but his knowledge was shallow and late-coming. He ignored them until they became relevant to his obsession with the Ring. And even then, he misunderstood their nature completely.

If he’d paid more attention, maybe things would've turned out different for him. Or not. Who knows? Middle-earth has a funny way of humbling the proud.

Final Thoughts: Small Folks, Big Impact

Let’s be real—Hobbits weren’t supposed to matter in the grand scheme of things. But they did. And Saruman, with all his books and power, couldn’t see that until it was way too late.

Funny how often that happens in real life too, huh?

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