The Fellowship of the Ring

by

J.R.R. Tolkien

Gandalf the Grey Character Analysis

Despite his humble appearance as an elderly man in a grey cloak and drooping hat, Gandalf is one of the most powerful beings on Middle-earth. A member of the Istari, Gandalf’s knowledge and power is second only to his fellow wizard Saruman the White. Gandalf is less arrogant than Saruman, and takes a keen interest and joy in the goings-on of humble folk such as hobbits. He is a mentor to Bilbo and Frodo, who contrary to their original impressions of Gandalf as a wandering magician, come to realize that the Grey Wizard is a wise sage and mighty warrior. Gandalf’s concerns about the nature of Bilbo’s magic ring reveal its truth as the One Ring belonging to the Dark Lord Sauron. He wisely resists using the Ring’s power himself. Gandalf also discovers Saruman’s treachery in allying with Sauron. After escaping Saruman’s imprisonment, the Grey Wizard leads the Company of the Ring, which is formed to defeat Sauron by destroying the Ring in Mordor. However, the Grey Wizard falls to his presumed death during an epic battle in which he saves the Company from a demonic balrog that attacks them in Moria. Gandalf has long been a great ally to other powerful Middle-earth characters including Elrond, Galadriel, and Aragorn.

Gandalf the Grey Quotes in The Fellowship of the Ring

The The Fellowship of the Ring quotes below are all either spoken by Gandalf the Grey or refer to Gandalf the Grey. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Good vs. Evil Theme Icon
).
Book 1, Chapter 1 Quotes

“I feel I need a holiday, a very long holiday, as I have told you before. Probably a permanent holiday: I don’t expect I shall return. In fact, I don’t mean to, and I have made all arrangements.

I am old, Gandalf. I don’t look it, but I am beginning to feel it in my heart of hearts. Well-preserved indeed!” he snorted. “Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread. That can’t be right. I need a change, or something.”

Gandalf looked curiously and closely at him. “No, it doesn’t seem right,” he said thoughtfully. “No, after all I believe your plan is probably the best.”

Related Characters: Gandalf the Grey (speaker), Bilbo Baggins (speaker)
Related Symbols: The One Ring
Page Number: 32
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 1, Chapter 2 Quotes

“A mortal, Frodo, who keeps one of the Great Rings, does not die, but he does not grow or obtain more life, he merely continues, until at last every minute is a weariness. And if he often uses the Ring to make himself invisible, he fades: he becomes in the end invisible permanently, and walks in the twilight under the eye of the dark power that rules the Rings. Yes, sooner or later – later, if he is strong or well-meaning to begin with, but neither strength nor good purpose will last – sooner or later the dark power will devour him.”

“How terrifying!” said Frodo. There was another long silence. The sound of Sam Gamgee cutting the lawn came in from the garden.

Related Characters: Frodo Baggins (speaker), Gandalf the Grey (speaker), Samwise (Sam) Gamgee, Sauron, Bilbo Baggins, The Black Riders / Ringwraiths / Nazgûl
Related Symbols: The One Ring
Page Number: 46
Explanation and Analysis:

"So now, when its master was awake once more and sending out his dark thought from Mirkwood, it abandoned Gollum. Only to be picked up by the most unlikely person imaginable: Bilbo from the Shire!

Behind that there was something else at work, beyond any design of the Ring-maker. I can put it no plainer than by saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its maker. In which case you also were meant to have it. And that may be an encouraging thought."

Related Characters: Gandalf the Grey (speaker), Frodo Baggins, Sauron, Bilbo Baggins, Gollum / Smeagol
Related Symbols: The One Ring
Page Number: 54-5
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 1, Chapter 8 Quotes

There is a seed of courage hidden (often deeply, it is true) in the heart of the fattest and most timid Hobbit, waiting for some final and desperate danger to make it grow. Frodo was neither very fat nor very timid; indeed, though he did not know it, Bilbo (and Gandalf) had thought him the best Hobbit in the Shire. He thought he had come to the end of his adventure, and a terrible end, but the thought hardened him. He found himself stiffening, as if for a final spring; he no longer felt limp like a helpless prey.

Related Characters: Frodo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo Baggins
Related Symbols: The One Ring
Page Number: 137
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 2, Chapter 3 Quotes

“It is true that if these Hobbits understood the danger, they would not dare to go. But they would still wish to go, or wish that they dared, and be shamed and unhappy. I think, Elrond, that in this matter it would be well to trust rather to their friendship than to great wisdom. Even if you chose for us an Elf-lord, such as Glorfindel, he could not storm the Dark Tower, nor open the road to the Fire by the power that is in him.”

Related Characters: Gandalf the Grey (speaker), Meriadoc (Merry) Brandybuck, Peregrin (Pippin) Took, Elrond, Glorfindel
Related Symbols: The One Ring
Page Number: 269
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 2, Chapter 4 Quotes

"It was not the fault of the Dwarves that the friendship waned," said Gimli.

"I have not heard it was the fault of the Elves," said Legolas.

"I have heard both," said Gandalf; "and I will not give judgement now. But I beg you two, Legolas and Gimli, at least to be friends, and to help me. I need you both. The doors are shut and hidden, and the sooner we find them the better. Night is at hand."

Related Characters: Gandalf the Grey (speaker), Legolas Greenleaf (speaker), Gimli (speaker)
Page Number: 295
Explanation and Analysis:

Pippin felt curiously attracted by the well. […] Moved by a sudden impulse he groped for a loose stone, and let it drop. He felt his heart beat many times before there was any sound. Then far below, as if the stone had fallen into deep water in some cavernous place, there came a plunk, very distant, but magnified and repeated in the hollow shaft.

“What's that?” cried Gandalf. He was relieved when Pippin confessed what he had done, but he was angry, and Pippin could see his eye glinting. “Fool of a Took!” he growled. “This is a serious journey, not a Hobbit waling-party. Throw yourself in next time, and then you will be no further nuisance. Now be quiet!”

Related Characters: Gandalf the Grey (speaker), Peregrin (Pippin) Took
Page Number: 305
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 2, Chapter 8 Quotes

[Aragorn’s] own plan, while Gandalf remained with them, had been to go with Boromir, and with his sword help to deliver Gondor. For he believed that the message of the dreams was a summons, and that the hour had come at last when the heir of Elendil should come forth and strive with Sauron for the mastery. But in Moria the burden of Gandalf had been laid on him; and he knew that he could not now forsake the Ring, if Frodo refused in the end to go with Boromir. And yet what help could he or any of the Company give to Frodo, save to walk blindly with him into the darkness?

Related Characters: Frodo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Aragorn / Strider, Boromir
Related Symbols: The One Ring, The Shards of Narsil / Anduril
Page Number: 359
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 2, Chapter 10 Quotes

"We of Minas Tirith have been staunch through long years of trial. We do not desire the power of Wizard-lords, only strength to defend ourselves, strength in a just cause. And behold! in our need chance brings to light the Ring of Power. It is a gift, I say; a gift to the foes of Mordor. It is mad not to use it, to use the power of the Enemy against him. The fearless, the ruthless, these alone will achieve victory. What could not Aragorn do? Or if he refuses, why not Boromir? The Ring would give me power of Command. How I would drive the hosts of Mordor, and all men would flock to my banner!"

Related Characters: Boromir (speaker), Frodo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Aragorn / Strider, Sauron
Related Symbols: The One Ring
Page Number: 36
Explanation and Analysis:
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Gandalf the Grey Quotes in The Fellowship of the Ring

The The Fellowship of the Ring quotes below are all either spoken by Gandalf the Grey or refer to Gandalf the Grey. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Good vs. Evil Theme Icon
).
Book 1, Chapter 1 Quotes

“I feel I need a holiday, a very long holiday, as I have told you before. Probably a permanent holiday: I don’t expect I shall return. In fact, I don’t mean to, and I have made all arrangements.

I am old, Gandalf. I don’t look it, but I am beginning to feel it in my heart of hearts. Well-preserved indeed!” he snorted. “Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread. That can’t be right. I need a change, or something.”

Gandalf looked curiously and closely at him. “No, it doesn’t seem right,” he said thoughtfully. “No, after all I believe your plan is probably the best.”

Related Characters: Gandalf the Grey (speaker), Bilbo Baggins (speaker)
Related Symbols: The One Ring
Page Number: 32
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 1, Chapter 2 Quotes

“A mortal, Frodo, who keeps one of the Great Rings, does not die, but he does not grow or obtain more life, he merely continues, until at last every minute is a weariness. And if he often uses the Ring to make himself invisible, he fades: he becomes in the end invisible permanently, and walks in the twilight under the eye of the dark power that rules the Rings. Yes, sooner or later – later, if he is strong or well-meaning to begin with, but neither strength nor good purpose will last – sooner or later the dark power will devour him.”

“How terrifying!” said Frodo. There was another long silence. The sound of Sam Gamgee cutting the lawn came in from the garden.

Related Characters: Frodo Baggins (speaker), Gandalf the Grey (speaker), Samwise (Sam) Gamgee, Sauron, Bilbo Baggins, The Black Riders / Ringwraiths / Nazgûl
Related Symbols: The One Ring
Page Number: 46
Explanation and Analysis:

"So now, when its master was awake once more and sending out his dark thought from Mirkwood, it abandoned Gollum. Only to be picked up by the most unlikely person imaginable: Bilbo from the Shire!

Behind that there was something else at work, beyond any design of the Ring-maker. I can put it no plainer than by saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its maker. In which case you also were meant to have it. And that may be an encouraging thought."

Related Characters: Gandalf the Grey (speaker), Frodo Baggins, Sauron, Bilbo Baggins, Gollum / Smeagol
Related Symbols: The One Ring
Page Number: 54-5
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 1, Chapter 8 Quotes

There is a seed of courage hidden (often deeply, it is true) in the heart of the fattest and most timid Hobbit, waiting for some final and desperate danger to make it grow. Frodo was neither very fat nor very timid; indeed, though he did not know it, Bilbo (and Gandalf) had thought him the best Hobbit in the Shire. He thought he had come to the end of his adventure, and a terrible end, but the thought hardened him. He found himself stiffening, as if for a final spring; he no longer felt limp like a helpless prey.

Related Characters: Frodo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo Baggins
Related Symbols: The One Ring
Page Number: 137
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 2, Chapter 3 Quotes

“It is true that if these Hobbits understood the danger, they would not dare to go. But they would still wish to go, or wish that they dared, and be shamed and unhappy. I think, Elrond, that in this matter it would be well to trust rather to their friendship than to great wisdom. Even if you chose for us an Elf-lord, such as Glorfindel, he could not storm the Dark Tower, nor open the road to the Fire by the power that is in him.”

Related Characters: Gandalf the Grey (speaker), Meriadoc (Merry) Brandybuck, Peregrin (Pippin) Took, Elrond, Glorfindel
Related Symbols: The One Ring
Page Number: 269
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 2, Chapter 4 Quotes

"It was not the fault of the Dwarves that the friendship waned," said Gimli.

"I have not heard it was the fault of the Elves," said Legolas.

"I have heard both," said Gandalf; "and I will not give judgement now. But I beg you two, Legolas and Gimli, at least to be friends, and to help me. I need you both. The doors are shut and hidden, and the sooner we find them the better. Night is at hand."

Related Characters: Gandalf the Grey (speaker), Legolas Greenleaf (speaker), Gimli (speaker)
Page Number: 295
Explanation and Analysis:

Pippin felt curiously attracted by the well. […] Moved by a sudden impulse he groped for a loose stone, and let it drop. He felt his heart beat many times before there was any sound. Then far below, as if the stone had fallen into deep water in some cavernous place, there came a plunk, very distant, but magnified and repeated in the hollow shaft.

“What's that?” cried Gandalf. He was relieved when Pippin confessed what he had done, but he was angry, and Pippin could see his eye glinting. “Fool of a Took!” he growled. “This is a serious journey, not a Hobbit waling-party. Throw yourself in next time, and then you will be no further nuisance. Now be quiet!”

Related Characters: Gandalf the Grey (speaker), Peregrin (Pippin) Took
Page Number: 305
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 2, Chapter 8 Quotes

[Aragorn’s] own plan, while Gandalf remained with them, had been to go with Boromir, and with his sword help to deliver Gondor. For he believed that the message of the dreams was a summons, and that the hour had come at last when the heir of Elendil should come forth and strive with Sauron for the mastery. But in Moria the burden of Gandalf had been laid on him; and he knew that he could not now forsake the Ring, if Frodo refused in the end to go with Boromir. And yet what help could he or any of the Company give to Frodo, save to walk blindly with him into the darkness?

Related Characters: Frodo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Aragorn / Strider, Boromir
Related Symbols: The One Ring, The Shards of Narsil / Anduril
Page Number: 359
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 2, Chapter 10 Quotes

"We of Minas Tirith have been staunch through long years of trial. We do not desire the power of Wizard-lords, only strength to defend ourselves, strength in a just cause. And behold! in our need chance brings to light the Ring of Power. It is a gift, I say; a gift to the foes of Mordor. It is mad not to use it, to use the power of the Enemy against him. The fearless, the ruthless, these alone will achieve victory. What could not Aragorn do? Or if he refuses, why not Boromir? The Ring would give me power of Command. How I would drive the hosts of Mordor, and all men would flock to my banner!"

Related Characters: Boromir (speaker), Frodo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Aragorn / Strider, Sauron
Related Symbols: The One Ring
Page Number: 36
Explanation and Analysis: