In THE LORD OF THE RINGS: In the second season of THE RINGS OF POWER, Sauron — portrayed by Charlie Vickers–and returns in a new and very clever avatar called Annatar or the Lord of Gifts. In the end of Episode 2, one can see that Sauron is gradually preparing for the continuation of the use of deceptive strategies. But who is this person and what does he wants to gain: is Annatar the secret member of Sauron’s party or he has different aims and plans?
Who is Annatar, Lord of Gifts?
Annatar is a mask that Sauron uses to deceive the Elves of Middle Earth. In The Rings of Power, he comes towards the Elves especially the skilled blacksmith Celebrimbor whom he introduces himself as a mouthpiece of the Valar which are the higher ranked creatures in Tolkien’s cosmology. He gets a new, rather handsome look, quite different form Halbrand he was before, and even more so from the true Sauron – the Dark Lord.
However, this change of stance was deliberate. Tolkien asks the viewer the question of what can happen when pride and greed meet enchantment and complete inspiration as represented by Actor Charlie Vickers, who described his character Annatar as the complete embodiment of wisdom and persuasion to the elves specifically Celebrimbor as an ambition that equals to him. This beautiful and intelligent appearance that Annatar poses is to gain the confidence of the elves which is what Sauron needs to set to achieve his master plan.
What is Annatar’s Plan?
Annatar’s goal is simple yet diabolical: the fact that Sauron wants Celebrimbor to make more Rings of Power. With this aim, he plans to taint these rings with his evil spells as a result of which, he will have power over anyone who wears them. At this point of the series Celebrimbor has already made the first three rings but Annatar will inspire him to make more; nineteen in total, all of the last one being the One Ring that Sauron shall use to enslave Middle-earth.
Thus, Annatar deceives Celebrimber into believing that he needs his assistance in improving the craft of making rings thanks to the unique abilities of Dwarven mithril. The Elves are interested in Annatar’s help for the same reasons as before: through his guidance they will regain their presumed ‘light,’ but they fail to see that this is a trick.
Annatar’s Connection to Sauron
For all people know Sauron as the master of darkness, but nobody knows that his main power is in shape shifting. Sauron, Being a Maia and a spirit, can take a shape of his choice; in the Second Age of Middle-earth he chose an appearance of Annatar which was a fair form which deceived the elves. This ability completes him in their society to the extent that they accept him after which he shows his evil side.
In Rings of Power, this is well illustrated in the way the character known as Annatar talks to the inhabitants of Middle Earth as compared to Halbrand. Halbrand was larger, and stocky while Annatar is lithe and elegant, the lightness being indicative of the intelligence that he wishes to portray. However in the series we notice that this form is only one disguise that the evil Sauron takes in order to achieve his goals.
What’s Next for Annatar?
Since Annatar already corrupts Celebrimbor, the latter will most probably encourage the making of the rest of the Rings of Power. His ultimate goal is to bring forth the One Ring which is the most powerful amongst them all and enable him rule over the other rings and their wearers. The stronger rings are that made with his input, the nearer to the realms of his dream is Sauron.
In short, Annatar’s appearance marks the next stage of Sauron’s grand plan: entered Middle-earth in order to control it, using deception, cunning, and in the end, the One Ring.
