Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Saruman

Okay, we all know that Sauron is the big bad guy in this story, but The Two Towers is Saruman's time to shine. The corrupted wizard is in control of a massive army of orc and uruk-hai (it's so massive it actually brings a tear to Wormtongue's eye). And he's taken what was once a strong fortress built by the Dúnedain and turned it into an industrial plant by burning the nearby Fangorn Forest.

Treebeard laments that Saruman used to walk amongst his woods, reminiscing on the old, wise Saruman who took care of Middle-earth and cared about its abundant life. Saruman may be no more than a puppet, but he's certainly an evil one… although, frankly, we think all puppets are creepy.