Re: Me PBM riddle

From: Patrick F. McGehearty <patrick@convex.COM>

Date: Tue, 11 Feb 1997 00:00:00 +0000

In article <harrfam-1102971550450001@169.207.14.132>,
Harrington <harrfam@execpc.com> wrote:
>In article <19970211054300.AAA12860@ladder01.news.aol.com>,
>demery8072@aol.com (DEmery8072) wrote:
>
>> Got the following riddle in a 2950 game:
>>
>> A man he was, an advisor clever and mean
>> And as a man of wisdom to most he was seen.
>> Guided by his master he yet guided astray
>> Til he would have brought all to ruin save for the grey.
>>
>> Any ideas out there?
>>
>> I have thought of Grima Wormtongue or Saruman so far.
>
>I think that it is Saruman, too.
>

I think a stronger case can be made for Grima than for Saruman.
Consider the lines one at a time:

>> A man he was, an advisor clever and mean
Saruman was an Eldar, while Grima was a man.
Grima is noted for being mean spirited, especially later.

>> And as a man of wisdom to most he was seen.
Most of the Eothraim thought Grima a good advisor to King Theoden,
until his true colors were revealed.  This line could also apply to Saruman.

>> Guided by his master he yet guided astray
Grima's true master was Saruman.  He guided Theoden astray.
Saruman had no master.

>> Til he would have brought all to ruin save for the grey.
With the forgoing, this line refers to Gandalf the Gray and his coming to
Theoden.  Gandalf caused Grima's plots to go astray and Theoden to ride to
war.  This line could also apply to Saruman.

While some clues can apply to either Saruman or Grima, others clearly point
to Grima.  A good riddle all in all.

- Patrick McGehearty

References

Me PBM riddle
demery8072@aol.com (DEmery8072)
Tue, 11 Feb 1997 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Me PBM riddle
harrfam@execpc.com (Harrington)
Tue, 11 Feb 1997 00:00:00 +0000