Part 4/9:
However, at some point, their steadfastness faltered as they succumbed to some form of corruption. Tolkien does not specify the exact nature of this fall, leaving room for speculation. It could stem from exhaustion, disillusionment, or a slow corruption that overtook them through the passage of time—an interpretation supported by the adage, “You either die a hero or live long enough to become a villain.”
This adage encapsulates the trajectories of the Istari, with Gandalf being the sole exception due to his unwavering commitment.