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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hriston" data-source="post: 8796203" data-attributes="member: 6787503">I agree with you that there is a metaphysical Eye described in the books, but many people cite this passage (bolding mine) from Book Six of the LotR as support for the idea that there was also a physical Eye atop Sauron's tower that could in some way be identified with his will:Far off the shadows of Sauron hung; but torn by some gust of wind out of the world, or else moved by some great disquiet within, the mantling clouds swirled, and for a moment drew aside; and then he saw, rising black, blacker and darker than the vast shades amid which it stood, the cruel pinnacles and iron crown of the topmost tower of Barad-dûr. One moment only it stared out, but as from some great window immeasurably high there stabbed northward a flame of red, the flicker of a piercing Eye; and then the shadows were furled again and the terrible vision was removed.That is why I said it's debatable, although I agree with you. I think what is seen in this passage is more of a beacon or a search light than an actual eye.It's equally possible that Gollum's "black hand" is a metaphysical hand just as the Eye is metaphysical.The interpretation of these passages depends on what is meant by "taking shape" and "growing" which isn't entirely clear. It could mean that his power is manifesting and growing in the world through political alliances and the like.This passage is different and is, I think, the best evidence for Sauron taking a physical humanoid form in the Third Age, although it suffers from having a lesser degree of canonicity.</blockquote>

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