Wormtongue is Théoden’s advisor. He attempts to corrupt and deceive Théoden on behalf of Saruman, his secret benefactor, who has bribed him with promises of wealth and marriage to Éowyn. When Gandalf reveals him as a spy, he flees to Isengard, where he later throws Saruman’s palantír out the window at Gandalf.
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Wormtongue Character Timeline in The Two Towers
The timeline below shows where the character Wormtongue appears in The Two Towers. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Book 3, Chapter 6
...that they’re returning the horses lent to them by Éomer, but the guard says that Wormtongue told him not to let strangers in. Gandalf sends the guard to tell Théoden, and...
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...that his hall isn’t as courteous as it used to be and the pale man, Wormtongue, asks if it’s true that Gandalf is in league with “the Sorceress of the Golden...
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...song praising Galadriel before throwing off his grey cloak and standing up straight. He tells Wormtongue to be silent, then raises his staff as thunder rolls and clouds cover the sun,...
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...isn’t as dark as he’d thought. Gandalf tells him that he isn’t as frail as Wormtongue has made him think, either, and urges him to “cast aside” his age. Théoden drops...
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Gandalf tells Théoden to call for Éomer, who was imprisoned for threatening to kill Wormtongue. Théoden sends Háma as an errand-runner, since he was not trustworthy as a doorward. Théoden...
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Wormtongue is brought back into the hall, along with Théoden’s sword, which Wormtongue had locked away...
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Wormtongue, enraged, spits at Théoden’s feet and flees down the stairs. Théoden orders guards to follow...
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Book 3, Chapter 7
...besides the fact that Gandalf always comes and goes abruptly. The other guard mutters that Wormtongue would have found an explanation, but Háma prefers to wait for Gandalf to explain for...
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...have seen Gandalf passing by (though some of them thought he was Saruman) and also Wormtongue, heading north with a company of orcs. Éomer urges them to hurry on despite the...
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Book 3, Chapter 8
...them to Isengard, then tells them that Saruman is closed up in his tower with Wormtongue.
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Book 3, Chapter 9
...a lonely night on the arch and woke to a peaceful morning. Gimli wonders how Wormtongue got into the tower with Saruman. Pippin explains that he arrived on horseback that morning...
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Book 3, Chapter 10
...He warns them to be cautious—Saruman is dangerous—and then shouts for Saruman to come out. Wormtongue fetches Saruman, who asks why they disturb his rest in a smooth voice enchanted to...
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...staff in two. As Saruman falls back into the tower, a heavy object thrown by Wormtongue falls from the window and strikes the stairs near Gandalf, breaking the stone. The object,...
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They agree to leave before Wormtongue throws anything else down at them. Saruman’s power is lessening and, though Gandalf can’t destroy...
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