David Brin writes:
Next time you reread LOTR, count the number of powerful beings who are vastly uglier than anybody with that kind of power would allow themselves to be.
Er . . . one? And that’s rationalized in the story; Sauron was as pretty as any Elf until he lost a big chunk of his power. What am I missing?
Remember also one hobbit’s comment on meeting Strider that if he were a badguy he ought to “look fairer and feel fouler.”
Well, there’s no logical necessity for the Wizards to appear as aged Men.