Part 3/9:
It is clear from Tolkien's works, particularly in The Lord of the Rings, that Sauron possessed limited understanding of Gandalf's true intentions. His knowledge that Gandalf was a Maia did not translate into an accurate perception of Gandalf's motivations. Sauron's evolution into a figure of malice clouded his judgment, leading him to underestimate Gandalf's purpose. He perceived Gandalf as merely a cleverer version of Radagast, a wizard more concerned with knowledge than with power.