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01
Boromir
via mistersteelMany people give Boromir a bad rep because of his actions in the Fellowship of the Ring movie. But we need only take a glimpse into the way he saw things to not only understand him, but to see his greatness.
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02
via mistersteelThe first thing we need to know to understand Boromir, is to look at his father. Something that is only hinted at in the movies, is that Denethor had a Palantir. He often used it to probe Sauron's strength, but Sauron in return used it to drive him mad with despair. The death of his wife sent him further down this road of despair, leaning on Boromir for hope.
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03 via mistersteel
Having been born into almost constant war, the weight of his father's depression is at the forefront of all of Boromir's decisions. Gondor is strong, but he sees that its strength is being beaten down. It's with his knowledge we begin to see that to Boromir, this Ring is exactly what Gondor needs to drive back the armies of Mordor and restore Gondor to its former glory. In his own words he says "Valour needs first strength, and then a weapon."
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04 via mistersteel
On the road from Rivendell, every suggestion that he makes to the fellowship is shot down , Mostly by Aragorn. You can see the growing frustration as he tries to make everyone see reason against their idiot plan (in his mind, the thought of someone walking openly into Mordor without the might of Gondor behind them was ridiculous, but everytime he mentions seeking help in Gondor Aragorn objects). This is especially frustrating, given the fact that Boromir had gone to Rivendell in anticipation of hope for his city. He had learned that Aragorn was the rightful King, and he watches in frustration as Aragorn shirks that responsibility (from Boromir's perspective anyway).
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05 via mistersteel
While a member of the Fellowship, the ring has been gnawing at his worries for weeks, reminding him of the weakness of Gondor and his need to make things right. Wary of his constant desire to take the road to Minas Tirith, Aragorn constantly argued with Boromir after Gandalf's death. But even in his frustration, Boromir said, "It is not the way of the Men of Minas Tirith to desert their friends at need . . . and you will need my strength to reach the Tindrock. To the tall aisle I will go, but no further. There I shall return to my home, alone if my help has not earned the reward of my companionship." He hopes that Aragorn will accept the Kingship, but at that moment you can tell he doesn't expect it.
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06 via mistersteel
In the end he tried one more time to convince someone of what he viewed as right. He came to Frodo completely innocent (in my opinion) of intentions, desiring only to council with him. He confides in Frodo about how frustrated he is that the doom of his city is being decided by Elves far away from his home. He is tired of everyone talking about the lack of strength in men, when in his mind, these people arguing about men's lack of strength, are only kept safe by the strength they disparage. He even admits he isn't opposed to destroying the ring, but he says if hope had given them any sign that destroying it was the right option, he had yet to see it.
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07 via mistersteel
It was in this frustrated state that the ring took hold of him, and he tried to take the ring from Frodo. After Frodo escaped, he tripped, causing the power to fade from his mind. He then wept, realizing what he'd done.
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08 via mistersteel
After the attack of the Uruks, Aragorn found Boromir as if sleeping under a great tree, but he was pierced with many arrows. His sword was broken, and many orcs lay slain about him. The first thing Boromir says to Aragorn is a confession of his trying to take the ring. He then says, "I am sorry. I have paid." That sentence breaks my heart. In his mind, honor was something that could never be corrupted, even by the ring. So even though we might forgive him, knowing what the ring had caused him to do those things, he would never have passed the blame to its corruption. His sins were his own, and with this belief, his last words to Aragorn were, "Farewell Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed." Aragorn spurred on by grief, promises that he will go to Minas Tirith, and further promises that it will not fall. With that promise from Aragorn, Boromir smiles, and then dies.
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09 via mistersteel
Boromir is my all time favorite character ever written, in any work of literature, not just from Tolkien. He was misunderstood by all around him, he desired only for the strength of his people to never fail, but at the same time had such simple faith in that strength. He truly believed that it was in the men of his city that the fate of the world would be decided. And to a great extent he was correct. He inspired Aragorn to accept who he was, he was often a great strength to the others on his journey. He loved the Hobbits, often looking out for them when all were in danger. Though he was frustrated with Aragorn, I like to think he saw past the frustration of Aragorn's reticence and saw the nobility in him. Boromir was beloved by his father, his brother, and the people who followed him, his only failing was in not understanding the power of Isuldur's bane. And for that, he paid with his life.
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10
Faramir
via mistersteelFaramir is a fan favorite amongst Lord of the Rings readers, and for good reason. Faramir was a character that Tolkien did not plan. He was surprised when he appeared in the forests of Ithilien, but liked him so much that Tolkien said of all the characters he's written, Faramir was the most "like [him]." He is the brother of Boromir and the youngest son of Denethor and Finduilas.
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11 via mistersteel
Faramir was a deeply thoughtful person. Tolkien describes him as being able to read people extremely well, and was a great leader. He was described as just as good a fighter as Boromir, though he saw no glory in it like his brother did.
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12 via mistersteel
Three days after Faramir heard the horn of Gondor being blown (as Boromir was dying), Faramir saw the boat bearing his brother's body go down the river in a dreamlike vision (though he insists to Frodo that it he literally saw him). Eight days later was when he came across Frodo and Sam in the forest of Ithilien.
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13 via mistersteel
This is when we depart from the movies. In the movies Faramir decides to take the ring to his Father, hoping to improve their relationship. But in the books, after Faramir guesses that Frodo carries the ring, he has a much different reaction.
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14 via mistersteel
Faramir laments that Boromir ever went to Rivendell. He tells Frodo that he was actually chosen to go by the Elders and by his father, but Boromir insisted he go, being the older son. He even begins to wonder if things might have been different if he had gone and Boromir had stayed. He then reassures Frodo saying, "I would not take this thing, if it lay by the highway. Not were Minas Tirith falling in ruin and I alone could save her." This insinuates that had he gone in Boromir's place, their fates would have been quite different.
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15 via mistersteel
After aiding Frodo, he returned to Minas Tirith and was reamed by his daddy for letting them go. After this the movie is pretty spot on. He is sent off to a hopeless battle, almost dies, his dad goes nuts and tries to burn him, and then after the battle he is healed by Aragorn (bonus fact: it was prophesied that Gondor would recognize its new King because he would come first as a healer). It was in the houses of healing that he meets and falls in love with Eowyn.
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16 via mistersteel
Eowyn was one of Tolkien's favorite characters, he was fascinated by her depth of character and thus gave her quite a cool story. It is for this reason that I love the fact that Faramir -- a character Tolkien put attributes of himself into -- falls in love with Eowyn. I would argue Faramir and Eowyn are another reflection of Tolkien's relationship with his wife, just as Beren and Luthien were.
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17 via mistersteel
After the fall of Mordor and the coronation of Aragorn, Faramir led the forces that drove back the remaining orcs, and cleansed Minas Morgul (once called Minas Ithil) of all evil, restoring it once again as the sister city of Minas Tirith.
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18 via mistersteel
Faramir died at the age of 120 after being one of the Chief Captains of Gondor and Aragorn's counselor. I think it says so much of him that his brother and he were so close. Especially when his father preferred Boromir so blatantly. It could have been so easy to be jealous of Boromir, but he wasn't. Tolkien said that though the blood of Numenor was mostly gone in men by that time, it ran true in Faramir. Pippin said of Faramir that he carried with him a nobility, a wisdom, and a sadness.
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