Boromir

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Boromir (T.A. 2978 – 3019), a character from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy universe of Middle-earth, was the eldest son of Denethor II, (the last ruling Steward of Gondor), and Finduilas. Boromir was great in stature, tall, and broad Númenórean princely. Boromir had honor and nobility; he was a man who believed passionately in the greatness of his kingdom and would have defended its people to the very end. Boromir's great stamina and physical strength, together with a forceful and commanding personality, meant that he had quickly risen to command in Gondor's army: he was made a Captain of the White Tower, and eventually became Captain-General, also bearing the title High Warden of the White Tower. He was also one of the Nine Walkers who made up the Fellowship of the Ring in The Lord of the Rings.

Biography

Pre- Boromir was born in the year 2978 of the Third Age to Denethor II and Finduilas, daughter of Adrahil of Dol Amroth. The following year, Ecthelion II died and his son, Denethor, succeeded him as the Steward of Gondor.

After the death of Finduilas, Denethor became more somber, cold and detached from his family. The relationship between Faramir and Boromir grew closer and greater in love. Denethor always favoured Boromir over Faramir, however this caused no rivalry between the two brothers. Boromir always protected and helped Faramir. Boromir was judged to be the more daring one, as well as the more fearless and a strong warrior. His fearlessness and greatness in battle was known all over western Middle-earth.

Being a proud man he was always disappointed by the fact that although Gondor had no king for hundreds of years his father could not make a claim as king, and that he himself, while a great and popular man, would be no more then a Steward of Gondor.

Role in the War of the Ring

In response to a prophetic dream that he and his brother had, Boromir claims the duty of riding to Rivendell from Minas Tirith in T.A. 3018 where he is invited to attend the Council of Elrond. There he tells his story of Gondor's attempts to keep the powers of Mordor at bay. He then attempts to persuade the Council to let him take the One Ring to Gondor so that it can be used in the defence of the realm, but is told that it cannot be used without corrupting its user and alerting Sauron to its presence.

He subsequently joins the Fellowship of the Ring and travels with them through Moria and then Lórien, where he is greatly disturbed by Galadriel's testing of his mind. On the quest he proves his worth and reputation. He slays many orcs and at least one warg on the journey.

Boromir was always in favour of taking the ring to Minas Tirith despite his duty to destroy it. He openly shared this with Aragorn after Gandalf's death, but it was chosen that it would be taken to Mordor. Boromir felt that it would be better to use the ring in Gondor's defence than to throw it away. He was so driven to Gondor's defence and his belief in his own greatness that he justified taking the ring for himself.

"True-hearted Men, they will not be corrupted. We of Minas Tirith have been staunch through long years of trial. We do not desire the power of wizard-lords, only strength to defend ourselves, strength in a just cause. And behold! in our need chance brings to light the Ring of Power. It is a gift, I say; a gift to the foes of Mordor. It is mad not to use it, to use the power of the Enemy against him. The fearless, the ruthless, these alone will achieve victory. What could not a warrior do in this hour, a great leader? What could not Aragorn do? Or if he refuses, why not Boromir? The Ring would give me power of Command. How I would drive the hosts of Mordor, and all men would flock to my banner!"

The Fellowship of the Ring: "The Breaking of the Fellowship," p. 414

Seduced by the lure of the One Ring, he tried to seize it from Frodo at Amon Hen. Frodo puts the ring on and flees, intending to continue the quest alone. Boromir, realising what happened, repented his actions, but it was too late. Searching unsuccessfully for Frodo, he notified the rest of the Fellowship of Frodo's absence. The subsequent attack by Orcs led to the breaking of the Fellowship. During the battle Boromir dies defending Merry and Pippin in an attempt to prevent their capture, thereby redeeming himself for trying to take the ring. This battle is not depicted in the book, but the blasts from his horn alerted Aragorn who was able to have a few words with the wounded Boromir before his death. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas create a funeral boat for Boromir's body, along with his broken sword, his horn, and the weapons of many of the Orcs that he slayed. On February 26, 3019 T.A. he passed over the Falls of Rauros.

On February 29, 3019, Faramir, who was on guard duty, waded down to a boat floating down the Anduin river. To his grief, it was the dead body of his brother, which was pierced with many wounds.

Portrayal in adaptations

In both Ralph Bakshi's animated film and in the subsequent BBC Radio serial, Boromir is played by Michael Graham Cox. In the former, he is dressed in barbarian garb and wears a stereotypical (and unhistorical) horned Viking helmet.

In Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, Boromir is played by Sean Bean. In a departure from the structure of Tolkien's novel, Boromir's death is shown at the end of The Fellowship of the Ring, instead of being related at the beginning of The Two Towers. In the film, Boromir is mortally wounded by the Uruk-hai leader Lurtz, a character created for the films, instead of by unknown orcs.
The Extended Edition of [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (film)|The Two Towers]] does include a brief scene in which Boromir and his brother Faramir see each other for the last time, and we see their father's attitude toward his two sons.
He appears in a brief flashback in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (film)|The Return of the King]], as Pippin remembers his heroic act in the first film. Due to that scene alone, Bean merited a portrait in the closing credits (while Christopher Lee and Brad Dourif, who played Saruman and Gríma respectively, did not have such portraits in the credits of the theatrical cut, since their scenes only appeared in the Extended Edition). Some feel Boromir is portrayed more evil in the movie then he actually was. He only wanted to take the Ring at Amon Hen, while the movie suggests that this idea came into his mind earlier. Others believe the movie made him a more sympathetic and complex character than the book.

Boromir is often misrepresented in Mary Sue fan fiction as being misogynistic or evil, neither of which traits were portrayed in the books or the Jackson adaptation.

Other Boromirs

Earlier Boromirs include Boromir, son of Boron and father of Andreth and Bregor of in the House of Bëor in the First Age, and Boromir son of Denethor I after whom Boromir of Gondor was named. He was a great captain, and even feared by the Witch-king of Angmar.

See also

• House of Húrin
• Horn of Gondor

External links

• [Boromir] at The Thain's Book

The Fellowship of the Ring

Frodo · Sam · Merry · Pippin · Gandalf · Aragorn · Legolas · Gimli · Boromir

 

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