Boromir
| House / Order | The Fellowship; the House of the Stewards of Gondor |
|---|---|
| Race / Culture | Man (Dúnedain of Gondor) |
| Status | Slain |
| Origin | Minas Tirith, Gondor |
| Born | T.A. 2978 |
| Died | 26 February T.A. 3019, at Parth Galen near Amon Hen |
| Weapon | Sword and shield; the Horn of Gondor |
| Fate | Fell to the lure of the Ring, then died defending Merry and Pippin from Uruk-hai |
| Portrayed by | Sean Bean |
Boromir son of Denethor II was the eldest son of the Ruling Steward of Gondor and the Captain-General of its armies. A mighty warrior and the pride of Minas Tirith, he came north to Rivendell seeking the meaning of a prophetic dream and joined the Fellowship of the Ring as one of the Nine Walkers.
His is the tragic arc of the company. Brave, proud, and devoted to his city, he was nonetheless the one member of the Fellowship to fall to the One Ring's temptation — yet he repented at once, and redeemed his failing with his death, falling in defence of the hobbits he had wronged.
Origins
Boromir was born in T.A. 2978, elder son of Denethor II, twenty-sixth Ruling Steward of Gondor, and Finduilas of Dol Amroth. His younger brother was Faramir. He was raised to arms and command, and by manhood was the foremost captain of Gondor, beloved of the soldiery and of his father, who favoured him over the gentler Faramir. He held the Steward's chief war-command and led the defence of Osgiliath against the forces of Mordor.
Biography
The errand to Rivendell
Both Boromir and Faramir received a recurring dream bidding them seek "Imladris" — Rivendell — where a Halfling, a Broken Sword, and "Isildur's Bane" would be revealed. Boromir claimed the perilous northward journey for himself and rode for a hundred and ten days to reach Rivendell, arriving in time for the Council of Elrond. There he learned that "Isildur's Bane" was the One Ring, and pressed his belief that Gondor should wield it as a weapon against the Enemy — counsel the Council rejected. He was nonetheless chosen as one of the Fellowship of the Ring, to represent the race of Men.
With the Fellowship
Boromir's strength and resolve served the company well. He broke a path through the snows of Caradhras alongside Aragorn, counselled bringing firewood, and was steadfast in the dark of Moria. Yet the nearer the Ring came, the more it worked upon him, feeding on his love of Gondor and his longing to save his people. He grew brooding and divided, half-believing that with the Ring he could drive back the shadow.
The fall and the redemption
- Main article: Breaking of the Fellowship
At Parth Galen beneath Amon Hen, Boromir came upon Frodo alone and at last tried to seize the Ring by force, his reason overthrown. Frodo escaped invisibly, and Boromir, falling and weeping, came to himself in horror at what he had done. His madness had broken the Fellowship — but his repentance was immediate and complete.
When a band of Uruk-hai from Isengard fell upon the company, Boromir died to atone, sounding the Horn of Gondor and standing alone against the host to defend Merry and Pippin. He slew many but was pierced by arrows and overwhelmed, and the hobbits were carried off. Aragorn found him dying; Boromir confessed his fault and was forgiven. They laid his body in an Elven boat and set it upon the Anduin to go over the Falls of Rauros, a king's funeral for a fallen captain.
Character
Boromir was valiant, generous, and fiercely loyal to Gondor, but proud and hungry for glory, with a soldier's faith in force over subtlety. These very virtues — his love of his land and his will to save it — made him vulnerable to the Ring, which offers each bearer the thing he most desires. His worth lies not in being immune to that lure (none were) but in the speed and sincerity of his repentance, and in the death by which he made amends.
Relationships
- Faramir — his younger brother, whom he loved and who mourned him deeply.
- Denethor — his father, the Steward, who favoured and grieved him most.
- Aragorn — his comrade and the heir to the throne his house had long kept; the two respected one another despite tension over Gondor's claim.
- Merry and Pippin — the hobbits he befriended and died to protect.
- Frodo Baggins — whom he wronged and from whom he won forgiveness.
Appearances
- The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Two Towers (death recounted; appears in Faramir's vision)
- The Return of the King (remembered)
- Unfinished Tales (the errand to Rivendell, in "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn" notes and Appendix material)
In Peter Jackson's film trilogy (2001–2003), Boromir was portrayed by Sean Bean. The films move his death to the close of The Fellowship of the Ring (it opens The Two Towers in the book) and give him an expanded, sympathetic farewell to Aragorn.
Quotes
The Ring would give me power of Command. How I would drive the hosts of Mordor, and all men would flock to my banner!
I tried to take the Ring from Frodo. I am sorry. I have paid.