[MatthewM]

Originally Posted by Mirkgirl

In a nutshell I dont think Boromir wanted the ring. I don't think he saw himself as some great lord. Possibly he even entertained the thought of Aragorn as king using the ring (if only he wasnt such a coward, listening to that wizard - just as Denethor thought of Faramir). What he saw with his mind was the salvation of Gondor, he being able to be back home in the white tower without Sauron for neighbour. And as he knew the things stand it was only to be done if someone was brave enough to risk and use the ring - as the destruction seemed doomed to failure.

I don't know... that's how I see it.

I agree that Galadriel testing Boromir was a bad move, but we have to look at it as fate. If Boromir had not tried to take the Ring, would Frodo have made up his mind in time before the ambush? It's all about fate here. Gandalf says that himself when hearing of the death of Boromir:

“Poor Boromir! I could not see what happened to him. It was a sore trial for such a man: a warrior, and a lord of men. Galadriel told me that he was in peril. But he escaped in the end. I am glad. It was not in vain that the young hobbits came with us, if only for Boromir’s sake.” (The Two Towers, p. 485)

I disagree however that Boromir didn't want to be a great lord. He really did. I'm Boromir's #1 supporter, so you won't catch me saying that is always a bad thing. Boromir was already the Chief Warden of the White Tower, heir to throne of Denethor...so he already had great lordly power, but not to the extent he could have had. I believe yes his main concern was for Gondor and it's people, but I would say he did want to rule as a great lord. There are a few places I can back that up-

1. “Boromir strode up and down, speaking ever more loudly. Almost he seemed to have forgotten Frodo, while his talk dwelt on walls and weapons, and the mustering of men; and he drew plans for great alliances and glorious victories to be; and he cast down Mordor, and became himself a mighty king, benevolent and wise.” (The Fellowship of the Ring, p. 389, emphasis mine)

2. From Faramir - “And this I remember of Boromir as a boy, when we together learned the tale of our sires and the history of our city, that always it displeased him that his father was not king. “How many thousands of years needs it to make a steward a king, if the king returns not?” he asked. “Few years, maybe, in other places of less royalty,” my father answered. “In Gondor ten thousand years would not suffice.” Alas! poor Boromir. Does that not tell you something of him?’” (The Two Towers, p. 655) (this passage shows Boromir's love for Gondor as well as his want of lordship)

So after those two passages in specific I would say that Boromir indeed wanted to have the power of a great lord. After all, who wouldn't?

As for everything involving Lorien- it is true like others have stated that Galadriel and the whole rest in Lothlorien revealed to Boromir his true desire, thus after their departure Boromir was uneasy and biting his nails in the boat down Anduin. These passages are very prominent in Boromir's lust for the Ring and his fighting temptation...

“I shall go to Minas Tirith, alone if need be, for it is my duty,’ said Boromir; and after that he was silent for a while, sitting with his eyes fixed on Frodo, as if he was trying to read the Halfling’s thoughts. At length he spoke again, softly, as if he was debating with himself. ‘If you wish only to destroy the Ring,’ he said, ‘then there is little use in war and weapons; and the Men of Minas Tirith cannot help. But if you wish to destroy the armed might of the Dark Lord, then it is folly to go without force into his domain; and folly to throw away.’ He paused suddenly, as if he had become aware that he was speaking his thoughts aloud. ‘It would be folly to throw lives away, I mean,’ he ended. ‘It is a choice between defending a strong place and walking openly into the arms of death. At least, that is how I see it.’” (The Fellowship of the Ring, p. 360)

“Merry and Pippin in the middle boat were ill at ease, for Boromir sat muttering to himself, sometimes biting his nails, as if some restlessness or doubt consumed him, sometimes seizing a paddle and driving the boat close behind Aragorn’s. Then Pippin, who sat in the bow looking back, caught a queer gleam in his eye, as he peered forward gazing at Frodo.” (The Fellowship of the Ring, p. 373)

And lastly the words of Faramir which prove it true---

“You passed through the Hidden Land,’ said Faramir, ‘but it seems that you little understood its power. If Men have dealings with the Mistress of Magic who dwells in the Golden Wood, then they may look for strange things to follow. For it is perilous for mortal man to walk out of the world of this Sun, and few of old came thence unchanged, ‘tis said.
‘Boromir, O Boromir!’ he cried. ‘What did she say to you, the Lady that dies not? What did she see? What woke in your heart then? Why went you ever to Laurelindorenan, and came not by your own road, upon the horses of Rohan riding home in the morning?’” (The Two Towers, p. 652)

It's obvious that Boromir was offered the One Ring when Galadriel looked upon him. It doesn't have to be said in text...all of these passages prove that to be so. If Boromir was simply offered the peace of Gondor, I don't think he would have "refused to listen" as well as not say what was offered. It was more than a vision of peace. It definitely involved the Ring. Like you said Mirk, Boromir didn't trust these wizards and half-elves fully, he wasn't sure of their intentions. Remember it was Denethor who was greatly suspicious of Gandalf when he came randomly into Minas Tirith, trying to tell him how to rule his City. Boromir undoubtledly had these same doubts from his father. He questioned their wisdom over what seemed to be the right choice---take the Ring and use it through strength of arms. As was said, he definitely thought Frodo walking into Mordor with the Ring was pure stupidity, and contained no hope for Middle-earth's victory. And when you think about it, he was right---if Frodo and Sam had gone into Mordor openly without Gollum's "secret way" there's no doubt they would have failed. I see it as all about fate in Tolkien's world, and in ours. That's another subject however...