[TheGhostofBelleStarr]

Boromir, being my favorite character (with Theoden being a close 2nd) I feel is often misunderstood by many. He was a complex man driven by loyalty and a love for his people, land, father and brother Faramir. Many expectations were laid upon his shoulders and he could not abide injustice. I believe his intentions were noble but the lure of the ring and the power it held seduced him. From a religious aspect ( and Tolkien's religious beliefs I do believe were knit in the background of his writing's rather conscious or unconscious ) one could liken the lure of the Ring to the temptation of " sin". Some are able to withstand the temptation in some area's and in other area's , not. Another example is Galadriel, who was sore tempted but stood strong against it, but yet all were tempted. It can be argued he is a picture of us all---we all have failures ( or "sin's) in our lives some with consequences that may destroy us but all can be redeemed/forgiven.

Someone else said it better:
" Boromir, the skeptic, was always brave and strong but he was in many ways the weakest of the party, for he never quite believed the words of Aragorn and Gandalf until it was too late. the Ring called to him and the temptation to master it ( for good) haunted him throughout most of his journey.His own doubts, fear and anxieties, his need to please his father, his desire to drive out the Enemy who had tormented his people for so long- all these preyed on his heart when he was being lured bu the call of the Ring. Deceived by it's seductive powers he attacked Frodo and tried to seize the Ring himself , only able to recover his senses when the frightened Hobbit fled from his side. Overcome by despair Boromir was at the lowest ebb of his life.

But in the end, Boromir was a faithful man. Even in his own hour trial , he ran to defend his two Hobbit friends Merry and Pippin, and was mortally wounded. He died in Aragorn's arms but his sin's had been forgiven. " I have failed", the once proud Boromir said sorrowfully, to which Aragorn replied, " No, you have conquered, few men have gained such a victory." Boromir died with a smile on his lips, knowing he had found acceptance with the king. In the film he went from being an arrogant man who sneered " Gondor needs no king. ", to a humble and contrite man who calls upon Aragorn, " My Brother, my Captain, my King. "