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Old 04-11-2003, 03:36 PM   #59
Morwen Tindomerel
Wight
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Minas Anor or Annuminas the Golden
Posts: 187
Morwen Tindomerel has just left Hobbiton.
Silmaril

Poor Boromir! he's really getting pounded on this thread. However to bring up a few salient points:

Clearly Boromir was the more charismatic of the two brothers. Beregond, Faramir's biggest fan, admits to Pippin that his hero was less esteemed by the people of Gondor than Boromir. And we mustn't forget the tremendous impact Boromir's personality and example has on the two younger Hobbits, who spend the rest of their lives living up to the chivalric code he taught them.

Boromir has, probably quite consciously, shaped himself into the kind of leader his people need at this critical time in their history, a Captain of War not a philosopher king. But to assume he was *merely* a warrior would be to make the same mistake as the Gondorim who assumed Faramir was 'merely' a scholar. However unlike his brother Boromir never got the chance to show any other facets of his character.

To his considerable credit Boromir, though accustomed to lead, accepts the command of first Gandalf and then Aragorn. At no time does he contest their authority, even when he doesn't like their decisions. He gives his opinions when asked then shuts up and follows orders like a good soldier. This indicates no small degree of self discipline.

Boromir is, I would say the 'born leader' of the two, able to inspire and capture the imaginations of his men and the people of Gondor. Faramir on the other hand while able to command obedience and affection from his immediate followers, and inspire passionate devotion in a few individuals, is probably too quiet and introverted to appeal to the masses.

The brothers would indeed have made a fine team, their strengths and weaknesses perfectly complimentary.
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