Denethor's dislike of Gandalf - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Elianna · 06-13-2005, 09:42 AM

So we all know that of Denethor's dislike of Faramir, and most know the main reason: because Denethor saw too much of himself in Faramir and thought that what Gondor need now was not another like himself, but like Boromir.

We also know that Denethor didn't like Gandalf. They seem always to be at odds, even in Denethor's youth, because we know that one reason why Denethor didn't like "Thorongil" was because the stranger was friends with Gandalf. This is also another reason Denethor didn't like Faramir, the wizard's pupil.

However we are also told that Denethor and Gandalf are similar; old, wise, powerful Stewards each.

One of my questions then is this: Why doesn't Denethor like Gandalf? Is that ever explained by Tolkien, or is it up to fanfiction writers? Simply two Type A personalities clashing? But Denethor wasn't really a Type A, but instead a wise man of far sight...

I myself have a guess at the reason: Denethor perhaps doesn't like Gandalf for the same reason of his dislike of Faramir; he sees too much of himself in Gandalf. And if this is right, it brings to mind my second question: why the self-loathing? Self-pity or self-doubt?

06-13-2005, 09:42 AM	#1
Elianna Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ad finem itineris Posts: 384	Denethor's dislike of Gandalf So we all know that of Denethor's dislike of Faramir, and most know the main reason: because Denethor saw too much of himself in Faramir and thought that what Gondor need now was not another like himself, but like Boromir. We also know that Denethor didn't like Gandalf. They seem always to be at odds, even in Denethor's youth, because we know that one reason why Denethor didn't like "Thorongil" was because the stranger was friends with Gandalf. This is also another reason Denethor didn't like Faramir, the wizard's pupil. However we are also told that Denethor and Gandalf are similar; old, wise, powerful Stewards each. One of my questions then is this: Why doesn't Denethor like Gandalf? Is that ever explained by Tolkien, or is it up to fanfiction writers? Simply two Type A personalities clashing? But Denethor wasn't really a Type A, but instead a wise man of far sight... I myself have a guess at the reason: Denethor perhaps doesn't like Gandalf for the same reason of his dislike of Faramir; he sees too much of himself in Gandalf. And if this is right, it brings to mind my second question: why the self-loathing? Self-pity or self-doubt? __________________ Enyale cuilenya, ú-enyale mandenya.