Was Boromir a mistake?

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Or (while pretty much ignoring the actual storyline) how about a
dynamic duo of Boromir and Faramir? It might not only have aggravated
Sauron but have at least slowed their daddy's despair.

[Boromir88]

See I don't find Boromir in the Fellowship a mistake, but what was actually ment to happen.

If we look at the Fellowship we see it's built on friends, Gandalf believing that friendship would be much better to get through the quest then powerful elf-lords that Elrond proposed. But in that there comes a lack in strength with the Fellowship.

You got four hobbits, an old man, and an elf, with two men and a dwarf. We see Boromir's strength step up when the Fellowship needs it most (Caradhras and Sarn Gebir). Without Boromir I don't see the Fellowship getting through Caradhras, he helps Aragorn carry the Hobbits, and on top of that he plows a passage way through the snow for everyone. Then he (with Aragorn) steers the boats through Sarn Gebir. So, if anything we see that he's ment to be in the Fellowship for his strength.

But, I think there's more to it than that, Boromir's there to cause what is MENT to happen, which is the break-up of the Fellowship. Frodo knows he has to leave, but he can't commit to it, and it's Boromir trying to take the Ring that gets Frodo nudged over the edge and realize "I need to get out of here, before this breaks the Fellowship."

[Child of the 7th Age]

Boromir88,

But, I think there's more to it than that, Boromir's there to cause what is MENT to happen, which is the break-up of the Fellowship. Frodo knows he has to leave, but he can't commit to it, and it's Boromir trying to take the Ring that gets Frodo nudged over the edge and realize "I need to get out of here, before this breaks the Fellowship."

I'm uncomfortable with what you've said here. Just how much was "preordained" in LotR? Some things yes, and other things were likely, but in many cases people had a choice.

Boromir had a choice. I truly believe that. He had the choice to say no to the temptation of the Ring. In that limited sense, he definitely failed since he did not say no. He had a second choice: to come to the aid of the hobbits and to feel real sorrow for what he had just done. In terms of that second choice, he prevailed and succeeded.

If we say something was "meant" to happen, it takes away the force of Boromir's moral decision. I think that is central to his character and indeed to the whole meaning of the story. There are points in the story when the greater powers seem to place a tiny unnnoticed finger on the scale and tilt the action in favor of the good guys. Perhaps a stream pops up out of nowhere in Mordor or Gandalf mentions that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. But such instances are rare. Moral choice rather than that which is ordained is still, in my opinion, the critical factor in the tale.

Who knows what Boromir's position within the fellowship might have been if he had passed the test of the first choice....

[Boromir88]

Child, I can certainly see what your saying, and perhaps "meant" wasn't the correct word. I should perhaps say it was bound to happen, or probable to happening...perhaps it happened for the better?

Because, I agree that everyone's got choices, our life is choices. What I "meant" was to say that from the get-go the Fellowship was faced with problems, and controversy, it just seemed like it was foreshadowed in doom and despair, and that it would be for the better that Frodo got out of there, and Boromir was the main catalyst for that. If nothing else (which I think there is) his purpose for being in the Fellowship was to be that catalyst, because the Fellowship was doomed from the start, and it would be best if Frodo got away from everyone because of the Ring. (Except Sam of course).

The Ring needed somebody to go after, and Boromir is that choice, he is the easiest choice, he's got ambitions of ruling and being a mighty General to smite down Sauron and bring Gondor to Victory. It's like once Boromir was gone, the Ring again needed somebody to prey on, and in steps Gollum.

And so, you're right and that "meant" isn't the right word, but I think "purpose" would work a lot better. There's a purpose for Boromir being in the Fellowship, and a purpose for Gollum and Frodo finding eachother again....etc.

[Himilsillion]

Boromir symbolizes the struggle of humanity. He failed to resist the temptation of the ring and gave into Sauron. He redeemed himself by protecting Merry and Pippin. I agree with Child that meant is not the right word. If Boromir did not come on the Fellowship it would have broken up anyway because it was doomed from the start and the ring would have called someone else to it, I think it would probably be Merry because of his curiosity.