The Power of Isengard

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Eomer of the Rohirrim

Denethor or (in later years) Boromir would go to claim the Ring for themselves when the armies of Sauron and Saruman had been weakened. Gandalf, Elrond, etc. would realise this folly but would they be able to do anything about it?

Interesting point, but a big factor in Denethor's despair was what he saw (via the Palantir of Minas Tirith) as Sauron's swift and inevitable victory over Gondor. With the immediate threat removed and Sauron less devoted to influencing him, might Denethor's undeniable wisdom have caused him to listen to the counsels of the Wise? But then again, would he have been prepared to yield to Aragorn's claim to the throne? It seems unlikely ...