The Importance of Being Denethor

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Absolutely Estelyn, no black and white here. Not perfect like Aragorn, Denethor is arguably the most complex character in the entire works of Tolkien. I would ask something myself here (begging your pardon Kransha). Are there any others among us who like Denethor precisely because he is such a 'bad' good guy? Villains are fascinating to me, and I have always considered Denethor a villain, albeit a villain with many admirable traits.

The film representation of the Steward was possibly Peter Jackson's most grievous error. He turned this dream of a character into somewhat of a pantomime villain (at least in my book). Clearly Denethor can be established in different ways (only a couple of posts into this thread and we discover that!) but for me he will remain a dastardly political leader full of inner turmoil and regret. Very human, and fallen.