LotR -- Book 3 - Chapter 01 - The Departure of Boromir

[HerenIstarion]

Originally Posted by mark 12_30

when on the bench we raised up our boast,
saviors in hall, about hard battle;
Now may he who would be bold be tested.

You've got a point, sure

Cf with the Council of Elrond A/B bickering:

B: Mayhap the Sword-that-was-Broken may still stem the tide – if the hand that wields it has inherited not an heirloom only, but the sinews of the Kings of Men.'
A:`Who can tell?' But we will put it to the test one day.'
B:`May the day not be too long delayed,' said Boromir

Yes, I know that it is Boromir who does the boasting, but he does it, in a way, in Aragorn's stead - the passage would have been weaker if it were Aragorn to boast an ability to 'stem the tide', but it would not have been less plausible. It would be more so, in a sense. As it stands, it underlies Aragorn's calm confidence (as opposed to movie Aragorn, who would not be so calm about 'testing day'). But Boromir acts as is a warrior's way - he puts into Aragorn's mouth words he would expect from his equal - from another warrior, and the answer is both 'right' and 'wrong' - it is wrong that it doubts itself (who can tell), but in this doubt reveals more than a mere warrior in Aragorn (i.e. one without assurance, on trust (estel) ready to make battle) , but is 'right' in a sense that boast to 'put it to the test' is a 'right' warrior answer.

I suppose, following mark, that similar interchanges may have been a-plenty along the road.

[Aiwendil]

HerenIstarion: You make a good point. I think that Shippey discusses the 'one day we shall put it to the test' formula in connection with that passage.

Yes, I know that it is Boromir who does the boasting, but he does it, in a way, in Aragorn's stead - the passage would have been weaker if it were Aragorn to boast an ability to 'stem the tide'

Yes. I wonder if there is perhaps more significance in the point you raise than at first meets the eye. Are there instances in northern epics like this one - where one character effectively makes the boast for another? I can't think of any in what I've read, but I'm certainly not an expert. For that matter, it's hard to think of instances of humility in those works. Aragorn is indeed confident and proud, but he is also, I think, humble in what may be a peculiarly modern sense. I think that this is one way in which Tolkien's heroic ideal differs from the Norse or Anglo-Saxon or even Homeric ideal.

Of course, one's interpretation of those ideals has some relavance. I recall that in the essay "Turin's Ofermod", Richard West discusses Tolkien's interpretation of the word "ofermod" found in "The Battle of Maldon". The word may be translated "overmood", "overboldness". Many or most scholars read the word as one of praise for Beorhtnoth and as reflecting the heroic ideal of the Anglo-Saxons. Tolkien, on the other hand, read it as expressing fault. Now I don't know enough about "The Battle of Maldon" or Anglo-Saxon literature in general to make a reasonable guess as to which view is correct. But the disagreement suggests that Tolkien's version of the northern heroic ideal may in fact have differed from the truth about it.

In a way, then, one could see Boromir as representing the old ideal, the Anglo-Saxon ideal, which is giving way (as it must) to Aragorn, the modern, perhaps Christianized, ideal. It is hard to imagine an Anglo-Saxon epic in which it would not be thought a wholly admirable thing to take the Ring and to use it against the enemy; the idea that power can corrupt and that valour in arms may not be the best course seems distinctly modern. LotR, then, could be viewed as a work that shows a shift in the heroic paradigm, if you will, somewhat like "Beowulf" or, I don't know, American Graffiti - not, perhaps, an intra-Legendarium shift, but rather a real world one.

[mark12_30]

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

Aragorn is indeed confident and proud, but he is also, I think, humble in what may be a peculiarly modern sense. I think that this is one way in which Tolkien's heroic ideal differs from the Norse or Anglo-Saxon or even Homeric ideal

Aiwendil, especially considering the thrust of Tolkien's "Homecoming" supplement to the Battle of Maldon, I think you are quite correct.

In a way, sending Frodo to Mt. Doom could be considered similar to letting the Vikings across the causeway-- not the way to win the battle, and a nasty way to sacrifice all your allies, too. As Beornoth was viewed by the old fellow combing the battlefield for the Earl's corpse, so Boromir viewed Gandalf, Elrond, et al-- lunatics who threw away a practical hope for victory for some overblown ideal. The difference is, I think, in where trust is placed. Boromir, like Beornoth, trusted in valor and strength of arms, whereas Gandalf and Elrond trusted, or at least hoped, for what we might loosely call a 'tactical eucatastrophe.'

[Lalwendë]

It's also interesting to consider that, by all rational standards, it was a terrible mistake for the "good guys" to be standing about singing while the Orcs are dragging the captured Hobbits further and further away. But as badly as the company needed to take off after the kidnapped Hobbits, it was even more essential that they show and define who they are. Unlike the Orcs who let their comrades die without giving them a second thought, Aragorn and his companions take time to show respect and honor for those who have fallen, even if it puts them further behind the kidnappers. To gain time by disregarding a fundamental principle--that of respect for an individual life--is not something Tolkien could countenance in his "heroes".

Picking up on what Child says above, I think it was entirely natural that Tolkien had his characters respect their fallen comrade in this way. With his experiences in the trenches he would have known this characteristic of 'good soldiers' only too well. In the trenches time was taken to engage in such seemingly time-wasting activities as acts of worship, and there are many tales of soldiers bringing back fallen comrades from no man's land, despite the risk to themselves. As an ex-serviceman and conservative (with a small 'c') Englishman he would have been one of those men who understand and respect the fundamental humanity of such behaviour.

Throughout the books he shows how those on the side of good respect their dead and do not allow their bodies to be despoiled. Burials also occur after the battles of Helm's Deep and the Pelennor Fields. Admittedly, there is a little more time after these battles, but even in 'the field' Theoden's body is swiftly removed, and if they were not under threat, then it would be natural to give Boromir the best burial they could given the resources available to them.

[davem]

I'm not sure that Boromir is boasting on Aragorn's behalf. Its as likely that he is challenging him. If this is the case them we do have a figure who takes a similar part in AS legends - Unferth in Beowulf. It seems to me that Boromir is requiring Aragorn to prove himself worthy of the claims put forward for him/by him.

I can't help feeling that Boromir actually wants Aragorn to be who he claims but can't bring himself to simply accept those claims. Boromir's role is as a stirrer of unrest, forcing the hero to prove himself worthy. Obviously Aragorn is aware that he will have to do exactly that.

Boromir has a long journey to take till he becomes worthy of the funeral he recieves in this chapter - another reason I'm uncomfortable with the idea that he was just made use of as a 'disposable' character so that Tolkien could throw in a 'viking' style funeral. Tolkien held such ancient traditions in too high a regard to just hand one out to the first available character. The very form of his funeral confirms his trancendence of his old self.

We see Boromir's spiritual growth throughout the few chapters he is present, from a negative, proud, demanding, even carping, figure, to a true hero deserving of the end he recieves. In this sense I see it not so much as Boromir representing the 'old' ways being replaced by the new as symbolised by Aragorn, but rather as Boromir himself evolving from the one stage to the other. In many ways he actually symbolises the movement from the mythic 'Middle earth' to the world of Men that will replace it. He begins as a classic hero of legend & ends as a 'Christian', having laid down his life for his friends. In a sense he moves from being an 'Isildur' to an 'Aragorn'.

[Bêthberry]

Lalwendë, I think you are certainly right. The repatriation of bodies of fallen soldiers is an important part of military history. And, besides, Tolkien's The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth is all about Torhthelm's and and Tídwald's efforts to recover the body of Beorhtnoth after the battle, a bit of a difficult task as he had been decapitated. According to Tolkien, historically, the body was recovered by the wish of the Abbot of Ely and buried in the abby, sans head.

For those of you discussing the meaning of ofermode, it is well to remember that it is found only in that line in The Battle of Maldon, at least as far as our extant sources of Old English literature allow us. So all discussion about translating it depend upon interpreting that one context. It is used to describe Beorhtnoth's action in voluntarily, without military need or pressure, yielding ground to the enemy.

For those of you discussing the heroic "wind" poems and the manner of their creation, here's some support to your idea from Tolkien:

'Will shall be the sterner, hear the bolder, spirit the greater as our strength lessens.l'
It is here implied, as is indeed probable, that these words were not 'original,' but an ancient and honoured expression of heroic will; Beorhtwold is all the more, not the less, likely for that reason actually to have used them in his last hour.

Quotations all taken from Tolkien's "The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthem's Son" This is about the Old English battle poem, "The Battle of Maldon", which Helen is referring to.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Like everyone else, I like the manner in which Tolkien moves the story from that of the Fellowship to the fellowships/friendships that will dominate the rest of the tale. To answer Rimbaud’s question: I don’t have a favourite narrative strand – or, rather, I do but it is always the strand I’m not reading. Tolkien is a master of getting us hooked on a story, and then cutting away to another. So I rush through the new one, wanting to get to the old one, but by the time I’m nearing the switch I don’t want to switch as now I’m sold in the current story. So as this chapter begins I’m desperate to know what will happen to Frodo and Sam, but I know that by the time I get to the end of Book III and Shadowfax is bearing Gandalf and Pippin to Gondor, I won’t be able to bear switching! Ah well. To return to the current topic.

I think that in addition to a structural change, this chapter marks a thematic shift of no small import. To this point in the tale, the forces of Good have been attempting to counter the forces of Evil point-for-point. The Black Riders are seeking the Ring, get the Ring to Rivendell; Sauron needs the Ring, destroy the Ring. This has been accompanied by a militaristic/strategic kind of thinking: the Nine Walkers against the Nine Riders. They have been reacting to Sauron and trying to defeat him in open combat. This is why Boromir (*groan, not him again* ) has fit in with the Fellowship: he’s all about this kind of action. But with the splintering of the Fellowship into other friendships I think we’re moving into a kind of middle way.

Small groups of friends are neither about rugged individualism and the self-sufficiency of the single/individual hero (Boromir), nor are they dependent upon the kind of mass thinking that lies behind a larger group. The difference between a single hero (Boromir) and a heroic group (the Fellowship) is not all that great: both are in a way singular and linear, unidirectional. Boromir wants what’s good for Boromir: it’s all about the hero. The Fellowship is all about the Quest, and the individuals involved be darned. Gandalf can fall, but Aragorn is there to take over. Boromir can die, but it’s OK because he’s paying back what he owed to the Fellowship and protecting other members of it. But with friendships things are different. With the splintering of the single-issue Fellowship (all Quest all the time), there emerge friendships in which other issues which are as important as the Quest are given room and time for attention. Boromir is given his due: Gandalf was not afforded a proper mourning period and certainly no formal rite by the Fellowship, they had to keep going. Merry and Pippin are not left to torment even though, let’s face it, their fate – so far as they know at the time – is irrelevant to the War. Sam and Frodo are able to join with Gollum and forge a relationship with him.

The ‘breaking’ of the Fellowship is felicitous as it frees up the heroes from the same kind of singularity of thought and intention that shackles Sauron. His one great weakness, and his only strategic error, is never being able to think that they will seek to destroy the Ring. It’s the one eventuality he never prepares for. All he can think about is the Ring. So too with the Fellowship: their sole reason for being, the only thing that forges them into a heroic company is the Ring. Sauron wants the Ring in Mordor; they want the Ring in Mordor. With this kind of imprisoning logic removed, then the friendships become free to work through issues that will prove to be of immense importance, not just because they actually help for the success of the Quest and the War (Merry and Pippin stir up the Ents; Gollum falls into the Fire) but they make that success more meaningful – or, rather, they demonstrate the meaning of that success. Good triumphs over Evil not just because one heroic company manages to defeat another evil company, but because Merry and Pippin learn the value of loyalty and oaths of allegiance, because an Elf and a Dwarf overcome their differences, because Frodo (and Sam) learn the value of Pity toward Gollum, and on.

That’s why I really believe that Aragorn is the focus of this chapter far more than Boromir. Aragorn, alone of the Fellowship, realises that the time for single-mindedly pursuing the Quest is over:

‘My heart speaks clearly at last: the fate of the Bearer is in my hands no longer. The Company has played its part. Yet we that remain cannot forsake our companions while we have strength left.’

Aragorn is the one who decides that they must rescue the hobbits; he takes the time to give Boromir the funeral he deserves; he is more concerned with comforting Boromir in his last moments than in ignoring the human needs of this person in favour of the “more important” tactical issues of who is where. The story of the Fellowship is over, but the stories of the people are just beginning.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Re Aragorn in Amon Hen:

Aragorn, on the other hand, remains undecided. And it is for him to make his final decision, guided by the circumstances and with the support of those in whom he trusts. It is not the function of the Seat to make his mind up for him. (Sauce)

I am overwhelmed. And I accept my error.

~*~

I see this chapter as a relief for Aragorn, as Gandalf's responsibility that was placed--untimely, I might add--on his shoulders were lifted. Perhaps, seeing the effect of the Ring on a Man like Boromir made Aragorn realise "the fate of the Bearer is in my hands no longer"--he would have been the greatest threat to the Quest.

And the other choice he was pondering while in Lothlórien--going to Minas Tirith--was made irrelevant for the moment. It seems to me that by his choice--going after Merry and Pippin--, he abandoned his kingly "ambitions" for a time, by not joining in the offence--accompanying the Bearer to the Fire--or in the defence--Minas Tirith.

And to think these two choices so troubled him after the departure of Gandalf. Indeed, most of the things we most think of--or worry about--are not likely to come to pass.