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

[Lhunardawen]

Wow! I can't believe we're finally discussing TTT! And here I am, late, as usual.

As Esty said, I believe one of the best things PJ did in the movie version was to add this to FotR. Doing so gave FotR an appropriate ending, and for the movie viewers, a little sense of hopelessness...only to have hope regained in the next part (I wonder how... ).

Originally Posted by Esty

The chapter title is rather ambiguous - did anyone think that it meant Boromir was going to Minas Tirith when first reading the book? We now know that it's a final and tragic (though redemptive) departure, of course.

Had I not watched the movie before reading the books, that's what I would have thought. I might have said something like: "You faithless Boromir! I knew you would leave the Fellowship!" So that's one of the perks of watching the movies first--you don't commit the mistake of cursing one of the most heroic characters of the story.

Originally Posted by davem

So, how ‘magical’ a place is Amon Hen - if even Aragorn only sees what any of us would expect to see what’s so special about the place to earn it its name? And how come Frodo sees so much - is it the power of the Ring? But that would mean that The Hill of Sight only deserved its name & reputation if the person using it had their vision magically enhanced.

That was exactly what I was wondering about as well. The Ranger saw nothing, yet Frodo saw many things, albeit with the aid of the Ring. I was thinking that perhaps what Aragorn saw is exactly what he's supposed to see...that's all there is to it. Frodo, on the other hand, saw much--mostly what the Ring probably wanted him to see. I think that the Ring knew of his increasing eagerness to get on with the task at hand, and so tried to discourage him with signs of war. Apparently, it was to no avail (at least for the moment).

Not only was Boromir's death a loss to the Company, to his father and brother, to Gondor, and to its allies...it also signified a potential succession from the rule of the Stewards to Aragorn's ascension to the throne of Gondor. Boromir died, yet Aragorn lived. Narsil was reforged and given to Aragorn as Anduril, while Boromir's sword--a symbol of his power and authority--was broken...incidentally, near the hilt.

In this chapter, minds were made up, roads were taken, and burdens were removed. Frodo has finally mustered enough courage and whatever else he needed to go on to Mordor, allowing Sam to take the journey with him. Boromir "has taken his road," as Aragorn said, and was relieved of the guilt he would have carried. As for Aragorn, he has given up the burden, so to speak, of protecting Frodo. I believe he has no guilt over his decision nor the circumstances; he had to choose between those who left on their own accord and those who have been captured. Seems to me the most troubled ones are Merry and Pippin!