A Probably too Sympathetic View of Gríma

[Boromir88]

Since I can't think of any example of true repentance

I would say Boromir is a classic example of "true repentance..."

In Anglo-Norman mythology there was this "Law of Compensation." A person committed a wrong act, and he must do certain things in order to regain his repentance...

1. He must tell all his sins. This was believed that if someone truly wanted to
"repent" then he must spill out his sins, not just ask for forgiveness.
2. He must ask for repentance.
3. He must pay gold, or he could sacrifice his life.

Looking at Boromir's final days he does all this. After he tries to take the Ring from Frodo, and ruin all, we have him at the end with Aragorn...

1. Tell his sins- "I tried to take the Ring from Frodo," he said.

2. Repentance- "I am Sorry. I have paid.

3. One could pay gold to "compensate" for their sins, but since I doubt Boromir has any gold, he does the other thing that was believed would "compensate" yourself Sacrificing your life- He does so to attempt to save Merry and Pippin.

The final stage is the priest/holy man must declare the man's acts as forgiven. Aragorn, a symbol of this does so.

"No!" said Aragorn, taking his hand and kissing his brow. "You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace! Minas Tirith shall not fall!"

I think Boromir's situation is the clearest act of repentance I have come across in Tolkien.