The Council of Elrond

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by MatthewM

Denethor was not a "jerk".

I beg your pardon, but am not inclined to change my words. In all honesty, I don't know what else to call a father who wishes to esteem his older son and so tells his younger son who originally had the dream that he can't go on the mission to find out its meaning and when Boromir dies, tells Faramir that he'd rather it have been him. What would you call someone who insulted Gandalf to his face and refused to listen to his advice? Who wanted the Ring to come to Gondor and threw the wisdom of the Council out the window?

Surely, Denethor had his bits and pieces of good character - bravery not being the least - but they were nearly lost in his pride and conceit, his choosing favorites out of his two children. . .

-- Folwren

[MatthewM]

Originally Posted by Folwren

I beg your pardon, but am not inclined to change my words. In all honesty, I don't know what else to call a father who wishes to esteem his older son and so tells his younger son who originally had the dream that he can't go on the mission to find out its meaning and when Boromir dies, tells Faramir that he'd rather it have been him. What would you call someone who insulted Gandalf to his face and refused to listen to his advice? Who wanted the Ring to come to Gondor and threw the wisdom of the Council out the window?

Surely, Denethor had his bits and pieces of good character - bravery not being the least - but they were nearly lost in his pride and conceit, his choosing favorites out of his two children. . .

Hey, it happens.

Denethor was a wise man despite his faults...in his own right. At least you do not disgard his more...noble qualities!