Why was Boromir allowed to join the Fellowship?

[Formendacil]

The only problem with saying that there was a concern for Rivendell and Gondor's relationship is that there WAS no relationship between Rivendell and Gondor--when Boromir and Faramir had the vision, they had no idea where Imladris was, and though Denethor is able to tell them basically where it lies, it is clear that he is speaking of ancient lore--not correcting geopolitically-challenged sons. After all, the last time Gondor was properly involved with Rivendell in anything, there was still a King on the throne.

In the sense that both were opposed to Sauron and in desperate straits should he win, Gondor and Rivendell were certainly allies--but not in the sense that there was anything deliberate about this, especially on the side of Gondor which saw itself as alone against the world (save Rohan). Gandalf, it is true, was known in both, but I think it's fair to say he was already less-than-popular in Denethor's court.

Rather than the political reality, I think it comes down more to Gandalf and Elrond's assessment of Aragorn. Aragorn, we are told, is also going to Minas Tirith--if the Fellowship is about those only going with Frodo and the Ring, he should be out too. One could even argue that two parties leaving Rivendell in different directions for the southlands would have been good cover for the more important mission, but--and this is more my impression than something I have a direct quote handy for--it would seem that Gandalf thought that some Aragorn was better than no Aragorn on the trip.

And if you're going to take Aragorn, you should probably take Boromir then too. While that does have a political dimension (Boromir is, after Denethor, the one who will be most directly impacted by the return of the King and his support would mean the difference between a coronation and civil war), it's also courtesy--and I don't think courtesy for its own sake likely to be undervalued by either Gandalf or Elrond.

[Juicy-Sweet]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

The only problem with saying that there was a concern for Rivendell and Gondor's relationship is that there WAS no relationship between Rivendell and Gondor--when Boromir and Faramir had the vision, they had no idea where Imladris was, and though Denethor is able to tell them basically where it lies, it is clear that he is speaking of ancient lore--not correcting geopolitically-challenged sons. After all, the last time Gondor was properly involved with Rivendell in anything, there was still a King on the throne.

In the sense that both were opposed to Sauron and in desperate straits should he win, Gondor and Rivendell were certainly allies--but not in the sense that there was anything deliberate about this, especially on the side of Gondor which saw itself as alone against the world (save Rohan). Gandalf, it is true, was known in both, but I think it's fair to say he was already less-than-popular in Denethor's court.

It's just not smart to completely alienenate a natural ally. Or to send Boromor home with the message "Imladris don't trust us, on top of that they insulted Gondor's finest warrior and heir to the Stewardship"

Potential allies are important as well - you never know what will happen and who you will need, so you don't want to base your diplomacy on insulting friendly states

Originally Posted by Formendacil

Rather than the political reality, I think it comes down more to Gandalf and Elrond's assessment of Aragorn. Aragorn, we are told, is also going to Minas Tirith--if the Fellowship is about those only going with Frodo and the Ring, he should be out too. One could even argue that two parties leaving Rivendell in different directions for the southlands would have been good cover for the more important mission, but--and this is more my impression than something I have a direct quote handy for--it would seem that Gandalf thought that some Aragorn was better than no Aragorn on the trip.

And if you're going to take Aragorn, you should probably take Boromir then too. While that does have a political dimension (Boromir is, after Denethor, the one who will be most directly impacted by the return of the King and his support would mean the difference between a coronation and civil war), it's also courtesy--and I don't think courtesy for its own sake likely to be undervalued by either Gandalf or Elrond.

This is important as well. I'n not saying the political stuff is the only reason. It's a lot of small good reasons put together in Elrond's bag.

[Alfirin]

Originally Posted by Juicy-Sweet

It's just not smart to completely alienenate a natural ally. Or to send Boromor home with the message "Imladris don't trust us, on top of that they insulted Gondor's finest warrior and heir to the Stewardship"

You forgot a key part of waht he might have said had they spurned him, "Oh and by the way, they have this guy who's supposedly head of the rangers and who apparantly grew up under Elrond's protection. He's claiming that he is the King and has plans of marching back here with his band to claim his throne, and it seems the elves and Stormcrow support him in this. In fact, this so called king actually has plans to MARRY an elf once he has conquered us. In other words, not only does Imadris not trust us or want to help us, they are actually plotting to replace us with thier own guy, who grew up with elves, is going to marry and elf and is probably more than half elf himself."

[Inziladun]

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but Boromir was the sharer of a secret on which the fate of Middle-earth hung. It was far more sensible for him to set out with the Fellowship than to be allowed to risk the long journey back to Minas Tirith alone. I'm not saying he would have deliberately let anything slip if captured, but Saruman particularly could have engineered that event, and then all bets were off.