Characters of Middle Earth: Boromir

By:Martuk

Boromir was the eldest and favorite son of Lord Denethor the steward of Gondor. A strong, honorable and noble character, Boromir held the rank of Captain over the military of Gondor and the title of High Warden of theWhite Tower. Boromir was a great warrior and held many victories against the Dark Lord Sauron’s armies.

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Boromir shared a vision his brother Faramir of the discovery of Isildur’s Bane. This prompted Boromir to undertake the task of traveling to Rivendale to attend a council summoned by Elrond of Rivendale to decide the fate of the one ring. After a treacherous journey Boromir arrived in Rivendale and joined the council. During the meeting Boromir tried to convince the council to give him the one ring to return to Gondor to be used against the forces of Sauron. After a heated discussion in which Gandalf invoked the black speech of Mordor, it was decided that Frodo Baggins, a hobbit from the Shire would become the ring barer and carry the ring to the fires of Mount Doom deep within the land of Mordor to be destroyed. Boromir joined the group of allies numbering nine and Elrond declared them the fellowship of the ring.

Boromir aided the fellowship with his proud battle prowess through the mines of Moria. He helped move the force on to Lothlorien after the loss of Gandalf the Grey at the Bridge of Khazad-Dum. The Lady Galadriel tested Boromir’s mind upon his arrival in Lothlorien. The visions deeply disturbed him. Upon leaving Lothlorien, the fellowship were graced with gifts from the elves given to them by the Lady Galadriel. Boromir received the gift of a golden belt and an elvish cloak. After the fellowship departed Lothlorien, Boromir shared his continued desire to deliver the ring to Minas Tirith with Aragorn, but it was decided to continue on to Mordor.

During the journey, the fellowship came to a crossroad and Aragorn told Frodo he must decide to carry the ring on to Mordor or Minas Tirith. Frodo requested an hour alone to make his decision. Boromir followed the young hobbit into the forest and found himself alone with Frodo. He tried to use his charms to convince Frodo to take the ring to Gondor. When Frodo remained unconvinced, Boromir became engulfed with an uncontrollable urge to take the ring. He commanded that Frodo give it to him as he physically assaulted the hobbit. Frodo put the ring on, became invisible, and escaped. Boromir coming to his senses realized what he had done and fell to the ground weeping in repent of his actions.

Boromir searched for Frodo without success and upon returning to the camp, he informed the Fellowship Frodo was gone, but he did not mention his attempt to take the ring. The fellowship began searching for Frodo, but they were attacked by a band of Orcs. In the end, Boromir redeemed himself by giving his life defending Merry and Pippen from a group of Orcs. Aragorn and the others headed to Boromir’s aid as the sound of the Horn of Gondor echoed through the forest, but Aragorn was too late. Though Boromir fought valiantly he was felled by many arrows and Merry and Pippen were taken prisoner. Aragorn found Boromir lying against a tree with the horn of Gondor cloven in two and his sword broken at the hilt. Boromir confessed to Aragorn that he had tried to take the ring and failed Gondor. Aragorn told Boromir he had not failed and ensured him that Minas Tirith would not fall. Boromir smiled as he passed from life.

The fellowship was broken, but those that remained pressed on. Before their departure, Boromir was laid to rest by his friends of the fellowship. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli placed Boromir’s body into one of their boats. They placed with him his horn, sword, helm, and they lay the swords of his fallen enemies at his feet. Boromir’s funeral boat was released to the river as Legolas and Aragorn sang a lament to honor their fallen ally. Boromir’s body sailed the river until its discovery three days later by his brother Faramir on the river Anduin.

Tolkien, J.R.R. (1954). The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. London: George Allen and Unwin

Tolkien, J.R.R. (1954). The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. London : George Allen and Unwin.

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