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I'm not sure that Boromir is boasting on Aragorn's behalf. Its as likely that he is challenging him.
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I failed to communicate. Yes, he is challenging him, but in doing so, he first focuses what claims there've been made
as if they were formulated by Aragorn himself in warrior boast. And following Aiwendil's commentary to what my brief post haven't elaborated upon, it is significant that Aragorn both knows the code and is reluctant to use it. I.e., when he's pressed on by Boromir to act along code patterns, he does so, but one can't help feeling that would there be no Boromir to press the point, Aragorn would not use 'boast form' at all
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Originally Posted by Fordim
The ‘breaking’ of the Fellowship is felicitous as it frees up the heroes from the same kind of singularity of thought and intention that shackles Sauron
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Verily true (and all the rest of it)
I'd like to elaborate another point - the breaking is also a positive event, from one particular point of view - it frees each of them (Frodo/Sam apart) from duty that may have been unbearable. One can't help wondering, what exactly Elrond knew at their setting out? Cf:
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. The further you go, the less easy will it be to withdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road.'
`Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens,' said Gimli.
'Maybe,' said Elrond, `but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.'
'Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart,' said Gimli.
`Or break it,' said Elrond. `Look not too far ahead! But go now with good hearts! Farewell, and may the blessing of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces!'
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I keep on distracting you from main development of the chapter, I know, but that seems important. Indeed, if they all have been sworn to follow Frodo, would not they have been obliged to let Merry and Pipping be carried away? We know Elrond was against M/P going along, and we know he was proved wrong in the long run, but, besides Fellows own sakes, does he [Elrond] count for possibility of splitting
due to Merry and Pippin and their inexperience in the 'adventures'. Have he counted on it? Have he sought to make the choice, if ever there would be a need for one, easier (in a sense he made it possible in the first place by 'laying no bondage' on them) and harder at the same time (for he made it possible for them to have a
free choice). My answer would be - possibly, and even probably.
Elrond himself helped to be 'proven wrong in the long run' - if he made Fellowship take oaths of helping Frodo, Merry and Pippin would have perished, and Elrond would be in a position to say 'I tole' ye so!'. Lor bless him he did not made them do it
