[Faramir Fan]

I finally came out of lurkerdom, to post on this topic. I have been researching the relationship between Faramir, Boromir and Denethor for a writing project I am doing.

Although I am in agreement with most people here, that Faramir would be the better leader, I think that some times Boromir gets the short end of the stick.

Boromir was loved by his people, and especially his father. But the one thing that you keep forgeting is that Faramir loved him too. My question keeps going back to why.

In most relationships, the overbearing older bully is envied by the younger sibling, but not loved, at least not the way Faramir loved Boromir. I honestly don't see him as being the bully, but more the protector.

I have been trying to flesh out the story between Boromir and Faramir because we have none. Here are a few facts.

Faramir wanted to go to Rivendell, but Boromir persuaded his father and the elders that he was the one to go. Had it been just a glory finding mission, Faramir, I doubt would have thought so well of him. But in some ways, he was more torn up about the fact that he should have been the one to go, and that Denethor had decided poorly. Faramir's guilt was overwhelming, by the fact that he refered to it so many times.

I believe that part of the reason Boromir convinced his father to send himself instead of Faramir was because he was stronger and more travelled (accepting the vain, arrogance of his personality), but I would like to think part of him realized that Denethor wanted to send Faramir because he was...well more expendable.

I get the feeling that there is an protective older brother, somewhere in the character of Boromir for he of anyone would be able to see first hand the treatment Faramir was recieving from Denethor. I often wonder if Tolkein thought the same, giving us one view of Boromir in the first book, a window of another as he dies, only to be further explored, but the thoughts of those who were the closest to him.

Just some random thoughts...