The 7 deadly sins vs. The 7 heavenly virtues. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nogrod · 01-25-2007, 03:51 PM

It may be that one of the reasons why the character of Boromir is hard to pin down with the deadly sins vs. heavenly virtues is the fact that western culture indeed carries two sets of virtues in its inheritance. One from the Middle-Age christianity and the other from the Antiquity (Greek and Roman virtues).

With the virtue-code of Antiquity fex. noble pride or anger (not hate...) are virtues: a good man knows his value and worth (not belittling oneself and thence be untrue) and knows when to anger (for example when facing injustices). I think these older virtues are near Tolkien's heart too, not only the Christian ones.

01-25-2007, 03:51 PM	#20
Nogrod Flame of the Ainulindalë Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wearing rat's coat, crowskin, crossed staves in a field behaving as the wind behaves Posts: 9,308	It may be that one of the reasons why the character of Boromir is hard to pin down with the deadly sins vs. heavenly virtues is the fact that western culture indeed carries two sets of virtues in its inheritance. One from the Middle-Age christianity and the other from the Antiquity (Greek and Roman virtues). With the virtue-code of Antiquity fex. noble pride or anger (not hate...) are virtues: a good man knows his value and worth (not belittling oneself and thence be untrue) and knows when to anger (for example when facing injustices). I think these older virtues are near Tolkien's heart too, not only the Christian ones. __________________ Upon the hearth the fire is red Beneath the roof there is a bed; But not yet weary are our feet...