Heighty is mighty?

[MatthewM]

Almost everything has been said in this thread, but I'll add some thoughts. From what I read, Treebeard and the Ents were not mentioned. Now, think of how they destroyed Isengard, and broke Saruman's hopes. Saruman obviously had little physical strength, but much mental strength and magic. The physical strength of the Ents broke down his hopes, but they were not able to destroy Orthanc itself. Merry and Pippin sat like Kings and watched it all while feasting, smoking, and drinking. Their "guards" did all the work!

Now, this was after the entdraught, so physically they were taller than before Fangorn. This growth, as we know is also associated with mental strength, although that comes fully later. Perhaps Merry and Pippin feasting like Hobbit Kings is a celebration of their growth---jewels amongst Hobbits!

I would like to add that I think Tolkien meant little by making Aragorn just a little taller than Boromir. You can read through the words Tolkien uses that Boromir is not that far off in height than Aragorn. I believe Aragorn was 6'4", so I would say Boromir was no shorter than 6'1"-6'2". Also, Aragorn was most likely a little taller because of his certain Elven heritage (remember that it is speculated that Boromir and Faramir also have a trace of Elvish blood in them, as their mother Findulias was decended from Dol Amroth, in which there is again speculated to be Elvish blood).