Boromir's Death

[Kuruharan]

Originally Posted by Morsul the Dark

I think Pride was cultivated in Boromir as he was clearly the favorite son and probably always praised

Undoubtedly. Somehow for me he has always read as something of a braggart and thus not a terribly sympathetic character. While I don't any longer view Boromir's death as comeuppance for his attempt to take the Ring from Frodo, I do still struggle with feeling sympathy for the character. I think for me personally, this mitigates to some extent feelings of sadness or shock I would feel for a more sympathetic character.

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

I got the impression, and still do, that Boromir was not to be blamed for what he did, he was to be forgiven.

Even though I struggle with sympathy with the character, I am in complete agreement that Boromir should be forgiven his failing. From the tone of the other characters (especially Aragorn) they clearly had sympathy for the trial Boromir had endured.

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

He probably genuinely thinks he has the strength and right to decide on what happens to the Ring, and furthermore is driven by either jealousy or a need to 'prove' himself against Aragorn

This is a very good point, though to me it points up his unwillingness to listen to others, even if it makes his actions understandable.

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

As a side point, my take on Ned Stark is that he put too much stock in his precious 'honour' and as a result left his own children vulnerable - he's not the heroic figure he is often thought to be, but stubborn.

I agree to a large extent. However, he could still have salvaged the situation if he had left town when he had originally wanted to or if he hadn't relied on Littlefinger.

Originally Posted by Morthoron

But the qualities everyone admired in Faramir returned for Boromir when he willingly gave up his life.

I always kind of had the impression (possibly mistaken) that Boromir despaired and suicided by orc. However, as I have said, I have a rather negative impression of the character.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

Even though I struggle with sympathy with the character, I am in complete agreement that Boromir should be forgiven his failing. From the tone of the other characters (especially Aragorn) they clearly had sympathy for the trial Boromir had endured.

Since Frodo later says that even Gollum merited forgiveness (after committing myriad more vile deeds than did Boromir), I agree that Boromir's death was not necessarily a punishment. Perhaps it accomplished the greater purpose of removing Boromir as a threat to the Quest (which he had clearly become), as well as releasing him from the Ring's grip. This idea is somewhat reminiscent of Isildur's death. He was even more firmly in its power than was Boromir, and could have wrought great harm as a Ring-lord. Both he and Boromir were possibly eliminated as threats to a greater perspective, and at the same time both delivered from the Ring's power forever.

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

I always kind of had the impression (possibly mistaken) that Boromir despaired and suicided by orc. However, as I have said, I have a rather negative impression of the character.

No, I don't think he committed suicide. I see his death as more of a simple desire to do something positive to compensate for his attack on Frodo, with a lack of fear that he could die. He doesn't strike me as being very fearful of death, anyway.