The 7 deadly sins vs. The 7 heavenly virtues.

[MatthewM]

Originally Posted by Nurumaiel

I'm wondering if the first two quotes actually do show that Boromir is Proud, or if he has pride in a different way. I think the Pride that is sinful would be a vain pride. Pride is not necessarily a bad thing; it would be in the way that Pride is manifested. There would be no sin in being proud of an achievement you made, or a good you did, but if it made you look down your nose at people and think of yourself so highly that everyone else about you was foolishly unworthy of your company, 'twould be wrong. Arrogance might be a suitable word.

Proud can also mean Majestic, or of Great Dignity.

I agree. Pride is not always a bad thing. Boromir had intense pride in his accomplishments, and there is nothing wrong with that. The "pride" in the lines

And seated a little apart was a tall man with a fair and noble face, dark-haired and grey-eyed, proud and stern of glance. (The Council of Elrond; page 269)

is no doubt a passage showing Boromir's good pride. Why would Tolkien throw in the words noble and fair if he intended it to be negative? Nay, that passage at least is highlighting the accomplishments Boromir holds high and is proud of. Being stern of glance is being concentrated, a grimness, for Boromir from first hand experience knows the need of Gondor and its allies.

Sure, Boromir came across overwhelming pride when exposed to the Ring. But that was simply human. Sacrifice is something that hasn't been mentioned here. Boromir on more than one occasion, thrice to my mind, shows firm examples of sacrifice...or, the giving up of oneself for another or a cause.

Some examples of Boromir's sacrifice-

1) "Gondor!" Boromir cries as he charges alongside Aragorn towards the Balrog to defend Gandalf. I'm going to have to say that most likely both Boromir and Aragorn would have been killed in this attempt. Sacrifice? Yes sir!

2) Trudging threw the snow and making a path with his bear hands, again alongside Aragorn. Doubtless Boromir did more of the path clearing. Then both proceeded to lug two Hobbits clingling on to them as they again trudged through the cleared path. Sacrifice? Definitely!

3) Most notably, the defense of Merry and Pippin to his death. Redeeming what he had done wrong, Boromir fought til the death defending two little Hobbits he had mistakenly cursed moments before. This is the ultimate sacrifice.

In plain words, Boromir was human. I think people pick him when discussing these "sins" just because it is most apparent with his trying to take the Ring, and the lust it creates. You can see some of the same sins within even a character such as Galadriel. You can easily see virtues just as you can see faults in characters.