Faramir's age.

[Sarumian]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

If death is supposed to be a gift to the race of man, then why is longevity such an important issue? Why are the "high" supposed to live longer and why is a decrease in life span a sign of weakness or decline?

It seems, both life and death are gifts of Eru. And both of these gifts require a lot to accept them as they are. I totally agree with Belegorn on the matter.

[Sarumian]

In regard of Faramir I tend to think that his long lifespan was determined by the combination of his ancestry and his personal achievements. I think, everyone who found strength to reject The Ring was somehow rewarded for that in some way. Moreover, both king Elessar and Faramir were Gandalf's disciples, they became the wielders of his wisdom (and Gandalf is the Spirit of Wisdom) in the world where magic was waning.

I always felt that Tolkien said too little about Faramir's role after the king was restored. We know, he was made a Prince of Ithilien and ruled Gondor in the king's absence. But I thought as a keeper of Gandalf's legacy and lore of Gondor, Faramir should have become a great teacher and established the Academy of Ithilien, where he taught - something the king would have never been able to do as kingship is too demanding business. Honestly, I expected something like this from our Professor, who said that of all characters Faramir is the closest to the author.

[Belegorn]

Yea, the Appendix does have Tolkien stating that Denethor, "was the last of the Ruling Stewards" but in the text it would seem it could be otherwise.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Originally Posted by Belegorn

Yea, the Appendix does have Tolkien stating that Denethor, "was the last of the Ruling Stewards" but in the text it would seem it could be otherwise.

Well, Denethor was the last Steward who Ruled de facto but Faramir was the last Ruling Steward de jure. Legally Aragorn didn't take over until his coronation, but in practice he was The Boss from the time he stormed ashore at the Harlond while Faramir was still in a coma. When Aragorn heals him that evening his first words are "My lord, you called me. I come. What does the king command?" Similarly, Imrahil declares "The Lord Aragorn I hold to be my liege-lord, whether he claim it or no."

(I always thought it was a trifle coy for Aragorn to enter the city anonymously and make a big deal of making no "open claim," despite having blatantly and unmistakenly declared his claim when he broke the Royal Standard from his flagship)

[Belegorn]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

(I always thought it was a trifle coy for Aragorn to enter the city anonymously and make a big deal of making no "open claim," despite having blatantly and unmistakenly declared his claim when he broke the Royal Standard from his flagship)

I'm not sure why he'd do that either. He did also fulfill a belief about the healing hands of the Kings in the Houses of Healing so that could have been an aid to any claim. IMO most of Gondor was basically made up of Middle Men now. Few houses were like that of the Steward's and for Aragorn to come in there as he was a man of lengthy years looking like he was Faramir's age or some such the people would jump at him being their king. He'd be like the living incarnation of stories of the long-lived kings of Gondor. Obviously the higher ups had a say in accepting the king and maybe if Denethor still lived it would be a debate like Arvedui had. Denethor was described as one like nearest kin to Aragorn and he and his house or people who were of like mind would not be much impressed with Aragorn as they were pretty impressive themselves though not as long-lived.

[Faramir Jones]

Originally Posted by Sarumian

I always felt that Tolkien said too little about Faramir's role after the king was restored. We know, he was made a Prince of Ithilien and ruled Gondor in the king's absence. But I thought as a keeper of Gandalf's legacy and lore of Gondor, Faramir should have become a great teacher and established the Academy of Ithilien, where he taught - something the king would have never been able to do as kingship is too demanding business. Honestly, I expected something like this from our Professor, who said that of all characters Faramir is the closest to the author.

I beg to differ with you here, Sarumian. Tolkien was quite clear about what Faramir did after Elessar was crowned, in one of his letters, which contained comments on a lost criticism concerning Faramir and Eowyn, c. 1963:

Also to be Prince of Ithilien, the greatest noble after Dol Amroth in the revived Númenórean state of Gondor, soon to be of imperial power and prestige, was not a 'market-garden job' as you term it. Until much had been done by the restored King, the P. of Ithilien would be the resident march-warden of Gondor, in its main eastward outpost - and also would have many duties in rehabilitating the lost territory, and clearing it of outlaws and orc-remnants, not to speak of the dreadful vale of Minas Ithil (Morgul). I did not, naturally, go into details about the way in which Aragorn, as King of Gondor, would govern the realm. But it was clear that there was much fighting, and in the early years of A.'s reign expeditions against enemies in the East. The chief commanders, under the King, would be Faramir and Imrahil; and one of these would normally be a military commander at home in the King's absence. A Númenórean king was monarch, with the power of unquestioned decision in debate; but he governed the realm with the frame of ancient law, of which he was administrator (and interpreter) but not the maker. In all debatable matters of importance domestic, or external, however, even Denethor had a Council, and at least listened to what the Lords of the Fiefs and the Captains of the Forces had to say. Aragorn re-established the Great Council of Gondor, and in that Faramir, who remained by inheritance the Steward (or representative of the King during his absence abroad, or sickness, or between his death and the accession of his heir) would [be] the chief counsellor. (The Letters of J.R.R.Tolkien, (London: HarperCollins Publishers, 1995), Letter 244, pp. 323-4.)

[Belegorn]

Originally Posted by Faramir Jones

I beg to differ with you here, Sarumian. Tolkien was quite clear about what Faramir did after Elessar was crowned, in one of his letters, which contained comments on a lost criticism concerning Faramir and Eowyn, c. 1963:

Also to be Prince of Ithilien, the greatest noble after Dol Amroth in the revived Númenórean state of Gondor, soon to be of imperial power and prestige, was not a 'market-garden job' as you term it. Until much had been done by the restored King, the P. of Ithilien would be the resident march-warden of Gondor, in its main eastward outpost - and also would have many duties in rehabilitating the lost territory, and clearing it of outlaws and orc-remnants, not to speak of the dreadful vale of Minas Ithil (Morgul). I did not, naturally, go into details about the way in which Aragorn, as King of Gondor, would govern the realm. But it was clear that there was much fighting, and in the early years of A.'s reign expeditions against enemies in the East. The chief commanders, under the King, would be Faramir and Imrahil; and one of these would normally be a military commander at home in the King's absence. A Númenórean king was monarch, with the power of unquestioned decision in debate; but he governed the realm with the frame of ancient law, of which he was administrator (and interpreter) but not the maker. In all debatable matters of importance domestic, or external, however, even Denethor had a Council, and at least listened to what the Lords of the Fiefs and the Captains of the Forces had to say. Aragorn re-established the Great Council of Gondor, and in that Faramir, who remained by inheritance the Steward (or representative of the King during his absence abroad, or sickness, or between his death and the accession of his heir) would [be] the chief counsellor. (The Letters of J.R.R.Tolkien, (London: HarperCollins Publishers, 1995), Letter 244, pp. 323-4.)

Excellent point about Faramir's role during Aragorn's reign.