Boromir - An example of a man?

[Zigûr]

Originally Posted by cellurdur

I dislike the notion that being a 'High' man with wisdom makes you less susceptible to the corruption of the ring. It is a matter of character. A relatively uneducated Hobbit like Sam was able to resist due to his good Hobbit sense.

Apart from Sam and Bombadil, isn't everyone who resists the Ring someone of High stature? I never said I was exclusively talking about Men. Gandalf, Galadriel and Faramir all had the wisdom to understand the Ring's corruption. The Ring took advantage of Boromir's 'Middle-ness': his warlike nature and enthusiasm for martial prowess. I'm not trying to argue that it's the only reason but I think it definitely plays a role. My point is that by the end of the Third Age in Gondor Men were of an increasingly Middling nature with the learning of the High, and that this was a source of inner tension. Faramir and Aragorn were both throwbacks to the day when people from High cultures were also of High stature. At least, I think there is a difference.