Thread by @Anc_Aesthetics

Why Boromir is the most misunderstood character in the Lord of the Rings

A thread 🧵

If you asked the casual Lord of the Rings fan who their favorite character is, my guess is you'll have a mix of Aragorn, Legolas, Sam, Gandalf etc.

I always answer with Boromir and without fail, my answer is met with surprise and disapproval.

"But he tried to take the ring from Frodo"

"Boromir was weak, he let the ring corrupt him"

The average fan, has an unfair view of one of Tolkien's best and deepest characters. In this thread I will try to make an argument as to why he is unfairly maligned.

While I hesitate to criticize the Peter Jackson adaptations because I believe they are fantastic movies. One of the best scenes was omitted from the Director's cut. The scene "Sons of the Steward" from the Two Towers Extended Edition gives you a much better view into Boromir

Boromir was born in T.A. 2978, five years before his brother Faramir. Son of Denethor and Finduilas. His mother, Finduilas died when Boromir was only ten years old. This is critical in understanding Boromir.

After his mother died, Denethor became grim, silent and cruel.

Denethor was particularly cruel to Faramir as he blamed Faramir for the death of his wife Finduilas. Finduilas became sick after the birth of Faramir and believing she died due to issues with childbirth, Denethor never forgave Faramir.

This meant that it fell to Boromir to protect his little brother. There was an incredible bond between the two, Boromir was his brother's keeper. Protecting him and defending him from his father.

Boromir grew to be a valorous warrior, interested in arms, warfare and tales of old battles and would serve as a commander of the military of Gondor.

He was a fearless warrior and was beloved by the men of Gondor.

When the time came for the council of Elrond, it was actually Faramir who had intended to travel to Rivendell, when a vision of Imladris came to him in a dream.

Knowing the dangers of the journey, Boromir who wanted to stay in Gondor to defend his people, decided to take the journey himself to protect his little brother.

Boromir did not seek out glory, only to do the honorable thing for his family and for his people.

When he reached the council of Elrond, he once again had good intentions in mind. Not understanding the power of the ring and it's ability to corrupt, and knowing the struggles his people had defending the forces of Mordor, he wanted the ring to go to Gondor to help his people.

It was at this point that the ring slowly began to impose its will on Boromir, throughout the travels of the fellowship, it weighed on him. There were moments where he would bite his nails and mutter to himself. As Sam says the ring was driving Boromir mad.

Finally, in Nen Hithoel, Boromir seeing that Frodo had wandered off into the woods, followed and tried to convince Frodo to come to Gondor with him. When Frodo refused, Boromir tried to take the ring. Frodo put on the ring and disappeared.

Immediately it dawned on Boromir what he had done. He went back to the camp and told the group that he had argued with Frodo and Frodo had ran off. Merry and Pippin hearing this went to look for Frodo.

Aragorn instructed Boromir to follow Merry and Pippin and to protect them. Boromir obliged. But when Boromir found Merry and Pippin, they were surrounded by orcs. Boromir slew the orcs and guided Merry and Pippin back to their camp.

On the way back to camp they were ambushed by at least 100 orcs. Boromir sounded the Great Horn and fought valiantly to prevent the Orcs from seizing Merry and Pippin. He was pierced by arrow after arrow, but he refused to die so easily.

Many arrows were shot before he fell, and the Hobbits taken. Boromir was still alive when Aragorn found him. At least twenty Orcs lay slain around him. Boromir still held his sword, though the blade had been broken off at the hilt, and the Great Horn had been cloven in two.

Before he died, Boromir told Aragorn that he had tried to take the Ring from Frodo. He asked Aragorn to forgive him, that he had fallen to the lure of the Ring, but Aragorn assured him that he was forgiven and that he had redeemed himself before he died.

There are many lessons we can take from Boromir. For this reason he is my favorite character. He is flawed, yet brave. Ambitious, yet honorable.

In doing what he believed was best for his people he made mistakes, but most importantly, in his final moments, Boromir was redeemed. He lived an honorable life and he died an honorable death, defending Merry and Pippin from many foes.