Boromir: "You have conquered."

In the film version of Fellowship of the Ring, Boromir’s death is one of two final emotional finishes that sets the next film’s diverging storylines apart. 

Boromir’s arc is that of a classic tragic hero with some Biblical inspirations driving his actions. Instead of discussing the content of the first chapter of The Two Towers (TT), I want to take a post to examine Boromir’s life, death, and impact.

Boromir the Man

Boromir is the eldest son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor, and one of the foremost military leaders in Gondor. As he is of the line of Stewards, Boromir also has some Numenorean blood (the same blood that Aragorn has) but because it has been diluted so much over the years, the effects are not as pronounced as they are in the Dunedain who live to be 200. This blood, and Boromir’s pride in his bloodline, helps explains his disdain for Aragorn from the earliest meeting in Rivendell. The Stewards rule Gondor, the line of Kings is extinct.

Gondor’s identity since the death of the last King Isildur has been centered around a constant tug of war with the remaining orcs of Mordor, with struggles to keep shipping lanes free of the pirate lords of Umber, and economic difficulties of an empire in decline. War is constant, and strong leaders are necessary to inspire and rally the soldiers through such never-ending conflict.

Boromir is the latest in a line of extraordinarily tough men who place their duty and service to Gondor above all.

Boromir the Savior

As I’ve mentioned, Boromir is a very capable military leader and is willing to sacrifice much for the good of Gondor. He sees the forces they fight against getting stronger. The Orcs of Mordor are more organized, raiders from the far east harass the borders and the Pirate Lords of Umber are more active. Boromir is desperate for an answer to save his people for whom he has given everything.

In a scene very reminiscent of Biblical prophecy and visions, Faramir, Boromir's younger brother receives a vision one night telling him to go north to find a way to save Gondor. Boromir knows the journey is dangerous and insists on undertaking the quest to save Gondor over his brother who actually received the original vision (he received the same vision a few days later). He recounts this to Aragorn during a brief meeting in Rivendell saying,

"In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered, and out of it I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying:

Seek for the Sword that was broken:
In Imladris it dwells;
There shall be counsels taken
Stronger than Morgul-spells.
There shall be shown a token
That Doom is near at hand,
For Isildur's Bane shall waken,
And the Halfling forth shall stand."

Boromir believes that he has been chosen specially to save Gondor and must find the means of doing it.

Boromir the Fallen

Boromir is immensely frustrated by the Council of Elrond. His weapon to defeat the encroaching darkness is apparent (the Ring) but out of his reach, and a ranger from the north claims to be the long-lost heir to the throne of Gondor. 

His worldview is shattered. Not only is the weapon that he yearns for just out of reach behind a meddling wizard, a bunch of foreigners with no concept of the dangers facing the world of men, a pretender to Boromir’s own birthright, and a bunch of halflings. To Boromir, this is deeply frustrating.

Is it not a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt for so small a thing? So small a thing!

However, during times of turmoil, Boromir’s instincts and true self reveal themselves. He works with Aragorn and the others to pull the Fellowship through Moria. He rallies the group when Gandalf is lost to the depths with the Balrog. He comes to respect his companions as capable and earnest even if they do not share the same end goal.

It is in idle times where Boromir’s descent manifests and the Ring can seize hold. At Amon Hen, the Ring’s pull becomes too much for Boromir and he confronts Frodo, trying to seize the Ring by force.

Frodo escapes and Boromir regains his senses but is horrified at his own actions. 

The Ring has taken his noble goals and twisted them into a perversion that nearly consumes him. Would Faramir have been as susceptible? Would the Fellowship have broken anyway?

"Boromir's Last Stand" by Ted Nasmith

Boromir the Redeemed

Boromir immediately recognizes that something else had a hold of his heart, twisting his desires. However, Boromir blames himself immensely for his own failing and weakness.

I’ll explore Aragorn’s Jesus Christ parallels in a later post (Return of the King probably) but I think Boromir pulls heavy from messianic mythology as well. Boromir is tempted, nearly fatally, by the power of the Ring. Temptation pulls at him, gnawing on his thoughts, and perverting his intentions. The Ring has some serious Satan parallels.

But Boromir, not fully through his own power, overcomes this temptation and repents wholeheartedly. He sobs over his own human fragility and weakness, yearning for a way to prove his worth.

When the Uruk-Hai attack, Boromir eagerly jumps to defend, knowing that they must be after the Ringbearer. As depicted in the film, he mounts a truly impressive stand, fighting with all his might to overcome his own shortcomings. As he lay dying from a thousand small wounds and few large ones, Aragorn is there to hear his final words.

“'Farewell, Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed.'”

Aragorn’s response completes the redemption.

“You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace!”

Boromir did not give in fully to the Ring. Despite the temptation, he overcame. Boromir smiles as he dies on Amon Hen.

"The Last Words of Boromir" by Ted Nasmith

Boromir’s Legacy

Boromir’s rise, fall, and ultimate rise is the story of the Ring in general. The Fellowship starts with such strong convictions and promise and is promptly broken barely across the mountains. From there, the scattered members must find a way to achieve their goals despite of the formidable odds against them. 

Boromir overcame his own formidable odds and became the first Gondorian to acknowledge Aragorn could be the protector of Gondor that he could not be. Boromir’s stand defending the hobbits inspired Pippen to join Denethor’s forces and contribute to the defense of Gondor himself. Boromir’s death and final words charged Aragorn with the protection of Gondor as their new captain.

The death of Boromir is the sledgehammer physically breaking the Fellowship apart. Without Boromir’s temptation and ultimate sacrifice, no one else could have achieved their end goals.

Boromir was a true hero.

Faramir of the Fellowship

What would've happened if Faramir and not Boromir was sent to Rivendell? I tend to believe the Fellowship still would have broken but perhaps at a later point. Frodo was already becoming suspicious of everyone else even without Boromir and it was probably going to happen soon anyway. However, Faramir would have been much more cautious in approaching the Council of Elrond and would likely have been more accepting of Aragorn. If he survived to make it back to Gondor, it could have made a large difference.

Conversely, leaving Boromir in Gondor could have decimated Gondor's remaining forces if he stretched them too thin or pushed too hard instead of Faramir's hit and run, cautious defence.

The Fellowship could've lasted while Gondor burned? Any thoughts?