1. Fantastic article. Thank you Shannon.

    Boromir is such a great example of the exonerated antagonist in both senses. Other characters do walk so close to the brink of failure only to turn the corner and provide relief for his fellow members of the Fellowship. His actions do not save Merry Pippin, but buy the forces of good a small bit of time. It’s a solid example of the “Heroism and Moral Victory” seen in the two part video essay by”Like Stories of Old” found here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndEWof-8xTY&t=10s.

    The ultimate victory belongs to the eucatastrophe and providence seen provided not through Frodo’s failure, but the Ring and Gollum’s self-perceived victory as they both plummet to their destruction in Mount Doom. The small moral victories are the only victories each character can hope for and strive for, from Theodin’s “simple” agreeing to ride to Gondor’s aid, for the sole reason that it is the “right thing to do” despite Ruin and the Red Dawn awaiting him there. It is Galadriel’s moral victory that leads to her fading light as she denies the ring and goes into the west. It is even in Aragorn’s own sacrifice of a life of a wanderer to become the day-in day-out sacrifice to the kingdom of Gondor as he dons the crown.

    Boromir was the best of us, representing all of humanity. And Aragorn knew it, and knew he might also be tempted to covet and give into the ring.

    Thank you again. In these darkening autumn days, an article like this is a light in the dark.

  2. robstroud says:

    What superb analysis. You clearly comprehend Boromir’s character, and do an exemplary job of describing the differences between the novels and the films.

What say you?