Faramir is an interesting character. Despite obvious family characteristics, Faramir is a bit more just and wise and patient than the rest of his family. He is the second son of Denethor, and is the brother of Boromir. One might say he is in the shadow of his older brother. He does not love fighting, although he is a beloved captain. But his gifts lie in a different department.
Before the Council of Elrond Faramir had a dream. In that dream he saw the eastern sky grow dark, and voices 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."
(Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 2, Chapter 2, p 296).
Faramir had this dream for many days. He knew that he must be the one to go to the Council of Elrond in search of the answers, but his stubborn father sent Boromir instead. This was only because Boromir ultimately had the dream once, as apposed to Faramir who had had it first and repeatedly. Denethor may have chosen Boromir because Denethor wanted Boromir to try and find the location of Isildur's bane and take it to Gondor. He wanted to use it as a weapon. Faramir knew this was unwise so he most likely would not have complied. Therefore Boromir was sent, a fatal mistake.
I often guess, as to what the fate of the Fellowship would have been, if Faramir was sent instead of Boromir. I have no doubt that Boromir would have survived and Faramir would have not been as tempted by the ring as Boromir was. But what after that? When Faramir finds Frodo, Sam, and the ring in the woods, he let them go. What if Boromir had been in charge of that party instead of Faramir? Would he have been so wise? I believe not. If Boromir could not control himself from taking the ring when he knew Frodo and his character, he would have most likely taken it and the whole mission would have failed. This goes to show that even though Boromir may not have been the best choice to be sent by Denethor, it was the right decision in the grand picture, perhaps because of providence.
After Boromir and Denethor die, Faramir becomes steward of Gondor. He marries Eowyn, and they live under the rule of Aragorn into a happy age of middle earth.
1 comments:
I never considered what would have happened if Faramir went to Rivendell instead of Boromir, or even more important, what if Boromir had captured Frodo in Ithilien instead of Faramir! I believe you are right that the true "Lord of the Rings", Providence, worked this out.
It is important that Faramir was concerned about the state of Boromir at the time of his death. He knows Boromir would have desired to keep Isildur's Bane, which may have led him into sin and a fall. He is reassured by seeing Boromir's fair face in the elven boat that he died a noble death. Boromir's fall was followed by his repentance and reparation, which redeemed him. Perhaps his ultimate redemption would not have happened if he had not been the one in the Fellowship.
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