Contents of this entry
Ithilien and the choice of meansDenethor, Éowyn and the renewal of GondorPrimary referencesRelated encyclopedia entries
Ithilien and the choice of means
Faramir’s Rangers capture the travellers near the borders of Mordor. He questions them carefully, learns of Boromir’s death and gradually discovers the nature of their burden. Unlike Boromir, he refuses to make Gondor’s need a sufficient argument for taking the Ring. His decision is deliberate, not a failure to understand its possible military value.
The refuge of Henneth Annûn reveals a defender who combines practical vigilance with knowledge of older history. He can distinguish an enemy’s policy from the individual people caught within it, while remaining responsible for the safety of his own men. His courteous manner does not make him incapable of force; it shows that discernment and command need not be opposites.
Denethor, Éowyn and the renewal of Gondor
The relationship with Denethor is marked by grief, judgement and the father’s preference for Boromir. During the retreat towards Minas Tirith, Faramir is gravely wounded. Denethor’s despair turns his apparent approaching death into a crisis within the city, and rescue from the pyre becomes necessary before healing can begin.
In the Houses of Healing, Faramir’s relationship with Éowyn develops through conversation about hope, desire and the wish to escape an intolerable life. After the war he retains the Stewardship and becomes Prince of Ithilien under King Elessar. The restoration gives him an active future in a renewed country rather than merely rewarding his earlier refusal.
The film adaptation substantially changes the Ithilien episode by bringing the hobbits towards Osgiliath. A reference account of Faramir’s moral choice should identify that change explicitly and follow the narrative of the book when discussing Tolkien’s character.
Primary references
The Lord of the Rings, Book IV, “Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit”, “The Window on the West” and “The Forbidden Pool”; Book V, “The Pyre of Denethor”; Book VI, “The Steward and the King”.
