March 22, 2002

Possible Heir to the Winged Balrog Debate
Everett V.

Before I get started, kudos to Razors for providing me with the subject matter for this piece.

Secondly, back in January, Razors decided to compile a list of things that are wrong with the "The Lord of the Rings." Now, while I would agree that the book is not perfect, I have to disagree with his assertion that Boromir's failed attempt to save the Merry and Pippin is where he redeems himself and conquers his demons. In fact, if one reads "The Breaking of the Fellowship" closely, it becomes apparent that Boromir conquers his demons and is redeemed when, chasing after Frodo and

"catching his foot on a stone, he fell sprawling and lay upon his face. For a while he was as if his own curse had struck him down; then suddenly he wept.

He rose and passed his hand over his eyes, dashing away the tears. 'What have I done? Frodo, Frodo!' he called. 'Come back! A madness took me, but it has passed. Come back!'

From the time when he first laid eyes on the Ring at the Council of Elrond, up until that point, he desired to possess the Ring for himself, for both his glory and the glory of Gondor. It is only when he has this humbling/humiliating experience of tripping over rock that he realizes that his desire to possess the Ring, the lure of the Ring, is turning into an obsession that will ultimately lead to his downfall.

This is why Gandalf says of Boromir "But he escaped in the end." Boromir is not redeemed by his coming to the aid of Merry and Pippin. Rather, his coming to the aid of Merry and Pippin is proof that he has been redeemed and has conquered his demons (I think the movie obscures this by showing Boromir teaching Merry and Pippin the art of swordplay and having them wrestle affectionately on the ground because it gives Boromir a reason to try and save them from the Uruk-Hai that would still be there even if he had not overcome the lure of the Ring.).

I think that's enough for now. I'll save my Catholicism argument for when I really need it.