The Two Towers

by

J.R.R. Tolkien

Boromir Character Analysis

Near the end of The Fellowship of the Ring, Boromir, the proud son of the Steward of Gondor, falls prey to the Ring’s corrupting influence and tries to take the Ring from Frodo to use in battle to defend his country. The beginning of The Two Towers finds Boromir dying from numerous arrow wounds after attempting to protect Merry and Pippin from a company of orcs. Though Boromir is rash and often arrogant, his final act is one of futile generosity, born out of his love for the hobbits. As he dies, he confesses his crime against Frodo to Aragorn and repents, begging him to protect Gondor. Though Boromir’s greatest desire is to preserve his country, he is also driven by his deep loyalty to his friends, the other members of the Fellowship. With his death, he proves that loyalty and redeems himself. Aragorn keeps the secret of Boromir’s betrayal, and he, Gimli, and Legolas give him a hero’s funeral.

Boromir Quotes in The Two Towers

The The Two Towers quotes below are all either spoken by Boromir or refer to Boromir. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Decline and Decay  Theme Icon
).
Book 3, Chapter 1 Quotes

Boromir opened his eyes and strove to speak. At last slow words came. ‘I tried to take the Ring from Frodo,’ he said. ‘I am sorry. I have paid.’ His glance strayed to his fallen enemies; twenty at least lay there. ‘They have gone: the Halflings: the Orcs have taken them. I think they are not dead. Orcs bound them.’ He paused and his eyes closed wearily. After a moment he spoke again.

‘Farewell, Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed.’

Related Characters: Boromir (speaker), Frodo Baggins, Aragorn, Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck, Peregrin “Pippin” Took
Related Symbols: The Ring
Page Number: 4
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 3, Chapter 5 Quotes

‘You have not said what you know or guess, Aragorn, my friend,’ he said quietly. ‘Poor Boromir! I could not see what happened to him. It was a sore trial for such a man: a warrior, and a lord of men. Galadriel told me that he was in peril. But he escaped in the end. I am glad. It was not in vain that the young hobbits came with us, if only for Boromir’s sake.’

Related Characters: Gandalf (speaker), Aragorn, Boromir, Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck, Peregrin “Pippin” Took , Gimli, Legolas
Related Symbols: The Ring
Page Number: 104
Explanation and Analysis:
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Boromir Quotes in The Two Towers

The The Two Towers quotes below are all either spoken by Boromir or refer to Boromir. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Decline and Decay  Theme Icon
).
Book 3, Chapter 1 Quotes

Boromir opened his eyes and strove to speak. At last slow words came. ‘I tried to take the Ring from Frodo,’ he said. ‘I am sorry. I have paid.’ His glance strayed to his fallen enemies; twenty at least lay there. ‘They have gone: the Halflings: the Orcs have taken them. I think they are not dead. Orcs bound them.’ He paused and his eyes closed wearily. After a moment he spoke again.

‘Farewell, Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed.’

Related Characters: Boromir (speaker), Frodo Baggins, Aragorn, Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck, Peregrin “Pippin” Took
Related Symbols: The Ring
Page Number: 4
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 3, Chapter 5 Quotes

‘You have not said what you know or guess, Aragorn, my friend,’ he said quietly. ‘Poor Boromir! I could not see what happened to him. It was a sore trial for such a man: a warrior, and a lord of men. Galadriel told me that he was in peril. But he escaped in the end. I am glad. It was not in vain that the young hobbits came with us, if only for Boromir’s sake.’

Related Characters: Gandalf (speaker), Aragorn, Boromir, Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck, Peregrin “Pippin” Took , Gimli, Legolas
Related Symbols: The Ring
Page Number: 104
Explanation and Analysis: