Home » Reading & Literature » J.R.R. Tolkien » The Men Who Would Be Steward - Page 9

The Men Who Would Be Steward - Page 9

© Michael Martinez

And later, when the Company of the Ring is struggling up Caradhras and the snow is coming down heavily, Boromir says out loud: "I wonder if this is a contrivance of the Enemy. They say in my land that he can govern the storms in the Mountains of Shadow that stand upon the borders of Mordor. He has strange powers and many allies." In expressing this thought to his companions, Boromir undoubtedly speaks for them all (or most). But he reveals a knowledge or familiarity with the enemy, which is the mark of a good war leader. And yet, Boromir's wisdom has its limits. When Celeborn warns the Company to avoid Fangorn Forest, Boromir says: "Indeed we have heard of Fangorn in Minas Tirith. But what I have heard seems to me for the most part old wives' tales, such as we tell to our children." Celeborn then admonishes him: "Do not despise the lore that has come down from distant years; for oft it may chance that old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know." Boromir has no real use for old wives' tales. He needs solid, credible information upon which to base his decisions as a leader. His attitude thus strikes some people as a bit arrogant. But he is true-hearted in his own fashion, pursuing a goal which he feels is noble and worthwhile. He is the Captain-general of the one nation which stands between Sauron and the complete domination of Middle-earth (or so he believes). He is the heir of Gondor's Ruling Steward, destined to one day be Steward himself. He naturally evaluates every situation and reaches his own conclusions, and he is used to expressing his ideas and commanding others. He is, as Tolkien says, bossy, but that is because he was raised to be bossy. Boromir's flaws are a reflection of the flaws of the Stewards. He legitimizes their values. Even Denethor is stubborn and quick to judge both others and situations he is involved with. Rather than wait for confirmation of his conclusions, for example, after he has beheld the fleet of ships sailing up the Anduin, Denethor gives in to despair and kills himself. Denethor has passed on his resolute and determined nature to his elder son. But somewhere along the way, the Stewards have lost their true wisdom. They are no longer masters of lore. Among the Elves, the most renowned loremasters are their kings and princes. Tolkien does not say so directly, but it would seem that the Numenorean loremasters also come from their kings and princes. The Stewards are thus charged with both preserving and understanding the ancient lore they have inherited from the kings. It is not enough simply to retain control over ancient lore. One must ensure that it is not left in the care of old wives or, worse, left to rot in some library where everyone forgets about it.

The copyright of the article The Men Who Would Be Steward - Page 9 in J.R.R. Tolkien is owned by Michael Martinez. Permission to republish The Men Who Would Be Steward - Page 9 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.