Faramir
is the brother of Boromir and second (and much less loved) son of the Steward of
Gondor, Denethor. As Captain of a group of Rangers he patrols the border land of
Ithilien protecting Gondor from an incursion of Orcs, Mordor Beasts or any of
the men that aid Sauron (i.e. Easterlings and Southrons). It is on one of these
patrols that he comes across two hobbits and takes them captive - thinking that
they could be spies of Mordor.
He tries to get from them how Boromir died - as he not only
dreamed of Boromir's funeral boat but also found the cleaved horn on the shores.
He wants to prove himself to his father as his father feels the loss of Boromir
and despises his younger son for living whilst Boromir lies dead. He is stern
and uses his power to get the information he desires from the hobbits slowly
drawing it out of them - when he discovers that they have the ring of power he
quickly takes them to Osgiliath and commands his men to take them to his father
with "a great gift."
He only lets the hobbits go when he sees first hand the power of
the ring, "At last we understand one another Frodo." It is
Sam's words: "Do you want to
know what happened to Boromir? He tried to take the ring from Frodo" that
make him decide to let them go on their journey whilst he bears the wrath of his
father, "Then my life is forfeit."
Faramir is played by Aussie actor David Wenham who is known for
his role as the scarf-ed Diver Dan in Sea Change and who
also played the pyromaniac Doug in Cosi (I had to study it for school) -
so I kinda find Denethor's fate and what he does to Faramir funny.
Faramir starts off in Osgiliath where
he was at the end of the Two Towers, but the Orcs are too many and he has to
withdraw his men from the city and hence give them a way across the river and
into Minas Tirith. On the plains his troops are being slaughtered by the Nazgul
until Gandalf and his staff send them away. He goes and sees his father, “You
wish that Boromir had lived
and I had died,” to which his father replies, “Yes.” “What
do you wish me to do?” and he is told to retake the city, which he knows
is a hopeless cause, “Think better of me father, if I return.” “That
depends on the manner of your return.” Gandalf assures him that Denethor loves
him, “He will see it before the end,” but Faramir has his duty and
rides out with his men (in a dorky helmet mind you) and returns injured, dragged
by his horse to the gates, the only one to return. Denethor seeing Faramir’s
body goes quite mad and proceeds to set up a pyre, “We shall burn like the
heathen Kings of old.” But Pippin realises that Faramir is alive and tries
to stop Denethor who throws him bodily out so the little hobbit goes in search
of Gandalf, “He’s burning Faramir, ALIVE!” they both manage to
rescue Faramir and when he wakes up a little he sees his father burning. In the
House of Healing (SE fingers crossed) Faramir is healed by Aragorn and attends
the coronation with the fair lady Éowyn.
Faramir and Gollum |
Brothers |
Father |
Finding
Boromir |
Éowyn |
Dorky
Helmet |
Osgiliath |
Darkness |
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Sadness |
Coronation |
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