There are a lot of harrowing scenes within theLord of the Ringsfilms, that deal with betrayal and loss, hopelessness and fragility, and the bonds between family, for better or for worse. But arguably some of the most difficult scenes to watch are the scenes involving Denethor and Faramir. These moments make many fans uncomfortable, because of the sheer spite and disdain that Denethor treats his son with. Faramir is arguably one of the best characters in the trilogy, and one of the only Men throughout the books and films that is able to resist the power of the one ring. He is able to turn away from its temptation when it is in his grasp, which is proof of his pure heart and his good intentions.
This is more than can be said for his brother Boromir, who, although he has good intentions, does eventually succumb to the lust of the rings and does in fact die for it. And certainly is more than can be said for Denethor himself, who is shown to be a weak-willed, self-obsessed, sniveling man who believes he is far more worthy than he actually is. Nevertheless, why is it that his malice and his viciousness is always directed at Faramir, who seems the least deserving of it?
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Some fans believe it is because Boromir and Faramir’s mother died giving birth to Faramir, the youngest son. It is stated in the books many times that Faramir has more of the qualities of the Numenorians of old about him that Boromir and Denethor do, which suggests that the older son is more like his father, and the younger son more like his mother. It therefore makes sense that Faramir is a painful reminder to Denethorof the woman that he loved and lost.
Denthor blames Faramir for her death (which is a common theme in Tolkien’s works) and feels the pain of her passing each time he looks at his younger son, which has only served to make him more bitter over the years, to the point where it has turned to cruelty. His constant belittling of Faramir, and ultimately his wish that Faramir had died instead of Boromir, is the manifestation of years worth of grief and tragedy lying malignant within Denethor. He is only snapped back out of it by present grief when he thinks that Faramir is dead.
Others have a theory that Denethor has been shown a terriblevision in the Palantir, involving Faramir bringing about the downfall of Gondor. By the time Gandalf and Pippin arrive in Minas Tirith to attempt to aid the Steward with the army of orcs battering down his door,Denethor has already gone quite mad, and is paranoid and distrusting, even of those he once considered allies.
Gandalf realizes that Denethor has been peering into the Palantir that still exists in Minas Tirith from the Numenorian days, but the Palantir has long since been twisted and corrupted by Sauron. The audience doesn’t know exactly what it is that he has been shown, but it is clear that Sauron has been feeding himterrible inclinations of the future, to the point where he has given up all hope of salvation or survival. Perhaps these visions showcased his younger son turning against him after the death of Boromir, usurping him and plotting to put Aragorn on the throne? Or perhaps they just subtly suggested that Faramir was the weak link in the chain and needed to be snubbed out?
But many fans believe that it isn’t anything so grand or complex as the suggestions above, more just an element of personality clash. Throughout the film trilogy, Boromir is shown to be noble and proud like his father, believing in the words that Denethor has fed him about the ring being the only way that Gondor can survive the war. Despite probably knowing better than that, Boromir joins the fellowship and tries to take the ring anyway, because it is what his father has asked of him. Boromir does what his father needs him to, despite the consequences or repercussions that he knows might arise from it.
Faramir, on the other hand, is far wiser and stronger-willed than his brother, and seems to be guided by a better moral compass. He always does what he believes to be right, even if it means disobeying his father, and going against his brother, which is why he isconsidered the ‘lesser son’. He deeply cares for the fate of Gondor, but he also realizes that there is a larger fate at stake, of the whole of Middle Earth, and he knows that if he puts his fathers interests first, the world will fall. Luckily, Faramir gets his happy ending when he meets the shield maiden of Rohan, and lives out the rest of their days in honor and peace.
