Why did the One Ring only corrupt Boromir?

[@phazoneatermetroid77]

Im pretty sure Theoden, being another very human character, would have also been corrupted out of despair to save Rohan if he had met the Fellowship while it still had the ring.

[@TheMarcHicks]

Possibly Eomer too.

[@jayt9608]

I believe that Grima or Eowyn would have fallen before either Theoden or Eomer because their weaknesses were far closer to the surface. Though I see no true benefit to the Ring in either case. The outcomes of both would likely been its loss or transfer as Eowyn would have first killed Grima and then, in her despair, herself.

[@christianbateman2]

@@jayt9608 lost me in the last 4 words , otherwise a good take

[@jayt9608]

@@christianbateman2 I added a brace of commas. If you would please reread that last sentence and inform me if it has been improved?

[@arnoldfernbladst3875]

Theoden was already corrupted

[@HagalSkrymir999]

I think its also fair to mention that Boromir was able to overcome the temptation and corruption few moments after he tried to take the Ring from Frodo, which is an impressive feat and growth of character. And he also managed to redeem himself and died uncorrupted, which is extremely important for his soul. So all in all Boromir was a very impressive character as well in my eyes. I often times wondered how he would have evolved, had he survived the battle at Amon Hen.

[@philipphammer3474]

Indeed that is true. And while, as stated in another comment in here the fellowship seemed zo be pretty perfrctly picked to resist the rings influence, this one moment of weakness from Boromir (where he even managed to quickly redeem himself) showed Frodo that, over time, anyone else will face this challenge too. That is why left the othrrs at Amon Hen, zo protect them from this temptation. Also, what Galadriel did to every member of the Fellowship seems like kind of a test of will for them in hindsight, if they are strong enough to resist.

[@alanmike6883]

I also have wondered. I bet had boromir had lived the war, both he and faramir would've supported aragorn..

[@NA1c158]

Yeah, the fact he didn't chase frodo to look for the ring. In the book, he actually comes back to camp and is truly sorry and ashamed. He admits to everything. They even have a quick conference to determine the fate of the fellowship knowing full well what happened between Boromir and frodo, and thats when the uruk hai attack.

[@haroldcruz8550]

Boromir has one clear disadvantage compared to the group and that is desperation.

[@johndiplacido4011]

He demonstrates that while human beings are corruptible, we are also capable of great self correction and redemption

[@ethenallen1388]

Another thing I think Boromir had going against him was his limited understanding of what the Ring was: he called it the weapon of the enemy. I think he saw it as akin to a sword which serves the hand holding it, not as having a will of its own and an ability to influence people around it.

[@00yiggdrasill00]

Very late reply so sorry, but that's a massive point right there. He knew what it was but he didn't know how it worked. He had enough knowledge to know he could use it to gain power, that in his mind could be used to save so many lives, but not enough to know the ring would never let him use it to help anyone but itself. He is an echo of isildur, desiring almost nothing but to help, to make his people and even their neighbours prosperous and safe, but having no true clue what's in his hand.

[@Lawrence_Talbot]

Currently rereading the Fellowship of the Ring and I’m noticing there are many instances where Boromir is revealed to be quite ignorant about various things, such as claiming no one leaves Lolthlorien unscathed when the real meaning was no one leaves unchanged. It may seem minor when it occurs, but when you add up every time he is revealed to ignorant or misinformed about something, it paints a picture that this was his greatest flaw. He truly did not understand what the Ring was and why no one save its Master can truly wield it, and why he alone out of the Fellowship seemed to be the only one tempted to use it

[@gershomtan5879]

Boromir is the best character in the fellowship for me. He's a man who falls to temptation and yet overcomes it to die in the defense of his friends. A true hero. Hail Boromir the brave.

[@sabir1208]

Period. His death scene is one of the best redemption arcs out there. When he says, "They took the little ones." It breaks my heart. He had a genuine bond with Merry and Pippin. After finding out how he wanted it for his father, you understand his goal. And he was still an absolute King in handling how his father treated Faramir

[@wildfire9280]

@@sabir1208 Absolutely the best possible sibling to have in a favoritism situation.

[@guillee12]

The determinant point is how far people are willing to go to achieve their goals, Boromir is willing to save Minas Tirith at the expense of using the ring and fall into corruption, whereas Faramir is not, he is willing to accept his destruction before becoming corrupted

[@DarthGandalfYT]

That's a good way of putting it.

[@alanmike6883]

Boromir wasn't bad. Just despite the blood of the Dunedain in him, he was more like a middle man whereas faramir thanks to Gandalfs teachings was more wiser... Who understood the lessons of history

[@TheMarcHicks]

Which is why book Faramir is infinitely superior to movie Faramir.

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

Basically yes the One Ring basically represents Absolute Power and how it corrupts people

[@thorshammer7883]

Surprisingly the Fellowship was a mostly well selected group of individuals for the quest of resisting the Ring long enough. You could say the odds were stacked against the One Ring pretty well.

[@jawstrock2215]

Elron had a lot to do with it, and he knew what it meant. I like to think that Elron thought Boromir, having heard everything about it, would be more apt to reject it, specially with Aragon going with him to Gondor., Alas. Maybe also the loss of Gandalf in Moria(and the desperation that provoked), and Galadriel showing Boromir his deepest desire, accelerated his corruption. It's clear in the book, he keeps looking at Frodo, and making move toward him, and then going back, as if in constant debate with himself, just like Gollum ended up doing. (although that started at the attempt to cross the Calandras(forgot spelling).

[@xhagast]

@@jawstrock2215 Lol. Three stalwart Hobbit friends, and Elrond by then KNEW the worth of Hobbits, a Dwarf of good lineage, an Elven prince, Aragorn Isildur's heir, Gandalf of the Maia and Boromir that traveled guided by a dream, and perhaps the Will of the Valar. Boromir was a threat but also a brave comrade who died well. Elrond chose well.

[@wildfire9280]

Almost as if there was something… divine about it?

[@jonasastrom7422]

​@@wildfire9280The divine was that the ring fell into the hands of a friend of Gandalf. But from then on it was his and other wise people's reasoning that led to the fellowship

[@jimmybizzo2997]

Frodo fell to the power of the Ring too, don't forget. Besides, Boromir is the only character in the whole of the trilogy that falls to the power of the Ring and is then able to redeem himself, by himself. 'Lesser nobility' my a**e! He's a legend.

[@Edward-nf4nc]

Frodo may have fallen to the Ring's temptation, but he'd been carrying it for months and he was wounded by the Morgul Blade, and we are told that it would never truly heal, and he was right in the heart of Mount Doom, where Sauron's will would be strongest. Also, Sauron was not looking for it whilst Bilbo held the One Ring, and so the One Ring was not trying to be found, but they were when Frodo had the Ring. Sauron's will, the Ring's will, his Morgul wound and being in the place where their wills were strongest, it's no wonder Frodo was finally overcome by the Ring's temptation.

[@wildfire9280]

Lesser nobility is still ‘above’ the peasantry and other commoners.

[@istari0]

Boromir was also from Gondor and had been directly involved in fighting Mordor for quite some time. He knew Gondor was in desperate straits. I think that made him more vulnerable. P.S. I'll have you know, I would have been very resistant to the One. I would have been so resistant that ... OK, I would have been corrupted but I don't think I would pose much of a threat to the world.

[@DarthGandalfYT]

Hey don't sell yourself short.

[@MustardSkaven]

Boromir was the only one that wanted the ring before even seeing it. The ring didn't have to talk to Boromir for him to want it. As you pointed out, his people were in a desperate place and he needed a miracle, like the ring, to hope to save his people. The other members of the fellowship didn't need any miracle weapon to save their loved ones. If they were tempted by the ring, it would be greed, not desperation.

[@jayt9608]

I agree in general, but I think there were other issues at play. Pippin, in my opinion, is the most vulnerable, but he is also the one most guarded against, though not with any particular forethought. His natural impetuous inquisitiveness would have been the biggest vulnerability, but Frodo bears the Ring, and Pippin is mindful of his rank among the members and so his attentions safely turn to waking Balrogs and motivating Dark Lords. I think that Sam is also vulnerable, but in a direction that the Ring could not go. Sam is weakest toward his home, garden, and Gaffer, but for the Ring to tempt Sam into wearing it to protect these things is contrary to the Ring's purpose on the outskirts of Mordor. Further, as he has little desire to rule, the Ring would have been of small use to such noble ambitions. Thus his moment of temptation actually strikes at no weaknesses and bounces off the armor of the Gaffer's solid sensibilities. Lastly I believe that there is an alternative reason as to why only Boromir and Frodo were affected. The Ring is shown to have a corrosive impact on groups just by being in their presence, but it also appears to have at least a certain sentience about itself with its own formidable will. It had already had time to probe the defenses of each member of the Fellowship over time and find the hidden cracks to influence. In Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, and Sam, there are vulnerabilities but the effort to undermine their wills is greater than any potential benefit. This leaves Pippin, whom I have discussed early, Frodo, and Boromir. The Ring likely would have concentrated very little influence on Pippin as he has greater loyalty than ambition and his curiosity is not a sufficient quality to twist into betrayal, especially as he is surrounded by older, wiser, and stronger members whom he respects. The Ring has been working on Frodo for years with marginal success, and thus Boromir is the quickest and most hasty, as Treebeard would say, making him the best candidate for a more concentrated temptation and corruption.

[@davidmackie3497]

You forgot Galadriel. She was very tempted by the One Ring. When she foretold that their quest stood on a knife-edge, was she referring also to herself, perhaps? She had the need. More than anyone but Gandalf, Galadriel had the innate power and experience to wield the One Ring. With it, and her allies, she probably could have defeated Sauron. And Frodo _offered_ her the One Ring; almost begged her to take the burden from him, as he had Gandalf. But she had doubtless already explored that option using her "Mirror" visions. Galadriel the Mighty would be beautiful and terrible, and would bring peace, and ultimately despair. Because coerced love is not love. Even with that wisdom of foresight, the One Ring was still a tough offer to turn down. The alternative seemed to be the domination of the whole world by Sauron, with just a tiny chance that the Fellowship's quest would succeed.

[@peterahl6807]

I think another aspect in favor of Aragorn was the fact that he was painfully aware of Isildur's failure to destroy the ring. He knows one of his ancestors already succumbed to the temptation, and didn't want to make the same mistake. It seems like that might help him resist the ring as well

[@vc1396]

Isildur never succumbed to the temptation of the ring. That's actually a movie only thing

[@rikk319]

@@vc1396 Of course he succumbed to the temptation of the Ring--he took possession of it as a "wereguild", for the death of his brother and father--Elrond mentions this during the Council in Rivendell. Why keep it, when they all knew the Rings of Power (other than the elven rings) were crafted by Sauron, and thus corrupt and evil?

[@IntricationZ]

Sam's vision for turning Mordor into a giant garden would be hilarious if portrayed in the films.

[@raphaelcalado4335]

Sam would be the “evil” gardener lord we needed, but not the one we deserved.

[@billychops1280]

Because he was the most human of them all

[@gm2407]

I think Aragorn recognised that despite Boramir's error, he otherwise was a true and steadfast friend to his companions. Boramir showed actual remorse for his error and a willingness to sacrifice for others. A virtuous man corrupted by his good intentions and lack of wisdom.

[@sayagarapan1686]

I've think you've said what needs saying. Boromir inherited less of the nobility of the Kings of men, and was more martial minded, and therefore could only focus on martial solutions. Those who treasure lore and seek the power in nobility and wisdom rather than might are less quick to stretch out their hands to an artifact of command. Boromir was neither evil nor weak, just less an heir of Numenor than Faramir or Aragorn, and more desperate than either to solve the military aspect of the equation in Gondor because that's where the battle was for him. He never had faith in Elrond's plan because he couldn't envision the halflings succeeding, so it boiled back down to a military solution as being naturally inevitable, and that meant Sauron cannot be handed the ring under any circumstances. So the situation broke him since all he foresaw was Frodo heading to Mordor to give the ring back.

[@TOTCD]

Well put

[@k3D4rsi554maq]

Indeed!

[@jayt9608]

Are you saying that the very academically-minded Tolkien is guilty of displaying bias toward characters that were of similar mindsets? Shocking!! 😵‍💫 😏

[@blackbeard1988]

Which is crazy because he ended up being right in a certain way. Frodo ended up choosing the ring.

[@dom8286]

Great take, and I agree with Boromir. If LOTR wasn't a fairy tale the whole "2 guys walking to Mordor and throwing Ring into volcano" is ridiculously stupid.

[@somethingfromnothing8428]

I think boromir had grew up fighting the forces of mordor and was well aware that his country was slowly losing the war and also had the weight of the expectation to be the one to save his country. Having seen the power and army mordor was amassing he truly believed the mission to mount doom to destroy it was an impossible one and so he wanted the one ring to use it to attempt to save his people. I’m sure if there was a viable plan to destroy the ring he wouldve backed it and not been corrupted by it

[@mfreeman313]

Well done. Interesting consideration of the characters vis-a-vis the Ring. Even a lengthy trilogy can only go into so much depth on this sort of thing. One thing we can glean from the novel is that Denethor shared Boromir's lack of wisdom in this regard, and it was one of the ways he wronged Faramir to have resented his failure to seize and bring back this potential source of power. Boromir recognized his weakness, at the end, regretted and expiated it by protecting other members of the fellowship. But Faramir was wiser, even with less contact, and showed that Numenorean wisdom that his father and brother were more lacking in.

[@OrkosUA]

Boromir was a might and powerful person. And ring was aimed precisely at this kind of people. Whils Hobbits were never might, powerful or ambitions, they were already happy the way they are, mostly.

[@xhagast]

Sam resisted because he saw enough and wanted little. The other hobbits would have been hollowed out like Frodo was in the end.

[@elderscrollsswimmer4833]

@@xhagast I liked the arguements Sam had against the Ring's suggestions. "I just want a garden" - "How about a big garden?" No, too much work" - "Hire others to do the work" "No, I like gardening." The ring just didn't have anything to offer. Of course, seeing what the nasty thing did to Gollum and Frodo must have helped too.

[@xhagast]

@@elderscrollsswimmer4833 True, true. Sam it would have just destroyed. Frodo held out because he wanted to help. Sam had no motivation beyond his wanting to help Frodo.

[@HistoryGarden]

Another factor in Gandalf's favor was he was already wearing the Elven ring of power, Narya. It strengthened his will, wisdom and resolve.

[@abaddonlannister6573]

Let's not forget Boromir was given a direct order from his father/"king" Denethor to bring back the One Ring to Gondor at all costs that's why he joined the fellowship in the first place... and even though he lost to the ring for a moment, once Frodo disappeared, he quickly came back to his senses and realized he was wrong and seeing the true nature of the ring, he felt guilty, wanted to make ammends, atone and would've likely done everything to make sure the ring never came in Gondor's possession !!

[@Hesher93]

Thats only a movie thing tho, its different in the books.

[@platypipope328]

@@Hesher93 he still seeks to repent and is immediately guilty though out of shame for what he's done he doesn't immediately te aragorn

[@Hesher93]

@@platypipope328 I mean the Father thing

[@platypipope328]

@@Hesher93 ah okay

[@xhagast]

I paraphrase, "How many years must the steward wait to take the throne should the king not return?" asked Boromir. "Few indeed, in houses of less renown, in Gondor 10,000 are not enough," responded Denethor, Steward of Gondor. How poorly Jackson treated Denethor is my greatest complaint. He was a flawed great man that broke in the end. NOT the joke of the movies. Boromir wanted to be king. It was all it took.

[@thatonenerdwhoreadsbyhimse5429]

Boromir always reminded me of another character, Jack Torrence. Both of their worst traits were brought out of them by a powerful force that they couldn't resist, course there are differences between the two of them but the similarity is definitely still there.

[@anubusx]

Here's Boromir.

[@dimtool]

Damn, you just merged my two favorite books and now I see why they're at my top

[@Lengsel7]

Denethor was very corrupted by Sauron through the palantir/seeing stone. Also, Sauron was certainly able to gather a great deal of information through the same stone, including both Boromir and Faramir, and the father-son relations, and was able to influence those relations to his advantage. It could be very likely that it was Sauron who put it in their heads to try to use the ring against himself. Without Gandalf, and Aragorn to affect the outcome of the Siege of Minas Tirith, the ring in Denethor's possession would be there almost for the taking. It was Denethor who put it into Boromir's head to try to get the ring for Gondor--- it was Boromir's assigned mission and reason for going to Rivendel it the first place--, and Sauron, with so much knowledge of these three, would be directing dark magic against them, especially Denethor and Boromir.

[@theindooroutdoorsman]

His desperation to save Gondor was so great that he let it corrupt him.

[@TOTCD]

Age played a big part when it came to Numenoreans and their wisdom. Like you said Boromir at 40 was just a boy by Dunedain standards. Aragorn was in his 70s and had more time to nurture his wisdom.

[@alanmike6883]

Also aragorn had the benefit of elvish teachings which at that point most of gondor save some of the high nobility rejected e.g prince imrahil and the city of dol amroth, last city of pure numenorians in gondor

[@TOTCD]

@@alanmike6883 Great point!

[@alanmike6883]

@@TOTCD I think part of the rapid fall of gondor was its separation from its elven allies. Unlike arnor which although still fell, much of the lore and wisdom was retained by the elves..

[@brettmitchell6431]

Aragorn was 87 at that time.

[@TOTCD]

@@brettmitchell6431 Proves my point even more.

[@jesusofsuburbia3675]

Love both Faramir and Boromir in the books The movie didn't give them enough

[@georgecruz6262]

Your channel really deserves lotta more subscribers man, keep doin this amazing content

[@BJETNT]

I really wish I could debate with you in person on this one just because you know what you're talking about. I'm very good at debate as a matter of fact on a subject that I know I've never lost. I think one of the reasons faramir was able to resist it is because his brother was not and he knew that at least in the movie version. Boromir his brother was not a weak man at all! I can see him wanting to do right by his people and that ring being the only tool possible that could pull them out of the hole they were in. That is a temptation as old as the Earth itself I imagine. Boromir did not understand the ring. I also did not know he was descendant of numenor. Thank you for all the wonderful information

[@grassblock7668]

I just blame Denethor for all of it, he told Boromir to bring him the Ring and he made Faramir think that bringing him the Ring would have granted him the love he never got. Also I love to calmly debate with people who are interested in the same subject as me too!

[@salavantias1948]

I wonder if the One Ring would affect someone with the mindset of having a absolute disgust for external power. There are some villains that despise relying on trinkets or other external sources of power so I wonder if their sheer stubbornness would shield them from the One Rings influence.

[@elderscrollsswimmer4833]

That sounds a lot like the Dwarf method. They may have wanted gold -- and went to dig for it. Then Smaug got there...

[@VicentePradoJunior]

Aragorn was raised by Elrond he was exposed to the ring lore, he also descended from a special lineage of men/Elf(Luthien)/Maia(Melian).

[@davefuller84]

However, Boromir redeemed himself, overcame the corruption, a patriot, snd sacrificed himself to save the fellowship

[@justthinkingoutloud2538]

I haven’t read the books as recently as I would like to have, but I want to say that Aragorn suggests if not states that he actually fears falling to the Ring’s temptation and knows he could be susceptible, but like Gandalf, he has the sense to steer as far from it as possible. Also, I think that Gimli’s love of the material is manifest enough to suggest it could be exploited, but it wouldn’t do the Ring much good to try to corrupt him.

[@RustyDust101]

Dwarves are also notoriously resistant to magic inherently. All the rings of power bestowed upon them was instill a greater sense of greed in them, but not condemn them to become ringwraiths themselves. That may also be because Aule/Mahal created them, not Illuvatar. Thus Sauron, as the captain of Morgoth, didn't understand their nature as Morgoth had no part in creating them among the harmonies of creation at the beginning of time.

[@robertjackson3552]

Aragorn had another advantage he feared he would be like his ancestor. this altho a possible vulnerability was not one the ring could use and a sheild to anything the ring would try

[@vc1396]

Not sure if you know, but just to clarify, Isildur was never corrupted by the one ring in the books. Aragorn feared that he would end up dead without succeeding in his goals (not death itself) like Isildur. Although he would have feared the corruption of the ring too, that's not what he's referring to in the book

[@jawstrock2215]

The first step for corruption of the Ring, is to desire it. If you start knowing it's dangerous, and nothing good would come of it, it might be easier to reject it outright, like Gandalf and Galadriel did. They were both tempted, both had a moment of desire for it, but both knew better as to accept it, and rejecting it saved them both. Faramir did the same in the end, while Boromir desired weapons and help for Gondor, and the ring, could have been that help he so desperately wanted. And thus, he never could stop thinking about it, and having to constantly fight himself over his desire for it, vs the good of all or simpler, what Aragon's goal was.(who he treated like the future King already).

[@Whalewraith]

I always felt Boromier had the right idea. Played way to many games that involved using artifacts to crush the darkness to consider throwing it away. So yes I would have been corrupted very fast.

[@xhagast]

An EVIL weapon is just a dangerous weapon. All weapons are dangerous and forewarned is forearmed. And lets not forget how attractive it is to sacrifice yourself for victory. Gandalf warned about the danger the Ring presented to the Wise, the ones who would just KNOW they could handle it.

[@grassblock7668]

I feel like the most important (to me) reason why Boromir got currupted by the One Ring wasn't mentioned in this video. I believe the curruption happened primarely because of Boromir's love and loyalty to his father. He greatly admires him and even tho he doesn't like him treating his brother Faramir like shit (that's the bare minimum for a a good brother and a good person, but seeing he is Denethor's son, still kinda surpising that he actually cared for and loved Faramir) he still doesn't want to dissapoint him, expecially because of how cruel Denethor is to Faramir whenever he "dissapoints" him, and Boromir knows that since he's been there watching it all happen since it started happening. I can totally understand Boromir wanting to keep the love of his toxic father and not get the same treatment his brother was getting. Did he really want the Ring so he could bring prosperity to Gondor?Well his dad told him that, in fact Bormir didn't even wanna go to Rivendell in the first place. The only reason why he goes is because of, again, his father. If a parent picks a favorite the relationship is gonna be unhealthy for the favorite kid too.

[@wandamundy1759]

I'm amazed at the folks who try to paint Boromir as a sympathetic character. Although he "can" come through on the surface as someone who was stalwart, and lived for his country - a "good guy" - I've never seen him as such. Just a note: I bought the edition of the trilogy - 3 books in a sleeve illustrated with a map of Middle Earth - when I was 18 - 58 years ago. I still have that edition. I've read it every year, since. I've listened to audio books, as well. I'm familiar with the story, you might say. I also have The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, Farmer Giles of Ham, Leaf By Niggle and Smith of Wooten Major. All the character of Boromir comes out in his "counsel" to Frodo at Parth Galen - when no one else is around. You see glimpses along their way - but it really all comes out during that rant. He is a completely bigoted, one-dimensional xenophobe. Despite hearing the counsel of Elrond - the greatest lore-master - who was actually AT the Battle of the Last Alliance - and who has one of the Elven rings, himself . . . Gandalf - who is thousands of years old . . . Aragorn - who has fought this battle for twice Boromir's life-time . . . Galadriel - who is ALSO thousands of years old . . . he discounts and discards their experience and knowledge. He talks constantly of his city, of the "true-hearted MEN" that live there. He's in his 40s, but has no love interest (Aragorn is definitely a man's man - but has carried a torch for Arwen for almost 70 yrs at the time of the Fellowship - and Sam loves Rosie Cotton) - and is only interested in military might. Boromir positively SNEERS at the contribution of all these people - he SNEERS at the idea that Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves, Wizards, Rangers - could be anything near worthwhile as his "true-hearted MEN" of Gondor. And as far as his relationship with his brother . . . he NEVER castigates his father for being horrible to Faramir, and that he (Boromir) dislikes it. His father so dotes on Boromir - that anything he might say would be at least listened to. But he says nothing. And even though it was FARAMIR who had the dream many times - and Boromir only once - he snatched the task out from under Faramir's nose. He's not multi-layered at all. He's arrogant, bigoted and xenophobic - thinks that only MEN are capable in any way. Particularly - the MEN of Gondor. Even though all the other players, there, save the Hobbits . . . eg., Elrond, Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Galadriel - outrank his ass a bazillion times over. I refuse to keep trying to see what isn't there . . .

[@specialnewb9821]

Sam: These tempting visions are pretty silly. Ring: YOU DIDN'T GIVE ME ANYTHING TO WORK WITH!!!

[@Eremon1]

Bilbo was most certainly corrupted by the ring. Frodo was as well. Hobbits have a natural resistance to evil, however they are not impervious to it. I think the reason it so quickly corrupted Boromir is simply he succumbed to his desperation to save Gondor. The ring took advantage of that and has its own will. It chooses whom it thinks would be its best option to get back to Sauron.

[@lordseelenfresserdemonking1168]

I hate how people give him shit yet frodo did the same thing at the climax of his journey

[@rickythe2nd63]

"No elf serves evil willingly," huh? Tell that to Amazon.

[@akimus34]

Excellent analysis and breakdown

[@marieroberts5458]

I think there are 2 others points in Faramir's favor: 1) he took after his mother, Findulas of Dol Amroth, a descendant of Merilias (sp) the elf. The elf blood was so strong in her brother, it caused Legolas, an elf prince, to bow in reverence. 2) he said it himself; he'd made an offhanded remark, "not if I saw this thing lying on the road would I stoop to take it" and because he is a true man of Gondor, and a true son of the Edain, even an offhanded remark has the force of a vow, of giving his word, and he is bound by that word, to not take the Ring. So to corrupt him, the Ring has to get past his own elven nature and his given word, which would help to sustain him in his efforts to resist.

[@collinalexander3879]

sam turning mordor into a giant garden is a neat alternative story idea

[@SoulO117]

I never even really considered boromir to have been corrupted like that. At first I did, but when we got to the 3rd movie and learned how hard and how much his father seemed to have pushed the idea on him. I figured he was doing it for that and not the the ring itself. Especially because of how he resisted and then later died protecting Frodo. Maybe I’m just slow🤷🏼‍♂️

[@matwatson7947]

Had you read the books?

[@cavetroll666]

Thanks for the video darth made my Friday 🙃

[@rostyawanaldy2402]

boromir was the height of human race for me. he shows how he, as human, can easily be tempted with dark power. but at the same time, able to see their own wrongdoing and correct themselves, redeem themselves with great deeds

[@bobjohnson1633]

The real question, why is Sean bean so awesome?

[@_Azurael_]

Thecnicly Boromir was told to go get the "weapon" by his father. Just by this fact alone, he was already set up to be easier to fall. He already had a conflict inside himself before the jorney started - Take the ring, as requested by his father, or follow the fellowship and destroy it. The Ring would understand this.

[@melkor2789]

because he was the only human who encountered it totally unprepared for its power, Farimir was described as the Wizards pupil and Aragorn was schooled his entire life on it no doubt.

[@nightazday7988]

not to mention he had his brother as an example of the ring's corruption

[@wazah1878]

Because it used his desperation and noble intentions of saving his people to ensnare him

[@jeffburnham6611]

We already saw that Faramir WANTED the One Ring, was mesmerized by it. That's what prompted his decision to take it to Gondor. I think if Faramir had been exposed as long as Boromir was, Faramir would have fallen under its influence as well. So its not fair to say he wasn't corrupted. The One Ring was beginning to influence him, as much as it did Samwise when he hesitated to give the One Ring back to Frodo.

[@chromeshellking]

That was movie only for Sam. In the Book it did show him a lush verdant green garden for what he wanted but he knew the ring would never provide for it. There are few who it would not corrupt but its the tragedy it being Frodo's burden to bear. That is why Gandalf made sure to instill in Sam why it was he who must never abandon him.

[@grassblock7668]

Just like for Boromir, Faramir didn't want the Ring for himself, but for Denethor. "A great chance for the captain of Gondor to show his valor" he sees the Ring as a way to gain love from his shitty father. Yes he was currupted by it to some extent, but he snaps out after Sam tells him about how Boromir actually died, he understands he was wrong and is ready to get executed (the fact that he genuilly tought his own father was going to kill him) for doing the right thing, he knew he was doing the right thing and so he did. Faramir deserves as much respect as Boromir does, both victims of an already shitty dad who also got obsessed with the one currently known object in Middle Earth that could automatically doom you the moment you think about it .

[@johnysnoww3831]

I always thought Faramir was way cooler than Boromir, when i was younger and haven't seen extended edition of lotr yet. Now that i have they are totally different movies.

[@jaeluxe]

I always thought it was hinted that Pippin was being “corrupted” as well, just at a much slower pace. Especially when he suggest that they stop Frodo from going to Mordor versus Minas Tirith.

[@justthinkingoutloud2538]

It seems there are generally two main ways people look at Sméagol, either as an evil, greedy, psychopathic murderer from the beginning who only needed the slightest nudge to be driven to total depravity, or as a sweet, innocent little hobbit who did a complete 180 because of the ring’s power and isn’t really responsible for his actions (this latter mainly being held by people who don’t really understand or think too much about how it works and just want to be able to like him without feeling sick for it). I believe he is somewhere between. I think he suffered from some developmental disorders and antisocial personality disorder, aka psychopathy. So he was very easily susceptible because he didn’t have a well developed conscience per se to resist the impulses it impressed upon him, but he wasn’t really evil. This makes him all the more tragic. But that’s just me and really all speculation.

[@johnt.inscrutable1545]

It is written that even at an early age he was something of a sneak and minor thief. He had always felt misunderstood, and that the world treated him more harshly than others. And I’m referring to his time as a simple Stoor hobbit while still living with his family. It was his birthday when Deagol found the One Ring and though he’d already given Sméagol a birthday present, Sméagol rationalized that he deserved the ring for his birthday as well. That was surely the ring taking advantage of his slide down morality hill that had already begun. After that, it was one thing after another that he blamed on others not recognizing his own weaknesses, and certainly not aware of the danger he had at hand, so to speak. He never felt that the bad things that happened to him were ever his fault in whole or in part. Not recognizing that what befalls each of us in life is a combination of circumstances over which we have no control, some over which we do have some control, the ripening of the fruit of our past actions and how well we have lived our life (or even past lives for those who think that way), as well as just good or bad luck, called “the luck of the draw”. No one thing completely dominates our life’s situation, though some things may do so more or less at different times. Especially if we’ve behave unskillfully in big parts of our life, and made little or no effort to make amends for those unskillful behaviors. Ultimately, it’s always our choice what we do at each crossroad, big or little. The One Ring was forged and filled with so much malice and pure hatred and spiteful envy that given time it would find a chink in anyones armor and work it’s way into controlling their lives. It did so with the purpose of returning to its master. After 500+ years with Gollum it had to abandon him lest it remain stuck under the mountains forever. Heck, would you have wanted to stay with Gollum for that long?

[@Rorschachqp]

Boromir also had the significant temptation to relieve his father of his growing depression due to Gondor’s situation and the effects it had on Faramir.

[@debrickashaw9387]

5:15 I think a negative reinforcement kind of corruption would work way better on the hobbits because they are already content. If the ring tried to corrupt them into thinking that unless they take the ring and use its power, they would lose the shire and their way of life, i think this would be more effective.

[@TiamatTim]

Thnx for another great vid!

[@k3D4rsi554maq]

The basic error Boromir made was to think he could use the ring against its creator.

[@joseph906]

Faramir (books) is my favorite character. He carried the weight of Gondor on his shoulders. His father pretty much despising him. Had the ring in the palm of his hands (figuratively speaking). Yet, rejected the ring without so much as a second thought.

[@apstrike]

You may want to do a video on 'was the One Ring sentient' or some such thing? Tolkien speaks of it having its own will, and of Sauron pouring his power into it, but I'm not sure that the behavior of the ring 100 percent tracks with it being a manifestation of Sauron's will. If the latter, then it seems like it would have drawn Gollum to Dol Guldur or tempted Sam with something more immediate than the world as a garden. If it truly wants to get back to its master than any orc will do. Not because that orc will overthrow Sauron (!) but because any orc who showed off a ring would quickly have had it confiscated and brought to Sauron.

[@Marcusjnmc]

Gollum was a hobbit, he was still resistent to the ring pulling him away from where he was settled & happy, it's why the ring abandoned him

[@grassblock7668]

Imagine spending more than a millenia scheming a super smart evil plan, only for it to not work because the thing that was supposed to get back to you no matter what makes a Hobbit who likes flower the next Dark Lord and forgets about you lmfao.

[@dougcope66]

Boromir was cut while handling Narsil at Rivendell. The blade still had Sauron's blood on it, that infected him, which made him corrupted and susceptible to the power of the ring.

[@glenmassey3746]

If you look at the meeting in movie, just before Fordo says he will take it to Mordor, the ring was working on the entire group and they all began arguing over the ring. It's likely that had Fordo not voluntarily taken the task, a full scale fight would have taken place.

[@mrunderhill40]

We all know that Pippen with his curiosity would have been the next to fall under the Ring's spell.

[@patraic5241]

He didn't understand the subtle deadly threat the ring posed and so didn't fear it.

[@isaachernandez5502]

"...Another vertically challenged member of the fellowship, Gimli" LMAO 💀😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@Rampagedd]

He gave the ring back on the mountain. He always had a good heart.

[@naraiceylob]

If Sauron was in Don Guldur instead of in Mordor and the armies of Sauron was threatening the Kingdom of the Elves in Mirkwood perhaps then Legolas would have felt a more direct fear and thus been tempted. Perhaps not. Instead Boromir is in a position where his home is threatened and this ring appears as if it is the greatest weapon with which to oppose Sauron and defend Gondor.

[@NYCZ31]

Kinda says something about how bad a seed smeagol was that despite being a hobbit, he became dominated by the One Ring almost immediately

[@AdamDaughterson]

How about an episode on the Maia?

[@ronanwaring3408]

We also have to remember that he was in the presence of the ring for a lot longer than the movie implies for the movie makes it seem like it's a couple of days at most when it was more like 1-3 weeks

[@davidmackie3497]

At least 3 weeks. Several days in Rivendell. Rivendell to Moria, 1 week at least. Moria entrance to exit was 4-6 days. Another day to Lothlorien. Stayed there resting about a week. Lothlorien to Amon Sul, 1 week at least.

[@jonathandlc1518]

I felt that ending as a personal attack lol

[@alphax4785]

The Ring also does have something of a mind of its own (even apart from Sauron's mind since if Gandalf / Saruman / Galadriel got it, they'd be able to destroy Sauron rather easily... but still be totally corrupted by the One Ring) such that if anyone was put into Frodo's shoes at the Crevasse, they would be instantly overcome by the Ring and be unable to willingly cast it into the lava.

[@jamaigar]

I think the most exploitable trait Gandalf have it's the same thing he was sent to middle earth for: he is very fearful of Sauron and evil. The way he rejects it when Frodo offers to him makes me think the ring would make Gandalf extremely paranoid and likely to go on a path similar to Radagast or even Gollum

[@timgil7830]

Been a while since I read the books, so I'm going based on the movie. I never thought boromir was corrupted. I just thought he was tempted by the power in combination with his near constant war with the orcs and easterlings. I felt his actions in death just proved he was never actually corrupted, he was just a human with human foibles

[@Hesher93]

Even in the movies you can See that his corruption, which took over his mind when attacking frodo "ends", when he Slips and Fell to the ground. Then he gets back to his normal self, recognizing what he has done, started crying and apologizing to frodo

[@timgil7830]

@@Hesher93 I don't think he WAS corrupted though? I think that the evil was trying to corrupt him through his naivity, but it never actually did. I know I'm being pedantic but I think it's similar to Sam's "corruption" even getting a foothold it didn't really succeed. That said if boromir wasn't stopped it would have fully corrupted him in no time

[@phoule76]

My lack of ambition would see me through.

[@dermagnus8482]

Thank you for making real Tolkien content and not woke Amazon crap.

[@TOTCD]

100

[@AJ0223]

Bro don't even mention that garbage here lol totally unnecessary

[@dermagnus8482]

@@AJ0223 A lot of traitor channels out there who bring that crap. Sadly. I have even unsubscribed to men of the west a week ago for bringing that garbage.

[@AJ0223]

@@dermagnus8482 people just want their nostalgia cookies, I get it. It's really sad though, they think it's all just difference of opinion but they're almost too "smart" to realize it's a deliberate attack on not just Tolkien's work... but also on them. It's also foolish to think that Amazon cares about money. That shit is total war on culture, art, tradition, on western civilization as an idea and its many bloody roots. It's subversive and it's evil, Amazon is the globohomo cooperate antiChrist dystopia I mean the irony here truly is amazing it's so disorienting to witness.

[@Lukeywoodsey]

The difference between him and his brother shows in the films, how his brother was less corrupted as quickly

[@kirkdavis3929]

Never knew Farrimere and Borremier were decendants of Nemenore..So how old was there father? And for that matter How old were they? Seeing as the were Numenoreans?

[@randoviral8113]

3:07 Oke to say the one ring only corrupts you if you're aware of its presence is unfounded as evidenced by the events at the "inn of the prouncing pony" in Peter Jackson's film

[@jeffcardwell1800]

I believe the ring targeted him knowing he would take it to Gondor. Where it would be found.

[@capncake8837]

Even Sméagol didn’t seem to have any grand aspirations apart from fishing and hunting.

[@HarryAcorns]

He carried the most stress. That weakend him. Thanks Denethor. Plus he seemed to be the most desperate in finding a way to help Gondor. Stress and Desperation is my guess.

[@logansfury]

"Smeagol, who was fond of being a dick..." classic synopsis, this I like!

[@michaelsavage7884]

Please make a video on the Orcs of the east.

[@tetsuosoprano7382]

Gandalf was very susceptible to the pull of the One Ring. He even began shouting at Frodo to stop tempting him. Galadriel wasn’t resistant as well. Despite being a powerful elve. A lot of this is so so information.

[@bballjulien]

On top of the Ring, Boromir also had the pressure of his father who wanted him to secure it for Gondor

[@platypipope328]

I think the ultimate reason boromir is corrupted is because of the constant pressure that was over him to be the man to save gondor, ultimately he snapped momentarily and fell into despair

[@mattsamoto4451]

Boromir, Is a perfect case of the greed. selfishness and weakness of men, to resist temptation. Its this same weakness and greed in leadership that has led us down this path we are on. And its so deep i see no change comming in the forseable future, if there is one.

[@alexkats30]

One other reason Faramir denied the One Ring was potentially that he was taught the lore by Gandalf and knew about the corrupting influence of evil better than anyone else in Gondor. Unless you had it drilled into you all your life that the One Ring will corrupt and destroy you, you wouldn't have been able to deny it in the first place. And even if you did, if you were exposed to it long term, you would have fallen for sure.

[@mooviedude141]

It corrupted Frodo at the end...he was about to keep it.

[@shanenolan8252]

Just started but i suspect the ring chose him . As he would be the best or easiest person and closest to sauron.

[@elainechubb971]

Boromir had, in my opinion, one significant flaw in his character that made him vulnerable: the sin of pride. He was the eldest born, he was going to be ruling Steward, he was going to lead his people. And he wasn't particularly self-aware. It's telling that Boromir, when describing the dream that led him to Rivendell, says that the dream appeared first and several times to Faramir and only once to him. In a less proud person he'd had realized the message was delivered to Faramir for a reason--it was his quest. But Boromir is obviously used to patronizing his younger brother a bit--a good kid, but a bit of a dreamer. (No pun intended.) And he says he took the quest upon himself--obviously thinking he's a better choice, being a better warrior, stronger, braver even. H'es used to taking charge, to being the hero. (Faramir, in contrast, when Frodo tells him what happened, immediately realizes how his brother was tempted--"Alas for Boromir!" he says. He's the more introspective and wiser brother One of the themes of the LOTR is that the true hero may well be the "little guy," the ordinary man (or hobbit), the overlooked person, not the big, bold warrior. Boromir does repent of his actions and dies trying to save Merry and Pippin. But I don't think he ever realizes what his problems/vulnerabilities were. If the purpose of life is to "know thyself," he fails. In contrast, the other companions do have a pretty good idea of who they are, even if it's admitting (as Merry and Pippin discuss) that you can't always live as a hero, but have to accept your limitations.

[@ryaniam22]

Agreed. I think Tolkien was trying to explain that the betas of society that resist power are 'powerful' in their own way. He makes dwarves 'great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls' and elves the 'wisest, and fairest of all beings' meanwhile men, unable to resist their desire for power become the wring wraths. Basically beta males are alpha in a sad sort of hobbit way and Tolkien was one himself so tried to show the virtues of the betas

[@elliotcrossan6290]

Thranduil comes across as greedy relative to other Elves in the Hobbit. I wonder if he would've been corrupted.

[@runninblue9415]

Good stuff 👍

[@Taiko206]

In the case of Elves who would probably be corrupted by the Ring there are some within the Silmarrilion who would've likely have fallen to it'. Fëanor for one would not have been unmoved by it, and probably some of his sons. And there's also Eöl and his son Maeglin to consider, especially the latter one because he would tried to use the Ring somehow to get rid of Tuor and get idril Celebrindal for himself if it had existed at the time.

[@DarthGandalfYT]

That's a good point. Power-hungry Elves would definitely still be susceptible to corruption, but it helps that most of them were dead by the time the Rings of Power were created.

[@adelkaizbest2038]

The ring, when Sam had it: omfg how am I supposed to corrupt this guy? There's nothing for me to exploit... Hates Mordor and loves gardening. That's about it... Well, it's worth a try at least 😢

[@hadleyscott1160]

He was the only one who wanted the ring. He also was the only pure man. Aragon was Numenorean.

[@mrmoviemanic1]

I firmly believe had Frodo stayed, everyone would have been corrupted.