Originally published at crisis magazine
My favorite character in the Lord of the Rings has always been Boromir (although sometimes Samwise vies for the crown). I consider the fall of Boromir as perhaps the most emotional and gripping scene in the entire trilogy.
Boromir represents the race of men, both in the book and in real life. He is strong and proud, able to do much good for those he rules and protects. He sees the One Ring as an opportunity; not for evil, as Sauron would, but for good. Its power, when wielded by the right man (Boromir considered himself the “right man,” and not without justification), could bring down Sauron and establish an era of peace for Middle Earth.
For those who aren’t familiar with the story, it sounds like a good plan. Yet those who recognize the corrupting influence of the One Ring know it is doomed to failure. Instead of establishing a reign of peace, a land ruled by Boromir and the One Ring would eventually end up exactly like one ruled by Sauron and the One Ring—just with different management.
Orthodox. Faithful. Free.
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Boromir’s temptation is the temptation of
