Faramir

From Tolkien Gateway
The name Faramir refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Faramir (disambiguation).
Faramir
Gondorian
Anke Eißmann - Faramir.jpg
"Faramir" by Anke Eißmann
Biographical Information
TitlesSteward of Gondor, Prince of Ithilien, Lord of Emyn Arnen
PositionCaptain of Gondor
LocationIthilien, Gondor
LanguageWestron, Sindarin
BirthT.A. 2983
RuleT.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 82 (84 years)
DeathFo.A. 82 (aged 120)
Family
HouseHouse of Húrin
ParentageDenethor II and Finduilas
SiblingsBoromir
SpouseÉowyn
ChildrenElboron[1]
Physical Description
GenderMale
HeightTall[2]
Hair colorRaven[3]
Eye colorGrey[4]
ClothingGreen gauntlets, green hood and mask, green and brown clothing[2]
WeaponrySword,[2] nail-knife,[5]
GalleryImages of Faramir
"[Faramir] is bold, more bold than many deem; for in these days men are slow to believe that a captain can be wise and learned in the scrolls of lore and song, as he is, and yet a man of hardihood and swift judgement in the field. But such is Faramir. Less reckless and eager than Boromir, but not less resolute."
Beregond in The Return of the King, "Minas Tirith"

Faramir was the last Ruling Steward of Gondor and the first Prince of Ithilien.

The second of Denethor's two sons, Faramir was briefly the Ruling Steward after his father's death. Upon the arrival of the true king, King Aragorn Elessar, he laid down his office, but Elessar renewed the hereditary appointment of Steward as the advisor to the King. Faramir was also appointed Prince of Ithilien.[6]

History[edit | edit source]

Faramir was born in T.A. 2983, five years after Boromir. Faramir was five when his mother Finduilas died. When that happened Boromir and Faramir formed a great bond with each other.

Brothers study by Catherine Chmiel

He grew to become a brave warrior admired by his soldiers, although unlike his brother he did not care much for battle and arms and needless danger. He gained from the wisdom of Gandalf who visited Minas Tirith, and loved lore and music; his gentle nature (and love of Gandalf) displeased his father. Although Denethor grew cold and grim and favoured Boromir over him, there was no rivalry between the brothers; Boromir was always his helper and protector.[7]

Twice Faramir had a prophetic dream and didn't speak about it, until he saw it again with his brother. The following day saw Sauron's attack on Osgiliath which started the War of the Ring. The two brothers commanded the defences of Osgiliath. They protected the last bridge across the Anduin until it was destroyed. Only the two brothers and two others survived by swimming.[8]

Seeking clues for the dream, Boromir set out for Rivendell.[8] Faramir never heard from his brother again, until the Great Horn was heard in Minas Tirith, and a few days later he saw Boromir dead in a funeral boat, prepared by his companions, floating the Anduin.[9]

On 1 March, his father sent him for an errand to Ithilien where Faramir went to command the Rangers of Ithilien.[9]

In Ithilien[edit | edit source]

Faramir by John Howe

Faramir acted as a ranger harassing Haradrim and keeping evil things from entering Ithilien from Minas Morgul. During one such raid he found Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee and Gollum observing an attack by his rangers on a column of Haradrim. The former two were captured as spies by the rangers though Gollum eluded them. Frodo was questioned by Faramir concerning their errand. Frodo recounted the journeys of the Fellowship and its members but referred to the purpose of the travels only cryptically. During the questioning he denied knowledge of Gollum but revealed that he travelled with both Aragorn, the Heir of Isildur, and Boromir.[10]

The Window on the West by Ted Nasmith

Faramir informed Frodo of Boromir's death, implying Frodo's involvement in it, though Frodo had not known of Boromir's death until that very moment. Unsure of how to deal with his captives, Faramir led Frodo and Sam, blindfolded, to Henneth Annûn. There he questioned them further in private, learning that the hobbits' errand was linked to the 'Isildur's bane' that had sent Boromir to Rivendell in the first place. Eager to earn their trust Faramir delivered his famous oath, saying that he "...would not take this thing, if it lay by the highway. Not were Minas Tirith falling in ruin and I alone could save her, so, using the weapon of the Dark Lord for her good and my glory. No, I do not wish for such triumphs". In a slip up however Samwise revealed the nature of 'Isildur's bane' and so Faramir was tested, just as Boromir had been, by the lure of The Ring. Where Boromir failed Faramir succeeded, leading Samwise to remark that Faramir had "shown [his] quality".[11]

During the night, Faramir's watch spotted Gollum fishing in the Forbidden Pool. Faramir called Frodo to him who confessed to the part of Gollum in their errand, begging Faramir not to slay him. Gollum was caught and questioned and then surrendered to Frodo. The following morning[9] Faramir released Frodo and Sam (with Gollum), but warned them strongly against taking the pass of Cirith Ungol.[12] Faramir with his men also left the refuge the next day.[9]

In Pelennor/Minas Tirith[edit | edit source]

Faramir returned to Osgiliath, supervising the defence there. However he retreated over the Pelennor Fields to report to Denethor on 10 March[9] and was almost caught by the Nazgûl on their Fell beasts, but was saved by Gandalf. Faramir reached Minas Tirith, telling Denethor and Gandalf of what befell in Ithilien, but the next day he departed to Osgiliath[9] to supervise the defences at his father's bidding. In this venture the host of the Witch-king came upon Osgiliath and on 12 March Faramir retreated to the Causeway Forts.[9] He was struck down by the Black Breath and only a sortie by Imrahil and his knights saved the wounded (including Faramir) from that onset and on 13 March they were brought to Minas Tirith.[13][9]

The Sun Unveiled by Ted Nasmith

Faramir remained out of action for the rest of the War of the Ring. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields Denethor planned to burn his stricken son alongside him and Faramir was once again saved by Gandalf, though Denethor completed his suicide.[14] After this he was taken to the Houses of Healing and healed by Aragorn after the battle.[15] Faramir spent the rest of the war recovering in the Houses of Healing where he met Éowyn, also grievously wounded.[16] The two fell in love and were married after the war.[17]

After the War of the Ring[edit | edit source]

After the destruction of the One Ring and the Battle of the Morannon, Faramir, as Steward, led the ceremony in the crowning of Aragorn as King of Gondor and Arnor.[18] Aragorn reinstated the original role of the Stewards before the failing of the Kings of Gondor and made Faramir the Prince of Ithilien. As Prince of Ithilien, Faramir was one of the two Chief Commanders of King Elessar and his duty was to guard and maintain the eastern borders of Gondor. He also defeated the remaining enemies and cleansed the Morgul Vale.

Faramir and Éowyn settled down in Emyn Arnen, a range of hills in Ithilien in sight of Minas Tirith, and Faramir became the Lord of Emyn Arnen. He and Éowyn had at least one son named Elboron,[1] who followed his father as Steward and Prince of Ithilien when Faramir died in the year Fo.A. 82. Faramir lived to be 120 years old, due to the large percentage of pure Dúnedain ancestry he possessed as a member of the Gondorian nobility.[19]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Faramir is never glossed, and neither is indicated if it is Quenya or Sindarin.

As all the Kings of Gondor and their heirs had names in Quenya,[20] and the name is also attested as a name of the royal family (in the case of Faramir son of Ondoher) the name apparently is Quenya.

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
 
 
 
Princes of
Dol Amroth
 
 
 
 
 
Ruling Stewards
of Gondor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adrahil
2917 - 3010
 
 
 
 
 
Ecthelion II
2886 - 2984
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of
Rohan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ivriniel
b. 2947
 
Imrahil
2955 - Fo.A. 34
 
Finduilas
2950 - 2988
 
Denethor II
2930 - 3019
 
Éomund
d. 3002
 
Théodwyn
2963 - 3002
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Boromir
2978 - 3019
 
FARAMIR
2983 - Fo.A. 82
 
Éowyn
b. 2995
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elboron
unknown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Barahir
unknown
[note 1]
 
 
 
 


Inspiration[edit | edit source]

Faramir was, in the words of Tolkien, "modest, fair-minded and scrupulously just, and very merciful".[21] His appearance toward the end of The Two Towers apparently was as much of a surprise to Tolkien as it is to his readers. "I am sure I did not invent him," he wrote. "I did not even want him, though I like him".[22]

Faramir in many ways speaks for Tolkien, who was an officer in the British Army during World War I, when he says, for example, "I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness... I love only that which they defend".[4] Much later, Tolkien would write, "As far as any character is 'like me', it is Faramir".[23]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Faramir in Adaptations
Faramir (presumably) in The Return of the King (1980 film)  

1980: The Return of the King (1980 film):

Faramir's role has been omitted. However, a young black-haired man is shown at Aragorn's coronation, sitting on a horse beside Éowyn. It can be guessed that this is a cameo of Faramir. Whether he had at any time a larger part, that was cut for time restraints, is unknown.

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

Faramir is voiced by Andrew Seear. Because Boromir already named him during the Council of Elrond - in the book, he is simply called "my brother" - much of the mystery surrounding Faramir's first appearance is lost to the attentive listener. However, unlike some adaptations Faramir's recovery in the Houses of Healing and his budding romance with Éowyn are included, as is his role at Aragorn's coronation.

1988: J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth:

Faramir is portrayed as a blond, bearded man. He can be controlled by the player.

1992: Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series):

Faramir is played by Friedhelm Ptok.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:

David Wenham plays Faramir in this adaptation. He does not at first let Frodo, Sam, and Gollum go, but decides to bring them and the Ring to Gondor. He takes them west to Osgiliath, crossing the river Anduin, and not until the Ringwraiths attack the city does he release them. Many fans of the book criticise this change, saying that it seriously damages the character, who is meant to emulate the medieval chivalric code and contrast with Boromir. Peter Jackson's explanation is that he needed another adventure to delay Frodo and Sam, because the episode at Cirith Ungol was moved to the third movie, and so a new climax was needed. Another explanation often cited is that it was felt that for dramatic reasons it was necessary to show character development, which meant that Faramir had to go through some kind of struggle or difficult decision. Jackson also argued that it was necessary for Faramir to be tempted by the Ring because everyone else was tempted, and letting Faramir be immune would be inconsistent, at least in the eyes of a film audience, and would weaken the films' portrayal of the Ring. However, despite these comments, Aragorn still resists the Ring easily at the end of the first movie, which acts as a contradiction to Jackson's claim.
In the Extended Edition, Jackson has included a flashback scene showing that Denethor has been neglecting him and favouring Boromir, so that Faramir wanted to please his father by bringing him the Ring. The relationship is similarly strained in the books, but there his father's favouritism does not seem to affect his decisions in Ithilien. On the whole, however, new Extended Edition scenes with Faramir brought the character closer to the sympathetic treatment of the books.

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:

Faramir's role in this film is largely faithful to that in the book.

2002-2003: Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series):

The voice of Faramir is provided by Jozef Vajda. The same actor also portrayed Faramir's brother Boromir earlier in the radio series.

2015: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Faramir's role in the War of the Ring is relatively minor in the game, as by the time the player reaches Minas Tirith Faramir has already been wounded and lies in a fever. His first prominent appearance is not until King Elessar's coronation. Afterwards, Aragorn charges the Steward and the Rangers of Ithilien with cleansing the evil of Minas Morgul and the Morgul Vale. Faramir leads the Rangers to establish several camps outside the dead city. Eventually he joins Damrod's team inside the walls Minas Morgul itself, working to combat the evil on the upper levels of the city.

Notes[edit source]

  1. It is not certain that Barahir was the son of Elboron.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", p. 221
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Steward and the King"
  4. 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Window on the West"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Forbidden Pool"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", p. 207
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards"
  8. 8.0 8.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Window on the West"
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Forbidden Pool"
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Siege of Gondor"
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Pyre of Denethor"
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Houses of Healing"
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Steward and the King"
  17. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Many Partings"
  18. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Steward and the King"
  19. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Southern Line: Heirs of Anarion"
  20. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of Men"
  21. J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 244, (undated, written circa 1963)
  22. J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 66, (dated 6 May 1944)
  23. J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 180, (dated 14 January 1956)
Faramir
House of Húrin
Born: T.A. 2983 Died: Fo.A. 82
Preceded by:
Denethor II
27th Ruling Steward of Gondor (de jure)
15 March - 1 May, T.A. 3019
None
Position abolished
Vacant
Mardil Voronwë, 969 years earlier
Steward to the King of Gondor
1 May, T.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 82
Followed by:
Elboron
None
New title
Prince of Ithilien
1 May, T.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 82


The Southern Line and the Heirs of Anárion
Kings of Gondor: Elendil (S.A. 3320 - 3441) · Isildur (S.A. 3441 - T.A. 2) and Anárion (S.A. 3320 - 3440) · Meneldil (T.A. 2 - 158) · Cemendur (158 - 238) · Eärendil (238 - 324) · Anardil (324 - 411) · Ostoher (411 - 492) · Rómendacil I (492 - 541) · Turambar (541 - 667) · Atanatar I (667 - 748) · Siriondil (748 - 830) · Tarannon Falastur (830 - 913) · Eärnil I (913 - 936) · Ciryandil (936 - 1015) · Hyarmendacil I (1015 - 1149) · Atanatar II Alcarin (1149 - 1226) · Narmacil I (1226 - 1294) · Calmacil (1294 - 1304) · Rómendacil II (1304 - 1366) · Valacar (1366 - 1432) · Eldacar (1432 - 1437) · Castamir the Usurper (1437 - 1447) · Eldacar restored (1447 - 1490) · Aldamir (1490 - 1540) · Hyarmendacil II (1540 - 1621) · Minardil (1621 - 1634) · Telemnar (1634 - 1636) · Tarondor (1636 - 1798) · Telumehtar Umbardacil (1798 - 1850) · Narmacil II (1850 - 1856) · Calimehtar (1856 - 1936) · Ondoher (1936 - 1944) · Eärnil II (1945 - 2043) · Eärnur (2043 - 2050)
Stewards of Gondor: Húrin of Emyn Arnen (c. T.A. 1630s) · Pelendur (before T.A. 1944 - 1998) · Vorondil (1998 - 2029) · Mardil Voronwë (2029 - 2080) · Eradan (2080 - 2116) · Herion (2116 - 2148) · Belegorn (2148 - 2204) · Húrin I (2204 - 2244) · Túrin I (2244 - 2278) · Hador (2278 - 2395) · Barahir (2395 - 2412) · Dior (2412 - 2435) · Denethor I (2435 - 2477) · Boromir (2477 - 2489) · Cirion (2489 - 2567) · Hallas (2567 - 2605) · Húrin II (2605 - 2628) · Belecthor I (2628 - 2655) · Orodreth (2655 - 2685) · Ecthelion I (2685 - 2698) · Egalmoth (2698 - 2743) · Beren (2743 - 2763) · Beregond (2763 - 2811) · Belecthor II (2811 - 2872) · Thorondir (2872 - 2882) · Túrin II (2882 - 2914) · Turgon (2914 - 2953) · Ecthelion II (2953 - 2984) · Denethor II (2984 - 3019) · Faramir (T.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 82) · Elboron (Fo.A. 82 onwards)
Kings of Gondor: Elessar (T.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 120) · Eldarion (Fo.A. 120 onwards)
Non-ruling stewards are in italics
The Lord of the Rings film series
Source material: The Hobbit · The Lord of the Rings
Films The Fellowship of the Ring (extended editionThe Two Towers (extended edition) · The Return of the King (extended edition)
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Tie-in books Official Movie Guide · The Making of the Movie Trilogy · Complete Visual Companion · Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic · There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale · Weapons and Warfare · The Art of The Lord of the Rings · Sketchbook
The Fellowship of the Ring Visual Companion · The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers Visual Companion · Photo Guide · The Art of The Two Towers
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