Tony Meade
Active Member
Last night we discussed the reasons that Elrond did not fully identify Boromir as the Captain-general of Gondor and son/heir of Denethor, the Lord Steward. We postulated that some possibilities included a sleight of Boromir to chasten him, a test of Boromir's character, and/or to emphasize Gandalf's importance to a skeptical Boromir. I wanted to propose a different theory, though, which is that Boromir simply didn't tell Elrond who he was, at least not in full.
Later, as we get to know more about Boromir, we learn some important things about Boromir's character and history that might shed some light on why he might hide his full identity from Elrond when he first arrives. Firstly, we learn that, prior to this great journey to Rivendell, Boromir was not particularly well-traveled. He may have gone before as far as Meduseld in Edoras, as he was known there, but not much further than that. This seems to be something endemic to the people of Gondor more generally who, seeing the rest of the world as dark and uncivilized, have no reason to travel abroad. Aragorn will chasten this tendency to Boromir later in the Council when he reminds Boromir that the people of Gondor know little of the lands beyond their borders, an ignorance born out of isolation. In an odd way, this is a parallel to the Hobbits of the Shire's culture of parochialism and isolationism.
Xenophobia and nationalism also seem to be a part of current Gondorian culture; Boromir will later complain with disdain about "these elves and half-elves", as well as wizards and dwarves, and their plans and dealings with the Rings of Power. This paranoia towards foreigners might be understandable given that Gondor is currently at war with, among others, foreign nations of other Men, but it also seems to be borne out of their sense of superiority stemming from their Numenorean heritage. This notion of their own supremacy has caused many problems for the Numenoreans and their descendants over the centuries, from their empire-building to their kin-strife and their ultimate decline, but it seems baked into the culture. Therefore, being in a foreign land in time of war, and surrounded by strange lords with unknown loyalties and agendas, he may have felt it prudent not to announce that the heir of the ruler of Gondor was among them, and feeling superior to them, felt that he wasn't obligated to do so.
So, what DID he tell Elrond, and what did Elrond know? I would suppose that he only told Elrond what Elrond later stated about him to the Council; that his name was Boromir, that he was from Gondor, and probably that he was on an errand from the Lord Steward, Denethor. Denethor's name would have gotten him an ear from Elrond at least. Did Elrond know or suspect who he truly was? I would say probably yes. He surely would have gotten an understanding of Boromir's social status from his dress and grooming, and he probably would have recognized his marks of office, such as his sword (similar to Narsil) and most especially the Horn. Elrond might not have traveled to Gondor for many years, but he would be learned enough to put two and two together.
Then why did Elrond not say anything about this when he introduced Boromir at the Council, especially to Gandalf, who surely knows who he is? Though I think some of the other reasons we discussed still apply (formality, making the hierarchy clear, etc.), I think we can also find a parallel to this in the actions of Gildor Inglorien during his meeting with Frodo in the Shire. During that meeting, Frodo does not discuss the Ring or the reason for his flight from the Shire, but it's notable that Gildor, like Elrond here, does not press Frodo for information. Whatever either elf-lord may know or suspect about Frodo and Boromir, Gildor and Elrond both honor their desire for secrecy and choose to help them anyway, offering them counsel and protection. Both Gildor and Elrond don't need to have everything spelled out for them before they choose to act; they see the appearance of Frodo and Boromir, respectively, as significant enough in themselves, given the circumstances, and they are sensitive enough to the workings of Fate and Providence to know when to intervene.
In summary, I believe that Boromir did not tell Elrond who he was when he arrived, and that Elrond simply chose to go along with that until such time as Boromir thought it was time to reveal, indeed assert, his identity during the course of the Council. This he will do before too long, and in doing so, will be forced to deal with another person who's true identity was not revealed at the outset of the Council - Aragorn.
Thanks for reading.
Later, as we get to know more about Boromir, we learn some important things about Boromir's character and history that might shed some light on why he might hide his full identity from Elrond when he first arrives. Firstly, we learn that, prior to this great journey to Rivendell, Boromir was not particularly well-traveled. He may have gone before as far as Meduseld in Edoras, as he was known there, but not much further than that. This seems to be something endemic to the people of Gondor more generally who, seeing the rest of the world as dark and uncivilized, have no reason to travel abroad. Aragorn will chasten this tendency to Boromir later in the Council when he reminds Boromir that the people of Gondor know little of the lands beyond their borders, an ignorance born out of isolation. In an odd way, this is a parallel to the Hobbits of the Shire's culture of parochialism and isolationism.
Xenophobia and nationalism also seem to be a part of current Gondorian culture; Boromir will later complain with disdain about "these elves and half-elves", as well as wizards and dwarves, and their plans and dealings with the Rings of Power. This paranoia towards foreigners might be understandable given that Gondor is currently at war with, among others, foreign nations of other Men, but it also seems to be borne out of their sense of superiority stemming from their Numenorean heritage. This notion of their own supremacy has caused many problems for the Numenoreans and their descendants over the centuries, from their empire-building to their kin-strife and their ultimate decline, but it seems baked into the culture. Therefore, being in a foreign land in time of war, and surrounded by strange lords with unknown loyalties and agendas, he may have felt it prudent not to announce that the heir of the ruler of Gondor was among them, and feeling superior to them, felt that he wasn't obligated to do so.
So, what DID he tell Elrond, and what did Elrond know? I would suppose that he only told Elrond what Elrond later stated about him to the Council; that his name was Boromir, that he was from Gondor, and probably that he was on an errand from the Lord Steward, Denethor. Denethor's name would have gotten him an ear from Elrond at least. Did Elrond know or suspect who he truly was? I would say probably yes. He surely would have gotten an understanding of Boromir's social status from his dress and grooming, and he probably would have recognized his marks of office, such as his sword (similar to Narsil) and most especially the Horn. Elrond might not have traveled to Gondor for many years, but he would be learned enough to put two and two together.
Then why did Elrond not say anything about this when he introduced Boromir at the Council, especially to Gandalf, who surely knows who he is? Though I think some of the other reasons we discussed still apply (formality, making the hierarchy clear, etc.), I think we can also find a parallel to this in the actions of Gildor Inglorien during his meeting with Frodo in the Shire. During that meeting, Frodo does not discuss the Ring or the reason for his flight from the Shire, but it's notable that Gildor, like Elrond here, does not press Frodo for information. Whatever either elf-lord may know or suspect about Frodo and Boromir, Gildor and Elrond both honor their desire for secrecy and choose to help them anyway, offering them counsel and protection. Both Gildor and Elrond don't need to have everything spelled out for them before they choose to act; they see the appearance of Frodo and Boromir, respectively, as significant enough in themselves, given the circumstances, and they are sensitive enough to the workings of Fate and Providence to know when to intervene.
In summary, I believe that Boromir did not tell Elrond who he was when he arrived, and that Elrond simply chose to go along with that until such time as Boromir thought it was time to reveal, indeed assert, his identity during the course of the Council. This he will do before too long, and in doing so, will be forced to deal with another person who's true identity was not revealed at the outset of the Council - Aragorn.
Thanks for reading.
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