Flammifer
Well-Known Member
I think the firewood episode indicates that Boromir is not totally on-board with the leadership of Gandalf and Elrond. But this is not the first such indication. The horn blowing when leaving Rivendell certainly indicates the same. Also, I think, earlier comments in the Council.
I think that Boromir leaves the council content with the plan to throw the Ring into the Fire. He is content for both spiritual and rational reasons. Spiritually, he thinks that this course will fulfil the Divine Dream, because he has concluded (from Elrond's statement) that if the One is destroyed the other Rings will fail. Thus, destroying the One will destroy the Nine, and destroy the Nazgul, making the counsels taken at Imladris 'stronger than Morgul spells'. Rationally, Boromir thinks that the quest to Mt. Doom does not seem hopeless. Gandalf has snuck into Sauron's fastnesses twice before, and assaulted one once. Decent chance he should be able to do it again.
Boromir is (I think) less enamored of the leadership of Elrond and Gandalf during the Council. I guess he thinks that they are not focused enough on the Divine Dream. They are too focused on the Ring. The Ring is a problem (or opportunity), but the Dream is Divine!
So, Boromir is not altogether on-board with Gandalf and Elrond's leadership. I don't think he really understands their approach to 'trying to discern the direction of Providence (or of the Music)'. In a way, Boromir might have more certainty, less hesitancy, than Gandalf and Elrond. To Boromir, the Dream has been answered. Let's go! God is with us! No real need to wait for months in Rivendell before setting out. Sure, use reasonable caution, but no need for excessive sneaking around. (And, if secrecy was important, far better for the Company to set out for Mt. Doom as one of the many scouting parties, rather than setting out on their own.)
Boromir's horn blowing clearly indicates that he does not totally accept the advice and leadership of Elrond, and, I think the firewood incident shows that he does not totally accept the leadership of Gandalf (not that he rejects it, just that he feels that he needs to fill in the leaders' gaps and omissions - for example to make sure that firewood is carried up the mountain).
My supposition is that Boromir does not begin to question the goal of the quest until Gandalf dies in Moria. It is then, that Boromir's rational, risk-assessing, and strategizing Commander and Heir aspect begins to struggle with his spiritual faith in the Divine Dream.
Frodo with Gandalf able to reach Mt. Doom? Possible, thinks Boromir. Frodo on his own, or with any other members of the Company, able to reach Mt. Doom? Boromir does not see this as very likely at all.
I think this is the struggle between reason and faith that begins to weigh upon Boromir after Moria. It may, (or may not) be further amplified by the effect of the Ring (we will have to see as we read on).
I think that Boromir leaves the council content with the plan to throw the Ring into the Fire. He is content for both spiritual and rational reasons. Spiritually, he thinks that this course will fulfil the Divine Dream, because he has concluded (from Elrond's statement) that if the One is destroyed the other Rings will fail. Thus, destroying the One will destroy the Nine, and destroy the Nazgul, making the counsels taken at Imladris 'stronger than Morgul spells'. Rationally, Boromir thinks that the quest to Mt. Doom does not seem hopeless. Gandalf has snuck into Sauron's fastnesses twice before, and assaulted one once. Decent chance he should be able to do it again.
Boromir is (I think) less enamored of the leadership of Elrond and Gandalf during the Council. I guess he thinks that they are not focused enough on the Divine Dream. They are too focused on the Ring. The Ring is a problem (or opportunity), but the Dream is Divine!
So, Boromir is not altogether on-board with Gandalf and Elrond's leadership. I don't think he really understands their approach to 'trying to discern the direction of Providence (or of the Music)'. In a way, Boromir might have more certainty, less hesitancy, than Gandalf and Elrond. To Boromir, the Dream has been answered. Let's go! God is with us! No real need to wait for months in Rivendell before setting out. Sure, use reasonable caution, but no need for excessive sneaking around. (And, if secrecy was important, far better for the Company to set out for Mt. Doom as one of the many scouting parties, rather than setting out on their own.)
Boromir's horn blowing clearly indicates that he does not totally accept the advice and leadership of Elrond, and, I think the firewood incident shows that he does not totally accept the leadership of Gandalf (not that he rejects it, just that he feels that he needs to fill in the leaders' gaps and omissions - for example to make sure that firewood is carried up the mountain).
My supposition is that Boromir does not begin to question the goal of the quest until Gandalf dies in Moria. It is then, that Boromir's rational, risk-assessing, and strategizing Commander and Heir aspect begins to struggle with his spiritual faith in the Divine Dream.
Frodo with Gandalf able to reach Mt. Doom? Possible, thinks Boromir. Frodo on his own, or with any other members of the Company, able to reach Mt. Doom? Boromir does not see this as very likely at all.
I think this is the struggle between reason and faith that begins to weigh upon Boromir after Moria. It may, (or may not) be further amplified by the effect of the Ring (we will have to see as we read on).