Flammifer
Well-Known Member
So, leaving close reading for a while, why not enter into speculation? (Although there may be evidence that I have not discerned to apply to this question.)
Why does Boromir not stop in Isengard on his journey north to find Imladris?
It would seem an obvious place to ask for directions. It is not far out of the way.
OK, Isengard is slightly out of the way if Boromir’s journey was through Rohan, towards the gap of Rohan, and then north up the west side of the Misty Mountains. Still, Gandalf, Theoden and company made the ride from Helm’s Deep to Isengard in a day and a half. For Boromir, travelling faster than an entire troop, travelling less than half the distance between Helm's Deep and Isengard, it should have delayed him less than a day to veer north to Isengard, then south again to clear the southern end of the Misty Mountains. Such a slight detour, should have been well worth it if intelligence about the route north, and possible intelligence about the location of Imladris could have been gained. Also, one might think that it would be almost a duty of Boromir to stop in at Isengard. After all, Saruman held Isengard as a vassal of Gondor. Isengard was Gondorian (not Rohan) territory, which had been granted to Saruman, but, when was the last time a high official of Gondor had checked in on Isengard. If Boromir was going to pass near it, one would have thought that both duty and courtesy, and aid for his quest would have compelled him to visit.
Of course, had Boromir visited Isengard, the consequences would probably have ranged from bad to disastrous, given what we know about Saruman at this time.
So, since it is reasonable that Boromir should have stopped in Isengard, why didn’t he?
Did Boromir even journey through Rohan and the Gap of Rohan? Or did he travel South of the White Mountains until he reached their western end, and then turned north? Why would he have done this? It would seem a longer route. Is there any evidence in the text as to which route he took?
My own speculation is that Denethor told Boromir to steer clear of Isengard. And, that this was not due to some generalized Denethorian suspicion of wizards, but probably due to Denethor’s insights, gleaned from his use of the Palantir, that Saruman was not to be trusted.
Any evidence to support this speculation?
Any other speculations?
Why does Boromir not stop in Isengard on his journey north to find Imladris?
It would seem an obvious place to ask for directions. It is not far out of the way.
OK, Isengard is slightly out of the way if Boromir’s journey was through Rohan, towards the gap of Rohan, and then north up the west side of the Misty Mountains. Still, Gandalf, Theoden and company made the ride from Helm’s Deep to Isengard in a day and a half. For Boromir, travelling faster than an entire troop, travelling less than half the distance between Helm's Deep and Isengard, it should have delayed him less than a day to veer north to Isengard, then south again to clear the southern end of the Misty Mountains. Such a slight detour, should have been well worth it if intelligence about the route north, and possible intelligence about the location of Imladris could have been gained. Also, one might think that it would be almost a duty of Boromir to stop in at Isengard. After all, Saruman held Isengard as a vassal of Gondor. Isengard was Gondorian (not Rohan) territory, which had been granted to Saruman, but, when was the last time a high official of Gondor had checked in on Isengard. If Boromir was going to pass near it, one would have thought that both duty and courtesy, and aid for his quest would have compelled him to visit.
Of course, had Boromir visited Isengard, the consequences would probably have ranged from bad to disastrous, given what we know about Saruman at this time.
So, since it is reasonable that Boromir should have stopped in Isengard, why didn’t he?
Did Boromir even journey through Rohan and the Gap of Rohan? Or did he travel South of the White Mountains until he reached their western end, and then turned north? Why would he have done this? It would seem a longer route. Is there any evidence in the text as to which route he took?
My own speculation is that Denethor told Boromir to steer clear of Isengard. And, that this was not due to some generalized Denethorian suspicion of wizards, but probably due to Denethor’s insights, gleaned from his use of the Palantir, that Saruman was not to be trusted.
Any evidence to support this speculation?
Any other speculations?