"I think you misunderstand Faramir." – JRR Tolkien

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[southfarthing]

THE RETURN OF THE KING by J.R.R. TOLKIEN

Your bearing is lowly in my presence, yet it is long now since you turned from your own way at my counsel. See, you have spoken skilfully, as ever; but I, have I not seen your eye fixed on Mithrandir, seeking whether you said well or too much? He has long had your heart in his keeping.

[bitchfaramir]

[After nearly two pages of Faramir filling Gandalf in, he finally turns to Denethor, who has been listening silently]

‘[...] I hope that I have not done ill?’ He looked at his father.

‘Ill?’ cried Denethor, and his eyes flashed suddenly. ‘Why do you ask? The men were under your command. Or do you ask for my judgement on all your deeds? Your bearing is lowly in my presence, yet it is long now since you turned from your own way at my counsel. See, you have spoken skilfully, as ever; but I, have I not seen your eye fixed on Mithrandir, seeking whether you said well or too much? He has long had your heart in his keeping.

‘My son, your father is old but not yet dotard. I can see and hear, as was my wont; and little of what you have half said or left unsaid is now hidden from me. I know the answer to many riddles. Alas, alas for Boromir!’

‘If what I have done displeases you, my father,’ said Faramir quietly, ‘I wish I had known your counsel before the burden of so weighty a judgement was thrust on me.’

‘Would that have availed to change your judgement?’ said Denethor. ‘You would still have done just so, I deem. I know you well. Ever your desire is to appear lordly and generous as a king of old, gracious, gentle. That may well befit one of high race, if he sits in power and peace. But in desperate hours gentleness may be repaid with death.’

‘So be it,’ said Faramir.

‘So be it!’ cried Denethor. ‘But not with your death only, Lord Faramir: with the death also of your father, and of all your people, whom it is your part to protect now that Boromir is gone.’

‘Do you wish then,’ said Faramir, ‘that our places had been exchanged?’

‘Yes, I wish that indeed,’ said Denethor. ‘For Boromir was loyal to me and no wizard’s pupil. He would have remembered his father’s need, and would not have squandered what fortune gave. He would have brought me a mighty gift.’

For a moment Faramir’s restraint gave way. ‘I would ask you, my father, to remember why it was that I, not he, was in Ithilien. On one occasion at least your counsel has prevailed, not long ago. It was the Lord of the City that gave the errand to him.’

‘Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed for myself,’ said Denethor.

From The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (pp. 812-13)

[hopeless-eccentric]

every day i think about faramir getting engaged and immediately smooching the shit out of his fiancee in full view of everybody. truly the touchstarved representation we needed

[emyn-arnens]

which character from the line of the stewards do you most want to rescue from the films' hold on the fandom?

Denethor

Boromir

Faramir

Voting ended onFeb 8, 2023

[bitchfaramir]

Tolkien: "I think you misunderstand Faramir."

I think you misunderstand Faramir. He was daunted by his father: not only in the ordinary way of a family with a stern proud father of great force of character, but as a Númenórean before the chief of the one surviving Númenórean state. He was motherless and sisterless (Eowyn was also motherless), and had a 'bossy' brother. He had been accustomed to giving way and not giving his own opinions air, while retaining a power of command among men, such as a man may obtain who is evidently personally courageous and decisive, but also modest, fair-minded and scrupulously just, and very merciful.

I think he understood Eowyn very well. Also to be Prince of Ithilien, the greatest noble after Dol Amroth in the revived Númenórean state of Gondor, soon to be of imperial power and prestige, was not a 'market-garden job' as you term it. Until much had been done by the restored King, the P. of Ithilien would be the resident march-warden of Gondor, in its main eastward outpost - and also would have many duties in rehabilitating the lost the dreadful vale of Minas Ithil (Morgul).

I did not, naturally, go into territory, and clearing it of outlaws and orc-remnants, not to speak of details about the way in which Aragorn, as King of Gondor, would govern the realm. But it was made clear that there was much fighting, and in the earlier years of A.'s reign expeditions against enemies in the East. The chief commanders, under the King, would be Faramir and Imrahil; and one of these would normally remain a military commander at home in the King's absence.

A Númenórean King was monarch, with the power of unquestioned decision in debate; but he governed the realm with the frame of ancient law, of which he was administrator (and interpreter) but not the maker. In all debatable matters of importance domestic, or external, however, even Denethor had a Council, and a least listened to what the Lords of the Fiefs and the Captains of the Forces had to say. Aragorn re-established the Great Council of Gondor, and in that Faramir, who remained by inheritance the Steward (or representative of the King during his absence abroad, or sickness, or between his death and the accession of his heir) would [be] the chief counsellor.

from The Letters of JRR Tolkien, edited by Humphrey Carpenter, letter no. 244, a draft to a critical reader

[bretwalda-lamnguin]

LOTR fandom: omg Faramir is such a soft boy who needs Éowyn to protect him!

Éowyn's literal first thoughts when meeting Faramir: there is literally no one in Rohan who could win a fight against this man.

[southfarthing]

faramir <3

[hectomache]

im rereading lotr and 

[southfarthing]

the one dimensional woobification of faramir & girlbossification of eowyn is my villain origin story actually

[southfarthing]

faramir didn't perform so many shrewd and heroic deeds and literally blame boromir's death on his own father only to be treated like a poor abandoned puppy in desperate need of love and affection and eowyn didn't say she wanted to be a healer and love things that grow only to be treated like she's only interesting when she has a sword and she's trying to die valiantly in battle because she can't see a better path for herself

[liridi-deactivated20250617]

Choose one

Male wife faramir (you are factually incorrect)

Bitch king faramir (yeah! YEAH!!!)

Voting ended onFeb 7, 2023

[stinkylittlegnome]

I LOVE how Faramir just straight up called Sam and Frodo ugly. King behavior

[tolkien-feels]

Sam: Elves are the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen oh my god they are unbelievably perfect nothing on earth can compare

One of the Big Folk: Well you’re not beautiful enough to be an elf

Sam: Don’t care didn’t ask I hope you choke