Faramir

Faramir, son of Denethor (T.A. 2983 - F.A. 82) is a wise man of nobility and the second of Denethor's two sons in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy universe of Middle-earth. As the Captain of the Rangers of Ithilien (as well as the Captain of the White Tower after his brother's death) during the War of the Ring, he had the strength belonging of his Númenórean ancestors, whose blood ran true in him, to reject the Ring without temptation—where else his brother, Boromir, could not.

After his father's death, Faramir became the Steward of Gondor. Upon the arrival of the true king, King Elessar, he laid down his office as Ruling Steward, but Elessar renewed his hereditary appointment as Steward and advisor to the King. Faramir was also appointed Prince of Ithilien, also known as, Lord of Emyn Arnen.

The Two Towers

• "The road may pass, but [the Southrons] shall not! Not while Faramir is Captain. He leads now in all perilous ventures. But his life is charmed, or fate spares him for some other end." —Mablung on Faramir

• 'He could see Faramir's face: it was stern and commanding, and a keen wit lay behind his searching glance.' —Sam's thoughts on Faramir

• "I would not snare even an orc with a falsehood."

• "It is not said that evil arts were ever practised in Gondor, or that the Nameless One was ever named in honour there; and the old wisdom and beauty brought out of the West remained long in the realm of the sons of Elendil the Fair, and they linger there still. Yet even so it was Gondor that brought about its own decay, falling by degrees into dotage, and thinking that the Enemy was asleep, who was only banished not destroyed.” “Death was ever present, because the Númenoreans still, as they had in their Old Kingdom, and so lost it, hungered after endless life unchanging. Kings made tombs more splendid than houses of the living and counted old names in the rolls of their descent dearer than the names of sons. Childless lords sat in aged halls musing on heraldry; in secret chambers withered men compounded strong elixirs, or in high cold towers asked questions of the stars. And the last king of the line of Anárion had no heir.”

• "I do not slay man or beast needlessly, and not gladly even when it is needed."

• "I 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, Frodo son of Drogo."

• "For myself, I would see the White Tree in flower again in the courts of the kings, and the Silver Crown return, and Minas Tirith in peace: Minas Anor again as of old, full of light, high and fair, beautiful as a queen among other queens; not as a mistress of many slaves, nay, not even a kind mistress of willing slaves. War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend: the city of the Men of Númenor, and I would have her loved for her memory, her ancientry, her beauty, and her present wisdom. Not feared, save as men may fear the dignity of a man, old and wise."

• "Not if I found it on the highway would I take it I said. Even if I were such a man as to desire this thing, and even though I knew not clearly what this thing was when I spoke, still I should take these words as a vow, and be held by them. But I am not such a man. Or I am wise enough to know that there are some perils from which a man must flee."

• "The praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards. Yet there was nought in this to praise. I had no lure or desire to do other than I have done."

• "You...showed your quality: the very highest. You have an air too, sir, that reminds me of, of—well, Gandalf, of wizards." —Sam to Faramir

• 'He felt in his heart that Faramir, though he was much like his brother in looks, was a man less self-regarding, both sterner and wiser.' —Frodo's thoughts on Faramir

The Return of the King

• "By some chance the blood of Westernesse runs nearly true in [Denethor]; as it does in his other son, Faramir, and yet did not in Boromir whom he loved best." —Gandalf on Faramir

• "Look! The men are thrown; they are running on foot. No, one is still up, but he rides back to the others. That will be the Captain..." —Beregond on Faramir

• "He can govern men and beast." —Men of Gondor

• "He is bold, more bold than many deem; for in these days men are slow to believe 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 on Faramir

• 'When he saw the pale face of Faramir he caught his breath. It was the face of one who had been assailed by a great fear or anguish, but has mastered it and now is quiet. Proud and grave he stood for a moment...and Pippin gazing at him saw how closely he resembled his brother Boromir—whom Pippin had liked from the first, admiring the great man's lordly but kindly manner. Yet suddenly for Faramir his heart was strangely moved with a feeling that he had not known before. Here was one with an air of high nobility such as Aragorn at times revealed, less high perhaps, yet also less incalculable and remote: one of the Kings of Men born into a later time, but touched with the wisdom and sadness of the Elder Race. He knew now why Beregond spoke his name with love. He was a captain that men would follow, that he would follow, even under the shadow of the black wings.' —Pippin's thoughts on Faramir

• (Denethor) "Ever your desire is to appear lordly and generous as a king of old, gracious, gentle. That may well befit one of a high race, if he sits in power and peace. But in desperate hours gentleness may be repaid with death."
  "So be it," said Faramir.

• "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."

• 'Ioreth, the eldest of the women who served in the house, looking on the fair face of Faramir, wept, for all the people loved him.' —Narrator on Faramir

• "He is a man of staunch will, for already he had come close under the shadow before ever he rode to battle on the out-walls." —Aragorn on Faramir

• "Who would lie idle when the king has returned?"

• 'He looked at her, and being a man whom pity deeply stirred, it seemed to him that her loveliness amid her grief would pierce his heart.' —Faramir's thoughts on Éowyn

• "Then, Éowyn of Rohan, I say to you that you are beautiful. In the valleys of our hills there are flowers fair and bright, and maidens fairer still; but neither flower nor lady have I seen till now in Gondor so lovely, and so sorrowful. It may be that only a few days are left ere darkness falls upon our world, and when it comes I hope to face it steadily; but it would ease my heart, if while the Sun yet shines, I could see you still. For you and I have both passed under the wings of the Shadow, and the same hand drew us back."

• 'She looked at him and saw the grave tenderness in his eyes, and yet knew, for she was bred among men of war, that here was one whom no Rider of the Mark would outmatch in battle... this tall man, both stern and gentle...' —Éowyn on Faramir

• "Do not scorn the pity that is the gift of a gentle heart."

The Appendices

• 'Faramir the younger was like [Boromir] in looks but otherwise in mind. He read the hearts of men as shrewdly as his father, but what he read moved him sooner to pity than to scorn. He was gentle in bearing, and a lover of lore and of music, and therefore by many in those days his courage was judged less than his brother's. But it was not so, except that he did not seek glory in danger without a purpose. He welcomed Gandalf at such times as he came to the City, and he learned what he could from his wisdom, and in this as in many other matters he displeased his father.' —Author on Faramir

The Two Towers

• Faramir: "The enemy? His sense of duty was no less than yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is, where he came from. And if he was really evil at heart. What lies or threats led him on this long march from home. If he would not rather have stayed there ... in peace. War will make corpses of us all." (In the book the original version of these lines was given to Sam, as part of his thoughts)

• Gondorian Ranger: "You know the laws of our country, the laws of your father. If you let them go, your life will be forfeit."
  Faramir: "Then it is forfeit. Release them."

The Return of the King

• Denethor: "Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will?
  Faramir: You wish now that our places had been exchanged...that I had died and Boromir had lived."
  Denethor: "Yes. (whispering) I wish that.
  Faramir: "Since you are robbed of Boromir...I will do what I can in his stead."
  (Bows and turns to leave)
  Faramir: "If I should return, think better of me, Father."
  Denethor: "That will depend on the manner of your return."

• Éowyn: "The city has fallen silent. There is no warmth left in the sun. It grows so cold."
  Faramir: "It's just the damp of the first spring rain. I do not believe this darkness will endure."