[MatthewM]

Like lmp said, everyone was subject to the Ring's power. It played on others different. Yes, Boromir's motives made him vulnerable from the start- however, I still would not compare Boromir and Gollum so closely. Their situations are completely different, and although they both wanted the Ring, they are on opposite spectrums. You know when someone is so bent on making connections between things to fit what they want to see? That is how I feel about someone trying to compare Boromir and Gollum. The only thing similiar to me is that they both fall to the Ring at some point.

Originally Posted by Boromir88

But what would have happened to Boromir had he gotten the Ring and held it in his possession for over 500 years?

That's a rather un-fair question though, isn't it? Boromir probably would not have been able to keep it that long, as he is completely different than Gollum and he is a warrior who would be so often in battle that the chances of loosing the Ring would have been that much greater than spending all your days in a cave.

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Would he have been able to repent that easily? Boromir repents because the Ring is out of his presense. Gollum possessed the Ring for over 500 years, a bit different.

We all know Faramir's words, and yes, Boromir would have been different, doubtless. He would be carrying the Ring of Power, making him subject to none. But you isolate Boromir here. Anyone who claimed the Ring would be changed and different.

Originally Posted by Boromir88

He very easily could have had Frodo not been smart and kept a large rock between him and Boromir; and then was able to escape. The Ring has a tendency to get people to act in ways they normally wouldn't.

Yet it didn't happen, and "murderer" was not one of Boromir's qualities.

Originally Posted by Boromir88

What would have happened had Deagol been able to get away? Smeagol may have been a 'mean son of a thief' but he was no murderer before coming across the Ring.

Smeagol's murderous tendencies were still there. He was evil at the start. If Deagol escaped, he probably would have found him again and murdered him anyway.

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Which is why there are characters (such as Smeagol, Denethor, and Boromir) who are targets of The Ring (or anything 'powerful' that would give them what they want), who all fall to the Ring.

Yet they all would have fallen to the Ring. Even Faramir eventually would have fallen. These "targets for the Ring" were simply the first round of combatants if the Ring was not destroyed.

Although I agree with parts of your post, I still can't compare Boromir's situation to Gollum's. They are so different, in my opinion.