Denethor warrior? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Hobbitt_Fan · 06-20-2010, 09:27 PM

How powerful a warrior was Denethor? He is described as being very tall and powerful, much like the Kings of Numenor. I draw a visual contrast to someone like Elendil, when he is said to much taller than Gandalf, more Kingly, and very powerful.

In his prime he must have been a warrior paramount. Its a shame he we ensnarled himself in the trappings of power and was prematurely aged using the Palantir, as I am sure he would have been a much more powerful ally in the war against Sauron if his mind and motives had been clear.

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 06-20-2010, 11:44 PM

Certainly Denethor would have been much more helpful in the War of the Ring if his mind were not muddled like it was. The Palatir that he was using not only let him get eye to eye with Sauron (haha, that was bad) but also made him weaker in the mind. This led to him making faulty decisions. Who knows what he would have been able to do to help against the problem with Mordor if he hadn't been chatting with the Dark Lord in his spare time.

I'm not sure if he would have actually realised that destroying the Enemy's most powerful weapon was the best way to go or not.

Hobbitt_Fan · 06-21-2010, 07:06 AM

I think that its impressive that in years of using it, his mind was to strong to be corrupted while Sauraman's was. Other than prematurely aging him, it seems the best Sauron could muster was give him false visions of doom or defeat. One of my favorite Tolkien quotes:

Saruman fell under the domination of Sauron and desired his victory, or no longer opposed it, Denethor remained steadfast in his rejection of Sauron, but was made to believe that his victory was inevitable, and so fell into despair. The reasons for this difference were no doubt that in the first place Denethor was a
man of great strength of will, and maintained the integrity of his personality until the final blow of the (apparently) mortal wound of his only surviving son. (Ibid.)

Rhod the Red · 06-27-2010, 02:42 AM

I dunno if he'd be a good fighter in the Battle for MT. He correctly pointed out to Pippin in a meeting with Gandalf that he, like many leaders, let's the troops do the fighting and only appears to gloat over a vanquished enemy or declare a surrender if all hope is lost, etc.

06-20-2010, 09:27 PM	#1
Hobbitt_Fan Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 18	Denethor warrior? How powerful a warrior was Denethor? He is described as being very tall and powerful, much like the Kings of Numenor. I draw a visual contrast to someone like Elendil, when he is said to much taller than Gandalf, more Kingly, and very powerful. In his prime he must have been a warrior paramount. Its a shame he we ensnarled himself in the trappings of power and was prematurely aged using the Palantir, as I am sure he would have been a much more powerful ally in the war against Sauron if his mind and motives had been clear.

06-20-2010, 11:44 PM	#2
TheGreatElvenWarrior Mighty Quill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walking off to look for America Posts: 2,230	Certainly Denethor would have been much more helpful in the War of the Ring if his mind were not muddled like it was. The Palatir that he was using not only let him get eye to eye with Sauron (haha, that was bad) but also made him weaker in the mind. This led to him making faulty decisions. Who knows what he would have been able to do to help against the problem with Mordor if he hadn't been chatting with the Dark Lord in his spare time. I'm not sure if he would have actually realised that destroying the Enemy's most powerful weapon was the best way to go or not. __________________ The Party Doesn't Start Until You're Dead.

06-21-2010, 07:06 AM	#3
Hobbitt_Fan Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 18	I think that its impressive that in years of using it, his mind was to strong to be corrupted while Sauraman's was. Other than prematurely aging him, it seems the best Sauron could muster was give him false visions of doom or defeat. One of my favorite Tolkien quotes: Saruman fell under the domination of Sauron and desired his victory, or no longer opposed it, Denethor remained steadfast in his rejection of Sauron, but was made to believe that his victory was inevitable, and so fell into despair. The reasons for this difference were no doubt that in the first place Denethor was a man of great strength of will, and maintained the integrity of his personality until the final blow of the (apparently) mortal wound of his only surviving son. (Ibid.) Last edited by Hobbitt_Fan; 06-21-2010 at 06:25 PM.

06-27-2010, 02:42 AM	#4
Rhod the Red Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 257	I dunno if he'd be a good fighter in the Battle for MT. He correctly pointed out to Pippin in a meeting with Gandalf that he, like many leaders, let's the troops do the fighting and only appears to gloat over a vanquished enemy or declare a surrender if all hope is lost, etc. __________________ Head of the Fifth Order of the Istari Tenure: Fourth Age(Year 1) - Present Currently operating in Melbourne, Australia