In his essay "Ofermod," J.R.R. Tolkien defines this Old English term as "overly high spirits," of
which the "usual manifestation is pride" ("Ofermod" 24). He goes on to say that this word is always used
in a negative, disapproving sense, in that the individual being described was too prideful and brought
about unfortunate consequences. According to Tolkien, the word has only been used twice in Old English
poetry but even in contexts where the word itself is not used, we can still see examples of individuals who
experience ofermod/excessive pride, which can lead to disastrous results, such as in the poems "Beowulf"
and "The Battle of Maldon," both of which Tolkien studied and drew inspiration from when crafting his
works. This concept of ofermod is closely related to the idea of the warrior culture, in which great
emphasis is placed on the concepts of honor and glory, both for an individual and for the individual's
home. This high value on honor, glory, and deeds of valor can lead to an excessive pride (ofermod) or
even recklessness in individuals that in turn can have terrible consequences. These poems give examples
of this and show that the values of the warrior culture shape the characters' actions and contribute to the
displays of ofermod that we see. In The Fellowship of the Ring, Tolkien uses his character Boromir to
illustrate both the virtues and the flaws of this culture and its values, specifically focusing on this concept
of ofermod. By examining three key passages that show Boromir's values and personality and by also
briefly examining comments Tolkien has made in other writings on the subject of warrior culture and the
phenomenon of ofermod specifically, we can see how Tolkien uses Boromir to show both the virtues and
flaws of the warrior culture and its value system, and how this value system is what ultimately leads
heroes such as Boromir to fall victim to ofermod.
Looking at Boromir specifically, we can see how he more than any of Tolkien's other characters
portrays these warrior values and is the means through which Tolkien delivers a critique of these values.
The first significant episode to examine that reveals aspects of Boromir's character occurs during the
counsel of Elrond. Elrond states that the Ring must be taken into Mordor to be destroyed but Boromir
instead suggests that the Ring should be used as a weapon against the enemy himself, by the men of
Gondor. He says that because the men of Gondor are valiant, they will not submit to the power of the
Ring and will use the Ring to strengthen the country and win victory against Sauron. When Elrond
, explains why the Ring cannot be used as such, Boromir defers to his wisdom but is still doubtful that the
Ring could not help Gondor (Fellowship of the Ring 300). This is an important passage because it is the
first time (but not the last) that Boromir expresses his desire to use the Ring to strengthen Gondor, despite
wise counsel clearly expressing how dangerous the Ring is. In a way that somewhat foreshadows events
to come, Tolkien gives us a first glimpse here of Boromir's belief that "valiant men" of Gondor will not
succumb to the Ring's power and of his love for Gondor, which is so great that he is willing to consider
using an evil Ring in order to strengthen his country and bring about victory. In this way, Boromir is
following the values of warrior culture in showing pride for his country and people and desiring to bring
them glory. We can see an interesting contrast in this section and other places of the text between
Boromir and Aragorn. Aragorn, as descendant of the kings of old and heir to the throne of Gondor, also
has a vested interest in the well-being of Gondor, which is why he plans to go to Minas Tirith with
Boromir, yet he does not entertain the notion of using the Ring in an attempt to strengthen Gondor.
Aragorn can also be considered a "heroic warrior" yet he was not raised in the warrior culture, as Boromir
was: he was fostered by the Elves and then spent time leading the Rangers of the north. Tolkien here may
be setting Aragorn up as a foil for Boromir to suggest that, despite the fact that both men have an interest
in Gondors wellbeing and are both "heroic warriors" in some sense, since Aragorn was not raised in the
warrior culture as Boromir was, he is less likely to make rash statements and does not have Boromir's
strong pride for his country, pride that can result in the desire to preserve the country's honor and glory
even at great cost..
Another and perhaps the most significant episode to examine is Boromir's conversation with
Frodo that occurs right before the breaking of the Fellowship. Boromir tries to convince Frodo that
instead of destroying the Ring, they could use it in the war against Sauron, saying that "Minas Tirith will
fall, if the Ring lasts... if the Ring were with the Enemy. But why, if it were with us?" (Fellowship of the
Ring 447). He goes on to say that "true-hearted men" will not be corrupted by the power of the Ring and
that he only wishes to use it so that he will have strength to defend his people and homeland in their "just
cause" (448). When Frodo refuses this plan, Boromir becomes angry, tries to take the Ring by force, and
which the "usual manifestation is pride" ("Ofermod" 24). He goes on to say that this word is always used
in a negative, disapproving sense, in that the individual being described was too prideful and brought
about unfortunate consequences. According to Tolkien, the word has only been used twice in Old English
poetry but even in contexts where the word itself is not used, we can still see examples of individuals who
experience ofermod/excessive pride, which can lead to disastrous results, such as in the poems "Beowulf"
and "The Battle of Maldon," both of which Tolkien studied and drew inspiration from when crafting his
works. This concept of ofermod is closely related to the idea of the warrior culture, in which great
emphasis is placed on the concepts of honor and glory, both for an individual and for the individual's
home. This high value on honor, glory, and deeds of valor can lead to an excessive pride (ofermod) or
even recklessness in individuals that in turn can have terrible consequences. These poems give examples
of this and show that the values of the warrior culture shape the characters' actions and contribute to the
displays of ofermod that we see. In The Fellowship of the Ring, Tolkien uses his character Boromir to
illustrate both the virtues and the flaws of this culture and its values, specifically focusing on this concept
of ofermod. By examining three key passages that show Boromir's values and personality and by also
briefly examining comments Tolkien has made in other writings on the subject of warrior culture and the
phenomenon of ofermod specifically, we can see how Tolkien uses Boromir to show both the virtues and
flaws of the warrior culture and its value system, and how this value system is what ultimately leads
heroes such as Boromir to fall victim to ofermod.
Looking at Boromir specifically, we can see how he more than any of Tolkien's other characters
portrays these warrior values and is the means through which Tolkien delivers a critique of these values.
The first significant episode to examine that reveals aspects of Boromir's character occurs during the
counsel of Elrond. Elrond states that the Ring must be taken into Mordor to be destroyed but Boromir
instead suggests that the Ring should be used as a weapon against the enemy himself, by the men of
Gondor. He says that because the men of Gondor are valiant, they will not submit to the power of the
Ring and will use the Ring to strengthen the country and win victory against Sauron. When Elrond
, explains why the Ring cannot be used as such, Boromir defers to his wisdom but is still doubtful that the
Ring could not help Gondor (Fellowship of the Ring 300). This is an important passage because it is the
first time (but not the last) that Boromir expresses his desire to use the Ring to strengthen Gondor, despite
wise counsel clearly expressing how dangerous the Ring is. In a way that somewhat foreshadows events
to come, Tolkien gives us a first glimpse here of Boromir's belief that "valiant men" of Gondor will not
succumb to the Ring's power and of his love for Gondor, which is so great that he is willing to consider
using an evil Ring in order to strengthen his country and bring about victory. In this way, Boromir is
following the values of warrior culture in showing pride for his country and people and desiring to bring
them glory. We can see an interesting contrast in this section and other places of the text between
Boromir and Aragorn. Aragorn, as descendant of the kings of old and heir to the throne of Gondor, also
has a vested interest in the well-being of Gondor, which is why he plans to go to Minas Tirith with
Boromir, yet he does not entertain the notion of using the Ring in an attempt to strengthen Gondor.
Aragorn can also be considered a "heroic warrior" yet he was not raised in the warrior culture, as Boromir
was: he was fostered by the Elves and then spent time leading the Rangers of the north. Tolkien here may
be setting Aragorn up as a foil for Boromir to suggest that, despite the fact that both men have an interest
in Gondors wellbeing and are both "heroic warriors" in some sense, since Aragorn was not raised in the
warrior culture as Boromir was, he is less likely to make rash statements and does not have Boromir's
strong pride for his country, pride that can result in the desire to preserve the country's honor and glory
even at great cost..
Another and perhaps the most significant episode to examine is Boromir's conversation with
Frodo that occurs right before the breaking of the Fellowship. Boromir tries to convince Frodo that
instead of destroying the Ring, they could use it in the war against Sauron, saying that "Minas Tirith will
fall, if the Ring lasts... if the Ring were with the Enemy. But why, if it were with us?" (Fellowship of the
Ring 447). He goes on to say that "true-hearted men" will not be corrupted by the power of the Ring and
that he only wishes to use it so that he will have strength to defend his people and homeland in their "just
cause" (448). When Frodo refuses this plan, Boromir becomes angry, tries to take the Ring by force, and
