Faramir

Origin

The youngest child of Denethor II of Gondor and Finduilas of Dol Amroth, Faramir was born and raised in Gondor. A year after his birth, his father ascended to the Stewardship of Gondor. When he was five, his mother died suddenly. This caused his father to retreat in on himself, and soured his relationship with Faramir.

However, Faramir grew closer with his brother, Boromir, who was then ten years old. The pair were close friends throughout their youths despite the fact that Boromir was obviously the favourite child in their father’s eyes. When the War of the Ring was begun by an attack by the forces of Mordor on Osgiliath, a city in Gondor, Faramir mounted a defence of his homeland alongside his brother.

The defence failed, and they lost half of the city they were defending, though both brothers survived the fray. He and Boromir both experienced prophetic dreams that warned of the impending trials facing the world. Boromir rode to Imladris, while Faramir remained behind in Gondor.

Creation

Faramir was originally created by J.R.R. Tolkien for his book series The Lord of the Rings, making his first appearance in the second book in the series, The Two Towers. He made his first appearance in comics in Mad #425.

Major Story Arcs

The Two Towers

Faramir acted as a ranger harassing Haradrim and keeping evil things from entering Ithilien from Minas Morgul. During one such raid he found Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee and Gollum observing an attack by his rangers on a column of Haradrim. The former two were captured as spies by the rangers though Gollum eluded them. Frodo was questioned by Faramir concerning their errand.

Frodo recounted the journeys of the Fellowship and its members but referred to the purpose of the travels only cryptically. During the questioning he denied knowledge of Gollum but revealed that he travelled with both Aragorn, the Heir of Isildur, and Boromir.

Faramir informed Frodo of Boromir’s death, implying Frodo’s involvement in it, though Frodo had not known of Boromir’s death until that very moment. Unsure of how to deal with his captives, Faramir led Frodo and Sam, blindfolded, to Henneth Annûn. There he questioned them further in private, learning that the hobbits’ errand was linked to the ‘Isildur’s bane’ that had sent Boromir to Rivendell in the first place.

Eager to earn their trust Faramir delivered his famous oath, saying that he “…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”.

In a slip up however Samwise revealed the nature of ‘Isildur’s bane’ and so Faramir was tested, just as Boromir had been, by the lure of The Ring. Where Boromir failed Faramir succeeded, leading Samwise to remark that Faramir had “shown [his] quality”.

During the night, Faramir’s watch spotted Gollum fishing in the Forbidden Pool. Faramir called Frodo to him who confessed to the part of Gollum in their errand, begging Faramir not to slay him. Gollum was caught and questioned and then surrendered to Frodo. The following morning Faramir released Frodo and Sam (with Gollum), but warned them strongly against taking the pass of Cirith Ungol.

The Return of the King

Faramir returned to Osgiliath after his encounter with the hobbits, supervising the defense there. However he retreated over the Pelennor Fields to report to Denethor and was almost caught by the Nazgûl on their Fell Beasts, but was saved by Gandalf. Faramir reached Minas Tirith, telling Denethor and Gandalf of what befell in Ithilien, but soon departed to supervise the defenses at his father’s bidding. In this venture the host of the Witch-king came upon Osgiliath and Faramir was struck down by the Black Breath. Only a sortie by Imrahil and his knights saved the wounded (including Faramir) from that onset. Faramir remained out of action for the rest of the War of the Ring. During the Battle of Pelennor Fields Denethor planned to burn his stricken son alongside him and Faramir was once again saved by Gandalf, though Denethor completed his suicide.

After this he was taken to the Houses of Healing and healed by Aragorn after the battle. Faramir spent the rest of the war recovering in the Houses of Healing where he met Éowyn, also grievously wounded. The two fell in love and were married after the war.

Skills and Abilities

Faramir is a gifted fighter, capable with the sword and the bow.

Other Media

Film

The Lord of the Rings Series

Faramir appears in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings series of movies, making his first appearance in the second movie in the series, The Two Towers. His role in the film is significantly altered compared to the books, due to the necessity of creating a new climax for the film.

In the film version, he has a difficult time resisting the temptation of the Ring, and holds Frodo and Sam for some time. He also appears in The Return of the King. He is portrayed by David Wenham.

Literature

The Lord of the Rings Series

Faramir was originally created for the Lord of the Rings series of books. He has appeared in two books in the main series, as well as in supplemental materials.

Radio

The Lord of the Rings

Faramir appears in the 1981 BBC Radio adaptation of the Lord of the Rings series. He is portrayed by Andrew Seear.

Video Games

The Return of the King

Faramir appears as a bonus playable character.

The Battle for Middle Earth I, II

Faramir appears as a playable character.

The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age

Faramir makes a cameo appearance at the Osgiliath level.

The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar

Faramir appears as a character and plays an important role in the game.

The Lord of the Rings: Conquest

Faramir appears as a playable character in the Osgiliath level.