In J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy epic, The Lord of the Rings, there are many hidden elements of Tolkien’s Catholic faith. One of these, I believe is Boromir’s confession to Aragorn about trying to take the ring away from Frodo, the designated “ring bearer” in the first book of The Two Towers. The scene seems to me to be extremely similar to the sacrament of reconciliation.
Now, there are three things necessary for one to receive absolution from the priest in the sacrament of reconciliation. First, the penitent must be sorry for their sins, they must have contrition. Second, they must admit to their sins, they must confess them. Third and finally, they must make satisfaction for their sins. They must make amends, or expiation. I would now like to show how Boromir does indeed fulfill all of these requirements, and acts as the penitent.
First, when Aragorn comes upon Boromir lying against a tree, Boromir begins by saying “’I tried to take the ring from Frodo…’” (Tolkien 404) Here we see the confession of his sin. Moments earlier, he had been puffed up with pride with the thought of himself wielding the the Ring of Power against his foes: “’What could not a great warrior do in this hour, a great leader? What could not Aragorn do? Or if he refuses, why not Boromir? The Ring would give me power of Command. How I would drive the hosts of Mordor, and all men would flock to my banner!’” (Tolkien 389) Now he lies dying from his wounds, and comes to the reality that he has sinned gravely by trying to take the Ring from Frodo. In the confessional, we begin the same way by stating our sins in kind and number to the priest.
Second, after his confession, he says rather plain and simply, “‘I am sorry.’” (Tolkien 404) Here is his contrition. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines contrition as “sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again.” (CCC 1451) In the confessional, the priest asks one to make an act of contrition, thus stating openly their sorrow for their sin.
Third, and finally, Boromir comes to the realization that he has in fact made satisfaction for his sins. Boromir states “’ I have paid.’” (Tolkien 404) Ralph C. Wood aptly points out that, “…Aragorn absolves the dying hero by emphasizing the real penance Boromir has performed in fighting evil to the end, even when no one was present to witness his deed.” (Wood 155) Boromir died defending his friends Merry and Pippin. The Gospel teaches us that: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (RSV John 15:13) Boromir has been transformed from a selfish power hungry man into a selfless warrior. In the confessional the priest will issue some type of penance, in Boromir’s case, he has already made expiation, by giving his life.
Thinking he will not be forgiven he tells Aragorn that he has failed. But Aragorn, a Christ figure, acts as the priest, in persona Christi, and forgives him by saying, “’No!’ [Then] taking his hand and kissing his brow. ‘You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace!‘” (Tolkien 404) At the end of the sacrament of reconciliation, the priest will say “I absolve you of your sins, in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. Go in peace.” The victory of which Aragorn speaks is that of recognition of sin, and prevailing over further sin. Had Boromir taken the Ring of Power, who knows what could have happened? He could have committed worse crimes.
Thus, although Tolkien may not have intended Boromir’s confession to reflect the sacrament of reconciliation, he has given us a great example. In the history of the Church, some of the worst sinners have become the greatest of saints. Boromir is an example that no matter how sinful someone is, there is always hope.
Joseph Tuttle
Joseph Tuttle is a Catholic writer and author. His essays, articles, book reviews, and poetry have been published with or are forthcoming with Word on Fire Blog, Aleteia, Catholic World Report, Adoremus Bulletin, The University Bookman, The St. Austin Review, Homiletic and Pastoral Review, New Oxford Review, Voyage Comics Blog, and Missio Dei. He is the author, editor, or contributing author of numerous books including An Hour With Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (Liguori, 2021), Tolkien and Faith: Essays on Christian truth in Middle-Earth (Voyage Comics, 2021), and The Christbearer (Voyage Comics, 2023) He graduated cum laude from Benedictine College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Catholic Philosophical Studies at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology.