LOTR: What Fatal Characteristic Do Boromir & Faramir Share?

gamerant.com:

Throughout the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, there are lots of examples of different family dynamics, some of which are supporting and caring, and some of which are definitely not. The latter of these types can often be seen in relationships between fathers and sons; for example, that of the disapproving and proud Thranduil with Legolas, and the broken line between Thorin and his father Thrain. Often in his works, Tolkien explores the concept of how the faults of the father leave a lasting impact on the lives of the son. This may be the result of the father’s absence entirely, or the father’s hubris and greed that is passed down.

The most prominent example of father-son dynamics in Tolkein's works is the problematic relationship between Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, and his sons Boromir and Faramir. Each of the sons has a very different connection to their father, and both are complex in different ways. As three individual characters, Denethor, Boromir and Faramir all have a lot in common in terms of their nobility, their perseverance, and their unwillingness to ask for help even when they clearly need it. But beyond that, there’s one particular trait that Denethor's two sons have — one that turns out to be the most dangerous thing in both of their lives. Boromir and Faramir share one fatal flaw: their desperation to prove themselves to their father.

LOTR: Why Does Denethor Detest Faramir So Much?

For Boromir, this thirst to prove himself is wrapped up in always being the one that his father turns to. In many ways, Denethor’s approval of Boromir is as much of a curse as his disdain for Faramir, because it means that Boromir is has the weight of his fathers expectations to carry. Denethor demands so much of his