Why Denethor Hated Aragorn and How Jealousy Led to His Fall

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It’s relatively simple to rephrase why Denethor, the temporary ruler of Gondor in the absence of the king in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” might harbor animosity towards Aragorn. After all, Aragorn was the rightful heir to the throne and could have usurped Denethor’s position at any time. To make matters worse, Aragorn belonged to the Fellowship that, in a roundabout way, resulted in Boromir’s death, Denethor’s beloved son. However, what if there was more to it? A long-standing jealousy or feelings of resentment that predated the events of the Fellowship and the revelation of Aragorn’s true lineage?

As a film enthusiast, I find it undeniable that Denethor II, the son of Ecthelion II and Steward of Gondor in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” is among the saddest characters portrayed. Although Peter Jackson’s trilogy only depicted the tragic demise of this once noble figure, Tolkien paints a more compassionate picture of Denethor in his writings. In Appendix A of “The Lord of the Rings,” Tolkien reveals the heartbreaking tale of how a wise and promising young heir-apparent to Gondor’s Stewardship was transformed into the tormented, fearful, and despairing character we see in “The Return of the King.

Why Does Denethor Hate Aragorn?

Denethor harbors a resentment towards Aragorn that mirrors Faramir’s potential disdain for Boromir, as the latter was Denethor’s father’s favored son. Intriguingly, this long-standing animosity can be traced back to Denethor’s grandfather, Ecthelion. When Denethor’s great-grandfather served as Steward of Gondor, Sauron returned to Mordor after a temporary exile from Dol Guldur. Therefore, when Denethor’s father, Ecthelion II, became the Steward, he was tasked with reinforcing the realm against any threats from Mordor. A shrewd leader like Ecthelion appealed to all who were willing to serve the kingdom, and those who excelled were handsomely rewarded with promotions. One such distinguished officer was Captain Thorongil, who enjoyed immense favor from Ecthelion.

In Gondor, people held high regard for a man known as ‘Thorongil’, or ‘Eagle of the Star’. This name reflected his sharp-eyed vigilance, swift understanding, and a cloak bearing the northern rangers’ silver star. His origins and true identity were unknown to all but that he had once served King Thengel of Rohan (father of King Théoden). Despite this mystery, through his heroic deeds and wise counsel, Thorongil gained favor with the steward swiftly. Tragically, following a daring assault against the Umbar Corsairs where he sunk their ships and safeguarded Gondor, Thorongil opted not to return to Minas Tirith and vanished from his post permanently.

In a different guise, Aragorn was known as Thorongil. While serving in Gondor, he recognized that he wasn’t quite prepared to seize the throne at that time, even though his reputation could have allowed him to do so after Ecthelion’s passing. Interestingly, Ecthelion held Thorongil in higher regard than his own son, Denethor. Aragorn opted to steer clear of Gondor’s political machinations and departed before Denethor took up the stewardship.

In a different light, Denethor, as portrayed in ‘The Lord of the Rings’, was not inherently bitter. He shared many qualities with Thorongil, such as strength of will, wisdom, foresight, regal appearance, and pride. However, when his father valued the enigmatic captain from nowhere over him, Denethor’s jealousy towards Thorongil began to fester. This was particularly evident in his suspicion towards the captain’s counsel to his father not to trust Saruman but instead welcome Gandalf. Reflecting on this, it is speculated that had Denethor looked closer, he might have discovered that Thorongil was Aragorn, son of Arathorn, the true heir to Isildur and the rightful king of Gondor. And he harbored a belief that Aragorn and Gandalf were conspiring against him to usurp his position.

Denethor’s Pride and Jealousy Destroyed Him

In “The Lord of the Rings,” Denethor embodies the destructive power of pride that leads to ruin, akin to Saruman the White. Their pride and envy ultimately contributed to their downfall. Both characters became entangled with the palantíri, but while Saruman succumbed to Sauron’s corruption, Denethor, as the Steward of Gondor, was able to resist due to his stronger will. However, Sauron was still able to reveal a dismal future for Gondor under Denethor’s stewardship, intensifying his paranoia and dread. When the idea of being replaced by Aragorn became overwhelming, he rejected Gandalf’s advice following the death of his cherished son, Boromir.

The lingering sense of inadequacy stemming from his father’s behavior towards him, Denethor transmitted to his sons. His affection for his wife, Finduilas, ran deep, and her premature death worsened his condition, leading him to seclude himself within his tower, possibly engrossed by the crystal ball. He admired his eldest son Boromir greatly, seeing in him all his virtues, while disregarding his younger son Faramir, who bore a resemblance to their father but didn’t share Denethor’s enthusiasm for war without purpose. In the end, Boromir perished, Denethor met a fiery fate, and it was Faramir who emerged victorious in the War of the Ring, eventually being named Prince of Ithilien by Aragorn after he ascended to the throne as King Elessar.

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2025-06-01 18:04