There were a few reasons underlying Denethor’s distaste for Faramir in The Lord of the Rings. J.R.R. Tolkien’s seminal novel was released in three parts between 1954 and 1955, with each of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies adapting a part. Faramir and Denethor II were two of the most unfaithful characters in the movies, but they were masterpieces unto themselves. The characters are high fantasy legends, and digging deeper into Tolkien’s lore explains a lot about them and their motivations, which weren’t always totally clear in the cinematic franchise.

Faramir is one of the best characters in Lord of the Rings, so it was difficult to see him get the villain treatment in The Two Towers. Faramir was a hero from the start in the book but presented in a villainous light in the movie at first, stopping Frodo on his mission. Denethor was a just leader and bad father in the books, but not as abusive as he was in the movie. Although a stretch, Denethor’s cruelty helped reverse the effects of the changes to Faramir’s character, making him more sympathetic. It can be traced back to Faramir’s mother.

Denethor’s Hatred Dates Back To Faramir’s Childhood

Denethor May Have Started Mistreating Faramir When He Was Young

Faramir’s mother died shortly after giving birth to him, which may have led Denethor to blame him for her death. This probably set off the maltreatment that pervaded The Lord of the Rings movies and, less dramatically, the novel. Denethor married Finduilas, who was named after a beautiful Elf of First Age renown. They were happy together, but Finduilas moved to Gondor from her home by the sea and was soon homesick and disturbed by her proximity to Mordor and its advancing power. The sister of Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth, Finduilas was a key absence in LotR.

Finduilas gave birth to Boromir in the year 2978 of the Third Age and had Faramir five years later in 2983. As the younger son, Faramir experienced an already-tired mother who grew weak after his birth. Denethor ignored Faramir and became Steward of Gondor a year after his birth, which likely led to him becoming more estranged from his son. Four years later, Finduilas died in 2988 at 38, which was young considering her Dúnedain heritage. Of all of Lord of the Rings’ types of Men, Dúnedain had the longest lifespans. Denethor likely held Faramir responsible for her death, albeit subconsciously.

Denethor Thought Faramir Was Weak Compared To Boromir

Denethor Did Not Relate To Faramir How He Related To Boromir

Denethor did not relate to Faramir the way he related to his other son, and perceived him as weaker than Boromir. Denethor was guilty of perpetuating the problematic social expectations of his time, which reflected the medieval era, although these atтιтudes are often still in effect today. Boromir was a born fighter, enthusiastic about military strategy and leadership, and somewhat bullish in his approach. These were traditionally masculine traits that Denethor valued greatly. Meanwhile, Faramir was a lover of lore and music and had more gentle methods. He said it best himself:

I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.

Faramir’s tendency to gentleness was less favorable to Denethor and less in line with his own thinking. This preference was proven to be misguided throughout Lord of the Rings. While Boromir had his own strengths, Faramir’s cautious strategy often worked better than Boromir’s bullish one – Boromir was sometimes guided by the temptation of the One Ring, and power itself. Faramir was a more calm, balanced, rational, and selfless leader. And yet, Boromir got all the credit, even to the point of being the one in the Fellowship of the Ring, when that should have been Faramir.

Denethor Didn’t Trust Faramir’s Relationship With Gandalf

Denethor Was Suspicious Of Gandalf In Lord Of The Rings

Denethor was misrepresented by The Lord of the Rings movies, but they did correctly suggest his distrust of Gandalf, which didn’t help his relationship with Faramir. Gandalf was known as the Grey Pilgrim, a wanderer of Middle-earth. Gandalf was sent on his travels by the Valar to ensure Sauron did not get too powerful, for the greater good of Middle-earth. On his travels, Gandalf pᴀssed through Gondor and connected with Faramir and Boromir. Faramir, in particular, was enthralled by Gandalf’s teachings. Denethor even came to know him as the “Wizard’s pupil,” though he meant it as an insult.

The Lord of the Rings movies changed Faramir a lot but still captured his personality, overall. Indeed, Faramir was influenced by Gandalf and loved him, and Denethor was suspicious of them both because of it. Denethor suspected Thorongil – Aragorn, using another name – of seeking to supplant him. And he suspected Gandalf of supporting him, knowing they were allied. Denethor was right, but not for the reasons he thought. Thorongil was adored by Denethor’s father due to his contributions to the realm. Meanwhile, Aragorn was the king that Gondor’s stewards had actually been waiting for.

Denethor’s Hatred Of Faramir Was Part Of His Undoing

Denethor’s Unresolved Relationship With His Son Got Him Killed

Denethor met his end finally overcome by grief and despair, killing himself after believing his son past saving. Having lost Boromir, Faramir was Denethor’s only remaining son by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King movie. So, he was devastated when Faramir was returned to him seriously wounded, even though this was the result of his own delusional orders. Denethor made to burn Faramir and himself on a pyre, believing Faramir was ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. When Pippin confirmed that Faramir was breathing, Denethor’s frenzy was too heightened for it to matter.

Sauron eroded Denethor’s mental health via one of Lord of the Rings’ palantír. By the time of Faramir’s injury, Denethor had lost hope to the extent that Faramir’s death was only a matter of time to him. If it wasn’t to happen because of the injury, it would happen imminently, when Sauron’s forces invaded. Faramir and Denethor got off on the wrong foot, both subject to the intense pressures of being in a ruling family. But Denethor was the caregiver, and his refusal to take accountability for his son led to his death in The Lord of the Rings.