Stewardship In The Return Of The King

“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined” (The Holy Bible ESV, Titus1-7). The influence of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Roman Catholic faith is evident in “The Return of the King” through the descriptions and roles of the stewards. Gandalf, Faramir, and Denethor are the three main characters that Tolkien uses to describe stewardship and the effects of different leadership characteristics. While Gandalf and Faramir emanate the values of good stewardship through altruism and wisdom, Denethor contrasts them through his lust for power and inability to resist the temptation

This is best illustrated by the description of Pippin’s reaction upon first seeing Faramir. “Here was one with an air of high nobility such as Aragorn at times revealed, less high perhaps, yet also less incalculable and remote: one of the Kings of Men born into a later time, but touched with the wisdom and sadness of the Elder Race…He was a captain that men would follow, that he [Pippin] would follow, even under the shadow of the black wings” (792). Good stewards lead by example, and Faramir is no exception. His wisdom and manner in which he carries himself are that of a good leader. He displays humility upon meeting Aragorn. After Aragorn heals him, Faramir says, “’My lord, you called me. I come. What does the king command?’” (848). Faramir has waited in line to take over the stewardship of Gondor that his father Denethor held before him. The Ring overpowered his brother Boromir because of his lust for power, but Faramir displays humility and an understanding that the power is not truly his. Like a good steward, Faramir recognizes that a steward only holds the power in the absence of the true leader. Faramir understands that the power truly belongs to Aragorn , the heir of Insildur, and accepts

Denethor is concerned with his own power. He proclaims, “’And to him there is no purpose higher in the world as it now stands than the good of Gondor; and the rule of Gondor, my lord, is mine and no other man’s, unless the king should come again” (741). Denethor’s greed turned to paranoia and he accuses Gandalf of seeking his throne. “’Do I not know thee, Mithrandir? Thy hope is to rule in my stead, to stand behind every throne, north, or west”’ (835). His paranoia stemmed from possession of the palantir, He will not relinquish his throne at free will even when Gandalf says “’…a Steward who faithfully surrenders his charge is diminished in love or in honour”’ (836). Denethor’s suicide displays the greatest contrast to Gandalf’s sacrifice at Moria. Whereas Gandalf gave his own life in pursuit of a free world of the creatures of Middle-earth, Denethor took his own when his power was