How are Boromir and Macbeth corrupted by power? Does their ambition to become stronger create their downfall?
In the books, The Fellowship of the Ring and Macbeth corruption of power is a common theme. The two characters Boromir and Macbeth are a key example of this. When they were gifted a chance to become stronger, they took it. Macbeth decided to throw away all sense of loyalty towards his king to gain power. Boromir believed that the Ring would help save Gondor from enemy forces, but later in the book it seems his want for the ring has become more vicious. In Act 1 of Macbeth, Macbeth shows his need for the throne, and following in the last acts, this creates his downfall. Additionally, in chapter 2 of the second book of The Fellowship of the Ring, Boromir tells the Council that he believes the Ring would be best suited in Gondor. In chapter 10 of the book, Boromir has been consumed by the Ring, his thoughts are no longer his, and the Ring is acting for him.
In The Fellowship of the Ring, Boromir is a respectable character, but later is entranced by the spell of the Ring, he is corrupted by the power it offers. As well, in Macbeth, Macbeth is a respectable loyal knight to Scotland; yet with the witches' prophecy, evil thoughts of greater power come rushing in. On his journey back home from battle against the Irish, Macbeth has his first encounter with the Weird Sisters. They tell him stories of the future that have yet to come and the title that he will achieve. Macbeth becomes enchanted by the tale they tell him and is filled with the desire to know more. “Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more.” (1, 3, 71) This is the line that led Macbeth to his doom: he was caught in the Witches' spell of future power. Boromir also became enthralled by an uncertain tale, a tale of the One Ring. Upon seeing this ‘Ring to rule them all’ “Boromir’s eyes glinted as he gazed at the golden thing.” (Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 322) In a matter of seconds, he had become the Ring’s next victim and would continue to fall under its spell. The use of alliteration in this quotation shows his focus on the Ring; however, the limited narration does not tell the reader what he is truly thinking; it is not until later in the book that his intentions are revealed. Although, Macbeth in Act 1, scene 4, constantly speaks to himself with an (aside) to not let his true ambitions show; throughout Macbeth, the reader knows all that Macbeth feels and acts. The use of asides shows that he must keep the appearance of a loyal knight to not raise any suspicion as to what he might be planning. Shakespeare, who experienced many assassination attempts against the monarchy; knew that people hide their true intentions under an innocent appearance to not raise suspicion towards their king. But Tolkien, having fought in the war, knew that good people could turn evil when tempted under harsh conditions.
Later in the books Macbeth and The Fellowship of the Ring, both the characters Macbeth and Boromir realize that they have been corrupted by malicious ambition for power. In an attempt to salvage their dying pride, in their last battles, they fight to their deaths. In the last scenes of Macbeth, Malcolm's army has cornered Macbeth and he has no escape, but Macbeth does not lose hope. He will take up his sword and fend off the enemy. However, he now knows that he was tricked by the Witches’ stories. “I pull in resolution and begin to doubt th’ equivocation of the fiend that lies like truth.” (5, 5, 41-43) The Weird Sisters twisted their tales to become unbelievable realities, and Macbeth fell for it. He refers to the lies he was told as “the fiend that lies like truth.” This smile tells the reader that power leads humans to do crazed things. Boromir has also become upset with the fact that Frodo was chosen as the Ring Bearer, and not him.
If any mortals have claim to the Ring, it is the men of Númenor, and not Halflings. It is not yours save by unhappy chance. It might have been mine. It should be mine. Give it to me!” (Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 520)
Boromir becomes aggressive with Frodo and disagrees with the choice the Council made, but he is only proving them right. As well, he uses repetition in this quotation: “It might have been mine. It should be mine.” Boromir without even having touched the Ring, is heavily corrupted by its evil power. The omniscient narration in this chapter shows his true feelings towards the ring have now finally been revealed. He wants the Ring for himself under the disguise he would use it for good. In an attempt to save themselves from a dishonourable end, they realize their fatal flaw, ambition. “Though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane, and thou opposed, being of no woman born, yet I will try the last.” (5, 8, 30-32) He has finally seen through the Witches' lies and will give his all in the upcoming battle. He will take up his sword one last time and fight to his death to defend himself, one last time. Boromir does the same, he betrays Frodo’s trust, but he will not that be the last thing he does for Frodo. In a great attempt to fend off the orcs following the Ring, he is injured in battle. He slowly takes his last breath and says to Aragron, ‘Farewell, Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed.’ (Boromir Character Analysis) He took up his sword one last time and lived his last moments as a brave knight. He realized his fatal flaw. For both Shakespeare and Tolkien, the constant changing of society greatly affected them. During Shakespeare's time, there was a constant change in the monarchy and not a stable day went by. As well for Tolkien, with the industrialization of society, there was always protesting and rebuttal from England.
Macbeth and Boromir were weak when they were offered more power. In Macbeth’s case, it was to become king, for Boromir it was to protect his people. The need they both felt to have power consumed them and resulted in their downfall and later, their death.
Works Cited
“Boromir | The One Wiki to Rule Them All | Fandom.” The One Wiki to Rule Them All, https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Boromir. Accessed 6 November 2023.
The Fellowship of the Ring. 1991.
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth (No Fear Shakespeare). Spark, 2003.
“Macbeth: Genre.” SparkNotes, https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/genre/. Accessed 8 November 2023.
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