Middle-Earth Tours

Tour 1: The People of Middle-Earth

Denethor
At the foot of the dais, upon the lowest step which was broad and deep, there was a stone chair, black and unadorned, and on it sat an old man gazing at his lap. In his hand was a white rod with a golden knob. He did not look up. Solemnly they paced the long floor towards him, until they stood three paces from his footstool....
     Then the old man looked up. Pippin saw his carven face with its proud bones and skin like ivory, and the long curved nose between the deep dark eyes; and he was reminded not so much of Boromir as of Aragorn. --RotK, "Minas Tirith"

He is not as other men of this time, Pippin, and whatever be his descent from father to son, by some chance the blood of Westernesse runs nearly true in him; as it does in his other son, Faramir, and yet did not in Boromir whom he loved best. He has long sight. He can perceive, if he bends his will thither, much of what is passing in the minds of men, even of those that dwell far of. It is difficult to deceive him, and dangerous to try. --Gandalf describes Denethor in RotK, "Minas Tirith"


Gandalf and Pippin Meet
Denethor, by Alan Lee


Denethor's Wrath, by
Anke-Katrin Eiszmann		 I know you [meaning Gandalf] well. Ever your desire is to appear lordly and generous as a king of old, gracious, gentle....But in desperate hours gentleness may be repaid with death.'
    'So be it,' said Faramir.
    'So be it!' cried Denethor. 'But not with your death only, Lord Faramir: with the death also of your father, and of all your people, whom it is your part to protect now that Boromir is gone.'
    'Do you wish, then,' said Faramir, 'that our places had been exchanged?'
    'Yes, I wish that indeed,' said Denethor. -RotK, "The Siege of Gondor"

Your Son Has Returned, Lord...
by Anke-Katrin Eiszmann

The Prince Imrahil brought Faramir to the White Tower, and he said: 'Your son has returned, lord, after great deeds,' and he told all that he had seen. But Denethor rose and looked on the face of his son and was silent. --RotK, "The Siege of Gondor"

The Pyre of Denethor, by
Robert Chronister		 Then Denethor leaped upon the table, and standing there wreathed in fire and smoke he took up the staff of his stewarship that lay at his feet and broke it on his knee. Casting the pieces into the blaze he bowed and laid himself on the table, clasping the palantír with both hands upon his breast. And it was said that ever after, if any man looked in that Stone, unless he had a great strength of will to turn it to other purpose, he saw only two aged hands withering in flame.
     Gandalf in grief and horror turned his face away and closed the door. For awhile he stood lost in thought, silent upon the threshhold, while those outside heard the greedy roaring of the fire within. And then Denethor gave a great cry, and afterwards spoke no more, nor was ever again seen by mortal men. --RotK, "The Pyre of Denethor"

Denethor, by John Howe (from his website)		 I promise that as soon as I get a better picture of the Pyre of Denethor, Robert Chronister's demented Santa will disappear. In the meantime, enjoy some nice "head shots" from better sources.

John Noble as Denethor, from
the official LotR movie site
Denethor, by Dan Govar
Much more must be risked in war,' said Denethor. 'Cair Andros is manned, and no more can be sent so far. But I will not yield the River and the Pelennor unfought - not if there is a captain here who has still the courage to do his lord's will.'
     Then all were silent. But at length Faramir said: 'I do not oppose your will, sire. Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will go and do what I can in his stead - if you command it.'
     'I do so,' said Denethor.'
     'Then farewell!' said Faramir. 'But if I should return, think better of me!'
     'That depends on the manner of your return,' said Denethor.
     Gandalf it was that last spoke to Faramir ere he road east. 'Do not throw your life away rashly on bitterness,' he said. 'You will be needed here, for other things than war. Your father loves you, Faramir, and will remember it ere the end. Farewell!' --RotK, "The Siege of Gondor"
calendar image courtesy of Elbakin


For more on Denthor, visit the Gondor section
Full-size versions of these pictures are on display at Rolozo Tolkien, the official LotR movie site, There and Back Again, and theonering.net.