I have always loved the nuance of Tolkien's perspective on people, their place in the world, and how it relates to things like love and war. This quote is an excellent summation of this more enlightened understanding that life is not so much about "good" and "evil" but each person fighting for what they believe is right:

“The enemy? His sense of duty was no less than yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is, where he came from. And if he was really evil at heart. What lies or threats led him on this long march from home. If he would not rather have stayed there in peace. War will make corpses of us all.”

Well yeah, Faramir in the lotr was this sort of catalyst for Tolkien's view of the world, one which wasn't quite as simple as a hobbit but not as powerful as Gandalf. I like that passage a lot.

"Then who would you take up with? asked Strider. A fat inkeeper who only remembers his name because people shout it at him all day?"

Strider, Strider, Fellowship of the Ring

classic .... as you can probably tell im re (re, re, re etc.) reading the fellowship so im re discovering some of my favourite passages

"...... So! With the left hand thou wouldst use me for a little while as a shield against Mordor, and with the right bring up this Ranger of the North to supplant me,

'But I say to thee, Gandalf Mithrandir, I will not be thy tool! I am Steward of the House of Anarion. I will not step down to be the dotard chamberlain of an upstart. Even were his claim proved to me, still he comes but of the line of Isildur. I will not bow to such a one, last of a ragged house long bereft of lordship and dignity."

...

"I would have things as they were in all the days of my life... and the days of my longfathers before me: to be the Lord of this City in peace, and leave my chair to a song after me, who would be his own master and no wizard's pupil. But if doom denies this to be, then I would have naught: neither life dimished, nor love halved, nor honour abated."

- Denethor, The Pyre of Denethor.

One of the passages I think that defines Denethor's characteristics.

He's not corrupted or greedy for power; he just wants what is rightfully his.

Even in his last deteriating moments, he sees the truth in matters, present and future.

Gandalf had been working to put Aragorn on throne of Gondor for decades.

Isildur's line has no claim on throne of Gondor, as proven before when King Arvedui of Arnor tried to claim Kingship of Gondor.

During rein of King Elessar, Steward Faramir was removed from Minas Tirith to Emyn Arnen, where he was to rule Ithilien.

Shame on Aragorn for taking the easy way of usurping the Southern Kingdom instead of reuniting the Northern Kingdom.

Shame on Gandalf for helping heir of Isildur's usurp the throne of Gondor, instead of helping its rightful ruler without second agenda.

i think the moment Earnur was lost in minas morgul....foolish though it was, the next king to come to either kingdom, north or south, had the right to rule both. the stewards were there for that reason and that reason only, to rule until the time came. remember that ultimatly, both kingdoms were decended from the same line...very far back.

infact that oath the stewards took was to 'hold rod and rule in the name of the king, until he shall return'

rich

have you read the Unfinished Tales? if not i think you would like it as it is filled with those types of 'backstories' similar to what you quoted

rich

I do not since I do not own it. I own the Hobbit and LOTR but not any of the others. I've got by reading tons of Wikipedia. Does sound very interesting though. I should see if it's at a library. Besides, it has Khamul in it (only very short bit though)

have you read the Unfinished Tales? if not i think you would like it as it is filled with those types of 'backstories' similar to what you quoted

rich

I do not since I do not own it. I own the Hobbit and LOTR but not any of the others. I've got by reading tons of Wikipedia. Does sound very interesting though. I should see if it's at a library. Besides, it has Khamul in it (only very short bit though)

do so, and the history series if you feel up to some heavier research . my favourite is the meeting between gandalf and thorin in bree.

rich