MBTI: Boromir- ESTJ
With The Hobbit coming in out in just over a week, I figured I might as well squeeze in a couple more Tolkien characters just for good measure. Notice I said “Tolkien” and not “The Hobbit.” Take note to my specificity, nerds!
There are certain traits that stick to me more than others when elaborating on types and the characters that go with them. Not necessarily stereotypes, but just about indisputable characteristics. For ESFPs, it’s having a good time and pissing people off. For INFPs, it’s being moody and creative. For ESTJs, it’s all about tradition…and their near psychotic bi-polarized demeanor.
Boromir fits this nicely, especially with the help of the ring.
“KING OF THE CASTLE! WEEEE!!!”
One of the most defining aspects of Boromir is his willingness to lead; something that seems to come naturally in his family as his father Denethor was the steward of Gondor during the War of the Ring. ESTJs are nothing if not leaders, though not necessarily good ones. It all depends on the individual of course. But good or bad, there’s something in the ESTJ that just says “I was born to tell these people what to do.”
Oh that’s right- Te.
We know what Te does and when you’re got it as your first function, expect those people to be forceful and controlling. Not all of them in the sense that you don’t like them or they don’t understand boundaries- it’s just that it’s only natural for them to have their belief and feel the need to implement it wherever they go. This is shown with Boromir in his desire not to destroy the ring but to turn it into a weapon against the enemies that created it.
“Seriously, guys, jus- no I just wan- Can I- ARRRRGH”
It’s explained to him that it doesn’t work that way, but as a dominant TeSi user, Boromir doesn’t know what he wasn’t taught. Why did he want the ring in the first place? His father sent him to get it. ESTJs aren’t necessarily going to listen to authority figures “just cuz” but they do place certain emphasis on the people they consider to be the most important. Sound redundant? Well, it’s not.
While other types will also place importance in certain people in their life; family members, significant others, etc., ESTJs and Guardians put them on a pedestal- don’t question them for they are untouchable and their word is solid. Everyone else can falter and sin but not the one they’ve decided on as authority.
The ESTJ or Guardian without an authority figure in their life you may notice as a bit of a wandering soul. Maybe even a mess. Not because they need somebody breathing down their neck 24/7 but because they don’t consider anyone particular source of information or values of particular importance; something that seems highly important to those with high Si.
Do YOU have a Denethor in YOUR life?
But while Big Daddy Denethor clearly favored Boromir over his second son Faramir, Boromir didn’t forget his little brother and became something of a second father to him (no homo), once again fulfilling the ESTJ role of Big Brother- for better and worse.
Boromir was never fully satisfied with his father as the steward of Gondor never having full control but only being a substitute king. While it isn’t explicitly written I can’t help but think that if Boromir were steward, he would accept his role- but with his father in the place of a second-tier, he wouldn’t fully be at peace with that. Remember, ESTJs and their pedestal people.
Look at that face. Frodo isn’t a pedestal person.
What people seem to remember most about Boromir (at least the fans of the film) is his quickness to turn into another lackey of the one ring’s temptation. While initially hoping to get everyone in on his plan to use the ring as a weapon, during the course of Fellowship, the ring eventually proves too much for Boromir to bare and he attacks Frodo in an effort to just take the ring.
ESTJs aren’t strictly jerks but they do have a tendency to go from hot and cold in a second’s notice. We’ve been over it and Boromir is no exception. From one of the Fellowship’s leaders and noble “Captain of the White Tower,” Boromir is reduced to a frustrated mess, desperately clinging to the idea that he needs to the ring….yet he comes back from his fit of despondence to help fight off the Orc attack and allow Frodo time to escape.
“I NEED A HERO! I’M HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO TIL THE END OF THE NIGHT!…”
Tolkien was noted to have written many leader characters that didn’t practice what they initially preached and Boromir is, at times, a case of this. Boromir’s side of the story is one that anyone could learn from, about the responsibility of leadership and how important it is to uphold a certain standard, but ESTJs, born leaders, should pay especial attention to the character.
Also, here’s this if you haven’t seen it-
Zombies Ruin Everything 
Discuss!