Editing Denethor (section)

=== Denethor vs Théoden ===

{{further|Feudal allegiance in The Lord of the Rings}}

The Tolkien scholar [[Jane Chance]] contrasts Denethor both with another "Germanic king", [[Théoden]], and with the "true king" of Gondor, Aragorn. In Chance's view, Theoden represents good, Denethor evil; she notes that their names are almost [[anagram]]s, and that where Theoden welcomes the Hobbit [[Merry Brandybuck]] into his service with loving friendship, Denethor accepts Merry's friend [[Pippin Took]] with a harsh contract of [[fealty]]. Chance writes that Tolkien further sets both Theoden and Denethor against the "Christian lord" Aragorn. In her opinion, Denethor "fails as a father, a master, a steward, and a rational man," giving in to despair, whereas Aragorn is brave in battle and gentle with his people, and has the Christlike attribute of healing.{{sfn|Chance|1980|pages=119-122}}

Shippey makes the same comparison, extending it to numerous elements of the two Men's stories, writing that Théoden lives by a theory of Northern courage, and dies through Denethor's despair.{{sfn|Shippey|2005|pp=136–137, 177–178, 187}}{{sfn|Shippey|2001|pp=50–52, 96}}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|+ Tom Shippey's analysis of symmetry in the tales of [[Théoden]] and Denethor{{sfn|Shippey|2001|pp=50–52, 96}}
|-
! Story element !! [[Théoden]], King of Rohan !! Denethor, Steward of Gondor
|-
| Subgroup meets a helpful stranger || [[Aragorn]], [[Gimli (Middle-earth)|Gimli]] and [[Legolas]] meet [[Éomer]] || Frodo and Sam meet [[Faramir]] 
|-
| Subgroup leader confronts the stranger || Aragorn defies Éomer || Frodo hides his quest from Faramir
|-
| Stranger decides to help the group, against their superior's wishes || Éomer lends horses || Faramir lets Frodo and Sam go
|-
| Leader is an old man who has lost a son || Théodred died in battle || [[Boromir]] died saving the [[Hobbit]]s
|-
| Leader sees other heir as "doubtful replacement" || Éomer is a nephew || Faramir is scholarly, not warlike
|-
| Leader dies at time of [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] || Théoden dies in battle || Denethor commits suicide during battle  
|-
| Leader's hall is described in detail || [[Meduseld]], the "golden hall" || The stone hall in [[Minas Tirith]]
|-
| [[Feudal allegiance in The Lord of the Rings|A Hobbit swears allegiance to leader]] || [[Merry Brandybuck|Merry]] joins the [[Riders of Rohan]] || [[Pippin Took|Pippin]] becomes a palace guard of Gondor
|}