I just had a sudden revelation a moment ago, that Faramir and Boromir are comparable with Jacob and Esau in the Bible. I don't know why I never thought of this before!
Boromir/ Esau-
the warrior, the tough guy, his father's favorite, the heir, the hope of his people, reckless, easily succumbs to temptation
Faramir/ Jacob-
the supposed weakling, his mother's favorite, the scholar, the 'shy' one, wise and prudent
"Esau was a ruddy hunter, while Jacob was a gentle man who "dwelled in tents," interpreted by many biblical commentators as a mark of his studiousness and reserved personality." -Wikipedia
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But then of course, Jacob turned out to be a liar and he deceived his father and his brother, and tricked his way into a birthright. Faramir was impervious to temptation, and loved his brother too well to wish to replace him. But other than that, I think it's a very solid likeness.
Anyone have any other thoughts on this? Or maybe some other comparison between a LOTR character and a Bible character ?
Maybe we could say that Eowyn resembles Esther?