Denethor

Denethor was Steward of Gondor during the War of the Ring, and the father of Boromir and Faramir.

Bookverse
In the book, Denethor is portrayed as strong-willed, stern, powerful, proud and intelligent. Gandalf warned Pippin that "It is difficult to deceive him, and dangerous to try". He looks old, but it is said that he was aged before his time through mental battles with Sauron. He seems cold, but does have a sense of humour that shows from time to time. He is also clearly devoted to Gondor, but also jealous of the love of his sons and people; this made him especially suspicious of Gandalf, who he suspected of simply using him as a shield while bringing in someone else to supplant him. Denethor was capable of making decisions and leading Gondor for most of the War, only losing control at the end due to despair caused by visions in the Palantir as well as the death of Boromir and the wounding of Faramir.

He showed obvious favouritism towards Boromir, in part because he believed he could trust him more as Faramir was very close to Gandalf. However, he was obviously distressed at Faramir's near-fatal injury and regretted sending him "unthanked, unblessed, out into needless peril". He insisted on staying by Faramir's bed in case he said anything before he died, and when Faramir called out for him he wept and looked on him with longing, showing that he did indeed love him.

Denethor was angry with Faramir for not bringing the Ring back to Minas Tirirth after meeting Frodo in Ithilien, and said that Gandalf was a fool for sending it away. He believed that the Ring would be safest in the vaults of Minas Tirith, unused, and trusted himself to stand the test of having and not using it, "unless at the uttermost end of need", but he acknowledged that to use it was perilous. He quickly accepted, however, that nothing more could be done.

Over the years, possibly beginning with the early death of his wife Finduilas, Denethor secretly used a Palantir. Sauron was aware of this and was able to control what Denethor saw, thus filling his heart with despair, especially during the later days of the War. This, combined with the death of Boromir and apparent fatal wounding of Faramir, caused Denethor to lose all hope of victory and decide that if he was to die, he would do so on his own terms. He therefore ordered his servants to lay Faramir on a pyre and cover them both with oil, then set light to them.

Fortunately, Pippin had warned Beregond of what was happening, and Beregond was able to stop the servants setting light to the pyre until Pippin could fetch Gandalf, who then rescued Faramir. Denethor refused to live serving another, whether Sauron or Aragorn, and revealed the Palantir, telling Gandalf that his hope was in vain and even now Sauron's army was recieving reinforcements. He then set light to the pyre himself and lay down on it, still holding the Palantir, and thus died.

Movieverse
In the film, Denethor seems insane from his first appearence. He has also become notable for his bad table manners, as the film shows repeated close-ups of him eating messily. He has lost the military skill and leadership that he demonstrated in the books, as he refuses to summon help even though Gondor is in need of it; unlike in the books, he has not lit the beacons to summon the aid of Rohan by the time Gandalf and Pippin arrive, and he refuses to do so, making it necessary for Gandalf to secretly send Pippin to light them. He also appears surprised when he sees the armies of Mordor drawing near and immediately orders his men to abandon their posts. Gandalf knocks him unconscious with his staff and takes over command, as he is clearly incompetant. This is part of a pattern of treating Denethor as something of a joke.

Denethor still shows obvious favouritism towards Boromir. In the film he goes somewhat further than in the book, as he says outright that he would have preferred Boromir to live and Faramir to die, while in the book he simply said that he wished their places had been exchanged, which has a more ambiguous meaning. Denethor is also clearly indifferent to Faramir's danger having sent him to attempt to recapture Osgiliath, as this is when he eats his dinner (spraying juice from tomatoes as he bites into them and allowing symbolic red liquid to run from his mouth) having ordered Pippin to sing for him (which he did not do in the book, instead discussing Rohan with Gandalf). He reacts with hysterics when Faramir is brought back wounded, but the film does not include the long vigil by Faramir's sickbed. However, as Denethor burns, Faramir recovers consciousness long enough to look at him, and Denethor's expression is one of love as he calls Faramir's name. The reasons behind Denethor's favouritism are not explored, leaving the impression that he just disliked Faramir.

Denethor deliberately sent Boromir to Rivendell with the intention that Boromir would bring back the Ring, implying that he intends to use it, as "our need is great. It is our blood which is being spilled, our people who are dying. Sauron is biding his time. He’s massing fresh armies. He will return. And when he does, we will be powerless to stop him.". He sends Boromir because he believes he would be strong enough to resist the Ring. Later, he remarks that he would not use the Ring, "Unless at the uttermost end of need", as in the book.

The Palantir does not appear in the film, so there is no explanation for Denethor's madness and despair.

As in the book, Denethor attempts to burn himself and Faramir alive, but is interrupted by Gandalf and Pippin. Gandalf knocks Denethor off the already-burning pyre with his staff and Pippin rolls Faramir off. Denethor then attacks Pippin and Shadowfax knocks Denethor onto the pyre. Gandalf, Pippin and Denethor's servants then stand by as Denethor catches fire, runs out of the Hallows and off the end of the courtyard in the Citadel. This scene has led to one of the PPC's most well-known expressions of surprise.

In Badfic
Denethor is an abusive father who doesn't care one whit about Faramir, or in extreme cases, about either of his sons. He could also be one for indulging in Incest, and is occasionally seen physically and/or sexually abusing Peregrin Took.

In Suefics, when he appears, he is usually an oafish Designated Misogynistic Bastard. The Sue may be his daughter or may have Boromir or Faramir as a Love Interest.