10 Dumbest Decisions By Lord Of The Rings Characters

Some parents like to play favourites, but the art of parenthood is keeping that a secret. In contrast, Denethor was openly defiant of his youngest son Faramir and adored his eldest Boromir. This is what eventually drove the Steward of Gondor to madness, as his pessimism in humanity's survival and the tragic loss of his favourite son destroyed his mind. Still, surely no one is so dumb as to burn their only surviving heir alive by mistake.

After Denethor sent his ill-fortunate son Faramir to reclaim Osgiliath from the Orcs, his tragedy became even greater, as his less favoured son returned on the brink of death. Despite the desperate pleas of Pippin - who had noticed he was still breathing - Denethor assumed the worst and ordered a pyre to be made, for which he intended to burn his 'dead' son and himself alongside him.

Of course, Faramir was fine. He just needed some medical attention, and were it not for the antics of Pippin and Gandalf, the Gondorian prince would have been burnt to a crisp. The life of Denethor was a self-fulfilling prophecy, which ended as he intended. The only difference was that he burned alone instead of alongside his son.