Did Aragorn Know about Boromir’s Brother, Faramir?

The question of whether Aragorn knew about Boromir’s younger brother, Faramir, has perplexed many readers of The Lord of the Rings. The answer lies in a complex web of historical events and the characters' relationships within the narrative of Middle-earth.

Historical Context and Knowledge of Faramir

Aragorn was indeed aware of Faramir’s existence. The two brothers, Boromir and Faramir, were sons of Denethor, the Ruling Steward of Gondor. Boromir led missions against Mordor, first at Osgiliath and then, collaborating with Aragorn, in the assault on Umbar. Aragorn, in his guise as Lord Thorongil, was directly involved in these events and would have known of Boromir’s success and valor as recorded in the accounts of the Council of Elrond.

The Council of Elrond and Boromir’s Information

At the Council of Elrond, Boromir detailed the prophetic dream he had, which led him to seek the Council for its meaning. This was a dream that he and his brother had experienced. In these discussions, Aragorn, as a member of the Council, would have learned about Faramir, who had fought alongside his older brother at Osgiliath.

However, whether Aragorn knew Faramir's existence before the Council of Elrond is uncertain. Aragorn and Thorongil left Gondor during the year 2980 of the Third Age, post-Boromir's birth. Faramir was born three years later in 2983, just after Denethor became Ruling Steward. Given the extents of communication and public records available during this era, it is likely that significant events, such as the birth of a son, would have been known to the key figures in Gondor.

Accounts suggest that both Saruman and Gandalf visited Gondor during the years prior to the main events in The Lord of the Rings. It is plausible that Gandalf, as a trusted advisor, might have known of Denethor having two sons and could have mentioned this fact to Aragorn during their interactions. However, there is no explicit evidence in the text to confirm this.

Personal Connections and Relationships

Beyond the historical context, the personal relationship between Boromir and Faramir adds another layer to the question. Boromir was a fatherly figure to Faramir, and as such, he would have been deeply concerned about Faramir’s well-being and any potential journeys or missions his brother would undertake. In the Fellowship, Boromir would have spoken about Faramir, reinforcing Aragorn's understanding of Faramir’s existence and significance to the Steward of Gondor.

Final Insights and Conclusions

Aragorn indeed knew about Faramir by the time he arrived at the Council of Elrond. The relationship between Boromir and Faramir, coupled with Aragorn’s extensive involvement in Gondor's affairs, makes it highly probable that Aragorn was aware of Faramir’s existence as early as his time with Thorongil. The consensus is that by the Council of Elrond, Aragorn knew about Boromir’s brother, Faramir, who would become a crucial figure in Gondor’s future.