Denethor II (2935 � 3019 TA), son of Ecthelion, was the 26th and the last ruling Steward of Gondor, which was the most significant and powerful kingdom of Middle-earth. Denethor had two sons � Boromir, who was a member of the Fellowship of the Ring and who heroically died from the arrows of the orcs; and Faramir, who was appointed Steward of Gondor by King Elessar after the victory over Sauron. We meet Denethor in �The Return of the King�. This is how Pippin saw the Steward: �� on a chair sat an old man gazing at his lap. In his hand was a white rod with a golden knob� Pippin saw his carven face with its proud bones and skin like ivory, and the long curved nose between the dark deep eyes; and he was reminded not so much of Boromir as of Aragorn.Excessive suspicion ruined Denethor. He did not see in Gandalf a trustworthy and reliable helper, who was capable of finding a way out even in the most difficult situation. Denethor believed that the wizard pursued only his interests, which did not have anything to do with the prosperity of Gondor. Summarizing the above-mentioned, one can say that the image of Denethor symbolizes despair and fear of the forces of Darkness. However, this fear was not momentous � it accumulated for a long time and resulted in his madness.�