Denethor is one of those characters in the Lord of the Rings series who has definitely split the fans into lovers and haters. Many see him as an out-and-out villain, pushing his son Faramir almost to death, trying to burn him alive, and then taking the cowards way out of running from war and battle rather than trying to stand by and defend his friends. But others see him as a once noble ruler who is trying his best in a failing age, surrounded by the darkness and evil of Mordor, influenced by the Palantir, and grieving for the loss of his son Boromir, which is enough to drive anyone mad.