Yet another thing I love in FOTR is the way, after Gandalf’s death, we get a really clear view of the difference between Aragorn and Boromir’s styles of leadership.
In the immediate moments after Gandalf’s death, Aragorn is too shocked to lead so Boromir takes charge.
 This is actually a big departure from the books, but I love it because it makes sense for the very different characters that Aragorn and Boromir are in the films.Â
Boromir doesn’t hesitate. He grabs Frodo and carries him out of Moria. Aragorn is initially too shocked to move– so Boromir calls his name until he follows him to safety. The moment they’re out of immediate danger, Boromir allows everyone to grieve, and even struggles to comfort Gimli.
Because at this point, Boromir is a better **soldier** than Aragorn.Â
I’m not saying he’s a better fighter. I’m saying that Boromir’s experience of battle is ENTIRELY based around his his defense of Gondor– giant battles with tons of soldiers on either side, where he’s used to always looking after the men around him, used to situations where he’d have to order grieving men to retreat to get them out of immediate danger. Aragorn has been in those kinds of battles before– but is far more used to the life of a Ranger, which is often more solitary.
But then, as the Fellowship is grieving outside of Moria, Aragorn takes charge.Â
And it becomes clear that while Boromir is better at being a soldier, Aragorn is far better at being a leader.Â
Boromir is the one who gets them out of immediate danger. But Aragorn is the one who actually determines what they’re going to do now that Gandalf’s dead.
 Boromir made sure no one else was killed— but now they need a purpose. And Aragorn is the one who gives them that purpose. He comes up with a plan, and he gets the broken Fellowship to start functioning again.Â
 Aragorn gives the broken group a goal– we need to make it to Lothlorien– and speaks with such confidence that they all follow him.
The Fellowship has scattered and Frodo has wandered away– Aragorn rallies everyone back together. He gets everyone back on their feet. When Boromir disagrees with his leadership (saying the Fellowship needs more time to grieve) Aragorn firmly responds with an explanation of why he’s making the right choice (they only have until nightfall to make it to Lothlorien or else they’re dead), so that even Boromir begins following his orders as well. He quickly and naturally replaces Gandalf as the Fellowship’s leader.
When they reach Lothlorien, Haldir refuses to allow them to enter. And once again– Boromir is a good soldier while Aragorn is a good leader.
Boromir stays by Frodo’s side and reassures him that Gandalf’s death was not his fault.Â
But Aragorn, meanwhile, is a skilled diplomat. Familiar with Lothlorien and Haldir, Aragorn has a long impassioned debate with the elves and ultimately convinces them to change their minds.Â
And it’s only THEN, only after the Fellowship is truly safe, that Aragorn allows them to rest and grieve, and even starts doing what he can to comfort them (his conversation with Boromir.)
Because Boromir could lead them out of danger– but only Aragorn could’ve lead them to safety.Â
