Lead, Follow, of Go Over the Sea

At other times, Pippin acts in an insensitive manner, especially to Sam, as already shown above. This happens two other times, and is curiously paired with hints at his bravery to join Frodo on his quest:

"You must go--and therefore we must too. Merry and I are coming with you. Sam is an excellent fellow, and would jump down a dragon's throat to save you, if he did not trip over his own feet; but you will need more than one companion in your dangerous adventure." (I, 114)

"It's most unfair," said Pippin. "Instead of throwing him out, and clapping him in chains, Elrond goes and rewards him for his cheek!" (I, 285)

This bravery is the most important trait that he will cultivate through the trilogy, but here it is tainted by his willingness to belittle Sam without provocation. In contrast to Merry, it is clear that he is not presented as an ideal subordinate figure.

Our first glimpse of Denethor is as a proud old man and ungracious host. Like Theoden, he does not welcome Gandalf to his hall with open arms (III, 26), but unlike Theoden, the reason for his behavior is shown to be within him and not a result of the workings of another man. Although the influence of the Palantir could be compared to the figure of Wormtongue, it is made clear that Denethor chose to look at the Palantir of his own free will, and his desire to do so sprung from his pride. The pride is seen in subtle clues noticed by Pippin, such as when the Lord seems to get a gleam in his eye when he speaks of the Stones (III, 30), or how he imparts so much knowledge about distant lands without telling others how he has come to know so much (III, 80). This pride is with him at the beginning of his part in the story and remains until his end.

Denethor is shown to demand much of others, particularly Pippin and especially Faramir. He must have information from Pippin, and demands it of him before greeting him or speaking a kind word to him:

"So," said Denethor. "You were there? Tell me more! Why did no help come? And how did you escape, and yet he did not, so mighty a man as he was and only orcs to withstand him?" (III, 27)

He is also demanding of Faramir, and unfatherly, in contrast to the view we have of Theoden through his relationship with Merry. Denethor holds Boromir in higher regard than Faramir because:

"...Boromir was loyal to me and no wizard's pupil. He would have remembered his father's need, and would not have squandered what fortune gave. He would have brought me a mighty gift." (III, 86)

Denethor’s desire to have power that Boromir was to provide him in the form of the Bane of Isildur, and which Faramir could not give him, as well as his need for complete obedience from his sons has blinded him. Denethor, unlike Frodo and Theoden, sees loyalty only in terms of the degree to which those who serve conform to his expectations of what they can provide for him. Those other leaders were able to see the core of loyalty in those who served them. Also, unlike Denethor they fulfill the obligations of a leader not to demand more from a servant than they are capable of giving.

Like Merry, Pippin offers his service to a lord, but unlike Merry he does so out of pride resulting from the insulting words of Denethor: