How does Denethor appear in ROTK?

[ladyoflorien]

denenthor was kind of a crazy guy at the end of the book. i don't think he looks too insane.

 

[Mrs. Maggott]

Before his death, Denethor's mind is overthrown by a number of circumstances: having looked into the palantir, he has seen the might of his Enemy and believed the lies that the Ring has been retaken and that all is lost. He had also sent his younger son into great danger unblessed and unthanked and now sees him slowly dying. Worn down by years of strain and toil and thrown into despondancy, it is not surprising that Denethor loses the battle against despair and decides to take his own life and that of Faramir before they can be slain and despoiled by the forces of Sauron.

Admittedly, Denethor isn't a "nice" person, but neither is he "crazy" or a traitor like Saruman or a pawn of the Dark Lord like so many others. The Steward of Gondor had many less than admirable traits, but he was still a noble man who by virtue of his efforts kept Gondor free, holding out against Sauron until the end. Aside from Aragorn, I can think of no other man who could have accomplished so great a feat.