It truly saddens me knowing I'll never get to hear Robin Williams sing "HEY DOL MERRY DOL" while prancing about carrying water lilies to Goldberry and freeing halflings from evil trees.
His energy and whimsy would have been perfect for bringing Tom's joyful spirit to life on screen. I'm sure he would have brought a wonderful mix of humor and heart to the role. Thanks for sharing this creative "what if" scenario. 😊
I totally agree... he would have don't incredible things. 100% would have gotten a Tom Bombadil spin-off series. Lol I REALLY do like the Rings of Power take on him, though. He really does just FEEL like Tom
@@Grimfr0stin the unabridged audio book read by Rob Inglis Bombadil is a very jolly almost Yukan Cornelius-like character. He has a lot of energy. Actually the character Neelix portrayed by Ethan Phillips in Star Trek Voyager has a very similar energy.
Tom Bombadill was the physical embodiment of the world. He was nature incarnate. Never overly involving or concerning himself with anything as he always knew that, no matter what, nature always wins. Nature is the continuous flux of change in all things, nothing is as it once was, nor will it ever be the same as it is now..
You're right, but you might not know why. Tolkien's wrote LotR's as an embellishment of Anglo-Saxon folklore. It's the only reason he wrote it, so knowing this, it's quite obvious who Tom and Goldberry are. Let's start with Goldberry, there are two possibilities for her, but one is far more likely than the other. It's possible she's based on, Eoaster, the Goddess of Spring, Rebirth and Renewal. Yes, it's where we get Easter from, and Easter has no relation to Jesus or Christians, it's far, far older than that, and it appears Tolkien based the Valar, Estë on her, so she isn't a very likely candidate. My preferred choice, the Goddess Eorde. Eorde's the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of the Earth or 'Mother Earth' and mother of Thunor, who we named Thursday after, the Weather God, Tolkien's Valar, 'Tulkas' and later called Thor by the Norse. (Norse Mythology, comes from the older Anglo-Saxon mythology). As for Tom, seeing as Tolkien, who was a world leading expert on all things Anglo-Saxon, said he was the oldest. He told us who, he is. It can only mean one thing. Tom Bombadil is the 'Green Man', who is believed to be the oldest spiritual being, not only in Anglo-Saxon folklore, but in the whole of Germanic Northern European folklore. In Toilken's world, although the Valar are all based on real Gods and Goddess', he changed the names, due to the differing languages of Middle Earth, but there isn't a Valar based on the Green Man. The Green Man is a big part of Anglo-Saxon folklore, he represents nature, but he's also not really a part of the Anglo-Saxon echelon of Gods, such as Woden, Tiw, Ingui, Thunor etc. The Green Man fits perfectly, and I'm certain this is who Tolkien based him on, but chose not to say. Maybe to add mystery, but also it's well known people performed animal and human sacrifices to him and that might not be a good look, for the jolly fellow.
Tolkien said in an interview that Bombadil was created years before LOTR and was only used in LOTR as a diversion for the Hobbits, he was not important to the story and served no other purpose. He was not Maia, Valar or any other supernatural being. Tolkien said he could be taken out of the story and it would make no difference to the outcome. He was just put in as an adventure on the way. 😊
There is one certainty we know about Tom Bombadil: Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow, Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow. None has ever caught him yet, for Tom, he is the master: His songs are stronger songs, and his feet are faster.
If Tom was one of the unintended results of the song of the Ainur it would explain why song is how he expresses himself. Or in the way Ungoliant was a manifestation of the darkness or the un-light, perhaps she is in a way a shadow cast by the light of Tom, two sides of the same coin. He watched Aule build the mountains and carve the seas, maybe he is the personification of what Arda was before Melkor marred it. He can't really conceive of malice or deceit for the same reasons the naive Ainur released Melkor from his imprisonment. Which perhaps is also why the concept of power or dominion isn't in his mind. His concept of time is measured in eons, his concept of space is infinite and doesn't hinder him. Tom doesn't show up when Frodo sings his song because he has really good hearing and he's super fast, he appears to them as if space and time weren't things that he had to give thought to. So maybe he IS the natural world, he is everything, everywhere, all at once. He was born when time began and will pass on (not die) when all things end. Final thought: It's possible the moniker of "Oldest and fatherless" was just an expression, but Illuvitar means "father of all", so if the elves are correct (they hung with the gods so they should know) then Tom has always been. If he witnessed the first of everything, then maybe he is the pen and paper Tolkien wrote his stories on...So he really would have been present before all things, there was nothing, then there was something. So he's the Big Bang of the Tolkien Universe. That may be a stretch but it makes as much sense as anything else.
Interesting how you've connected different aspects of Tolkien's mythology. The idea of Tom as an unintended result of the Ainur's music fits well with his use of song. The parallel with Ungoliant is also an intriguing perspective on the balance in Arda. Viewing Tom as the personification of unspoiled Arda would explain his apparent naivety and indifference to power. The notion of Tom as the 'paper and pen' of Tolkien's universe or even the 'Big Bang' is an interesting interpretation. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
His elven name Iarwain Ben-adar means "Oldest and Fatherless", suggesting that he is not a Valar or Ainur who were brought to being by Eru Iluvatar. He cannot be Eru Iluvatar either as the author said the deity will not have a personification in the story. The only thing not created and is not Eru Iluvatar and was present before everything was made in the LOTR universe is the secret fire, the power of Eru Iluvatar of life and creation. Tom may posibly be the personification of that power.
This is not necessarily true.. Tolkien could have purposefully mislead people in saying that the deity himself would not have have personification himself but he is not the deity in this case and is not Eru Iluvatar but he has many names and comes in many forms and he is not directly involved in the story but rather a wildcard so to speak that appears at free will and indirectly interacts in the story even though he's not technically apart of the story therefore he can be there but not be involved under a different form but as we know it makes sense it would be him as who else could control nature, have no affect from the ring, and be as old as middle earth itself? There is no other being that has those kind of abilities or power unless there was another form of deity created besides the valar in secret before the valar were born that nobody else knew about that wields immense power such as that. In any case of course they can not have the creator of all (god) appear and interfere in the story of his creations otherwise there would be no story if he just stepped in and snapped his fingers and made all the fighting stop lol.
What about the holy trinity? Eru Iluvatar, Tom Bombadil and the Secret Fire all as one and separate at the same time? Think about Christianity's Holy Trinity..
This was so helpful, I was lost on “tom bombadill” plus i really really enjoyed this story teller, & i loved the voice plus i was intrigued during the whole video so please keep them coming.
Tom is Middle Earth. He was the embodiment of the song of creation. The ring is magic not of this world. It cannot affect Tom and interests him even less.
@@leerubin4303 who knows. but he remembers the first acorn and the first raindrop and even Elrond and Galdalf dont poo-poo him being The Oldest so one has to presume he was, in fact, there.
I agree with the view that Bombadil represents an earlier line of thought extending out of The Hobbit and into the first chapters of the LOTR. That rather than try to retcon the character, Tolkien left him as an enigma. “Eldest, that’s what I am.” I’m happy with that. Excellent visuals on this new channel. And a lively narrative style. Like other new Tolkien-based channels, I trust pronunciations (especially vowels) will improve. A nice addition.
My theory: From the Ainulindale, Tom Bombadil is Ea, the World That Is. Ea is the Music of the Ainur to which Eru gave being. Thus, Tom's love for singing. From the Ainulindale and the Valaquenta: Eru sent the Flame Imperishable or the Secret Fire to dwell in the heart of Ea. Tom's great power is because, as the spirit of Ea, he has unlimited access to the Flame, which is Eru's creative power. My Tom Bombadil is Brian Blessed. But my other choices are Sir Derek Jacobi and Brian Cox. Rory Kinnear is a terrific actor and his take on TB is good but I still think he's TOO YOUNG for the part.
I certainly concur that Tom was never meant to be Eru or any of the Valar. They all existed as creatures of thought prior to the creation of Arda. Tom being the first living thing in/on Arda does not require him to be a Valar/Maiar, he can just be a separate entity, which there are examples of in the lore. The fact that he is the first, makes it more plain that he is not a Valar, because they didn’t enter Arda until after it was created. At most, he might have been a creation of the combined efforts of the Valar, as though each of them gave a piece of themselves in his creation.
Tom is no small thing to dismiss, which reading the books at 12yrs old, given to me by my best friend who read them first, spreading the books far and wide with other intelligent young friends, it was always the number one question we debated, of course after reading both the books and the Silmarillion quite a few times. I came to conclusion right or wrong, was that maybe Tom was an avatar for Illuvitar and there's reasons behind it. But as pointed out, Goldenberry is there too. And what is she? Or perhaps a Maia or Aniur who were as described: "enarmoured of middle earth, who fell in love with it and it's creatures, who made habitation there" is another theory we had. We studied his songs, everything, but without the internet or others, older people to discuss the books with, we were on our own. Tom is the real question mark of Lord of the Rings. Thanks again for posting, somebody needed to bring this up. Only Illuvatar, or perhaps Aniur (we do see the Maia corrupted by the ring so Tom isn't a maia but perhaps Goldenberry is) could be *that* old, and remain indifferent to the ring or even the mere idea of "power". So in truth, I always thought it was Illuvatar. I wrote this before watching the video to see how well this show matches up.
Beautiful story about discovering Tolkien's works with friends at a young age and diving deep into these mysteries together! It really shows how Tom's enigmatic nature sparks such rich discussions and theories that stay with us through the years. Your group's analytical approach - studying the songs, debating different theories - that's what makes Tolkien's world so special. Thanks for sharing these wonderful memories and insights!
I first read LOTR in the late 60s, and absolutely loved it. I also read Harvard Lampoons "Bored of the Rings", which a lot of people I knew that loved LOTR refused to read. Anyway, it cracked me up. Tom Bombadil became Tim Benzedrino ( "Hop a hill, Pop a pill, for old Tom Benzedrino"). His wife was named Hashberry, and the hobbits shared a very interesting meal with them - much disoriented hullucinations followed. Anyway, I can understand Jackson leaving his character out of the film. Most people watching the films never read the books, and TB would have been a very confusing character at the very beginning of the story.
Bored of the rings was very funny. My friends and I spoofed it too during rainy lunch times at school. I rememeber we had an Eagle called Spock because he lived in an Eyrie and Gandalf getting embarrased because his fireworks blew up the birthday cake.
Love hearing about your long history with Tolkien's works! The parodies from that era offer such a unique perspective on how LOTR was received in its early days. You make a great point about the films - while Tom Bombadil is beloved by book readers, his mysterious nature could have been tricky to translate to screen without confusing new audiences. Thanks for sharing this wonderful memory!
This last theory makes Perfect Sense!! He’s like ‘Father Nature’! That’s most people likely why he chose Goldberry, the Riverwoman’s Daughter as his wife…because she is also a manifestation of Nature. Well Done! ❤🔥Great Storytelling!!❤🔥 I look forward to your story about Glaurung!😁
Thanks for your enthusiasm! You've made a great connection between Tom and Goldberry as nature spirits. Glad you enjoyed the 'Father Nature' theory - it does tie things together nicely, doesn't it? Hope you'll stick around for more videos. 😁
Cutting out Tom Bombadil from the movies was the most hurtful thing, truly one of my very favorite Characters because he provided light in a very dark setting in Middle Earth. He was....hope.
He was the most sensible exclusion from LoTR movies, because he didn’t fit thematically (much more of a fit in the more children’s signing tales of the Hobbit) and just like is expressed in the book, if Tom was as powerful is it seemed, why couldn’t he protect the Ring? Because he wouldn’t care to keep track of it, and if the rest of Middle-Earth succumbed to Sauron’s evil, Tom wouldn’t have the power to stand against him either. Tom is the spirit of Arda (of nature and goodness) but not a fighter on it’s behalf 🤷♀️
@@joels5150Agreed. His exclusion from the movie was a disappointment, but I understand the reasoning. We also got a watered-down Council of Elrond, out of sheer cinematic necessity. They could’ve spent an hour of runtime just on that. But for me, the real outrage was what they did to Faramir. IMHO, he’s the coolest guy in the trilogy, bar none. So glad he and Eowyn got together. Favorite line from the Council (Aragorn): “ ‘Strider’ I am called by a fat man in Bree, who lives within a day’s March of foes who would freeze his heart, or lay his town in ruin, if he were not guarded ceaselessly. Yet I would have it no other way. If simple folk are kept free of care and worry, simple they will be. And we must be secret to do so.” That’s a future King talking.
Who doesn't love an enigma? Being satisfied with theories is superficial at best, and a laugh to the likes of Bombadill. The wonder of existing at all is as mysterious as any magic. The wonder of Tom is a gift to us. These theories, however, share a joy and wonder of the enigma, so why not ask why? and delight in the many iterations? Bravo!💐
@@LegendsOfArda You are welcome. I'm glad to share my thoughts with you who have explored so thoroughly this beloved character in such a beautifully illustrated presentation. Many thanks your way.
Just like the Ent, I believe Bombadil is one of the beings Yavanna requested of Manwe to place in Middle-Earth that would care for the plants and other growing things. Ents are also described as the oldest of the old in the same way Bombadil is. Also both the Ents and Bombadil are tied to the old forests.
That's a fascinating connection between Tom and the Ents as guardians of nature! Though Tom seems even more ancient than the Ents, their shared role in protecting the old forests does suggest a similar purpose in Yavanna's design. Happy to have you in our community!
One thing not mentioned is that comparing Tom to Gandalf isn't exactly fair. It was another theory of ours which was the same as this video said, that perhaps Toms heart was of such purity being a Maia or Aniur/Valar that the ring didn't effect him. Reason might be, Gandalf was given a job to do. That's why he rode the boat over. He had a job, and it was his duty to see it through. As I see with Tom, it's not the same. Far as we know, Tom didn't have a job or directives. He was just Tom whereas Gandalf was of the Istari, all sent here to help free peoples defeat Sauron once and for all. So with this "purity of heart" this show says Toms can't "beat" Gandalfs purity of heart but that's strictly an opinion. I value it, but think you're wrong. How can one judge something like that, even given all of Gandalfs accomplishments? Without Tom the fellowship could have ended right there. So in a way, Tom fulfilled his job if he never had one. His thing was enjoying life and all it has to offer, it wasn't exactly to directly help anyone unless it was in the past with a different name as Elrond said. Also how can this video state that for a surety that Tom wasn't Maia or Vala/Ainur? Since Elrond said he went by older names, known to all the free peoples, if Tom wasn't specifically mentioned in Silmarillion (which he's not) then how do we know he wasn't there for the Song at the very beginning. I mentioned in another post here, finding this subject extremely interesting, that it was said some of the Maia and Valar/ainur were enamored with middle earth, and went down into it to make dwellings, try healing the constant damage done by Melkor and his associates. Maybe that's Tom. Perhaps he was incredibly stronger than the Istari all put together but as said, he didn't have a specific job so why not love life in all it's fullest as he did? Enjoying each day as a treasure with Goldenberry who I do suspect is Maia or Valar too being deathless and not an elf. We'll never know but it's awesome to speculate on. Great video whether I agree or disagree. Thanks for posting.
Love your thoughtful analysis about comparing roles vs nature - Tom's 'job-free' existence vs Gandalf's mission is a brilliant observation! You make excellent points about the challenges of measuring purity of heart and Tom's indirect but crucial role in the story. And your take on Tom and Goldberry possibly being among those ancient beings who chose to dwell in Middle-earth is fascinating. Thanks for such an engaging and well-reasoned contribution to the discussion!
I loved Bombadil as a thing of his own, a mystery, an enigma, and a true symbol of the depth of Tolkien's imagination. The solution to the riddle is that it is a riddle to be enjoyed, experienced, not solved.
Nothing that couldn’t utterly destroy Arda itself, posed a threat to Tom. Maybe Valar, like Aule or Utumno could be considered comparable in terms of power, Tom would be basically the essence of life in Arda. Anything that could grow would be under Tom’s sway as it were. He may find creatures like the Nazgûl or the Barrow-wights bothersome, but they could never be a threat to him. The one entity I think would bother/threaten Tom would have been Ungoliant. She being an entity outside of Arda, that wanted to consume life and light insatiably, she might have been a threat to all of life, aside from the Valar. The Valar are all well accounted for during the First Age (which Tom existed in) and by time Valinor was physically removed from Arda, there’s no indication that any of them were lost and replaced Tom.
actually the Nazgul can see Frodo when he puts The Ring on And this is a clue I think to Tom's nature. He can see the Material World and The Unseen World. He was there before Time according to his own words. And he controls creation through Song. That would suggest that he is a Vala. He is a Vala in disguise, in just the same way that Gandalf is a Maia in disguise.
It is implied in LOTR and explicit in rings of power that Sauron can also see the unseen world. For what that's worth. And it's stated by Tolkien that Sauron is a Maiar. Maybe there are different power levels or studies. That said, I agree it makes more sense for Tom to be a Valar.
@@darricshhh Certainly Sauron could see Frodo, thats how he spotted Frodo on Amon Hen, By the way Gandalf also knew Frodo had the Ring on then (and Gandalf is a Mais). Valinorean Elves also walk in the Unseen World, so doubtless Galadriel could see Frodo.
I think the one thing Tom isn’t is a Valar/Maiar. They all existed during the song of creation, which it’s never stated that Tom is. It’s more likely that Tom is the spirit/essence of Arda (what becomes Middle-Earth). That is how Tom can be “first” while not being Eru Iluvatar (or any of the Valar).
Loving this new Tolkien channel. Great format on the videos!! An interesting new view on Tolkiens world Keep up the great work guys. I look forward to more content. ♫♫ The road goes ever on and on ... ♫♫
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you're enjoying our take on Tolkien's world. Is there any particular area of Tolkien's legendarium you're especially keen to see us cover?
You just said something very specific. That the films didn't mention Tom Bombadil. Perhaps it explains why there is so much criticism of the current shows. Because the criticisers have never read the actual books, relying solely on the movies to justify their opinions.
@@garymelchisky2880 Everything deserves legitimate criticism And I agree, the truth is, the shows are not really that great. But I notice you didn't disagree with me when I implied that many people jumping on the hate bandwagon appear to have not immersed themselvves in the books for many years the way I did, so they miss many nuances that are really important.
great artwork Gandalf as one of the Istari was charged with looking after the people of Middle-Earth, it was his mission or his job. Also to monitor Morghoth and Sauron's influence, to report back to the Valar. So of course he took an interest in the Ring, fought the Balrog, freed Theoden, etc. and he tracked Gollum's wandering in the Dead Marshes and beyond, into Dol Guldur where he was tortured by Sauron for years. Then he tried to help him recover even though the rangers and Elrond didn't see why he bothered but Gollum's mind had shattered.
Cheers for the kind words about the artwork! You've got a solid grasp of Gandalf's role in Middle-earth. Your point about his mission contrasts nicely with Tom Bombadil's apparent lack of involvement in wider affairs. Interesting mention of Gollum's time in Dol Guldur - it's a part of the story that often gets overlooked. Any other characters whose roles you think are particularly fascinating or underexplored? We're always on the lookout for intriguing topics for future videos.
Bombadil looked over the equivalent of Eden in Middle Earth, or embodied the essence of what Paradise should be, or what should be aspired to. But it was Illuvitar's plan to have his creatures reach or that goal through trials, making choices of their own. The whole Free Will concept.
Brilliant comparison of Tom's domain to Eden and your observation about free will in Ilúvatar's plan! It really captures the deeper meaning of his peaceful realm. Thanks for this insightful comment!
“And then Tom’s talk went sailing out into ancient starlight, before even the elf-sires were awake.” I must’ve read that line twelve times in a row when I first read LOR. I was wrapped in wonder no less than Tom’s guest-Hobbits.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! It's great to hear the video brought you some joy. Tolkien's world has a special way of lifting spirits, doesn't it? Is there a particular aspect of Tolkien's works you find most uplifting? We'd love to hear about it. Hope you'll stick around for more videos.
@@LegendsOfArda Thank You for your unexpectedly kind reply just i do too much stuff my energies are so occupied in many ways these days couldn't react on it. That was an exceptionally great done video in it's visuals, lyrics & thoughts. I can like Tolkien very much if it's like that, you feel a so peculiar complex world though it's full of human characters you can put yourself in. I think Tom Bombadil can be something like that as well, feelings of a reader from outside, who can get a little part in a fantasy world but not more, we can say he's there from the begin like any free willx)
Tom is the Avatar of the music of the Ainur. this is why he was there before any creation. He is not iluvatar manifest. Likewise Ungoliant is the Avatar of the void. The all consuming emptiness. This is why even Morgoth feared her. He is not Eru iluvatar, because Gandalf says he can not be trusted with the ring. He cares not for the fate of middle Earth or the lives of anything other than his own realm. This is not the attitude of GOD. if he was Eru he would walk the ring to Mordor with the Hobbits. But the music is creation, it is like a river, if flows unconcerned but of its own m meandering. This description fits Tom. Also all creation is music (even in our world, Harmonic frequencies of vibrating quantum particles) Tom's power of magic comes from the music part thereof himself.
First I wanted to further comment, but that is no more necessary. Since a new song has began to resound in heavens by the majority of all Valar and Ainur. All fumes of disharmony extinguish to a clean and pure flame of light 🔥. And it spreads gently like the friendly moist 💦 of the first spring rain rejuvenating all life that has patiently hoped for the mildness of the spring ⛅️ to come after a harsh winter. Let us all consciously acknowledge our previously suffered temptations and weaknesses. And join ourselves into the new hopeful and merciful song and provide it to each other 😌😘 😲
'This is not the attitude of GOD.' -you say, but God lets bad and good things happen all the time because we all have our wyrd/destiny to play out -we might have done bad things in previous lives wich is why bad things might happen to us in life or vice versa. So I don't see why Bombadil couldn't be a Valar or Maia that has transcended good and evil with his wyrd - Ghandalf being called to help the little people is part if his wyrd/destiny because he 'ows' something to Middle earth still -Bombadil doesn't 'owe' anything but can choose to help if he wants to -
What a beautiful interpretation! The idea of Tom as a genius loci - a guardian spirit of the land - really resonates with how he's so deeply connected to his domain in Middle-earth. Thanks for sharing this elegant perspective!
Off on a tangent of Sauron seeing Frodo, when Boromir attacks Frodo and he puts the ring on, the eye closes in on him then diverts away, the diversion was Gandalf returning. A little help from Eru.
I think it's pretty simple. He is either a holdover from a previous creation, or a wholly unique entity created by Eru Iluvitar, that was not part of the Varda yet had power like them. You can know this to be the case simply due to the fact that the machinations of the enemy never effected Tom which makes him at least on a similar level to to the Varda in power. If Morgoth's binding of the great ring to himself (the planet of middle earth) didn't do anything then he also stands apart. Not only this, but he is likely connected because the way he wields power is similar to the Varda when they sang the world into existence, being able to speak not just with dull creatures like tree's but also inanimate objects like rivers. All the Varda are divided into principalities which control the various forces of creation such as storms, smithing, stars and wisdom, etc. I think Tom is the first Steward. The first tree-herder. Perhaps he even taught the Ent's their trades, but what is indisputable is that he holds power over all things that can be called part of the natural order of middle earth. Like a good version of Melkor but part of a seperate choir of singers, if that makes sense.
Fascinating analysis! Your theory about Tom being a unique creation with power over the natural order makes a lot of sense - especially the connection to the Music of Creation and his relationship with nature. Your comparison to a 'separate choir of singers' is particularly insightful.
Ive actually considered Tom to be the opposite of the music of ainur (spelling?). The music was devoted to creation which is an action based on need. Tom is opposed to interference when left alone. I look at the music of ainor as something new and Tom representing something much older. Like the beauty of a planet before life
I have always thought that Brian Blessed would of made a brilliant, Tom Bombadill!😊 With his booming voice, and charisma and his stocky build, he would of been perfect!
Tolkien was a devout Catholic. Hes got many Christian themes strewn throughout his storys. Tom has always reminded me of Melchizedek for sone reason. Not in personality by any stretch mind you. But more of as a mysterious person of very high importance that plays very important roles in the overall story.
"Do you think Tom Bombadil, the spirit of the (vanishing) Oxford and Berkshire countryside, could be made into the hero of a story?" Letter 19, 16 December 1937 "And even in a mythical Age there must be some enigmas, as there always are. Tom Bombadil is one (intentionally)." Letter 144, 25 April 1954
THANK YOU. I can't understand all the people who say he's Eru Ilúvatar or a Valar or a Maiar or Tolkien himself. None of that makes sense. Especially when the Valar sung the world into existence, but in Fellowship Pippin and Tom say: ‘Do you think,’ asked Pippin hesitatingly, ‘do you think we may be pursued, tonight?’ ‘No, I hope not tonight,’ answered Tom Bombadil; ‘nor perhaps the next day. But do not trust my guess; for I cannot tell for certain. Out east my knowledge fails. Tom is not master of Riders from the Black Land far beyond his country.’
Excellent observation! That quote perfectly illustrates Tom's limited domain and knowledge - a key detail that many overlook. Your attention to the actual text really helps ground these discussions. Thanks for sharing such a well-supported point!
Wonderful sharing of those key Tolkien letters! They show how deliberately he crafted Tom's mysterious nature and his connection to the real countryside Tolkien loved. These direct sources really enrich our understanding. Thanks for bringing these quotes to the discussion!
I toally agree with your hypothesis! I originally thought that he was Eru, but as you showed that the Supreme Creator, Tolkien himself said, that could not be so.😊
When this video started with the original question, I thought, "Bombadil is Tolkien's alter ego". Many authors do this. It is like Nero Wolfe is Rex Stout's alter ego.
I love how you just left out the part about when the music of creation was being sang Malkor, and others who started to follow him and suit, started changing the song and corrupting it. That would definitely account for the indifference that Tom Bombadil has. Also, as it States Malkor and folloers were not able to finish his verse therefore would prevent any further indifferences into Tom Bombadil. Honestly if you would have added that because that's what needs to be added cuz that's a part of the story, it would make things a lot clearer and makes a lot of sense. Honestly, that could be the answer. I don't see any of the other theories working out properly because there's too many holes that have to be filled. The only one that doesn't really have holes is that he is the personification of the song of creation. If you would have explained the entirety of how the song was made maybe other people watching this could actually surmise in their own minds. You can't just go around leaving out information. The context is the entire situation that happens, when you leave information about a situation out of the context, it ruins the actual context of what reality happened in that situation and it leaves out crucial information that completes this theory. Please stop leaving information out. Also, there are several things that you mentioned that are just completely wrong in The Lord of the Rings lore. If you're going to talk about theorization you need to unleash the entirety of the context and you need to do more research because the some of the things you are saying are facts are not facts at all. There are certain things you mentioned several times that just aren't a part of the real lore. I hope you find this criticism useful I don't mean it to be offensive in any way, but mostly so that you have more to go on next time you cover things like this. I really love this channel and I want to help anyway I can even if that means criticism.
Thank you for your detailed feedback. You raise important points about the Music of the Ainur and Melkor's role in it. You're right, including that information would have enriched the discussion about Tom Bombadil. Whilst I believe the theory of Tom as a nature spirit makes more sense, the theory of the Music of the Ainur was the only one I didn't completely dismiss, merely pointing out a query that made it less convincing. Your perspective adds interesting layers to this theory. Regarding the inaccuracies you mentioned, could you point them out specifically? We always strive for accuracy and would love to correct any errors. We appreciate your passion for Tolkien's lore. Balancing depth and accessibility is a challenge, but your insights help us improve. Is there any particular aspect of Tolkien's mythology you'd like to see addressed in future videos? Your perspective would be valuable for our planning. Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts. It's the engagement of fans like you that helps us grow and create better content.
I lean toward Bombadil being a manifestation of Illuvatar, or God. Because Tom isn't worried. And the ring had no influence over him, though even Maiar and the most powerful elves freely admit that it would totally overpower them. That means Tom is either a Valar, or God himself. At the council, wasn't it Gandalf who said Bombadil wouldn't attend if he was asked or summoned? But Illuvatar was there at the council, when Frodo volunteered in a voice that was not entirely his own.
Interesting theory! Though Tolkien explicitly stated Eru never appears embodied in his stories. But your observation about Frodo's voice at the Council is fascinating - it shows how Ilúvatar works through subtle influence rather than direct manifestation.
Yavanna was very concerned that all of the trees and things of nature she created would be destroyed. I felt Bombadil may have been put in place to ease her fears, so that with Bombadil watching over a portion of the natural lands they will always be preserved until the end and from the beginning.
His guardianship of the Old Forest does seem to echo her desire to protect the natural world she created. Thanks for sharing this beautiful perspective on his purpose!
I always figured that Tom was the manifestation of the flame imperishable(secret fire). Basically, the Holy Spirit, which Morgoth was always trying to find and subdue, but, was never able to because it is with Iluvatar.
Tom Bombadil is the”I AM GOD” in all the possible tales and stories that come out of J.R.R. Tolkiens novels. PERIOD. He can do WHATEVER he wants WHENEVER he wants to… even create life.
Tom's powers are indeed remarkable! Though Tolkien did write some interesting things about this in his letters. Thanks for your enthusiasm about the character!
Tolkien was a heavy Christian Philosopher. Tom Bombadil seems a logical artistic expression of “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God” type of character. Bombadil also essentially gives Frodo a prayer, to call upon his strength in times of need. This is clearly represented. Galadriel gives a light to Frodo, yet not her own intervention like Bombadil did. Also, Tolkien was a bit tight lipped about discussing Tom Bombadil and only shared that he was based off a doll his children had, which Tolkien himself saved from being flushed down a toilet, and beyond that - commented that Bombadil should remain mysterious. In my humble opinion, Tom Bombadil is the best candidate for an Old Testament God figure launched into the story without declaring Himself to be.
Tom was born during Ainulindale. He's the master, not a sub-creator as the Maiar and Eldar, and arguably some acts of the Valar (Melkor's dissonance, Aule creating the dwarves) He is unconcerned because he knows how the story ends. Melkor is gone and it's Sauron's last gasp. And what would Tom have done if Sauron harmed Goldberry?
Excellent point about the Ainulindalë connection! And that last question about Goldberry is thought-provoking - for all his seeming indifference to the Ring and greater conflicts, Tom's power might have manifested quite differently if his beloved was threatened.
I prefer to think that Tom was the spirit of Middle Earth itself. Gandalf himself said that Tom would be the last to fall, but only after all the rest of Middle earth had been conquered. However, it doesnt really matter. Tom is supposed to be a mystery, and doesnt need to be explained.
A spirit of nature sounds the most promising to me. Maybe there are others in Middle-earth making it so that the land around them is like a save zone for the chiildren of Illuvatar.
Honestly, I think the truth of ol Tom is simpler than all that. To understand who he is you have to understand first where the character came from and how the LoTR mythos was created. The first idea and naming of TB was a small doll J.R.R. Tolkien's sons had as a child that miraculously survived a trip down the toilet. This was before the idea for any of his later works concerning middle earth were conceived. Tolkien used this doll to create bed time stories and wrote poems about to treat his young children. So technically he really WAS the first and eldest of all the stories, predating even Eru. Now to understand how Middle Earth and Ea (everything in the legendarium of LoTR). Tolkien was a philologist by trade- a person who studies the history of languages. Before he delved into Ea, he wanted to create a language, complete with syntax and form to better understand how language evolves over time. What he created was THE ELVEN LANGUAGE. Where most people/authors will create a language to fit a story they are writing, Tolkien did the opposite; he created a story to serve as a way to explain his language. I believe that the addition of Tom Bombadil in the LoTR was simply an Easter-egg for his children to connect to the stories. He was created before the stories of Ea and completely separate from those stories and instead of retconning his origin story, since Tom was inconsequential to the main storyline, he made up a purposely vague idea of what he was. After all, Tolkien’s reason d’être wasn’t to be a writer, it was to be a father first. He loved his kids so he added a beloved character of theirs to his stories to epitomize his love for them. I believe Tom Bombadil is the personification of his love for HIS children. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk
What a beautiful perspective on Tom's origins! You're absolutely right about his real-world history as a beloved doll and character in Tolkien's family stories. This personal connection adds another layer to why Tolkien might have kept Tom's nature deliberately mysterious in Middle-earth. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful and touching analysis!
What if... when the songs of Eru Iluvitar, and the Ainur collided with the songs of Melkor he was spawned as a contingency to counter the effects of the discord? Perhaps Eru Iluvitar's "back up plan" that was never needed. I love the speculation.
I tend to agree with your theory. I think Bobmbadil was something along the same lines ungoliant. Or the older things that Gandalf would not name. They were intended to be like Tom and Goldberry but melkors trying to insert his own theme corrupted them. Now they gnaw on the bones of the world instead of being caretakers
That's a fascinating parallel between Tom and Ungoliant - both ancient beings beyond typical classifications! Your insight about Melkor's corruption vs preservation really highlights the duality in Tolkien's world. The idea of original "caretakers" being twisted into world-gnawers adds an interesting layer to Middle-earth's mythology. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful perspective!
You forget that Tolkien was Catholic. During his life there was a re-establishment of the monasteries. The monks of monasteries were the spiritual warriors that saved the world. They stay in their walls and pray for the world, and their prays hold the world together.. I am not saying Tom was a monk, but the same principle: If he were the Music of arda personified, then that music needs to be constantly sun to continue. It is Tom's role to stay in his place and continue to sing the world into existence.
Beautiful insight connecting Tom's role to the monastic tradition and the power of constant prayer/song. Your idea of him maintaining the Music of Arda through his endless singing is deeply profound. Thanks for this wonderful perspective!
Tom was created before the LOTR or the Hobbit, I think Tolkien just put him in to make the early build up in book 1 a bit less slow. I used to think he was Tulkas when I was a kid but I realised Tulkas would have probably thrown the ring into the fire from the old forest. The fact that Gandlaf went to see him on his gooodbye tour made me think that Tom had a much larger impact than Tolkien wrote about, maybe he would have shown up more in the 4th age or if Tolkien had another 20 years to fill out all he had in his mind. The fact that the Shire was pretty much unmolested would indicate that Tom was a nuclear deterent.
You're spot on about Tom's origins predating LOTR! The 'nuclear deterrent' theory is quite interesting, and that observation about Gandalf's farewell visit does suggest deeper connections than what's written. Your evolution from the Tulkas theory shows how complex Tom's character really is - he remains one of Tolkien's most fascinating enigmas.
@@LegendsOfArda Sam was the star of the book as far as I'm concerned. He is so heroic, staying in his lane, affecting all around him and never giving up whilst never talking about it. I find it interesting that the segment with Tom in it also had Glorfindel, another mighty character that Tolkien effectively resurrected albeit via a slight mistake over reusing the name. To me, it shows his intent was to demonstrate that bravery, and fidelity and not great power is often what's needed. He also showed the importance of hope after Gandalf's death with Aragorn saying "Then we must do without hope" and later when Gandlaf returns, "Beyond all hope, you return to us!" Such a powerful piece of writing about a character who went out of his way to not use power, and yet is seen as the embodiment of hope.
I think Tom would be Tolkein's ideal life. Out in the country and at peace. And Elrond even points out that even someone as powerful as Tom would fall eventually. Doing nothing in the face of danger will eventually defeat you
That's a really thoughtful observation about both Tom's peaceful nature and its limitations! Your point about Elrond's warning perfectly captures Tolkien's message that even those who wish to live apart must sometimes face the wider world's challenges. Thanks for sharing this insight!
Tolkien wrote about him in one of his letters to somebody that Tom Bombadil is the personification of the spirit of one of the regions Tolkien used to live in or around.
The only fatherless being in the universe is God / Eru. The Catholic Blessed Trinity comprises God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Tolkien said the Holy Spirit was the Secret Fire / Flame Imperishable, in his pre-Christian legendarium. Therefore Tom is the manifestation of the Secret Fire, and Gandalf is his servant.
That's an intriguing connection between Tom and the Secret Fire! Tolkien’s Catholic influences definitely shape the deeper layers of his world. It’s always interesting to explore these spiritual parallels in Middle-earth. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
I agree Tom is the manifestation, avatar of Arda, the first nature spirit, Father Nature. He's like Treebeard who as a shepherd is focused upon his charges, the Trees & kindly unconcerned with the Creatures' struggles which are beyond his worldview until these trespass directly into his realm. It's known that JRR Tolkien was concerned & anguished by the impact that Industrialization & its Wars were having upon the countryside of England. Such were slowly enveloping & marring Nature against its created purposes. His experiences in the nightmarish, battle scarred trenches of WW1 gave him these insights into Industrial Warfare. That is why Gandalf said even Tom in his realm would be defeated even though he would be the last to fall before Sauron's unholy & unnatural evil to have power over all & to be the One to rule all even Nature.
Your parallel between Tom and Treebeard is excellent - both ancient guardians of nature with specific domains. And you're right about Tolkien's concerns about industrialization influencing these characters. Tom represents that untouched natural world he feared losing.
I've often thought that Tom was Tolkien's version of a Kami-sama. As a personification of the spirit of the land itself, it fits. I'm also inclined to think that he has little sway or power over anything outside of his lands.
Your connection to Kami is really insightful! This perfectly aligns with Tom's nature as a localized spirit deeply connected to his specific domain and explains both his immense power within his borders and his limitations beyond them. Appreciate you sharing your perspective!
Interesting wordplay observation! Though Tolkien was more focused on linguistics than numerology - he did confirm in his letters that Eru doesn't appear embodied in the stories. Tom remains his own unique mystery! 🧙♂️
From my point of view Tom B is an incarnation of Illuvatar. It’s why he don’t be a part or taking side because event Sauron he’s part of the great music
Tom Bombadil is an earth elemental. He was a sidetrack, not important to the story of the Ring. He was important to the story of the Shire, though, but that was another story. And I think Tim Allen would have made a better Tom Bombadil than Robin Williams...
There's a problem with the idea that Boromir is Tolkien's self-insert. His actual self-insert is Beren. To the extent that on the gravestone on his and his wife's gravestone there is an inscription naming them as Beren and Luthien.
While that's an interesting idea, Tolkien actually wrote that Faramir was the character most like himself. Though Tom's love of songs and tales does reflect Tolkien's own storytelling spirit! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!
@LegendsOfArda I've read several biographies as well as his letters, and yes this is certainly what he claimed. However, as a literature student I have noticed that many authors have used the self insert in a more personal way. So, it occurs to me that other than simply putting himself into his own world, this may be a private joke/insertion. This something that he wouldn't necessarily have admitted to. Considering his relationship with his beloved wife I have wondered if there is a romantic element to this possible insertion...Bombadil and Goldberry. The other thought is that the character might have its origins in a beloved friend or professor. Which also might have inspired the naming of the doll. We'll never know, but this is something that has fascinated me for many years.
I don't think Tolkien said the maia were affected by the ring- they were afraid they would be affected by it. Remember Sauron isn't made invisible by it and he's a maia.
If anything, Tom seems most likely to be a personification of the natural world itself. In his case, ALL the natural world in its myriad interrelated regards. As such, his union with Goldberry, another nature spirit, is more understandable. He is accordingly not limited, though, as is erroneously suggested here, by being perforce 'tied' to any specific locale. Something in fact confirmed by Gandalf, when he speaks at The Council of Elrond about Tom having retired of his own volition to a modest region he seems to have chosen to rule directly; ("And now he is withdrawn into a little land, within bounds that he has set, though none can see them, waiting perhaps for a change of days, and he will not step beyond them.")
Good observation! The Ring’s power did remain intact in Tom’s realm-just not over him. Frodo’s invisibility when he put it back on highlights that unique immunity Tom has to its influence. Thanks for diving into the details with us!
why oh why didn't Jackson realize the best way to satisfy everyone after making the first 3, make another separate movie staring Robin as Tom, connecting what we didn't see but is in the books. He could've shot a few scenes with the hobbits and we all could've got everything we wanted. Thank God I can one day give an advance AI this prompt and enjoy what could have been lol fingers crossed
What a beautiful interpretation! The connection between Tom's singing and the Music of Creation is really meaningful, and his deep bond with nature certainly reflects Arda's essence. Thanks for sharing this poetic perspective!
The Maiar like Gandalf had missions they were sent on and which they pursued. Bombadil could be a Maiar whose missions was to maintain a place in Middle Earth that was a close analog to the Undying Lands, filled with joy and life. But I do like theory four, if you modify it with the final one.
Sadly, I do not agree with your assessment of the Music of Ainur. The Music is specifically static and predetermined. Tom could not actually change anything, nor could he be impacted by anything that would change his nature. Tom is deterministic as is the Music. The only ones who are outside of the Music are Men. The Music cannot be influenced by the Ring, nor could influence the Ring although it predicted it through Melkor's contributions. Tom's perceptions would have no real memory about anything beyond the Music itself. Nature itself was under the domain of Yavanna, so theory 5 does not seem to hold. Tom's protection of the hobbits is that of the deterministic Music, the personification of Middle Earth is the Music. The Music binds Tom because Tom is the Music. I think that is what JRRT actually was saying about Tom. I'm going to hold with this theory and still enjoy the discourse.
We know that Sauron was a Maia corrupted by the Vala Melkor/Morgoth. When wearing his ring, Sauron did NOT become invisible. He was clearly seen to be fought in the Battle of the Last Alliance, and Isuldur did not have to feel around for his body after his fall to cut off the ring finger, the body wearing the ring was visible. Gandalf never put on the ring because he was scared of it's influence, but I suspect if he had (or had Saruman) he would NOT have disappeared either, being a Maia. Bombadil put on the ring and did not disappear. To my mind and given all the available evidence, I think a Maia is the only thing Tom could be and wield the power he does, yet still be subject to ultimate defeat by Sauron had Sauron reclaimed his ring. The total number of Maiar were never revealed, yet we can safely assume there were more of the Maiar than the Valar as each Vala was attended by multiple Maiar. There numbers could have been vast, and most are not described or named, so Tom could easily have been a Maia that came permanently to Middle Earth and "went native". I believe that Goldberry was most likey a Maia who served Ulmo or Osse and fell in love with the waters of Middle Earth and chose to reside there instead of in Valinor. She and Tom would therefor be kindred spirits who could quickly fall in love with each other. Just my 2 cents. When Tolkien himself says the character is meant to be an enigma then speculation is ultimately moot, while still being enloyable.
Excellent analysis using the Ring's invisibility effect as evidence! Your reasoning about Maiar and visibility is well-researched, and the theory about Goldberry's connection to Ulmo adds another fascinating layer. Thanks for sharing such a detailed perspective!
One more point your personal theory literally ties into the song theory. So it's proven that the song created the world and all that inhabits it as we know it in LOTR. To anyone who has read Lord of the rings or even watch the movies they know that each type of creation has its peak representative that is shown as it's head and names specific to each sect of living creation showing they are what the world sees when thinking of the their species. The world was made by the song which if anyone knows Tolkien everything came in pairs in LOTR (each spiritual creation that manifested also had a physical manifestation or at least the spirit has the ability to obtain physical manifestation). It would be like mother Earth walking around with us. Something only the song would be able to do. There will be no other description to why the planet would make a physical representation of itself, because the planet did not physically manifest itself the song of creation did.
![The History of Morgoth [COMPILATION] | Tolkien Explained](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ktet64d9O-c/mqdefault.jpg)
![The History of Morgoth [COMPILATION] | Tolkien Explained](/img/tr.png)
You've put out one of the best overviews of this subject I've ever seen...and the graphics! Perfect! Thank you.
thanks so much for your support! i really appreciate it!
It truly saddens me knowing I'll never get to hear Robin Williams sing "HEY DOL MERRY DOL" while prancing about carrying water lilies to Goldberry and freeing halflings from evil trees.
His energy and whimsy would have been perfect for bringing Tom's joyful spirit to life on screen. I'm sure he would have brought a wonderful mix of humor and heart to the role. Thanks for sharing this creative "what if" scenario. 😊
I totally agree... he would have don't incredible things. 100% would have gotten a Tom Bombadil spin-off series. Lol
I REALLY do like the Rings of Power take on him, though. He really does just FEEL like Tom
Lol get an honest problem
@@JohnBelluci silly little troll, get back to your bridge before that sweet granny forgets to pay her toll. :B
@@Grimfr0stin the unabridged audio book read by Rob Inglis Bombadil is a very jolly almost Yukan Cornelius-like character. He has a lot of energy. Actually the character Neelix portrayed by Ethan Phillips in Star Trek Voyager has a very similar energy.
Robbin williams as tom bombadill in the original LOTR movies would have been just perfect.
He would have been the perfect actor for Tom. Rip Robin. We miss you
Spot on
OMG, I never thought about that, but yes... I can just see him acting the lines and scenes and would have been spot on.
Agreed
No way! American actors are terrible, when trying to play English characters.
To the end of his days Tolkien refused to disclose anything of Tom's nature. He said "Even in a fantasy world, some things must remain a mystery."
He also said he put him in for fun and he regretted it because of all the attention.
It can be so much more enjoyable when a master of storytelling keeps his audience guessing about peculiar aspects of his tales.
I was fascinated by Tom being a kind of mystical poet.
@@burstcity3832 I doubt he was truly telling the truth when he said that. Clearly reading the Silmarillion Tom had an explicit purpose in the stories.
they should have doen the same with Yoda
Tom Bombadill was the physical embodiment of the world. He was nature incarnate. Never overly involving or concerning himself with anything as he always knew that, no matter what, nature always wins. Nature is the continuous flux of change in all things, nothing is as it once was, nor will it ever be the same as it is now..
You're right, but you might not know why. Tolkien's wrote LotR's as an embellishment of Anglo-Saxon folklore. It's the only reason he wrote it, so knowing this, it's quite obvious who Tom and Goldberry are. Let's start with Goldberry, there are two possibilities for her, but one is far more likely than the other. It's possible she's based on, Eoaster, the Goddess of Spring, Rebirth and Renewal. Yes, it's where we get Easter from, and Easter has no relation to Jesus or Christians, it's far, far older than that, and it appears Tolkien based the Valar, Estë on her, so she isn't a very likely candidate. My preferred choice, the Goddess Eorde. Eorde's the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of the Earth or 'Mother Earth' and mother of Thunor, who we named Thursday after, the Weather God, Tolkien's Valar, 'Tulkas' and later called Thor by the Norse. (Norse Mythology, comes from the older Anglo-Saxon mythology). As for Tom, seeing as Tolkien, who was a world leading expert on all things Anglo-Saxon, said he was the oldest. He told us who, he is. It can only mean one thing. Tom Bombadil is the 'Green Man', who is believed to be the oldest spiritual being, not only in Anglo-Saxon folklore, but in the whole of Germanic Northern European folklore. In Toilken's world, although the Valar are all based on real Gods and Goddess', he changed the names, due to the differing languages of Middle Earth, but there isn't a Valar based on the Green Man. The Green Man is a big part of Anglo-Saxon folklore, he represents nature, but he's also not really a part of the Anglo-Saxon echelon of Gods, such as Woden, Tiw, Ingui, Thunor etc. The Green Man fits perfectly, and I'm certain this is who Tolkien based him on, but chose not to say. Maybe to add mystery, but also it's well known people performed animal and human sacrifices to him and that might not be a good look, for the jolly fellow.
Tolkien said in an interview that Bombadil was created years before LOTR and was only used in LOTR as a diversion for the Hobbits, he was not important to the story and served no other purpose. He was not Maia, Valar or any other supernatural being. Tolkien said he could be taken out of the story and it would make no difference to the outcome. He was just put in as an adventure on the way. 😊
This is what I always thought. Kind of like Treebeard being Fangorn.
Tom gives his commands through singing, just like Eru , when he created the cosmos with the "music"...This cannot be a coincidence
There is one certainty we know about Tom Bombadil:
Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow,
Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow.
None has ever caught him yet, for Tom, he is the master:
His songs are stronger songs, and his feet are faster.
If Tom was one of the unintended results of the song of the Ainur it would explain why song is how he expresses himself. Or in the way Ungoliant was a manifestation of the darkness or the un-light, perhaps she is in a way a shadow cast by the light of Tom, two sides of the same coin. He watched Aule build the mountains and carve the seas, maybe he is the personification of what Arda was before Melkor marred it. He can't really conceive of malice or deceit for the same reasons the naive Ainur released Melkor from his imprisonment. Which perhaps is also why the concept of power or dominion isn't in his mind. His concept of time is measured in eons, his concept of space is infinite and doesn't hinder him. Tom doesn't show up when Frodo sings his song because he has really good hearing and he's super fast, he appears to them as if space and time weren't things that he had to give thought to. So maybe he IS the natural world, he is everything, everywhere, all at once. He was born when time began and will pass on (not die) when all things end. Final thought: It's possible the moniker of "Oldest and fatherless" was just an expression, but Illuvitar means "father of all", so if the elves are correct (they hung with the gods so they should know) then Tom has always been. If he witnessed the first of everything, then maybe he is the pen and paper Tolkien wrote his stories on...So he really would have been present before all things, there was nothing, then there was something. So he's the Big Bang of the Tolkien Universe. That may be a stretch but it makes as much sense as anything else.
Interesting how you've connected different aspects of Tolkien's mythology. The idea of Tom as an unintended result of the Ainur's music fits well with his use of song. The parallel with Ungoliant is also an intriguing perspective on the balance in Arda.
Viewing Tom as the personification of unspoiled Arda would explain his apparent naivety and indifference to power.
The notion of Tom as the 'paper and pen' of Tolkien's universe or even the 'Big Bang' is an interesting interpretation.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
@@LegendsOfArda Thank you for considering them!
His elven name Iarwain Ben-adar means "Oldest and Fatherless", suggesting that he is not a Valar or Ainur who were brought to being by Eru Iluvatar.
He cannot be Eru Iluvatar either as the author said the deity will not have a personification in the story.
The only thing not created and is not Eru Iluvatar and was present before everything was made in the LOTR universe is the secret fire, the power of Eru Iluvatar of life and creation.
Tom may posibly be the personification of that power.
Being able to control nature, in my mind, also alludes to something that is very old and probably been around since the beginning of time or creation
This is not necessarily true.. Tolkien could have purposefully mislead people in saying that the deity himself would not have have personification himself but he is not the deity in this case and is not Eru Iluvatar but he has many names and comes in many forms and he is not directly involved in the story but rather a wildcard so to speak that appears at free will and indirectly interacts in the story even though he's not technically apart of the story therefore he can be there but not be involved under a different form but as we know it makes sense it would be him as who else could control nature, have no affect from the ring, and be as old as middle earth itself? There is no other being that has those kind of abilities or power unless there was another form of deity created besides the valar in secret before the valar were born that nobody else knew about that wields immense power such as that. In any case of course they can not have the creator of all (god) appear and interfere in the story of his creations otherwise there would be no story if he just stepped in and snapped his fingers and made all the fighting stop lol.
What about the holy trinity? Eru Iluvatar, Tom Bombadil and the Secret Fire all as one and separate at the same time? Think about Christianity's Holy Trinity..
@@psyborg01 Similar to what I was thinking, that Tom is the Tolkien world's version of the Holy Ghost.
By this line of reasoning,
Tom Bombadil = God the Son
The Secret Fire = God the Holy Spirit
Eru Iluvatar = God the Father
That did always bug me that Tom Bombadil was omitted from the movies, but his saga would've added atleast another 12 hours to the storyline.
And I as well. I think it would to anyone that red/reads the books
This was so helpful, I was lost on “tom bombadill” plus i really really enjoyed this story teller, & i loved the voice plus i was intrigued during the whole video so please keep them coming.
Tom is Middle Earth. He was the embodiment of the song of creation. The ring is magic not of this world. It cannot affect Tom and interests him even less.
But he does say that his knowledge fails much further east. He doesn't even go to Bree. So he's part of Middle Earth but not all of it it seems.
@@A2ndVoice Not so sure about that. What did Tom do in the First Age?
@@leerubin4303 who knows. but he remembers the first acorn and the first raindrop and even Elrond and Galdalf dont poo-poo him being The Oldest so one has to presume he was, in fact, there.
Tom is Eru / the Secret Fire.
@@tombombadill22 I don't see it. That's too far.
I agree with the view that Bombadil represents an earlier line of thought extending out of The Hobbit and into the first chapters of the LOTR. That rather than try to retcon the character, Tolkien left him as an enigma. “Eldest, that’s what I am.” I’m happy with that.
Excellent visuals on this new channel. And a lively narrative style. Like other new Tolkien-based channels, I trust pronunciations (especially vowels) will improve.
A nice addition.
He is what we call a Genius Loci, the spirit of the place. Personified,
My theory: From the Ainulindale, Tom Bombadil is Ea, the World That Is. Ea is the Music of the Ainur to which Eru gave being. Thus, Tom's love for singing. From the Ainulindale and the Valaquenta: Eru sent the Flame Imperishable or the Secret Fire to dwell in the heart of Ea. Tom's great power is because, as the spirit of Ea, he has unlimited access to the Flame, which is Eru's creative power. My Tom Bombadil is Brian Blessed. But my other choices are Sir Derek Jacobi and Brian Cox. Rory Kinnear is a terrific actor and his take on TB is good but I still think he's TOO YOUNG for the part.
This has been my belief for decades.
I certainly concur that Tom was never meant to be Eru or any of the Valar. They all existed as creatures of thought prior to the creation of Arda. Tom being the first living thing in/on Arda does not require him to be a Valar/Maiar, he can just be a separate entity, which there are examples of in the lore.
The fact that he is the first, makes it more plain that he is not a Valar, because they didn’t enter Arda until after it was created. At most, he might have been a creation of the combined efforts of the Valar, as though each of them gave a piece of themselves in his creation.
Tom is no small thing to dismiss, which reading the books at 12yrs old, given to me by my best friend who read them first, spreading the books far and wide with other intelligent young friends, it was always the number one question we debated, of course after reading both the books and the Silmarillion quite a few times.
I came to conclusion right or wrong, was that maybe Tom was an avatar for Illuvitar and there's reasons behind it. But as pointed out, Goldenberry is there too. And what is she?
Or perhaps a Maia or Aniur who were as described: "enarmoured of middle earth, who fell in love with it and it's creatures, who made habitation there" is another theory we had.
We studied his songs, everything, but without the internet or others, older people to discuss the books with, we were on our own. Tom is the real question mark of Lord of the Rings. Thanks again for posting, somebody needed to bring this up.
Only Illuvatar, or perhaps Aniur (we do see the Maia corrupted by the ring so Tom isn't a maia but perhaps Goldenberry is) could be *that* old, and remain indifferent to the ring or even the mere idea of "power". So in truth, I always thought it was Illuvatar.
I wrote this before watching the video to see how well this show matches up.
Beautiful story about discovering Tolkien's works with friends at a young age and diving deep into these mysteries together! It really shows how Tom's enigmatic nature sparks such rich discussions and theories that stay with us through the years. Your group's analytical approach - studying the songs, debating different theories - that's what makes Tolkien's world so special. Thanks for sharing these wonderful memories and insights!
I first read LOTR in the late 60s, and absolutely loved it. I also read Harvard Lampoons "Bored of the Rings", which a lot of people I knew that loved LOTR refused to read. Anyway, it cracked me up. Tom Bombadil became Tim Benzedrino ( "Hop a hill, Pop a pill, for old Tom Benzedrino"). His wife was named Hashberry, and the hobbits shared a very interesting meal with them - much disoriented hullucinations followed.
Anyway, I can understand Jackson leaving his character out of the film. Most people watching the films never read the books, and TB would have been a very confusing character at the very beginning of the story.
I loved the paradoy
Bored of the rings was very funny. My friends and I spoofed it too during rainy lunch times at school. I rememeber we had an Eagle called Spock because he lived in an Eyrie and Gandalf getting embarrased because his fireworks blew up the birthday cake.
Love hearing about your long history with Tolkien's works! The parodies from that era offer such a unique perspective on how LOTR was received in its early days. You make a great point about the films - while Tom Bombadil is beloved by book readers, his mysterious nature could have been tricky to translate to screen without confusing new audiences. Thanks for sharing this wonderful memory!
This last theory makes Perfect Sense!! He’s like ‘Father Nature’! That’s most people likely why he chose Goldberry, the Riverwoman’s Daughter as his wife…because she is also a manifestation of Nature.
Well Done! ❤🔥Great Storytelling!!❤🔥
I look forward to your story about Glaurung!😁
Thanks for your enthusiasm! You've made a great connection between Tom and Goldberry as nature spirits. Glad you enjoyed the 'Father Nature' theory - it does tie things together nicely, doesn't it? Hope you'll stick around for more videos. 😁
Cutting out Tom Bombadil from the movies was the most hurtful thing, truly one of my very favorite Characters because he provided light in a very dark setting in Middle Earth. He was....hope.
He was the most sensible exclusion from LoTR movies, because he didn’t fit thematically (much more of a fit in the more children’s signing tales of the Hobbit) and just like is expressed in the book, if Tom was as powerful is it seemed, why couldn’t he protect the Ring? Because he wouldn’t care to keep track of it, and if the rest of Middle-Earth succumbed to Sauron’s evil, Tom wouldn’t have the power to stand against him either. Tom is the spirit of Arda (of nature and goodness) but not a fighter on it’s behalf 🤷♀️
@@joels5150Agreed. His exclusion from the movie was a disappointment, but I understand the reasoning. We also got a watered-down Council of Elrond, out of sheer cinematic necessity. They could’ve spent an hour of runtime just on that. But for me, the real outrage was what they did to Faramir. IMHO, he’s the coolest guy in the trilogy, bar none. So glad he and Eowyn got together.
Favorite line from the Council (Aragorn): “ ‘Strider’ I am called by a fat man in Bree, who lives within a day’s March of foes who would freeze his heart, or lay his town in ruin, if he were not guarded ceaselessly. Yet I would have it no other way. If simple folk are kept free of care and worry, simple they will be. And we must be secret to do so.” That’s a future King talking.
Please, please, please,....no more cinema adaptations of Tolkien's work....please
@@brettmuir5679we got 3 more seasons if Rings of Power left lol sorry to be the bearer of bad news
Most hurtful thing? Including him would have made the movies pretty ridiculous.
We don't need any special theories about him. He isn't anyone other that just who he appears to be. Tom is Tom. Tom isn't God. He is just an Ainu.
Who doesn't love an enigma? Being satisfied with theories is superficial at best, and a laugh to the likes of Bombadill. The wonder of existing at all is as mysterious as any magic. The wonder of Tom is a gift to us. These theories, however, share a joy and wonder of the enigma, so why not ask why? and delight in the many iterations? Bravo!💐
Brilliantly put! You've captured the essence of what makes Tom Bombadil such a captivating character. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
@@LegendsOfArda You are welcome. I'm glad to share my thoughts with you who have explored so thoroughly this beloved character in such a beautifully illustrated presentation. Many thanks your way.
Just like the Ent, I believe Bombadil is one of the beings Yavanna requested of Manwe to place in Middle-Earth that would care for the plants and other growing things. Ents are also described as the oldest of the old in the same way Bombadil is. Also both the Ents and Bombadil are tied to the old forests.
That's a fascinating connection between Tom and the Ents as guardians of nature! Though Tom seems even more ancient than the Ents, their shared role in protecting the old forests does suggest a similar purpose in Yavanna's design. Happy to have you in our community!
One thing not mentioned is that comparing Tom to Gandalf isn't exactly fair.
It was another theory of ours which was the same as this video said, that perhaps Toms heart was of such purity being a Maia or Aniur/Valar that the ring didn't effect him. Reason might be, Gandalf was given a job to do. That's why he rode the boat over. He had a job, and it was his duty to see it through.
As I see with Tom, it's not the same. Far as we know, Tom didn't have a job or directives. He was just Tom whereas Gandalf was of the Istari, all sent here to help free peoples defeat Sauron once and for all. So with this "purity of heart" this show says Toms can't "beat" Gandalfs purity of heart but that's strictly an opinion. I value it, but think you're wrong. How can one judge something like that, even given all of Gandalfs accomplishments? Without Tom the fellowship could have ended right there. So in a way, Tom fulfilled his job if he never had one. His thing was enjoying life and all it has to offer, it wasn't exactly to directly help anyone unless it was in the past with a different name as Elrond said.
Also how can this video state that for a surety that Tom wasn't Maia or Vala/Ainur? Since Elrond said he went by older names, known to all the free peoples, if Tom wasn't specifically mentioned in Silmarillion (which he's not) then how do we know he wasn't there for the Song at the very beginning. I mentioned in another post here, finding this subject extremely interesting, that it was said some of the Maia and Valar/ainur were enamored with middle earth, and went down into it to make dwellings, try healing the constant damage done by Melkor and his associates. Maybe that's Tom. Perhaps he was incredibly stronger than the Istari all put together but as said, he didn't have a specific job so why not love life in all it's fullest as he did? Enjoying each day as a treasure with Goldenberry who I do suspect is Maia or Valar too being deathless and not an elf. We'll never know but it's awesome to speculate on. Great video whether I agree or disagree. Thanks for posting.
Love your thoughtful analysis about comparing roles vs nature - Tom's 'job-free' existence vs Gandalf's mission is a brilliant observation! You make excellent points about the challenges of measuring purity of heart and Tom's indirect but crucial role in the story. And your take on Tom and Goldberry possibly being among those ancient beings who chose to dwell in Middle-earth is fascinating. Thanks for such an engaging and well-reasoned contribution to the discussion!
I loved Bombadil as a thing of his own, a mystery, an enigma, and a true symbol of the depth of Tolkien's imagination. The solution to the riddle is that it is a riddle to be enjoyed, experienced, not solved.
Nothing that couldn’t utterly destroy Arda itself, posed a threat to Tom. Maybe Valar, like Aule or Utumno could be considered comparable in terms of power, Tom would be basically the essence of life in Arda. Anything that could grow would be under Tom’s sway as it were. He may find creatures like the Nazgûl or the Barrow-wights bothersome, but they could never be a threat to him. The one entity I think would bother/threaten Tom would have been Ungoliant. She being an entity outside of Arda, that wanted to consume life and light insatiably, she might have been a threat to all of life, aside from the Valar.
The Valar are all well accounted for during the First Age (which Tom existed in) and by time Valinor was physically removed from Arda, there’s no indication that any of them were lost and replaced Tom.
actually the Nazgul can see Frodo when he puts The Ring on And this is a clue I think to Tom's nature. He can see the Material World and The Unseen World. He was there before Time according to his own words. And he controls creation through Song. That would suggest that he is a Vala. He is a Vala in disguise, in just the same way that Gandalf is a Maia in disguise.
It is implied in LOTR and explicit in rings of power that Sauron can also see the unseen world. For what that's worth. And it's stated by Tolkien that Sauron is a Maiar. Maybe there are different power levels or studies. That said, I agree it makes more sense for Tom to be a Valar.
@@darricshhh Certainly Sauron could see Frodo, thats how he spotted Frodo on Amon Hen, By the way Gandalf also knew Frodo had the Ring on then (and Gandalf is a Mais). Valinorean Elves also walk in the Unseen World, so doubtless Galadriel could see Frodo.
I think the one thing Tom isn’t is a Valar/Maiar. They all existed during the song of creation, which it’s never stated that Tom is. It’s more likely that Tom is the spirit/essence of Arda (what becomes Middle-Earth). That is how Tom can be “first” while not being Eru Iluvatar (or any of the Valar).
@@joels5150 Excellent post, as a kid I thought he was Tulkas but when I reread it's clear he isn't.
Loving this new Tolkien channel. Great format on the videos!! An interesting new view on Tolkiens world
Keep up the great work guys. I look forward to more content.
♫♫ The road goes ever on and on ... ♫♫
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you're enjoying our take on Tolkien's world. Is there any particular area of Tolkien's legendarium you're especially keen to see us cover?
I always felt Tom Bombadil as a caretaker to nature and it's natural balance.
You just said something very specific. That the films didn't mention Tom Bombadil. Perhaps it explains why there is so much criticism of the current shows. Because the criticisers have never read the actual books, relying solely on the movies to justify their opinions.
I don't think you've hit on the reason people criticize the current shows. I think the shows have plenty of reasons to be criticized
@@garymelchisky2880 Everything deserves legitimate criticism And I agree, the truth is, the shows are not really that great.
But I notice you didn't disagree with me when I implied that many people jumping on the hate bandwagon appear to have not immersed themselvves in the books for many years the way I did, so they miss many nuances that are really important.
great artwork
Gandalf as one of the Istari was charged with looking after the people of Middle-Earth, it was his mission or his job. Also to monitor Morghoth and Sauron's influence, to report back to the Valar. So of course he took an interest in the Ring, fought the Balrog, freed Theoden, etc. and he tracked Gollum's wandering in the Dead Marshes and beyond, into Dol Guldur where he was tortured by Sauron for years. Then he tried to help him recover even though the rangers and Elrond didn't see why he bothered but Gollum's mind had shattered.
I am so sad and disappointed, why did Amazon have to produce trash. They could have done something great.
Cheers for the kind words about the artwork! You've got a solid grasp of Gandalf's role in Middle-earth. Your point about his mission contrasts nicely with Tom Bombadil's apparent lack of involvement in wider affairs.
Interesting mention of Gollum's time in Dol Guldur - it's a part of the story that often gets overlooked. Any other characters whose roles you think are particularly fascinating or underexplored? We're always on the lookout for intriguing topics for future videos.
What an amazing explanation of this character would of loved to see him in the movies
Bombadil looked over the equivalent of Eden in Middle Earth, or embodied the essence of what Paradise should be, or what should be aspired to. But it was Illuvitar's plan to have his creatures reach or that goal through trials, making choices of their own. The whole Free Will concept.
Brilliant comparison of Tom's domain to Eden and your observation about free will in Ilúvatar's plan! It really captures the deeper meaning of his peaceful realm. Thanks for this insightful comment!
“And then Tom’s talk went sailing out into ancient starlight, before even the elf-sires were awake.” I must’ve read that line twelve times in a row when I first read LOR. I was wrapped in wonder no less than Tom’s guest-Hobbits.
Love those effects, this guy needs to make one be apart of the next installment of the hobbit or LOR, even ROP.
Bombadil is the original Caretaker...in corporeal form... the spirit of life itself. A green man .
Thought saw it all, nothing can really cheer me up this world anymore but Great Vid :) Thx
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! It's great to hear the video brought you some joy. Tolkien's world has a special way of lifting spirits, doesn't it? Is there a particular aspect of Tolkien's works you find most uplifting? We'd love to hear about it.
Hope you'll stick around for more videos.
@@LegendsOfArda Thank You for your unexpectedly kind reply just i do too much stuff my energies are so occupied in many ways these days couldn't react on it. That was an exceptionally great done video in it's visuals, lyrics & thoughts. I can like Tolkien very much if it's like that, you feel a so peculiar complex world though it's full of human characters you can put yourself in. I think Tom Bombadil can be something like that as well, feelings of a reader from outside, who can get a little part in a fantasy world but not more, we can say he's there from the begin like any free willx)
Love the artwork, subscribed.
Thanks! Welcome to the channel! Any particular Middle-earth topics you'd like to see us cover next?
One could argue not that he doesnt care. But that he trusts the peoples of middle earth will prevail
Tom is the Avatar of the music of the Ainur. this is why he was there before any creation.
He is not iluvatar manifest.
Likewise Ungoliant is the Avatar of the void. The all consuming emptiness.
This is why even Morgoth feared her.
He is not Eru iluvatar, because Gandalf says he can not be trusted with the ring. He cares not for the fate of middle Earth or the lives of anything other than his own realm.
This is not the attitude of GOD.
if he was Eru he would walk the ring to Mordor with the Hobbits.
But the music is creation, it is like a river, if flows unconcerned but of its own m meandering. This description fits Tom.
Also all creation is music (even in our world, Harmonic frequencies of vibrating quantum particles)
Tom's power of magic comes from the music part thereof himself.
First I wanted to further comment, but that is no more necessary. Since a new song has began to resound in heavens by the majority of all Valar and Ainur. All fumes of disharmony extinguish to a clean and pure flame of light 🔥.
And it spreads gently like the friendly moist 💦 of the first spring rain rejuvenating all life that has patiently hoped for the mildness of the spring ⛅️ to come after a harsh winter.
Let us all consciously acknowledge our previously suffered temptations and weaknesses. And join ourselves into the new hopeful and merciful song and provide it to each other 😌😘 😲
'This is not the attitude of GOD.' -you say, but God lets bad and good things happen all the time because we all have our wyrd/destiny to play out -we might have done bad things in previous lives wich is why bad things might happen to us in life or vice versa. So I don't see why Bombadil couldn't be a Valar or Maia that has transcended good and evil with his wyrd - Ghandalf being called to help the little people is part if his wyrd/destiny because he 'ows' something to Middle earth still -Bombadil doesn't 'owe' anything but can choose to help if he wants to -
I am with those that believe that Tom is a genius locii. The physical embodiment of the spirit of Middle Earth.
What a beautiful interpretation! The idea of Tom as a genius loci - a guardian spirit of the land - really resonates with how he's so deeply connected to his domain in Middle-earth. Thanks for sharing this elegant perspective!
He is the personification of the Secret Fire that Eru Iluvitar sent into Arda.
Loved the vid!
thanks so much for your support!
Tom reminds me of a character we find in the Old Testament. Melchizedek. No beginning no end. Impartial but powerful
"When frodo put on the ring, Bombadil can still see him, something only he can do".
Bro, did you forget about Sauron?
Off on a tangent of Sauron seeing Frodo, when Boromir attacks Frodo and he puts the ring on, the eye closes in on him then diverts away, the diversion was Gandalf returning. A little help from Eru.
Any valar ,Maiar or high elf can see the unseen world. So do the ringwraight
I think it's pretty simple. He is either a holdover from a previous creation, or a wholly unique entity created by Eru Iluvitar, that was not part of the Varda yet had power like them. You can know this to be the case simply due to the fact that the machinations of the enemy never effected Tom which makes him at least on a similar level to to the Varda in power. If Morgoth's binding of the great ring to himself (the planet of middle earth) didn't do anything then he also stands apart. Not only this, but he is likely connected because the way he wields power is similar to the Varda when they sang the world into existence, being able to speak not just with dull creatures like tree's but also inanimate objects like rivers. All the Varda are divided into principalities which control the various forces of creation such as storms, smithing, stars and wisdom, etc. I think Tom is the first Steward. The first tree-herder. Perhaps he even taught the Ent's their trades, but what is indisputable is that he holds power over all things that can be called part of the natural order of middle earth. Like a good version of Melkor but part of a seperate choir of singers, if that makes sense.
Fascinating analysis! Your theory about Tom being a unique creation with power over the natural order makes a lot of sense - especially the connection to the Music of Creation and his relationship with nature. Your comparison to a 'separate choir of singers' is particularly insightful.
Ive actually considered Tom to be the opposite of the music of ainur (spelling?). The music was devoted to creation which is an action based on need. Tom is opposed to interference when left alone. I look at the music of ainor as something new and Tom representing something much older. Like the beauty of a planet before life
I have always thought that Brian Blessed would of made a brilliant, Tom Bombadill!😊 With his booming voice, and charisma and his stocky build, he would of been perfect!
except ; Tom has blue eyes.
I believe Tom Bombadil is Eru Iluvatar just enjoying his creation
Tolkien was a devout Catholic.
Hes got many Christian themes strewn throughout his storys.
Tom has always reminded me of Melchizedek for sone reason. Not in personality by any stretch mind you. But more of as a mysterious person of very high importance that plays very important roles in the overall story.
Very interesting video, thank you for that! Does anyone know by chance the title of the song playing in the background around 13:00? It's beautiful...
"Do you think Tom Bombadil, the spirit of the (vanishing) Oxford and Berkshire countryside, could be made into the hero of a story?" Letter 19, 16 December 1937
"And even in a mythical Age there must be some enigmas, as there always are. Tom Bombadil is one (intentionally)." Letter 144, 25 April 1954
THANK YOU. I can't understand all the people who say he's Eru Ilúvatar or a Valar or a Maiar or Tolkien himself. None of that makes sense.
Especially when the Valar sung the world into existence, but in Fellowship Pippin and Tom say:
‘Do you think,’ asked Pippin hesitatingly, ‘do you think we may be pursued, tonight?’
‘No, I hope not tonight,’ answered Tom Bombadil; ‘nor perhaps the next day. But do not trust my guess; for I cannot tell for certain. Out east my knowledge fails. Tom is not master of Riders from the Black Land far beyond his country.’
Excellent observation! That quote perfectly illustrates Tom's limited domain and knowledge - a key detail that many overlook. Your attention to the actual text really helps ground these discussions. Thanks for sharing such a well-supported point!
Wonderful sharing of those key Tolkien letters! They show how deliberately he crafted Tom's mysterious nature and his connection to the real countryside Tolkien loved. These direct sources really enrich our understanding. Thanks for bringing these quotes to the discussion!
I toally agree with your hypothesis! I originally thought that he was Eru, but as you showed that the Supreme Creator, Tolkien himself said, that could not be so.😊
When this video started with the original question, I thought, "Bombadil is Tolkien's alter ego". Many authors do this. It is like Nero Wolfe is Rex Stout's alter ego.
I love how you just left out the part about when the music of creation was being sang Malkor, and others who started to follow him and suit, started changing the song and corrupting it. That would definitely account for the indifference that Tom Bombadil has. Also, as it States Malkor and folloers were not able to finish his verse therefore would prevent any further indifferences into Tom Bombadil. Honestly if you would have added that because that's what needs to be added cuz that's a part of the story, it would make things a lot clearer and makes a lot of sense. Honestly, that could be the answer. I don't see any of the other theories working out properly because there's too many holes that have to be filled. The only one that doesn't really have holes is that he is the personification of the song of creation. If you would have explained the entirety of how the song was made maybe other people watching this could actually surmise in their own minds. You can't just go around leaving out information. The context is the entire situation that happens, when you leave information about a situation out of the context, it ruins the actual context of what reality happened in that situation and it leaves out crucial information that completes this theory. Please stop leaving information out. Also, there are several things that you mentioned that are just completely wrong in The Lord of the Rings lore.
If you're going to talk about theorization you need to unleash the entirety of the context and you need to do more research because the some of the things you are saying are facts are not facts at all. There are certain things you mentioned several times that just aren't a part of the real lore. I hope you find this criticism useful I don't mean it to be offensive in any way, but mostly so that you have more to go on next time you cover things like this. I really love this channel and I want to help anyway I can even if that means criticism.
Thank you for your detailed feedback. You raise important points about the Music of the Ainur and Melkor's role in it. You're right, including that information would have enriched the discussion about Tom Bombadil.
Whilst I believe the theory of Tom as a nature spirit makes more sense, the theory of the Music of the Ainur was the only one I didn't completely dismiss, merely pointing out a query that made it less convincing. Your perspective adds interesting layers to this theory.
Regarding the inaccuracies you mentioned, could you point them out specifically? We always strive for accuracy and would love to correct any errors.
We appreciate your passion for Tolkien's lore. Balancing depth and accessibility is a challenge, but your insights help us improve.
Is there any particular aspect of Tolkien's mythology you'd like to see addressed in future videos? Your perspective would be valuable for our planning.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts. It's the engagement of fans like you that helps us grow and create better content.
I lean toward Bombadil being a manifestation of Illuvatar, or God.
Because Tom isn't worried. And the ring had no influence over him, though even Maiar and the most powerful elves freely admit that it would totally overpower them. That means Tom is either a Valar, or God himself.
At the council, wasn't it Gandalf who said Bombadil wouldn't attend if he was asked or summoned? But Illuvatar was there at the council, when Frodo volunteered in a voice that was not entirely his own.
Interesting theory! Though Tolkien explicitly stated Eru never appears embodied in his stories. But your observation about Frodo's voice at the Council is fascinating - it shows how Ilúvatar works through subtle influence rather than direct manifestation.
Yavanna was very concerned that all of the trees and things of nature she created would be destroyed. I felt Bombadil may have been put in place to ease her fears, so that with Bombadil watching over a portion of the natural lands they will always be preserved until the end and from the beginning.
His guardianship of the Old Forest does seem to echo her desire to protect the natural world she created. Thanks for sharing this beautiful perspective on his purpose!
Clicked because the thumbnail looks like Robin Williams. Didn’t disappoint.
Thanks for checking out the video!
I always figured that Tom was the manifestation of the flame imperishable(secret fire). Basically, the Holy Spirit, which Morgoth was always trying to find and subdue, but, was never able to because it is with Iluvatar.
Tom Bombadil is the”I AM GOD” in all the possible tales and stories that come out of J.R.R. Tolkiens novels. PERIOD. He can do WHATEVER he wants WHENEVER he wants to… even create life.
Tom's powers are indeed remarkable! Though Tolkien did write some interesting things about this in his letters. Thanks for your enthusiasm about the character!
Tolkien was a heavy Christian Philosopher. Tom Bombadil seems a logical artistic expression of “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God” type of character. Bombadil also essentially gives Frodo a prayer, to call upon his strength in times of need. This is clearly represented. Galadriel gives a light to Frodo, yet not her own intervention like Bombadil did. Also, Tolkien was a bit tight lipped about discussing Tom Bombadil and only shared that he was based off a doll his children had, which Tolkien himself saved from being flushed down a toilet, and beyond that - commented that Bombadil should remain mysterious. In my humble opinion, Tom Bombadil is the best candidate for an Old Testament God figure launched into the story without declaring Himself to be.
Tom was born during Ainulindale. He's the master, not a sub-creator as the Maiar and Eldar, and arguably some acts of the Valar (Melkor's dissonance, Aule creating the dwarves)
He is unconcerned because he knows how the story ends. Melkor is gone and it's Sauron's last gasp.
And what would Tom have done if Sauron harmed Goldberry?
Excellent point about the Ainulindalë connection! And that last question about Goldberry is thought-provoking - for all his seeming indifference to the Ring and greater conflicts, Tom's power might have manifested quite differently if his beloved was threatened.
U made me realize how perfect he would have been for that role
His ability to mix whimsy with wisdom would've been magical to see. Thanks for appreciating this casting idea!
I prefer to think that Tom was the spirit of Middle Earth itself.
Gandalf himself said that Tom would be the last to fall, but only after all the rest of Middle earth had been conquered.
However, it doesnt really matter. Tom is supposed to be a mystery, and doesnt need to be explained.
Awesome. Thank you 🙏
Really glad you enjoyed the video. Hope to see you in future discussions! ✨
A spirit of nature sounds the most promising to me. Maybe there are others in Middle-earth making it so that the land around them is like a save zone for the chiildren of Illuvatar.
Honestly, I think the truth of ol Tom is simpler than all that. To understand who he is you have to understand first where the character came from and how the LoTR mythos was created.
The first idea and naming of TB was a small doll J.R.R. Tolkien's sons had as a child that miraculously survived a trip down the toilet. This was before the idea for any of his later works concerning middle earth were conceived.
Tolkien used this doll to create bed time stories and wrote poems about to treat his young children. So technically he really WAS the first and eldest of all the stories, predating even Eru.
Now to understand how Middle Earth and Ea (everything in the legendarium of LoTR). Tolkien was a philologist by trade- a person who studies the history of languages. Before he delved into Ea, he wanted to create a language, complete with syntax and form to better understand how language evolves over time. What he created was THE ELVEN LANGUAGE. Where most people/authors will create a language to fit a story they are writing, Tolkien did the opposite; he created a story to serve as a way to explain his language.
I believe that the addition of Tom Bombadil in the LoTR was simply an Easter-egg for his children to connect to the stories. He was created before the stories of Ea and completely separate from those stories and instead of retconning his origin story, since Tom was inconsequential to the main storyline, he made up a purposely vague idea of what he was. After all, Tolkien’s reason d’être wasn’t to be a writer, it was to be a father first. He loved his kids so he added a beloved character of theirs to his stories to epitomize his love for them. I believe Tom Bombadil is the personification of his love for HIS children.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk
What a beautiful perspective on Tom's origins! You're absolutely right about his real-world history as a beloved doll and character in Tolkien's family stories. This personal connection adds another layer to why Tolkien might have kept Tom's nature deliberately mysterious in Middle-earth. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful and touching analysis!
I only listened for his voice... Dude needs to be the next David attenburrough
What if... when the songs of Eru Iluvitar, and the Ainur collided with the songs of Melkor he was spawned as a contingency to counter the effects of the discord? Perhaps Eru Iluvitar's "back up plan" that was never needed. I love the speculation.
The Istari, Maiar sent to Middle Earth to oppose Sauron, were weakened so they could not oppose Sauron directly.
Can't wait for more videos
Thanks for the enthusiasm! We're thrilled you're enjoying our content. 😊 Any particular aspects of Middle-earth you're keen to see us explore next?
I tend to agree with your theory. I think Bobmbadil was something along the same lines ungoliant. Or the older things that Gandalf would not name. They were intended to be like Tom and Goldberry but melkors trying to insert his own theme corrupted them. Now they gnaw on the bones of the world instead of being caretakers
That's a fascinating parallel between Tom and Ungoliant - both ancient beings beyond typical classifications! Your insight about Melkor's corruption vs preservation really highlights the duality in Tolkien's world. The idea of original "caretakers" being twisted into world-gnawers adds an interesting layer to Middle-earth's mythology. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful perspective!
You forget that Tolkien was Catholic. During his life there was a re-establishment of the monasteries. The monks of monasteries were the spiritual warriors that saved the world. They stay in their walls and pray for the world, and their prays hold the world together.. I am not saying Tom was a monk, but the same principle: If he were the Music of arda personified, then that music needs to be constantly sun to continue. It is Tom's role to stay in his place and continue to sing the world into existence.
Beautiful insight connecting Tom's role to the monastic tradition and the power of constant prayer/song. Your idea of him maintaining the Music of Arda through his endless singing is deeply profound. Thanks for this wonderful perspective!
Tom was created before the LOTR or the Hobbit, I think Tolkien just put him in to make the early build up in book 1 a bit less slow. I used to think he was Tulkas when I was a kid but I realised Tulkas would have probably thrown the ring into the fire from the old forest.
The fact that Gandlaf went to see him on his gooodbye tour made me think that Tom had a much larger impact than Tolkien wrote about, maybe he would have shown up more in the 4th age or if Tolkien had another 20 years to fill out all he had in his mind. The fact that the Shire was pretty much unmolested would indicate that Tom was a nuclear deterent.
You're spot on about Tom's origins predating LOTR! The 'nuclear deterrent' theory is quite interesting, and that observation about Gandalf's farewell visit does suggest deeper connections than what's written. Your evolution from the Tulkas theory shows how complex Tom's character really is - he remains one of Tolkien's most fascinating enigmas.
@@LegendsOfArda Sam was the star of the book as far as I'm concerned. He is so heroic, staying in his lane, affecting all around him and never giving up whilst never talking about it.
I find it interesting that the segment with Tom in it also had Glorfindel, another mighty character that Tolkien effectively resurrected albeit via a slight mistake over reusing the name. To me, it shows his intent was to demonstrate that bravery, and fidelity and not great power is often what's needed. He also showed the importance of hope after Gandalf's death with Aragorn saying "Then we must do without hope" and later when Gandlaf returns, "Beyond all hope, you return to us!" Such a powerful piece of writing about a character who went out of his way to not use power, and yet is seen as the embodiment of hope.
I think Tom would be Tolkein's ideal life. Out in the country and at peace. And Elrond even points out that even someone as powerful as Tom would fall eventually. Doing nothing in the face of danger will eventually defeat you
That's a really thoughtful observation about both Tom's peaceful nature and its limitations! Your point about Elrond's warning perfectly captures Tolkien's message that even those who wish to live apart must sometimes face the wider world's challenges. Thanks for sharing this insight!
Tolkien wrote about him in one of his letters to somebody that Tom Bombadil is the personification of the spirit of one of the regions Tolkien used to live in or around.
Exactly! I'm glad you caught that. I go into more detail about that theory at the 21:13 timestamp. Appreciate you watching!
The only fatherless being in the universe is God / Eru. The Catholic Blessed Trinity comprises God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Tolkien said the Holy Spirit was the Secret Fire / Flame Imperishable, in his pre-Christian legendarium. Therefore Tom is the manifestation of the Secret Fire, and Gandalf is his servant.
That's an intriguing connection between Tom and the Secret Fire! Tolkien’s Catholic influences definitely shape the deeper layers of his world. It’s always interesting to explore these spiritual parallels in Middle-earth. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
Rory Kinnear seems the perfect Tom Bombadil in Rings of Power.
I agree Tom is the manifestation, avatar of Arda, the first nature spirit, Father Nature. He's like Treebeard who as a shepherd is focused upon his charges, the Trees & kindly unconcerned with the Creatures' struggles which are beyond his worldview until these trespass directly into his realm.
It's known that JRR Tolkien was concerned & anguished by the impact that Industrialization & its Wars were having upon the countryside of England. Such were slowly enveloping & marring Nature against its created purposes. His experiences in the nightmarish, battle scarred trenches of WW1 gave him these insights into Industrial Warfare.
That is why Gandalf said even Tom in his realm would be defeated even though he would be the last to fall before Sauron's unholy & unnatural evil to have power over all & to be the One to rule all even Nature.
Your parallel between Tom and Treebeard is excellent - both ancient guardians of nature with specific domains. And you're right about Tolkien's concerns about industrialization influencing these characters. Tom represents that untouched natural world he feared losing.
I've often thought that Tom was Tolkien's version of a Kami-sama. As a personification of the spirit of the land itself, it fits. I'm also inclined to think that he has little sway or power over anything outside of his lands.
Your connection to Kami is really insightful! This perfectly aligns with Tom's nature as a localized spirit deeply connected to his specific domain and explains both his immense power within his borders and his limitations beyond them. Appreciate you sharing your perspective!
Tom Bombadil : 11 letters
Eru Iluvatar : 11 letters
Third letter of first and second word are the same for both names (m and u)
Interesting wordplay observation! Though Tolkien was more focused on linguistics than numerology - he did confirm in his letters that Eru doesn't appear embodied in the stories. Tom remains his own unique mystery! 🧙♂️
From my point of view Tom B is an incarnation of Illuvatar. It’s why he don’t be a part or taking side because event Sauron he’s part of the great music
Tom Bombadil is an earth elemental. He was a sidetrack, not important to the story of the Ring. He was important to the story of the Shire, though, but that was another story.
And I think Tim Allen would have made a better Tom Bombadil than Robin Williams...
He does have a role in the Ring history. Merry gains the sword that un-sinews the Lord of the Nazgul through Tom's intervention, his gift.
Tom Bombadil is Tom... Bombadil :)
There's a problem with the idea that Boromir is Tolkien's self-insert. His actual self-insert is Beren. To the extent that on the gravestone on his and his wife's gravestone there is an inscription naming them as Beren and Luthien.
Tom is archon mode between the two blue wizards. They wonder twin combine into Tom! I have spoken.
I've always felt that he might be a self insert. Tolkien in his own world.
While that's an interesting idea, Tolkien actually wrote that Faramir was the character most like himself. Though Tom's love of songs and tales does reflect Tolkien's own storytelling spirit! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!
@LegendsOfArda I've read several biographies as well as his letters, and yes this is certainly what he claimed. However, as a literature student I have noticed that many authors have used the self insert in a more personal way. So, it occurs to me that other than simply putting himself into his own world, this may be a private joke/insertion. This something that he wouldn't necessarily have admitted to. Considering his relationship with his beloved wife I have wondered if there is a romantic element to this possible insertion...Bombadil and Goldberry. The other thought is that the character might have its origins in a beloved friend or professor. Which also might have inspired the naming of the doll. We'll never know, but this is something that has fascinated me for many years.
I don't think Tolkien said the maia were affected by the ring- they were afraid they would be affected by it. Remember Sauron isn't made invisible by it and he's a maia.
Gandalf was like an apostle, one sent for a purpose. His power was limited
If anything, Tom seems most likely to be a personification of the natural world itself. In his case, ALL the natural world in its myriad interrelated regards. As such, his union with Goldberry, another nature spirit, is more understandable.
He is accordingly not limited, though, as is erroneously suggested here, by being perforce 'tied' to any specific locale. Something in fact confirmed by Gandalf, when he speaks at The Council of Elrond about Tom having retired of his own volition to a modest region he seems to have chosen to rule directly;
("And now he is withdrawn into a little land, within bounds that he has set, though none can see them, waiting perhaps for a change of days, and he will not step beyond them.")
The ting did seem to work fine in Tom's land, just not on Tom. When Frodo got it back it made him invisible still.
Good observation! The Ring’s power did remain intact in Tom’s realm-just not over him. Frodo’s invisibility when he put it back on highlights that unique immunity Tom has to its influence. Thanks for diving into the details with us!
why oh why didn't Jackson realize the best way to satisfy everyone after making the first 3, make another separate movie staring Robin as Tom, connecting what we didn't see but is in the books. He could've shot a few scenes with the hobbits and we all could've got everything we wanted. Thank God I can one day give an advance AI this prompt and enjoy what could have been lol fingers crossed
Tom is creation itself. Along with Goldberry, he is Arda. He is the Music expounded by Eru and sung by the Valar.
What a beautiful interpretation! The connection between Tom's singing and the Music of Creation is really meaningful, and his deep bond with nature certainly reflects Arda's essence. Thanks for sharing this poetic perspective!
He’s in season 2 of rings of power
The Maiar like Gandalf had missions they were sent on and which they pursued. Bombadil could be a Maiar whose missions was to maintain a place in Middle Earth that was a close analog to the Undying Lands, filled with joy and life.
But I do like theory four, if you modify it with the final one.
Great insight about different Maiar missions! Thanks for weaving these theories together in such a thoughtful way!
great video! can someone do a "tom bombadil count" haha
Sadly, I do not agree with your assessment of the Music of Ainur. The Music is specifically static and predetermined. Tom could not actually change anything, nor could he be impacted by anything that would change his nature. Tom is deterministic as is the Music. The only ones who are outside of the Music are Men. The Music cannot be influenced by the Ring, nor could influence the Ring although it predicted it through Melkor's contributions. Tom's perceptions would have no real memory about anything beyond the Music itself. Nature itself was under the domain of Yavanna, so theory 5 does not seem to hold. Tom's protection of the hobbits is that of the deterministic Music, the personification of Middle Earth is the Music. The Music binds Tom because Tom is the Music. I think that is what JRRT actually was saying about Tom. I'm going to hold with this theory and still enjoy the discourse.
We know that Sauron was a Maia corrupted by the Vala Melkor/Morgoth. When wearing his ring, Sauron did NOT become invisible. He was clearly seen to be fought in the Battle of the Last Alliance, and Isuldur did not have to feel around for his body after his fall to cut off the ring finger, the body wearing the ring was visible. Gandalf never put on the ring because he was scared of it's influence, but I suspect if he had (or had Saruman) he would NOT have disappeared either, being a Maia. Bombadil put on the ring and did not disappear. To my mind and given all the available evidence, I think a Maia is the only thing Tom could be and wield the power he does, yet still be subject to ultimate defeat by Sauron had Sauron reclaimed his ring. The total number of Maiar were never revealed, yet we can safely assume there were more of the Maiar than the Valar as each Vala was attended by multiple Maiar. There numbers could have been vast, and most are not described or named, so Tom could easily have been a Maia that came permanently to Middle Earth and "went native". I believe that Goldberry was most likey a Maia who served Ulmo or Osse and fell in love with the waters of Middle Earth and chose to reside there instead of in Valinor. She and Tom would therefor be kindred spirits who could quickly fall in love with each other. Just my 2 cents. When Tolkien himself says the character is meant to be an enigma then speculation is ultimately moot, while still being enloyable.
Excellent analysis using the Ring's invisibility effect as evidence! Your reasoning about Maiar and visibility is well-researched, and the theory about Goldberry's connection to Ulmo adds another fascinating layer. Thanks for sharing such a detailed perspective!
One more point your personal theory literally ties into the song theory. So it's proven that the song created the world and all that inhabits it as we know it in LOTR. To anyone who has read Lord of the rings or even watch the movies they know that each type of creation has its peak representative that is shown as it's head and names specific to each sect of living creation showing they are what the world sees when thinking of the their species. The world was made by the song which if anyone knows Tolkien everything came in pairs in LOTR (each spiritual creation that manifested also had a physical manifestation or at least the spirit has the ability to obtain physical manifestation).
It would be like mother Earth walking around with us. Something only the song would be able to do. There will be no other description to why the planet would make a physical representation of itself, because the planet did not physically manifest itself the song of creation did.
Bombadil. Is basically the narrator all along. Deus Et Machina.
Yeah, Robin would've maybe worked - Jumanji bearded.