Concerning Ents...
 

I am re-reading The Two Towers and have some musings and questions about Ents. (I am on the Treebeard chapter) Am I correct in understanding that Treebeard is, himself, not a tree per se, but a man in the form that resembles a tree?? If he were to become "sleepy and treelike" then he will truly become a tree? (I can't wait to see him in the movie!)

Also, on a slightly related topic-- could it be possible Tom Bombadil is an Ent as well? I know the debate has raged, and I am sorry if this has been said before, but I am curious. [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

An Ent is an entirely different lifeform. It's not a Man nor a tree. I think it would be possible for an Ent to become so tree-like that you could not tell the difference but it would still be an Ent.

As for Tom, nobody knows what he is, but he's not an Ent.

Treebeard (and other ents, for that matter) is not completely a tree, but he is definitely not a man. Ents are a species on their own, and shouldn't be thought as men with tree-like figures. They're much closer to trees, but are not trees, just as hobbits are not men.

Tom Bombadil did not appear as an Ent at all, and we're given no reason to believe he is. Surely an ent would be influenced by the One Ring just as elves, hobbits, men, and wizards were.

Interesting. Thank you. My speculation on Bombadil was based solely on his living in the forest and being as tall as a tree (if I remember correctly. And I probably don't!) Treebeard is kind of in the same category as Bombadil and Beorn then- no one know what they are or from whence they came. The source of their power is unknown and they all seem to be immortal. (right?)

The debate concerning Bombadil is one of the chief controverises surrounding the LOTR. I do not comment upon what he is or might be - it doesn't matter in my mind. He just is. He is Oldest and Fatherless. And that is good enough for me.

As for Ents, they are neither men nor trees, as has been said before. THey are tree herds.

On a side note, I think it amazing that Treebeard is older than Galadriel. She adresses him as such when they meet at then end of ROTK.

We know more or less what the Ents are and where they came from. They are part of the song of Yavanna that was given form to protect the trees. They are sort of kindred spirits with the Great Eagles. It's in the chapter "Of Aule and Yavanna" in The Silmarillion.

The day after I asked about the Ents, my dad had a big pine tree cut down in our backyard! [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] I felt bad about the tree, and the irony...

And was he saying something to the effect of, "The trees are strong, my lord. The roots go deep!" [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[ August 17, 2002: Message edited by: Kuruharan ]

I think the tree trimmers were orcs and were saying that! Good call! I came home and it was gone, a total surprise, and I was in the middle of the Treebeard chapter too! Hoom-hm! Very sad indeed!

[ August 18, 2002: Message edited by: Lhunbelethiel ]

also, beorn is not immortal and is also just a Man that can change his skin, nothing special apparently

Sending this over to N & N. Add replies over there.

It seems as though Beorn is very old, so I wonder if he has something special going on that allows him to remain alive for so long? And we never really hear of the Ents again in the rest of the trilogy, do we? (if I remember correctly)

well in RotK they meet treebeard, and also gimli and legolas visit fangorn's forest

Ents trees and men are all different.

The Ents were created by Yavanne to protect the forests and plants that she loved. You can read al abbout it in the Silmarillion.