Bombadil: One of the Blue Wizards?

[TheLostPilgrim]

A lot of theories have been offered up as to what exactly Tom Bombadil was. Some say he was an Ainur, others say simply a spirit, others say a living manifestation of Middle Earth (basically like a "Father Nature"), and some speculate he might have been an incarnation of The One. I don't believe Tolkien himself ever came to a final decision as to what the nature of Tom Bombadil was. Is it possible--if unlikely--that perhaps he was one of the two Blue Wizards who came to Middle Earth and whose fates are never spoken of? Perhaps like Radagast, Bombadil was one of the Wizards, but became so enamoured of the world, the plants and trees, that he forgot his mission, indeed forgot all of importance; As the Brown became a lover of birds and animals, Bombadil became a lover of the Earth, it's plants, trees, nature in general.

Probably a silly thought, but he is one of the most fascinating creatures in all of Middle Earth, and he seems to have held some powers which were only seen by supernatural beings like the Istari.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Welcome to the 'Downs, TheLostPilgrim!

And it is an interesting idea that you propose. Especially because it is so unusual - combining two of the big mysteries of Middle-Earth into one. However, probably you are right in that it is very unlikely for Tom to be one of the Blue Wizards. In the Unfinished Tales there is quite a bit of the talk about the two Blue Wizards, even their names are told, and it is said they both disappeared in the East.

That is not to say that if you wished, you could still interpretate it however you wish. I don't think the possibility is entirely unimaginable. One of the Wizards could have changed his name for the public (or simply adopted a name given to him by others, like Hobbits) and retreated into the Old Forest. But "objectively judging", Tom most likely was not one of the Blue Wizards - at least clearly not in Tolkien's mind, anyway.

[Alfirin]

One of the big problems I see with this theory, novel as it is, is the fact that Tom seems immune to the power of the ring (indeed, the only being in ME who seems to be). Given that Saruman, who claims to be the most powerful of the Istari is assumed to be corruptible by the ring (he's certainly corrupted by his desire for it) and Gandalf, who probably is the most powerful of the Istari (especially in his white form) is corruptible by it (and least, he assumes himself to be) I have a hard time imagining that either Alatar or Pallando who prove to be so immune to it.

[blantyr]

This is an interesting thought, but it doesn't seem to fit what Elrond says of him at the Council. I also have trouble thinking of Bombadil as a liar. If Tom says he is oldest and fatherless, I'd take him at his word, which leaves me fumbling for a variation of the incarnation of Eru theory.

[Inziladun]

Alfirin has a good point.

Also, from the words of Elrond regarding Tom, I think a Bombadil-Istari connection unlikely.

'But I had forgotten Bombadil, if indeed this is still the same that walked the woods and hills long ago, and even then was older than the old.'

FOTR The Council of Elrond

Since the Istari had only come to Middle-earth in the Third Age, it's difficult to see one like Elrond, born in the latter part of the First Age, referring to one of the Wizards in that manner.

x/d with blantyr making a similar observation.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Since the Istari had only come to Middle-earth in the Third Age, it's difficult to see one like Elrond, born in the latter part of the First Age, referring to one of the Wizards in that manner.

True. He refers to TB like that, but not in any similar way to Gandalf whom he knows personally very well - and if TB was of the same kind as Gandalf, you could surely seek for parallels.

[Galadriel55]

Personally, I'm at peace thinking that I'm not meant to know TB's identity. He is, and that's all I need to know.