Tom Bombadil

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

Why does this discussion feel so familiar...?

Well, I know this is probably the umpteenth time in the last forty-odd years since I first read LotR that I've been involved in such a discourse. A while back, there was a similar one here on the Downs: What connection between Goldberry and Ulmo? It started with that question, but eventually went into the nature and origins of Bombadil as well. Might be of interest.

For myself, I've long believed he was a Maia, probably one of Yavanna's, who came into ME before the awakening of the Elves, and, rather like Aiwendil/Radagast, became so enamored of the land, he stayed and lost his connections to the other Ainur.

Like Balrog wings, the incarnations of Bombadil and Goldberry have been discussed ad nauseum, and the thread Ibrini cites belabors the point until the dead horse had been beaten into microscopic equine subparticles.

Be that as it may, I of course disagree with Ibrin's take on Bombadil and Goldberry's Maiaric nature. They are completely set apart from the story, as Tolkien says 'an enigma'. They have no real connection with the story other than Tolkien wanted them there, having transported them to Middle-earth from poems written long before LotR was written.

I refer you back to the other thread for the appropriate documentation.