Who do you think Tom Bombadil really was - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Taimar · 11-23-2000, 07:39 AM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Spirit of the Downfallen West
Posts: 372</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Tom Bombadil

I do not think that Tom can be classified as a Maia, or any of the other races described by JRRT. He is, as the author stated himself, an enigma. It is interesting however, to speculate on his origins and purpose, even though it is impossible to arrive at a definitive answer. I`m sure I have mentioned this already on another thread at BD, but I thoughts are that Tom was possibly brought into being by Yavanna as part of her contribution to the Song. Given his well known affinity for trees, she would seem to be the Vala he would most likely be associated with.

As an aside, it was mentioned earlier that Bombadil had power over the ring. I think this is an unsupportable assumption. Remember Gandalf`s quote at the Council of Elrond, "Say rather that the Ring has no power over him."

Look into the http://www.fortunecity.co.uk/library/classiccourt/77/Mirror of Desire.</a> </p>

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11-23-2000, 07:39 AM	#11
Taimar Spirit of the Downfallen West Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 360	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Spirit of the Downfallen West Posts: 372</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> <img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Tom Bombadil I do not think that Tom can be classified as a Maia, or any of the other races described by JRRT. He is, as the author stated himself, an enigma. It is interesting however, to speculate on his origins and purpose, even though it is impossible to arrive at a definitive answer. I`m sure I have mentioned this already on another thread at BD, but I thoughts are that Tom was possibly brought into being by Yavanna as part of her contribution to the Song. Given his well known affinity for trees, she would seem to be the Vala he would most likely be associated with. As an aside, it was mentioned earlier that Bombadil had power over the ring. I think this is an unsupportable assumption. Remember Gandalf`s quote at the Council of Elrond, "Say rather that the Ring has no power over him." Look into the http://www.fortunecity.co.uk/library/classiccourt/77/Mirror of Desire.</a> </p>