Tom Bombadil and gods of our world’s mythologies

[Priya]

Greco-Roman gods Mercury/Hermes

Not satisfied with Celtic gods – there’s every chance Tolkien extended a deity personification theme by purposefully brewing Greco-Roman gods into Tom’s character mix.

To expose and then explore such an avenue it is helpful to recall Tolkien’s revelatory words:

“To my mind it is the particular use in a particular situation of any motive, whether invented, deliberately borrowed, or unconsciously remembered that is the most interesting thing to consider.”

– The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter #337 – 25 May 1972, Edited by H. Carpenter, 1981

From this advice we need to fearlessly dig further. We need to consider what motives might have stimulated ideas in the largely mundane life of an academic. Is it possible his working environment supplied bursts of inspiration?

What we do know is such a career choice inevitably resulted in contact with architecturally grand old institutions. Thus, it would be logical to concentrate our attention on his beloved Oxford, and indeed upon its multiple universities. Naturally the time period to evaluate would be prior to inception of The Lord of the Rings (drafting of which began in late 1937). For the moment, putting aside undergraduate years, I will focus on a span after Tolkien’s triumphant accession to the rank of full-fledged Oxford Professor.

It was during the summer of 1925 that Tolkien accepted a post as Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College. Upon his return to Oxford environs, he established residency at Northmoor Road in early 1926. This was virtually a straight 1.5 mile ten minute cycle* ride (or thirty minute brisk walk) directly south to his college building.

Satellite Map – Tolkien’s Route into and out of Pembroke College

The turning off St. Aldate’s Street (A420) into Pembroke Square (a cul-de-sac**), where the main entrance to the college is situated, lies directly opposite Christ Church College. In fact turn west, and you’re into Pembroke, while turning east feeds to the west gate of Tom Tower – the principal access to Christ Church; an edifice which houses Great Tom – the famous bell of Oxford that chimes 101 times each night at 9.05 p.m. (GMT). However, there are ties to Bombadil to consider beyond Mark Hooker’s exposition of the great bell***. As well as the audible there are stark visual ones to contemplate. For sure, the Professor must have cycled or walked past Christ Church’s massive wide open doors every normal lecturing day. Peeping past them into the quadrangle, some time in 1928 – something rather interesting arrived!

Tom Gate of Tom Tower – Entrance to Tom Quad, Christ Church College

… to be continued




* Records exist of Tolkien both cycling and walking the route:

“Cycled to Pembroke and deposited bike and lamps.”

– The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter #58 – 3 April 1944, Edited by H. Carpenter, 1981

“I walked home … after dining at Pembroke.”

– The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter #72 – 31 May 1944, Edited by H. Carpenter, 1981

** It is acknowledged though currently a cul-de-sac, Pembroke Square may not have been at the time of Tolkien’s service. Whether it then opened out onto Pembroke Street, with access for pedestrians and cycles, is unknown. In any case, the more direct route and definitely the more scenically imposing would have been past Tom Tower.

*** See The Hobbitonian Anthology, Magnus Thomas Bombadilus Oxoniensis, 2009 by Mark Hooker.