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

***Mithadan*** · 01-15-2001, 05:33 PM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Spirit of Mist
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Re: Who do you think Tom Bombadil really was

Thank you.

No, while the "spirit" world is undoubtedly inhabited by the dead who have resisted the summons to Mandos (for elves), it is more the "unseen" world of the fear which the Ainur and to a lesser extent the elves inhabit at the same time they inhabit the physical world. The only spirit type beings identified specifically in JRRT's mythos (other than unhoused elves) are the greater and lesser Ainur (the Valar and the Maiar). I number Tom among this group. Could there be spirits other than the Ainur created by Eru either before Arda or as a consequence of its creation? Possibly, but JRRT does not identify any. To me, the "spirits" Morgoth used to animate Dragons, etc. were just lesser Maiar, whose power were added to via Morgoth. If he can be explained at all, and he need not be, Bombadil is a Maia who entered Arda at or shortly after its creation but chose not to live or work with the Valar. Instead, he rejoiced in simply watching the tale of Arda unfold.

--Mithadan--
"The Silmarils with living light
were kindled clear, and waxing bright
shone like stars that in the North
above the reek of earth leap forth." </p>

01-15-2001, 05:33 PM	#11
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,399	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Spirit of Mist Posts: 494</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> Re: Who do you think Tom Bombadil really was Thank you. No, while the "spirit" world is undoubtedly inhabited by the dead who have resisted the summons to Mandos (for elves), it is more the "unseen" world of the fear which the Ainur and to a lesser extent the elves inhabit at the same time they inhabit the physical world. The only spirit type beings identified specifically in JRRT's mythos (other than unhoused elves) are the greater and lesser Ainur (the Valar and the Maiar). I number Tom among this group. Could there be spirits other than the Ainur created by Eru either before Arda or as a consequence of its creation? Possibly, but JRRT does not identify any. To me, the "spirits" Morgoth used to animate Dragons, etc. were just lesser Maiar, whose power were added to via Morgoth. If he can be explained at all, and he need not be, Bombadil is a Maia who entered Arda at or shortly after its creation but chose not to live or work with the Valar. Instead, he rejoiced in simply watching the tale of Arda unfold. --Mithadan-- "The Silmarils with living light were kindled clear, and waxing bright shone like stars that in the North above the reek of earth leap forth." </p> __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.