Tom Bombadil
Harry Wellerchew as Tom Bombadil - Decipher Card designed by Weta
Mysterious magic being of the Old Forest. Tom Bombadil lived in the Old Forest, and he was closely associated with nature. He had a wife named Goldberry. Tom Bombadil was expressed by Tolkien as "the oldest of all beings," but the meaning of this is not precisely known. Tom may have been the remnant of an old race that was nearly extinct, for it was limited to only Tom Bombadil; perhaps this mysterious magic old race had lived before the Music of the Ainur and the creation of the earth and of the universe itself, which would thus confirm that Tom was older than any other being. Tom was even older than Sauron, who was said to have been created at the beginning of the world. One theory suggests that Tom Bombadil was not actually a living being, but a spirit or a representative of nature itself. Despite the many theories developed by Tolkien fans concerning Tom's origins, none are confirmed, and it remains completely unknown who or what Tom Bombadil actually was. Curiously, the One Ring had no influence upon Tom Bombadil.
The idea that Tom Bombadil was "the oldest of all beings" is quite a controversial one, and Tom Bombadil is among the only beings who cannot easily be placed into one of the races of Middle-Earth. It is thus no surprise that there is a lot of controversy among Tolkien fans about the following two questions: who is Tom Bombadil? and what is Tom Bombadil? Contradictions to the title "oldest of all beings" can be found in many of Tolkien's published works, including The Two Towers which states that Treebeard the Ent was in fact the oldest living being to inhabit Middle-Earth. Perhaps Tom Bombadil was not really alive, but rather a spirit. Some Tolkien fans speculate that Tom Bombadil was in fact a Maia or even a Vala who had originated in the Far West. Tom was a being of intense age; he had been in Middle-Earth before the trees and the rivers. He apparently inhabited Middle-Earth before the creation of the Elves in the Years of the Trees, and he remained in Middle-Earth when many Elves passed westward over the Great Sea. He had been in Middle-Earth since before the seas were bent; and before people began making paths, Tom Bombadil was making paths. He witnessed the arrival of Hobbits in Middle-Earth as well. It was noted by Tolkien that Tom Bombadil had witnessed the first raindrop, and had seen the first acorn. Tolkien also stated that "[Tom Bombadil] knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside." This quote means that Tom Bombadil had lived in Arda before the Dark Lord arrived from outside of Arda. It is not known which "Dark Lord" Tolkien is referencing here, but if it was Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, then Tom would have arrived in Arda even before the Valar. Taking all of this into account is difficult, but we can automatically calculate the minimum age Tom could have been; the Great Journey of the Elves that Tom apparently witnessed was 3,500 years before the start of the First Age, and it was about 11,870 years before Tom encountered Frodo Baggins and his companions in 3018 of the Third Age.
Much more speculation can be done regarding the issue of who and/or what Tom Bombadil was. Below is a short list of the popular theories, all of them briefly summarized.
Tom is an Elf: Very unlikely theory; indeed Tom was old and informed like the Elves, but Tolkien himself stated that Tom had been in Middle-Earth since before the Elves' Great Journey westward.
Tom is a Maia: Much more accepted theory, but still unlikely; Tom was unaffected by the One Ring while Maia like Gandalf, Saruman, and Sauron were very greatly influenced by it. Also, it would appear very unlikely that Gandalf would not have identified Tom as a Maia (like Gandalf himself was) if Tom were indeed a Maia.
Tom is a Vala: Plausible but very unlikely theory; Tom appeared to have god-like powers, but there are only fourteen known Valar and it seems incredibly unlikely that one of them should live in disguise as a person in Middle-Earth. Also, Tom is not the name of any of the known Valar. Additionally, it is said that Tom arrived in Arda before the Dark Lord, and if this Dark Lord is Morgoth, then Tom would have arrived before the Valar. Lastly, if there were an incredibly powerful being like a Vala living in the midst of the peoples of Middle-Earth, it would be extremely likely that Gandalf and the other Maia such as Sauron and Saruman would have known that. If this were the case, Sauron may not have committed as many atrocities as he did because he would have known that an incredibly powerful being like a Vala could easily withstand and overthrow him.
Tom is Eru Iluvatar himself: Very plausible; if Tom were Eru himself, this would answer all questions we would have about Tom: it would explain why he was so old, it would explain how Tom could have arrived in Arda before the Dark Lord and before the Valar, it would explain his "magical" powers, and it would explain why he was completely unaffected by the One Ring's power. It would also answer for Tom's wife Goldberry's mysterious names for him like "Master" and her explanation of his existence: "he is." However, again, it would appear that the Maia living in Middle-Earth would have been well aware of the presence of Eru himself in Middle-Earth; though if Tom were Eru he probably would not have made his presence public.
Tom is a "spirit": Plausible but abstract; Tom could be some sort of spirit, but then he would not fit into one of the known races of Arda. Perhaps he was the spirit of nature whom Eru placed upon the earth to protect the environment from races like Elves and men, both of which Eru himself would create much later.
Tom is the remnant of a very ancient race: This theory is quite abstract, for no "very ancient races" are known to have existed in Arda before the coming of the Valar. Perhaps there was a race at some point in the very early history of Arda that was immortal and natural, and when the Valar came to Arda this race was perhaps wiped out, with one remnant (Tom Bombadil). It is also speculated that Tom's race could have existed before the Music of the Ainur created the world, and Tom could thus have been an extremely powerful, immortal being who existed before the universe was created.
Whatever be the origins of Tom Bombadil, he was very old at the time of his encounter with Frodo Baggins and his companions in 3018 of the Third Age. Tom was a short individual with a red face and brown hair. He had a long, shaggy beard. His face was creased with laughter. Tom wore a long, blue coat, a weathered hat with a blue feather, and bright yellow boots. Generally, Tom was very friendly, warm, and welcoming.
Tom Bombadil lived in a small house on the side of a hill in the Old Forest near the Barrow-downs. The region that Tom inhabited was green, grassy, and hilly, with the lush interior of the Old Forest right at Tom's doorstep. The northern border of the region that Tom inhabited was the Great East Road. Tom called this small area his country, but he did not "rule" his country, he lived a simple life within it. He very much appreciated the animals and plants that lived in his region.
Tom seldom left the borders of his region, but he was nevertheless known to several individuals and peoples. Tom was acquainted with Farmer Maggot of the Shire and Barliman Butterbur, the proprietor of the Prancing Pony Inn in Bree. Tom was also known to be a being of great age to the Elves and to the Dwarves.
Tom Bombadil had met his wife Goldberry in the River Withywindle one day. She had lived in a pool at the end of the Withywindle River with her mother the River-woman. Tom took Goldberry in to be his wife and the couple loved each other very much. Tom would go collect water lilies for Goldberry at the end of each summer. It was in September of 3018 that Tom was collecting water lilies and encountered Frodo Baggins and his companions.
Frodo and his companions Sam Gamgee, Merry Brandybuck, and Pippin Took had been captured in the roots of Old Man Willow, a hostile tree living in the Old Forest. Tom sang to Old Man Willow and somehow soothed him, allowing the Hobbits to escape. Tom offered for the Hobbits to come with him back to his home.
Frodo and his companions stayed two nights in the company of Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. Tom sang to the Hobbits and he told them ancient lore of Middle-Earth. He told them about the nature of his country and kingdoms that had come to pass. Tom was quite a jolly fellow. Frodo began telling Tom about his struggles to evade the Nazgul and how the One Ring was such a heavy burden to him. Tom asked to see the Ring, Frodo showed it to him, and Tom put it upon his finger and did not become invisible. When Frodo put the Ring on Tom could still see him. When Tom returned the Ring to Frodo, he gave it back with a smile, completely unaffected by the Ring's luring power. This encounter shows just how old and powerful Tom Bombadil really was.
On September 28, the Hobbits left the company of Tom Bombadil. They journeyed into the Barrow-downs where they were captured and nearly killed by evil spirits called Barrow-wights, but Frodo called to Tom Bombadil and he easily rescued them. Tom took the gold and treasures of the Barrow-wights and laid them upon the grass outside the barrow, and he broke the spell cast upon that particular barrow so that no Barrow-wight could return to it. Tom took one of the treasures he found in the barrow, a brooch with blue stones, for his wife Goldberry. He remembered that the beautiful lady who had owned that brooch had died many years before.
Tom escorted the Hobbits to the road, riding his pony Fatty Lumpkin, but he went no further. That night, Merry's ponies were released from the stables of Bree. The ponies retreated to Fatty Lumpkin, and Tom took good care of the ponies before sending them back to Barliman Butterbur.
The Council of Elrond in October of 3018 adressed the issue of what was to be done about the One Ring. The question of whether to give it to Tom Bombadil was suggested, but most at the Council rejected this idea. Gandalf stated that even though the Ring had no power over Tom, Tom also had no power over the Ring and he would not be able to control or destroy it. Also, the members of the Council reasoned that Sauron would have no trouble attacking Tom Bombadil's country, and Tom would be defenseless. They anticipated that Tom would not understand the value of the Ring, and he would not know how to keep it safe. Glorfindel said that Tom would be the first and the last being to ever inhabit Middle-Earth if he should be given the Ring, but he shall nevertheless be slain.
Gandalf payed Tom one last visit after the War of the Ring and they had a long discussion. Gandalf said that Tom would care little about the war that had happened, except perhaps the Hobbits' encounter with the Ents.
The idea that Tom Bombadil was "the oldest of all beings" is quite a controversial one, and Tom Bombadil is among the only beings who cannot easily be placed into one of the races of Middle-Earth. It is thus no surprise that there is a lot of controversy among Tolkien fans about the following two questions: who is Tom Bombadil? and what is Tom Bombadil? Contradictions to the title "oldest of all beings" can be found in many of Tolkien's published works, including The Two Towers which states that Treebeard the Ent was in fact the oldest living being to inhabit Middle-Earth. Perhaps Tom Bombadil was not really alive, but rather a spirit. Some Tolkien fans speculate that Tom Bombadil was in fact a Maia or even a Vala who had originated in the Far West. Tom was a being of intense age; he had been in Middle-Earth before the trees and the rivers. He apparently inhabited Middle-Earth before the creation of the Elves in the Years of the Trees, and he remained in Middle-Earth when many Elves passed westward over the Great Sea. He had been in Middle-Earth since before the seas were bent; and before people began making paths, Tom Bombadil was making paths. He witnessed the arrival of Hobbits in Middle-Earth as well. It was noted by Tolkien that Tom Bombadil had witnessed the first raindrop, and had seen the first acorn. Tolkien also stated that "[Tom Bombadil] knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside." This quote means that Tom Bombadil had lived in Arda before the Dark Lord arrived from outside of Arda. It is not known which "Dark Lord" Tolkien is referencing here, but if it was Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, then Tom would have arrived in Arda even before the Valar. Taking all of this into account is difficult, but we can automatically calculate the minimum age Tom could have been; the Great Journey of the Elves that Tom apparently witnessed was 3,500 years before the start of the First Age, and it was about 11,870 years before Tom encountered Frodo Baggins and his companions in 3018 of the Third Age.
Much more speculation can be done regarding the issue of who and/or what Tom Bombadil was. Below is a short list of the popular theories, all of them briefly summarized.
Tom is an Elf: Very unlikely theory; indeed Tom was old and informed like the Elves, but Tolkien himself stated that Tom had been in Middle-Earth since before the Elves' Great Journey westward.
Tom is a Maia: Much more accepted theory, but still unlikely; Tom was unaffected by the One Ring while Maia like Gandalf, Saruman, and Sauron were very greatly influenced by it. Also, it would appear very unlikely that Gandalf would not have identified Tom as a Maia (like Gandalf himself was) if Tom were indeed a Maia.
Tom is a Vala: Plausible but very unlikely theory; Tom appeared to have god-like powers, but there are only fourteen known Valar and it seems incredibly unlikely that one of them should live in disguise as a person in Middle-Earth. Also, Tom is not the name of any of the known Valar. Additionally, it is said that Tom arrived in Arda before the Dark Lord, and if this Dark Lord is Morgoth, then Tom would have arrived before the Valar. Lastly, if there were an incredibly powerful being like a Vala living in the midst of the peoples of Middle-Earth, it would be extremely likely that Gandalf and the other Maia such as Sauron and Saruman would have known that. If this were the case, Sauron may not have committed as many atrocities as he did because he would have known that an incredibly powerful being like a Vala could easily withstand and overthrow him.
Tom is Eru Iluvatar himself: Very plausible; if Tom were Eru himself, this would answer all questions we would have about Tom: it would explain why he was so old, it would explain how Tom could have arrived in Arda before the Dark Lord and before the Valar, it would explain his "magical" powers, and it would explain why he was completely unaffected by the One Ring's power. It would also answer for Tom's wife Goldberry's mysterious names for him like "Master" and her explanation of his existence: "he is." However, again, it would appear that the Maia living in Middle-Earth would have been well aware of the presence of Eru himself in Middle-Earth; though if Tom were Eru he probably would not have made his presence public.
Tom is a "spirit": Plausible but abstract; Tom could be some sort of spirit, but then he would not fit into one of the known races of Arda. Perhaps he was the spirit of nature whom Eru placed upon the earth to protect the environment from races like Elves and men, both of which Eru himself would create much later.
Tom is the remnant of a very ancient race: This theory is quite abstract, for no "very ancient races" are known to have existed in Arda before the coming of the Valar. Perhaps there was a race at some point in the very early history of Arda that was immortal and natural, and when the Valar came to Arda this race was perhaps wiped out, with one remnant (Tom Bombadil). It is also speculated that Tom's race could have existed before the Music of the Ainur created the world, and Tom could thus have been an extremely powerful, immortal being who existed before the universe was created.
Whatever be the origins of Tom Bombadil, he was very old at the time of his encounter with Frodo Baggins and his companions in 3018 of the Third Age. Tom was a short individual with a red face and brown hair. He had a long, shaggy beard. His face was creased with laughter. Tom wore a long, blue coat, a weathered hat with a blue feather, and bright yellow boots. Generally, Tom was very friendly, warm, and welcoming.
Tom Bombadil lived in a small house on the side of a hill in the Old Forest near the Barrow-downs. The region that Tom inhabited was green, grassy, and hilly, with the lush interior of the Old Forest right at Tom's doorstep. The northern border of the region that Tom inhabited was the Great East Road. Tom called this small area his country, but he did not "rule" his country, he lived a simple life within it. He very much appreciated the animals and plants that lived in his region.
Tom seldom left the borders of his region, but he was nevertheless known to several individuals and peoples. Tom was acquainted with Farmer Maggot of the Shire and Barliman Butterbur, the proprietor of the Prancing Pony Inn in Bree. Tom was also known to be a being of great age to the Elves and to the Dwarves.
Tom Bombadil had met his wife Goldberry in the River Withywindle one day. She had lived in a pool at the end of the Withywindle River with her mother the River-woman. Tom took Goldberry in to be his wife and the couple loved each other very much. Tom would go collect water lilies for Goldberry at the end of each summer. It was in September of 3018 that Tom was collecting water lilies and encountered Frodo Baggins and his companions.
Frodo and his companions Sam Gamgee, Merry Brandybuck, and Pippin Took had been captured in the roots of Old Man Willow, a hostile tree living in the Old Forest. Tom sang to Old Man Willow and somehow soothed him, allowing the Hobbits to escape. Tom offered for the Hobbits to come with him back to his home.
Frodo and his companions stayed two nights in the company of Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. Tom sang to the Hobbits and he told them ancient lore of Middle-Earth. He told them about the nature of his country and kingdoms that had come to pass. Tom was quite a jolly fellow. Frodo began telling Tom about his struggles to evade the Nazgul and how the One Ring was such a heavy burden to him. Tom asked to see the Ring, Frodo showed it to him, and Tom put it upon his finger and did not become invisible. When Frodo put the Ring on Tom could still see him. When Tom returned the Ring to Frodo, he gave it back with a smile, completely unaffected by the Ring's luring power. This encounter shows just how old and powerful Tom Bombadil really was.
On September 28, the Hobbits left the company of Tom Bombadil. They journeyed into the Barrow-downs where they were captured and nearly killed by evil spirits called Barrow-wights, but Frodo called to Tom Bombadil and he easily rescued them. Tom took the gold and treasures of the Barrow-wights and laid them upon the grass outside the barrow, and he broke the spell cast upon that particular barrow so that no Barrow-wight could return to it. Tom took one of the treasures he found in the barrow, a brooch with blue stones, for his wife Goldberry. He remembered that the beautiful lady who had owned that brooch had died many years before.
Tom escorted the Hobbits to the road, riding his pony Fatty Lumpkin, but he went no further. That night, Merry's ponies were released from the stables of Bree. The ponies retreated to Fatty Lumpkin, and Tom took good care of the ponies before sending them back to Barliman Butterbur.
The Council of Elrond in October of 3018 adressed the issue of what was to be done about the One Ring. The question of whether to give it to Tom Bombadil was suggested, but most at the Council rejected this idea. Gandalf stated that even though the Ring had no power over Tom, Tom also had no power over the Ring and he would not be able to control or destroy it. Also, the members of the Council reasoned that Sauron would have no trouble attacking Tom Bombadil's country, and Tom would be defenseless. They anticipated that Tom would not understand the value of the Ring, and he would not know how to keep it safe. Glorfindel said that Tom would be the first and the last being to ever inhabit Middle-Earth if he should be given the Ring, but he shall nevertheless be slain.
Gandalf payed Tom one last visit after the War of the Ring and they had a long discussion. Gandalf said that Tom would care little about the war that had happened, except perhaps the Hobbits' encounter with the Ents.
Names & Meanings
Tom was known to the Elves as Iarwain Ben-adar, which translates as "oldest and fatherless." Men of the North called Tom Orald, corresponding to the Old English word oreald meaning "of great age." To the Dwarves, Tom was known as Forn, which corresponds to the Scandinavian Forn meaning "ancient (days)." Tom Bombadil was initially named after a Dutch doll that belonged to J.R.R. Tolkien's son Michael Tolkien.
References
The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring: "The Old Forest," pages 130-133; "In the House of Tom Bombadil," passim; "Fog on the Barrow-downs," pages 153-159; "The Council of Elrond," pages 278, 279
The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King: "Homeward Bound," page 275
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil: Preface; "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil"; "Bombadil Goes Boating"
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letters #144, #153
"Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings," definition and translation of Orald
The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King: "Homeward Bound," page 275
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil: Preface; "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil"; "Bombadil Goes Boating"
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letters #144, #153
"Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings," definition and translation of Orald
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