This one is interesting so tell me what you think.
I think something like Eönwë or Sauron
This one is interesting so tell me what you think.
I think something like Eönwë or Sauron
First, a bit of background: Tom Bombadil is the oldest being in Arda, and is probably the most powerful. Tom Bombadil once said to Frodo, "Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside." suggesting that he was already an inhabitant Arda when Yavanna made the first growing things (trees, flowers, bushes, etc). He also has unparalleled control over his domain, exceeding that of Sauron, and even Melian and Thingol of old. He met Frodo and company when they were ensnared by a powerful and malevolent Huorn, who Tom calls "Old Man Willow". He has many different names, and possibly a different personality to go with it. The Elves call him Iarwain Ben-adar, which literally means, "old person without a father"(Iarwain means old-young, Ben means without, and adar means father). The Dwarves called him Forn, which means "Eldest", and the Men called him Orald, which means "Elder". Now, knowing this, there are several theories that say who Tom Bombadil is, and what his origin story is.
Tom is a Valar
One theory is that Tom is a Valar, specifically Aulë. I'm guessing that why people think that is because Tom is so powerful he must be a Valar. And Goldberry must be Yavanna, because she likes nature, and might even be able to influence it. But Aulë is the Smith, the Lord of Metalworking, while Tom Bombadil seems to be more into nature than weaponry. In fact, we never even see him touch metal, and the house which he lives in might not even have metal in it. And, Goldberry can't be Yavanna, because Goldberry is the "River-Daughter", while Yavanna was created directly by Eru Ilúvatar. As for the other Valar, no other Valar have the right skill set and interests as Tom. The closest we come to seeing one is with Oromë, but Oromë is the Great Rider, while we never see Tom riding on a horse, only Fatty Lumpkin, his pony, whom he seldom rides anyway. If he was Oromë, I think we would see a lot more hose action. Not to mention that all the Valar are in Valanor.
Tom is a Maiar
Ah yes, a theory that actually holds some water. Some think that Tom Bombadil is just a Maiar that doesn't live in Valinor. But I don't think that is true, because even Sauron, who was originally one of the most powerful Maia (Mairon), was under the influence of the One Ring, while the Ring had no grip on Tom's mind. Also, even while Sauron and Melian had very good control over their lands (Melian's Girdle, and Sauron literally lives in a realm of fire where the sun never shines), none of them can even rival the way that Tom is in his kingdom. At least this theory has some form of logic to it, unlike the last one. All of the Maiar are likely in Valinor. Also, if he were a Maia, he would be more influential in Arda, because the other Maiar who were in Arda were extremely influential (Sauron and Melian).
Tom is Father Nature
This theory isn't half-bad. The theory says that Tom is like an embodiment of Arda, kind of like a father nature. It makes sense, too. Tom is the master of his domain, and Galdor once said, 'Power to defy our enemy is not in him, unless such power is in the earth itself. And yet we see that Sauron can torture and destroy the very hills.' suggesting that Tom is connected to the earth. Every part of it fits perfectly into this notion. The only reason it isn't my favorite is because of how sound this next theory is.
Tom the embodiment of the Music of the Ainur
This theory is my favorite. The theory states that Tom Bombadil is the music of the Ainur, put into a body. The theory works perfectly. It would explain why he has such a huge music aptitude, as the Music is inside of him, woven into his very being. It would also describe how the beasts and beings of the Old Forest obey him, as "his songs are stronger songs," a direct quote from Tom himself. There are also linguistic clues that say this. When Frodo asks Goldberry who Tom is, she replies saying, "He is", in the common speech. But if she had been speaking Elvish, she would have said 'Eä', which is what the universe of Tolkien's legendarium is called. And, if Tom was made from the Music of the Ainur, then, as Ungoliant is a lot like the anti-Tom, it would make sense that Ungoliant would be made from the Discord of Melkor (Morgoth).
One last note: Tom Bombadil does not have his own origin. Tolkien did not make one for him. Tolkien wrote in one of his letters, “even in a mythical Age there must be some enigmas, as there always are. Tom Bombadil is one of them (intentionally)."
In the Lord of the Rings, the Valar are set up to be the gods of Middle-Earth, with Tolkien himself admitting that, despite his best attempts to conform to Catholic theology, the Valar are strongly based off of pagan gods and attributes. In addition, the Rings of Power series establishes them as gods instead of angels. But this raises questions about the Maiar.
While the Valar are established to be Middle-Earth’s pantheon of gods, what exactly does that make the likes of the Maiar. Are they gods as well? Lessor gods that serve their greater kind? Or are they instead some form of divine spirits? Are they simply divine entities that merely serve the gods, much like the Valkyries of Norse mythology and the Ganas of Hinduism?
Are Gandalf, Saruman, and Sauron gods in human and physical form?
Why didn't the Valar imprison Morgoth in the end in the Halls of Mandos from where nobody (nor Valar) can escape? Why did they send him into the void from where he escapes in the end for the Dagor Dagorath, when they could keep him in the Halls of Mandos instead and chill?
137 Votes in Poll
152 Votes in Poll
I have a question: the new Tolkien series will show how the rings of power were created, and I've seen a lot of non-canonical characters, so, is the series a prequel, showing us another story?
237 Votes in Poll
So...
Barrow-wights are one of the most mysterious beings in ME...
And I have three theories on their origins.
A) Lesser Ringwraiths?
https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Magic_rings exist.
So possibly some men of Rhudaur, Dunland and the northern Northmen of the Vales of Anduin have been swayed by Sauron and the Witch-King by the promised powers.
B) Wraiths
So...
This is straightfoward.
They have been either stabbed by a morgul-blade or have made history-notable evil deeds.
C) Maiar
This is also very straightfoward, yet the least likely.
When the Istari were sent as emissaries, were their powers as Maiar locked when they took the physical form of old men or could they still access it but wouldn't do so because they were forbidden?
I watched a YouTube video recently where Corey Olsen states that The Great Eagles as well as Tom Bombadil are Maiar. I thought this wasn’t the case? Can anyone clarify?
Hello,
I sampled the ring and made LOTR: In Dreams cover with it.
Hope you guys like it :)
So I'm reading The Two Towers for the first time and I came across this (book 3, chapter 5, page 498 of my copy):
Gandalf says, "I look into his (Saruman's) mind and see his doubt."
1. What does he mean by this?
2. Did he read his mind?
3. Can Maiar even do that?
4. Is it some new ability of Gandalf the White?
5. If 4 is true and Gandalf says he's Saruman (or Saruman as he should have been), does Saruman have the same ability?
6. If he didn't "read his mind", did he use a Palantiri? (I personally don't think he did)
7. If 6 is true, where did he get the Palantiri?
Are all of the wizards in Middle Earth Maiar or are just Gandalf, Saruman and Radghast Maiar. Please help. My brother says they all are but I don't trust him... And correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Sauron a Maia? So how come he isn't a good guy? As much as I love Tolkien and his lore it confuses me too much...
I also posted this on Reddit. And as a response to another post on this platform. It’s been well received and i want a cookie.
So I just reread Tolkien for the first time in a long time and of course I began to wonder about the origins of such a mysterious, powerful, but also inconsequential character (as far as the bulk of the trilogy).
Im aware of the theories that he is a Valar, aspect of illuvitor, the personification of the song of ainur, or even Tolkien himself, but none of them to be satisfying.
So i began to develop my own and want to discuss its merits or flaws. On the internet...with strangers, but fellow fans.
Here it is. Melkor and Bombadil are two halves of the same whole. It always struck me as odd that Melkor was so evil from the start... ambitious yes, but so malicious and jealous? I think something tragic happened to the mightiest first and eldest of Valor. Seeking a means to be like his father (Eru Illuvatar) Melkor desires to create more than anything else, but as most of us may know he lacked the Flame. So he searches in vain... and he despairs... until he realizes that his own essence is made of the Eternal Flame. So deciding to create the most innocent and wholesome creature he can: Bombadil. Melkor would accidentally remove his best qualities leaving Morgoth behind. This supported by Morgoth’s future “creations” such as Dragons. Morgoth uses more and more his inner flame to make servants to wage war, he weakens himself, so his army may grow.
Also Bombadil are both called Eldest and Master and described as being around before the world. Bombadil, as we know, is not tempted by the ring as the maiar in the story are, and seems to view the ring as weak artifact.In Bombadil’s home Frodo hears a mysterious song in his dreams only to learn that its Tom humming. I think that song is the song of the Ainur, the song that Bombadil/Melkor would have sang. As Frodo departs middle earth towards the isle of the Valor he hears that same song that Bombadil was humming.
So thats the theory. Hope you liked it or found it thought provoking.