5 Mind-Blowing Theories About Tom Bombadil | Tolkien's Middle-earth Explained
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ก.ย. 2024
- Dive into 5 mind-blowing theories about Tom Bombadil, Tolkien's most enigmatic character. Uncover how these theories reshape our understanding of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings. From his true identity to his crucial role in Tolkien's universe, prepare to see Middle-earth in a whole new light.
Contact: For sponsorships and commercial opportunities, email legendsofardayt@gmail.com
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 80 | คู่เอก "รักษ์ vs ยอดนำชัย"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ckLMRorsMeY/mqdefault.jpg)
It truly saddens me knowing I'll never get to hear Robin Williams sing "HEY DOL MERRY DOL" while prancing about carrying water lilies to Goldberry and freeing halflings from evil trees.
His energy and whimsy would have been perfect for bringing Tom's joyful spirit to life on screen. I'm sure he would have brought a wonderful mix of humor and heart to the role. Thanks for sharing this creative "what if" scenario. 😊
I totally agree... he would have don't incredible things. 100% would have gotten a Tom Bombadil spin-off series. Lol
I REALLY do like the Rings of Power take on him, though. He really does just FEEL like Tom
Robbin williams as tom bombadill in the original LOTR movies would have been just perfect.
actually the Nazgul can see Frodo when he puts The Ring on And this is a clue I think to Tom's nature. He can see the Material World and The Unseen World. He was there before Time according to his own words. And he controls creation through Song. That would suggest that he is a Vala. He is a Vala in disguise, in just the same way that Gandalf is a Maia in disguise.
If Tom was one of the unintended results of the song of the Ainur it would explain why song is how he expresses himself. Or in the way Ungoliant was a manifestation of the darkness or the un-light, perhaps she is in a way a shadow cast by the light of Tom, two sides of the same coin. He watched Aule build the mountains and carve the seas, maybe he is the personification of what Arda was before Melkor marred it. He can't really conceive of malice or deceit for the same reasons the naive Ainur released Melkor from his imprisonment. Which perhaps is also why the concept of power or dominion isn't in his mind. His concept of time is measured in eons, his concept of space is infinite and doesn't hinder him. Tom doesn't show up when Frodo sings his song because he has really good hearing and he's super fast, he appears to them as if space and time weren't things that he had to give thought to. So maybe he IS the natural world, he is everything, everywhere, all at once. He was born when time began and will pass on (not die) when all things end. Final thought: It's possible the moniker of "Oldest and fatherless" was just an expression, but Illuvitar means "father of all", so if the elves are correct (they hung with the gods so they should know) then Tom has always been. If he witnessed the first of everything, then maybe he is the pen and paper Tolkien wrote his stories on...So he really would have been present before all things, there was nothing, then there was something. So he's the Big Bang of the Tolkien Universe. That may be a stretch but it makes as much sense as anything else.
Interesting how you've connected different aspects of Tolkien's mythology. The idea of Tom as an unintended result of the Ainur's music fits well with his use of song. The parallel with Ungoliant is also an intriguing perspective on the balance in Arda.
Viewing Tom as the personification of unspoiled Arda would explain his apparent naivety and indifference to power.
The notion of Tom as the 'paper and pen' of Tolkien's universe or even the 'Big Bang' is an interesting interpretation.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
@@LegendsOfArda Thank you for considering them!
not AI using Robin Williams as Tom Bombadil?!?!
I got a little of that vibe too... lmfao😂😂
"Do you think Tom Bombadil, the spirit of the (vanishing) Oxford and Berkshire countryside, could be made into the hero of a story?" Letter 19, 16 December 1937
"And even in a mythical Age there must be some enigmas, as there always are. Tom Bombadil is one (intentionally)." Letter 144, 25 April 1954
It’s possible that he is one of the Ainur, who usually come in pairs, like the Valar (eg. Manwe and Varda) or perhaps he is the representation of Eru Iluvatar in Middle Earth making sure that he has not forgotten his second born.
Tom is Middle Earth. He was the embodiment of the song of creation. The ring is magic not of this world. It cannot affect Tom and interests him even less.
But he does say that his knowledge fails much further east. He doesn't even go to Bree. So he's part of Middle Earth but not all of it it seems.
@@A2ndVoice Not so sure about that. What did Tom do in the First Age?
@@leerubin4303 who knows. but he remembers the first acorn and the first raindrop and even Elrond and Galdalf dont poo-poo him being The Oldest so one has to presume he was, in fact, there.
Tom is Eru / the Secret Fire.
@@tombombadill22 I don't see it. That's too far.
Loving this new Tolkien channel. Great format on the videos!! An interesting new view on Tolkiens world
Keep up the great work guys. I look forward to more content.
♫♫ The road goes ever on and on ... ♫♫
Thumbnail looks like robin williams as Tom. That would have been something for sure
I think it is a mistake to assume that simply because Gandalf and Saruman as Maia can be tempted by the ring that Bombadil, who is not affected by it is not a Maia as the Istari were clothed in human form and had reduced powers. That is not to say he is.
The ting did seem to work fine in Tom's land, just not on Tom. When Frodo got it back it made him invisible still.
Awesome. Thank you 🙏
Hes probably the 'avatar' of that part of Middle Earth itself. Hes oldest because he IS the land. He is Master because he IS the land. And his knowledge fails east of his area of influence. He basically is Arnor or close enough, understanding that the human country would be coincidence or based on Tom in this theory and im not saying Tom is the manifestation of a human country from early but not earliest ages.
He is the personification of the Secret Fire that Eru Iluvitar sent into Arda.
Perhaps Goldberry is the soul of the Old Forest and Tom, (the Spell of Creation) fell in love with her.
Can't wait for more videos
Thanks for the enthusiasm! We're thrilled you're enjoying our content. 😊 Any particular aspects of Middle-earth you're keen to see us explore next?
Tom was in the world, not of the world. I can kinda relate.
I have a different theory. tolkien always said that everything he wrote became somehow drawn into the great mythology he created. another creation outside of the legendarium seems to fit the bill very well. Especially in temrs of being drawn into the great cycle of his mythos. I contend that Bombadil is Niggle. drawn into that world. his effoerts on earth and in purgatory earned him the right to be born again as a gardner or husbandman of the landscape which grew from the leaf. Bombadil is Niggle and his litle kingdom is the landscape over which he gained. the right of husbandry Only my theory based on scant evidence. However it is to me a very satisfying theory. What do you think?
Tom is Eru in disguise……
Like Fizban being the avatar of Paladine in Dragonlance, I had always thought that too. I really like the idea of TB being the spell of creation though.
Tolkien said he wasn’t but I like that idea
He is the embodiment of the creators song itself..think on it😮
I should have listened to the whole video..glad I'm not crazy
No clips of Rory Kinnear as TB? Is that a political statement? Whether we like it or not he is now the live action version of TB. I personally would have preferred Derek Jacobi or Brian Cox or even Brendan Gleeson.
The only fatherless being in the universe is God / Eru. The Catholic Blessed Trinity comprises God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Tolkien said the Holy Spirit was the Secret Fire / Flame Imperishable, in his pre-Christian legendarium. Therefore Tom is the manifestation of the Secret Fire, and Gandalf is his servant.
Your criteria for Gandalf don't fit all Maiar; look at the Maiar Radagast, Saruman, or Sauron. So based just on those criteria, Tom cannot be ruled out. Having said that though, I don't believe Tom is a Maia. I think that Goldberry and Tom represent nature, and man living in harmony with nature. Tom has some mastery over nature, but it is in the form of gentle guiding and soothing, not force or exploitation.
i think he's a Valar given a task to anchor Arda to middle earth, with the task simply living in the mortal world as for Tom's original name, it is lost to time and likely to Tom himself
You're absolutely right that not all Maiar behave like Gandalf, and it's a fair criticism of that part of our analysis.
Your interpretation of Tom and Goldberry as representations of nature and harmony is quite compelling. It aligns well with Tolkien's love for the natural world and his concerns about industrialisation. The idea of Tom's "mastery" being more about gentle guidance than domination is a beautiful way to look at his relationship with the Old Forest and its inhabitants.
This perspective also fits nicely with Tom's apparent indifference to the Ring and the larger conflicts of Middle-earth. If he represents a kind of primal, harmonious nature, then the squabbles of Men, Elves, and Dark Lords might seem trivial to him.
Thanks for bringing this nuanced perspective to our discussion. It's insights like these that help us appreciate the depth of Tolkien's world-building!
Interesting theory! The idea of Tom as a Vala with a specific task to anchor Arda is quite creative. You've touched on something intriguing about his original name being lost to time. It fits well with the mysterious nature of Tom, doesn't it? The idea that even he might not remember his true name adds another layer of enigma to his character.
However, this theory does raise some questions. If Tom is indeed a Vala, why doesn't he seem to be acknowledged as one by other powerful beings like Elrond or Gandalf?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
It's me.