Honestly, the idea of Tom Bombadil and Gandalf fighting completely misses the point of their characters. Bombadil exists beyond the struggle for power-he's untouched by the Ring because he simply doesn't care about control. Gandalf, on the other hand, is bound by duty to oppose evil. Comparing them in a fight feels like forcing a clash where none should exist. Tolkien designed them for entirely different purposes, and turning it into a power contest oversimplifies the depth of his storytelling.
@@zeromusphoenix798 That's an interesting theory! Tom Bombadil being a "nerfed" version of Eru Ilúvatar is definitely a creative take. His immunity to the Ring and his effortless command over nature could hint at something deeper. However, Tolkien described Tom as being outside the struggles of power, more like a representation of the world’s natural spirit. Eru, on the other hand, is more of a distant creator figure. Still, it’s fun to think about how Bombadil might embody a fragment of Eru’s essence in Middle-earth!
@@MythologicalStories-q1z well I've only just now started reading and getting into the simarilian. And I only just heard about Tom bombadil about a year ago. And that's where I started thinking maybe he is just a shard of Eru. And if I remember correctly Paladine from dragonlance also had an affinity towards the halflings and the kinder.
@ That's a cool connection! Seeing Tom Bombadil as a shard of Eru is an interesting idea, especially given how mysterious and powerful he is. Tolkien intentionally left Bombadil's nature ambiguous, which makes theories like yours really fun to explore. Comparing that to Paladine from *Dragonlance* and his fondness for halflings and kender adds another layer-both characters have a sort of distant yet protective vibe toward the smaller, more carefree races. Maybe it’s a common theme in fantasy for god-like beings to be drawn to innocence and simplicity!
All of utube is clickbait. You state the obvious as if you expect different. I personally enjoyed the video and found it both pleasant and entertaining.
@@robertlewis8295Agreed. As Gandalf said, Tom was a moss gatherer, where he [Gandalf] had been a stone doomed to rolling. Gandalf was looking forward to catching up with Tom for a long chat.
@@Candyohh I agree with o.p. doesn't have to be clickbait and you are also wrong to imply🥲 that people have to just accept whatever they are served up.
I've always wanted to believe that Tolkien wrote Tom Bombadil's character as himself. Meaning that if Tolkien himself lived in Middle Earth who would he be? Tolkien never said very much about Tom in his interviews other than "There needs to be mysteries". Tom Bombadil has been believed to be a creator of things in middle earth. Older than all things. That also describes Tolkien himself. Tolkien knew Middle earth since it was just blank white pages waiting to be written. I ask, what would Tolkien want if did live in Middle Earth? He wouldn't be concerned with any power. Nor any power struggles between other races or beings. he also would not be effected by magic such as the one ring. He couldn't be beat or captured or made to do anything he didn't want to do. he would just want to enjoy the beauty of Middle Earth and all it's living beings
Hmmm, strength, power, ambition, aggression - none of them are the same. Harmless? Not so sure about that for those who attack him - although, to be fair, chances are I get the feeling nothing would be able to successfully attack him, unless he allowed it, which kind of goes full circle to him being harmless.
Tom B. is like a biblical Adam. He is something like a figure out of fairy lore, or perhaps in tune with Nature, and his wife is a river nymph. So, he 's a mythological being, but he's not a being of power. He's actually a free person who is immune to the temptation of power. Maybe Tolkien wrote him to show what it would be like to have an egoless, humble person who the desire for power has no influence. He's the opposite of the Nazgul and Sauron who desire power above all other desires. Tom seems to have no attachment to the world's concerns, and he is free of attachments. This is one of Tolkien's enigmatic and genius characters.
Why is Tom Bombadil depicted as a wizard in this video? He's nothing like a Gandalf or Saruman and he's also no Maia. He's a thick set ruddy guy with the stoutness of a dwarf only he's too tall to be one and yet not quite tall enough to pass for a regular man. He treks about in yellow boots, has a thick blue coat and has a thick bushy brown beard and curly brown hair. And his eyes are very blue. If you were to meet him you wouldn't be able to place him as either young or old, and yet you would be amazed by his unquenchable vigour and immutable spirit. As for the premise of the video, well simply, no. He is no threat to any of the free peoples or to any agents for good seeking to keep them free. He is however completely unreliable as an ally. He won't broach evil within his presence, and will come to the aid of those as need it should they call for help within his lands, and yet will not directly involve himself with the troubles of the third age. [or any age, he's fatherless and was first, after all] That is why he saw Frodo's ring as a mere trifle. To him it was. Created by the dark lord or not, no dark lords hold power over Bombadil, not unless all other things are conquered. Even then it would probably be "dicy" for Sauron, trying to deal with Bombadil.
stupidity on the part of the narrator ! and not only is he depicted as wizard like but also zombie like ! obviously they totally missunderstood the entire story !
@ I got similar vibes, only I was looking at it more as spirit wraith corrupted. Even so, totally the wrong archetype, even. What were they thinking? I lifted my description of old Tom Bombadil straight from the source material, as in THE BOOK, so you know it's legit. I checked because I thought he also had a yellow or green hat but actually, no he doesn't wear any hats. Halfway between the size of a man and a dwarf. Yellow boots. Blue coat. Long bushy beard. Blue eyes. And I figure him as also having a curly thick mane of hair, but that last part could just be how I see him. None of which shouts "oh he's a creepy looking WIZARD"!
From a power perspective, Tom Bombadil could destroy all of middle earth including Gandalf without breaking a sweat. That being said, Tom and Gandalf would sing a song, share some ale, and chat about the close of old ages along with the beginning of new ages. they would sing some more, and then rest a while.
Depends on whether the limits of his realm was self-imposed or not. Also, they chose not to leave the ring with him because when everything else had fallen, he would too, from what I remember
For years, I've been wondering if Tom & Goldberry are the Secret Fire, or the Flame Imperishable; the source of all life which Eru sent into Arda. I've always understood the Secret Fire / Flame Imperishable to be Tolkien's re-imangined name for what his Roman Catholic faith has termed the Holy Spirit. Maybe Tom and Goldberry together represent the sources of all masculine and female energy of Eru's life-giving nature? It might make sense because only Eru had the power to create life. I see Tom and Goldberry as the life sources, the yin and yang, or anima/animus of Tolkien's cosmos. Picking a fight with a Cosmic Entity like Tom would have been stupid. Gandalf was NEVER, EVER stupid.
I thought the reason why Ungolient was able to take on Melkor was because she'd just drunken the sap from the 2 trees, their light making her almost invincible. Also, my theory re ungolient and tom - if Arda is created then destroyed then created again ad nauseum, then maybe they're both left over from the previous middle earth? Everything else there was new, including the valar, except for tom, ungolient and of course, Eru Iluvatar. Just a thought.
At first thought, Tom appears to be a primordial being that represents the antithesis of Ungoliant. It appears that his purpose is a being that will stand against Ungoliant. But the source of his power is music and his voice which is the same as Eru Iluvatar. So I think Tom is likely a manifestation of Eru Iluvatar sent to Middle Earth to watch over his own creation or another God like Eru. As such, I don't think any being, not Gandalf, Sauron, Morgoth or Ungoliant is any match for Tom.
To me the theory that makes the most sense is that Tom Bombadil is a form of Eru Illuvatar. As the utmost power in the universe Eru is unapproachable, ethereal, far above everyone. If Eru wants to be someone who IS approachable then he takes a form that allows the interaction with his spirit. No one knows for sure but I think that prior the Fellowship Gandalf & Elrond SUSPECT that Tom is Eru but can not be 100% sure. After Gandalf is turned White and given more power he IS sure. But he still can't tell anyone that. Who would believe him? But because Ganndalf is sure he wants to go talk to him "in person" about all that has happened and what is going to happen before Gandalf leaves to go to the Valar. Almost every religion has at least one form of God who is more accessable than all other forms: God becomes a man and not some unreachable, unknowable entity. Tom is that form of Eru in Middle-earth.
Tom is not a power player. Gandalf said that if you somehow talked Tom into taking the Ring of Power...he'd soon forget about it or lose it. His mind just doesn't work outside of his very real specialization... YP
Gandalf wanted only to talk to a being like himself, tens of thousands of years old. Even 600+ year old Legolas was young to Gandalf. Gandalf spoke to Galadriel many times, and Treebeard wasn't worldly, so only Tom was very old and very wise for Gandalf to converse with in Middle Earth.
My guess is that Tom is a friend of Eru Ilúvatar, not in the way that humans have friends or elves or anything. As Eru Ilúvatar is being the creator of the Universe or possibly just Earth, his friend stays there because he likes it, but sticks to private realm he is in, not interfering with the the progression of Eru Ilúvatar's goal. He's definitely from before the Earth, and as such one of the oldest beings in existence, even outaging Gandalf, Melkor and Sauron and any other Valar or Maiar. Maybe he's even family of Eru Ilúvatar, like from the same existence. In any case, Tom would not interfere beyond his realm as that is the agreement. The fact that the Ring does not have any sway over him is very telling, and so when even Maiar can't use it, besides Sauron, he must at least be at Valar height in the LOTR panthemonium. So, with only Valar and Eru Ilúvatar himself as possible heights, well, I'm guessing Eru's height, rather than a Valar, which doesn't neccesarily equate the same capabilities, but Tom is also a simple man, living a nice and peaceful life in his small corner, which then may be the facilitating factor of his friendship with Eru Ilúvatar and his creation. The Ring may babble power and fame and wealth into anyone's ears, but these have no alluring factor to Tom's life, and thus the Ring is like totally useless. It's like offering a cat a $1 coin, which it has zero need nor want for. Also, keep in mind that in some cases wisdom is far more important than power, and for those who seeketh, upon finding it, the awe is enormous.
Okay this is drivel. One, Tom Bombadil was a character from a different set of stories that Tolkien was writing at the time, that were popular. It was at the insistence of his publisher that he was included in LOTR. Tom predated Middle earth in story form, so he predated Middle Earth in the story. He put that in his telling of Tom in the Fellowship and why is named oldest and fatherless. Two, Elrond and the wise knew of Tom, and knew he would as always be unworried about the troubles of Middle Earth. Three, all this conjecture is silly. He put Tom in because he was told to put Tom in LOTR because the stories of Tom Bombadil were already popular. End of story. Tom Bombadil was in LOTR as a selling device against the authors wishes. Just like he hated they named the third volume Return of the King, since it gave it away. If you actually know Tolkien, you know the main thrust of the stories was a setting for the Hobbits to do what they needed to do. The four Hobbits are the Main characters. Everything else is just a backdrop for them do have their adventure.
I've a thought... about Gandalf. Specifically, Gandalf the Grey... HE could not handle the 'One Ring', because he feared its corruption. BUT.. Gandalf the White NEVER SAW THE 'One Ring'! When he came back as Gandalf the White, Frodo was well on his way to destroy it. So, I wonder if Gandalf the White might have been able to handle it like Tom Bombadil? Something to think about...
I think Tom Bomdadil and Goldberry are the only good primordial beings of Middle-Earth we know of. But there are numerous evil ones, like Ungoliant and the Nameless things. And if good and evil might not apply to them in the same way, they maybe have something else in common? If the Valar were to send Gandalf, Melian, Eönwe and others on a new quest to rid the world of the Nameless things, maybe there would be some connection between Tom Bombadil and them that changes his behaviour when Gandalf slays them? Other than that I have a difficult time thinking of things that can change a 50 000+ year old being. But if there is an old primordial connection... that might be something that stirred up Tom Bombadil's good nature. And in that case there could have been a fight. Though I'm not sure the Valar would risk these titans clashing against eachother and endangering Middle-Earth's safety. Only if the Nameless things were on the move somehow, and consuming the world, that could happen. And if that's the case, I first of all think Goldberry would be at Tom Bombadil's side. So Gandalf had to have his buddies at his side. And well, since the balrogs could fend off Ungoliant I suppose a big enough force of Maiar would overcome Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. Though a one on one battle between Gandalf and Tom seems unlikely to go into Gandalf's favour.
Alternative ending? Sauraman enters Tom's realm while cementing control of the Shire, manages to kill Tom's wife and poison his lands. Now if Tom became wrathful not any being may have interrupted his purifying ire.
The most powerful, as indicated by their ability to resist the ring. 1.Bombadil 2. Bilbo Baggins as he gave up the ring after having it for years, 3. Samwise as he also gave up the ring after using it albeit for only a short time, 4. Faramir who didn't take it when he could have. Gandalf, Galadriel, and others feared the rings temptation. The worst has to be Smeagol, since he committed murder for it before he had any idea what it was. Those who don't seek or use power posses the true will, to reject the ring.
I think he entrusted the newly discovered issue about the Nameless Things of Moria and what to do about them, and kinda found that maybe Tom could deal with them, henceforth he left for good Middle-Earth without any trouble of a pending issue which if those beings were so dreadfull as he didn´t wanted to share anything to "dark the day" back then when telling about, why he should have left them unfinished to solve in all?
You're confusing him with Jesus Christ. Tom Bombadil was intentionally written as an enigma and to intrigue the audience. It's a literary device that causes the readers to speculate about Tom Bombadil and ask more and more questions that will never be answered.
If we ignore their intentions and just have them fight is word that you added Gandolf's allies. Tom's allies are the trees and forests themselves which includes the Ents. The only reason Sauron would have had a chance against Tom was after he conquered the entire world. Sauron would've burned down all of the forests in preparation for a fight with Tom.
Tolkien wrote in one of his many letters that Tom Bombadil is not Eru Iluvatar, Tom just is. Trying to understand Tom's nature would defeat his purpose in the story.
Maybe Tom is more like Eru Ilúvatar. Maybe that is why he existed before the Valar. Tom wouldnt fight Gandalf, he doesnt need to. He would just ignore him.
Clearly Tom Bombardil is a very particular being. but during the council meeting about what to do with the one ring they do say he would not have been able to hold against Sauron forever. Even if he could have been persuaded to take the ring. So he's not THAT powerful. In fact I don't think he has much offensive power, if any at all. He's simply beyond most creatures ability to touch, the ultimate neutral party. I think he is literally a personification of the world its self. That's why they said he would endure longer than any other, but as sauron's power could corrupt the earth its self, given time, he would defeat Tom.
One little gripe - why are male valar shown as old and ugly, female valar as young and beautiful? Being a hetro sexual female id prefer it the other way round 😂 However, although of course Tom and Gandalf are at the very least allies, if not friends, I do enjoy these 'what if' videos. Lol i always wonder what would've happened if Sauron had turned on Morgoth and crafted a One Ring to give to him? Even with Morgoth's diminished power after his duel with Fingolfin, he may not have still been powerful enough to ensnare Morgoth.
Go read the two poems in The Tolkien Reader book about Tom, then go find the poem 'Once Upon a Time', And there's another even more obscure poem , - An Evening in Tavrobel. None are any like these silly scenes and descriptions This video is NOT about Tom who's a jolly fellow.
Reading the books one gets an image of Tom Bombadil happy and care free with a smile always on his face. Your artists seems to think that he is a miserable old pained man. Sad,
Going with the theory that Tom IS ERU Illuvatar, Gandolf should NOT Worry about this, as Tom Bombadil probably IS ERU!, As ERU Would Want to live in and experience the Wonderful Creation that he and the Others Sang to Make as ARDA. Of Course ERU like GOD have boundries just like here on modern Earth. Satan and his minions have Control, until Jesus "The King's" Return! Do Not forget, that When Aragorn became King, Evil did NOT vanquish, as Saruman wasstill in existance and there was intentions of writing a new novel, which did not happen. Yes Bombadil IS Probably an AVATARof ERU "The One"! 🙂 Gandolf Did not Fear him, but did Not interact with him much either, as ERU probably has the mindset of ARDA has tribulations.. That is Why I Sent You as a Man, with Ability to deal with it! The ONLY reason why Bombadil helped the Hobbits IS because they stumbled into HIS land, Boarder of PEACE. So there is NO REASON why Gandolf would do Anything that you creator of this video say's is possible, which would mean that Gandolf had become Evil = Impossible! But here is a Better Question.. What IF Saruman had turned his EYE upon Tom Bombadil, in his height of power?? What would have happened? We know that Bombadil's Boarders DID contain EVIL, which Was the Barrow Wrights, which Was Created by the General of Sauron = the Whitch King! Why did this happen? Was this pPreDestiny of Eru, as it Would play out in the War of the Ring, Ultimately?, (Kind of).. Bombadil, does Nothing to the story, excep a Sideline.. He ultimately provides Weapons to the Hobbits after the defeat of the Whrites, and adds to the mystery really. Thi is why P. Jacksom skipped the Bombadil saga, as it is a waste of time to his movie. It is not significant to the MAIN story. But the Mythology is a whole new and Unique thing to the LOTR History! The UIltimate Answer is NO & Ganlolf would be thought out of Existance, by ERU! The Same with Saruman if he were to do the same! Cool video and subject BTW!
Tolkien specifically and explicitly says that Tom Bombadil is _not_ Eru. And the conversation at the council of Elrond indicates the same: if he were Eru, then the Ring would be safe with him, whereas Elrond states that Tom would be the last to yield to Sauron, but he would lose the fight.
23 minutes to say, "I don't know." 23 minutes of nothing SHOCKING. Great review and production but blocked for clickbait dishonesty. Can't please everyone.
It’s lord of the rings…how “shocking” can it be? I found it informative as a person who’s interested in the deeper lore of Tolkiens work so I think the video actually accomplished its purpose which was to discuss the lore of Tolkiens work.
What a bunch of gibberish and drivel. Gandalf was an angelic being from Valinor. Tom Bombadil is still tied into the creation of Middle Earth. Gandalf was around long before that.
Okay, the videos that are twisting my Good Professor's prose into idiotic ramblings are getting out of hand. Now see here! I will not stand for this, and if you persist with this tomfoolery I will be forced to become quite hasty! Gandalf was in no way frightened of Old Tom, in fact they knew each other before you were even a twinkle in a tadpole's eye a few hundred thousand years ago. ! Avert!!!
Kind of pointless to even speculate. Even Tolkien didn’t know what Tom Bombadil was; he did not define the character’s limits, his abilities, or his essential nature. If the author doesn’t have this information, then no one else does either. It’s almost like saying, “Who would win, Gandalf or King Vorsythe?” No one knows who that is, because I just made him up. So the question can’t be answered except by pure speculation, and any answer is as good as another.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Tom is a Good Guy. Gandalf said he wanted to chew the fat with Tom. I don't think Gandalf had any thought that Tom was an enemy.
It's a what if scenario, pay attention
Honestly, the idea of Tom Bombadil and Gandalf fighting completely misses the point of their characters. Bombadil exists beyond the struggle for power-he's untouched by the Ring because he simply doesn't care about control. Gandalf, on the other hand, is bound by duty to oppose evil. Comparing them in a fight feels like forcing a clash where none should exist. Tolkien designed them for entirely different purposes, and turning it into a power contest oversimplifies the depth of his storytelling.
I believe that Tom bombadil is Eru. Maybe a nerfed version of him. But still having just enough to have commanding presence
@@zeromusphoenix798 That's an interesting theory! Tom Bombadil being a "nerfed" version of Eru Ilúvatar is definitely a creative take. His immunity to the Ring and his effortless command over nature could hint at something deeper. However, Tolkien described Tom as being outside the struggles of power, more like a representation of the world’s natural spirit. Eru, on the other hand, is more of a distant creator figure. Still, it’s fun to think about how Bombadil might embody a fragment of Eru’s essence in Middle-earth!
@@MythologicalStories-q1z well I've only just now started reading and getting into the simarilian. And I only just heard about Tom bombadil about a year ago. And that's where I started thinking maybe he is just a shard of Eru.
And if I remember correctly Paladine from dragonlance also had an affinity towards the halflings and the kinder.
@ That's a cool connection! Seeing Tom Bombadil as a shard of Eru is an interesting idea, especially given how mysterious and powerful he is. Tolkien intentionally left Bombadil's nature ambiguous, which makes theories like yours really fun to explore. Comparing that to Paladine from *Dragonlance* and his fondness for halflings and kender adds another layer-both characters have a sort of distant yet protective vibe toward the smaller, more carefree races. Maybe it’s a common theme in fantasy for god-like beings to be drawn to innocence and simplicity!
Not only was Tom not an enemy or a potential enemy- many people feel that Tom was a manifestation of Eru Ilúvatar himself…
OK. So this turns out to be a click-bait title. There is no indication that Gandalf feared Tom.
All of utube is clickbait. You state the obvious as if you expect different.
I personally enjoyed the video and found it both pleasant and entertaining.
I don't think he feared Tom's intent, he did very much fear asking Tom to protect the Ring … as he should!
I understood it as Gandalf wanted to spend time catching up with Tom. That it had been a really long time since he last talked with Tom.l
@@robertlewis8295Agreed. As Gandalf said, Tom was a moss gatherer, where he [Gandalf] had been a stone doomed to rolling. Gandalf was looking forward to catching up with Tom for a long chat.
@@Candyohh I agree with o.p. doesn't have to be clickbait and you are also wrong to imply🥲 that people have to just accept whatever they are served up.
Gandalf and Tom are on the same side. Tom just has decided to stay out of the mess while Gandalf was destined to fix the mess.
Was Tom Bombadil powerful enough to force AI image generators to give human hands only 5 fingers?
impossible!
Imagining Tom Bombadil and Gandalf fighting is like imagining the Munsters and the Adams in a family feud.
I've always wanted to believe that Tolkien wrote Tom Bombadil's character as himself. Meaning that if Tolkien himself lived in Middle Earth who would he be? Tolkien never said very much about Tom in his interviews other than "There needs to be mysteries". Tom Bombadil has been believed to be a creator of things in middle earth. Older than all things. That also describes Tolkien himself. Tolkien knew Middle earth since it was just blank white pages waiting to be written. I ask, what would Tolkien want if did live in Middle Earth? He wouldn't be concerned with any power. Nor any power struggles between other races or beings. he also would not be effected by magic such as the one ring. He couldn't be beat or captured or made to do anything he didn't want to do. he would just want to enjoy the beauty of Middle Earth and all it's living beings
There's a character from Finnish folklore called, "Väinämöinen." It's more than likely that he's the inspiration for Tom Bombadil.
Tom Bombadil is the antithesis to ambition, so he's fairly harmless regardless of his power
Hmmm, strength, power, ambition, aggression - none of them are the same.
Harmless? Not so sure about that for those who attack him - although, to be fair, chances are I get the feeling nothing would be able to successfully attack him, unless he allowed it, which kind of goes full circle to him being harmless.
Tom B. is like a biblical Adam. He is something like a figure out of fairy lore, or perhaps in tune with Nature, and his wife is a river nymph. So, he 's a mythological being, but he's not a being of power. He's actually a free person who is immune to the temptation of power. Maybe Tolkien wrote him to show what it would be like to have an egoless, humble person who the desire for power has no influence. He's the opposite of the Nazgul and Sauron who desire power above all other desires. Tom seems to have no attachment to the world's concerns, and he is free of attachments.
This is one of Tolkien's enigmatic and genius characters.
Why is Tom Bombadil depicted as a wizard in this video?
He's nothing like a Gandalf or Saruman and he's also no Maia. He's a thick set ruddy guy with the stoutness of a dwarf only he's too tall to be one and yet not quite tall enough to pass for a regular man. He treks about in yellow boots, has a thick blue coat and has a thick bushy brown beard and curly brown hair. And his eyes are very blue. If you were to meet him you wouldn't be able to place him as either young or old, and yet you would be amazed by his unquenchable vigour and immutable spirit.
As for the premise of the video, well simply, no.
He is no threat to any of the free peoples or to any agents for good seeking to keep them free. He is however completely unreliable as an ally. He won't broach evil within his presence, and will come to the aid of those as need it should they call for help within his lands, and yet will not directly involve himself with the troubles of the third age. [or any age, he's fatherless and was first, after all] That is why he saw Frodo's ring as a mere trifle. To him it was. Created by the dark lord or not, no dark lords hold power over Bombadil, not unless all other things are conquered. Even then it would probably be "dicy" for Sauron, trying to deal with Bombadil.
This is just a person leveraging AI to drive engagement by making stuff up. Not a true fan of Tolkien.
stupidity on the part of the narrator ! and not only is he depicted as wizard like but also zombie like ! obviously they totally missunderstood the entire story !
@ I got similar vibes, only I was looking at it more as spirit wraith corrupted. Even so, totally the wrong archetype, even. What were they thinking? I lifted my description of old Tom Bombadil straight from the source material, as in THE BOOK, so you know it's legit. I checked because I thought he also had a yellow or green hat but actually, no he doesn't wear any hats. Halfway between the size of a man and a dwarf. Yellow boots. Blue coat. Long bushy beard. Blue eyes. And I figure him as also having a curly thick mane of hair, but that last part could just be how I see him. None of which shouts "oh he's a creepy looking WIZARD"!
@Requiemslove you shouldn't even be leaving analysis on this video. It just helps promote it.
@@InsanePhilosopher You know what? You're right. But I can't help it if shoddy video analysis triggers me.
Bombadli is a literary insert. He's a meta character from other Tolkien work.
From a power perspective, Tom Bombadil could destroy all of middle earth including Gandalf without breaking a sweat. That being said, Tom and Gandalf would sing a song, share some ale, and chat about the close of old ages along with the beginning of new ages. they would sing some more, and then rest a while.
Depends on whether the limits of his realm was self-imposed or not. Also, they chose not to leave the ring with him because when everything else had fallen, he would too, from what I remember
@@fred20097they didn't leave it with him, because he would just forget about it, and it could escape
@@leonnunhofer3453 yeah, that too 😊👍
For years, I've been wondering if Tom & Goldberry are the Secret Fire, or the Flame Imperishable; the source of all life which Eru sent into Arda. I've always understood the Secret Fire / Flame Imperishable to be Tolkien's re-imangined name for what his Roman Catholic faith has termed the Holy Spirit. Maybe Tom and Goldberry together represent the sources of all masculine and female energy of Eru's life-giving nature? It might make sense because only Eru had the power to create life. I see Tom and Goldberry as the life sources, the yin and yang, or anima/animus of Tolkien's cosmos. Picking a fight with a Cosmic Entity like Tom would have been stupid. Gandalf was NEVER, EVER stupid.
I thought the reason why Ungolient was able to take on Melkor was because she'd just drunken the sap from the 2 trees, their light making her almost invincible.
Also, my theory re ungolient and tom - if Arda is created then destroyed then created again ad nauseum, then maybe they're both left over from the previous middle earth? Everything else there was new, including the valar, except for tom, ungolient and of course, Eru Iluvatar. Just a thought.
At first thought, Tom appears to be a primordial being that represents the antithesis of Ungoliant. It appears that his purpose is a being that will stand against Ungoliant. But the source of his power is music and his voice which is the same as Eru Iluvatar. So I think Tom is likely a manifestation of Eru Iluvatar sent to Middle Earth to watch over his own creation or another God like Eru. As such, I don't think any being, not Gandalf, Sauron, Morgoth or Ungoliant is any match for Tom.
To me the theory that makes the most sense is that Tom Bombadil is a form of Eru Illuvatar. As the utmost power in the universe Eru is unapproachable, ethereal, far above everyone. If Eru wants to be someone who IS approachable then he takes a form that allows the interaction with his spirit. No one knows for sure but I think that prior the Fellowship Gandalf & Elrond SUSPECT that Tom is Eru but can not be 100% sure. After Gandalf is turned White and given more power he IS sure. But he still can't tell anyone that. Who would believe him? But because Ganndalf is sure he wants to go talk to him "in person" about all that has happened and what is going to happen before Gandalf leaves to go to the Valar. Almost every religion has at least one form of God who is more accessable than all other forms: God becomes a man and not some unreachable, unknowable entity. Tom is that form of Eru in Middle-earth.
Tom is not Eru. This theorie has been debunked by Tolkien himself, in his letters.
Tom doesn’t even really give two shits, but if he were challenged He could take out all of the Maiar at once
Tom is not a power player. Gandalf said that if you somehow talked Tom into taking the Ring of Power...he'd soon forget about it or lose it. His mind just doesn't work outside of his very real specialization... YP
love the images of the famously seven-fingered Tom Bombadil holding the ring
What in the world is up with the pictures! They are so out of place and inaccurate it’s foolish!?
Gandalf wanted only to talk to a being like himself, tens of thousands of years old. Even 600+ year old Legolas was young to Gandalf. Gandalf spoke to Galadriel many times, and Treebeard wasn't worldly, so only Tom was very old and very wise for Gandalf to converse with in Middle Earth.
I think Tom is the creator himself Tolkien, of the LOTR, the characters events etc etc
Tom is apparently an avatar of Eru, literally God Himself. No one else would stand a chance, which is why it's good that he's omnibenevolent.
My guess is that Tom is a friend of Eru Ilúvatar, not in the way that humans have friends or elves or anything.
As Eru Ilúvatar is being the creator of the Universe or possibly just Earth, his friend stays there because he likes it,
but sticks to private realm he is in, not interfering with the the progression of Eru Ilúvatar's goal.
He's definitely from before the Earth, and as such one of the oldest beings in existence, even outaging Gandalf,
Melkor and Sauron and any other Valar or Maiar.
Maybe he's even family of Eru Ilúvatar, like from the same existence.
In any case, Tom would not interfere beyond his realm as that is the agreement.
The fact that the Ring does not have any sway over him is very telling, and so when even
Maiar can't use it, besides Sauron, he must at least be at Valar height in the LOTR panthemonium.
So, with only Valar and Eru Ilúvatar himself as possible heights, well, I'm guessing Eru's height,
rather than a Valar, which doesn't neccesarily equate the same capabilities, but Tom is also
a simple man, living a nice and peaceful life in his small corner, which then may be the
facilitating factor of his friendship with Eru Ilúvatar and his creation.
The Ring may babble power and fame and wealth into anyone's ears, but these
have no alluring factor to Tom's life, and thus the Ring is like totally useless.
It's like offering a cat a $1 coin, which it has zero need nor want for.
Also, keep in mind that in some cases wisdom is far more important than power,
and for those who seeketh, upon finding it, the awe is enormous.
There's 22 minutes I'll never get back.
What’s your RPM on a channel like this?
Even mentioning that Gandalf might have perceived Tom as even a remote threat is utter rubbish. You need to watch what you are saying.
Okay this is drivel. One, Tom Bombadil was a character from a different set of stories that Tolkien was writing at the time, that were popular. It was at the insistence of his publisher that he was included in LOTR. Tom predated Middle earth in story form, so he predated Middle Earth in the story. He put that in his telling of Tom in the Fellowship and why is named oldest and fatherless. Two, Elrond and the wise knew of Tom, and knew he would as always be unworried about the troubles of Middle Earth. Three, all this conjecture is silly. He put Tom in because he was told to put Tom in LOTR because the stories of Tom Bombadil were already popular. End of story. Tom Bombadil was in LOTR as a selling device against the authors wishes. Just like he hated they named the third volume Return of the King, since it gave it away. If you actually know Tolkien, you know the main thrust of the stories was a setting for the Hobbits to do what they needed to do. The four Hobbits are the Main characters. Everything else is just a backdrop for them do have their adventure.
I've a thought... about Gandalf. Specifically, Gandalf the Grey... HE could not handle the 'One Ring', because he feared its corruption. BUT.. Gandalf the White NEVER SAW THE 'One Ring'! When he came back as Gandalf the White, Frodo was well on his way to destroy it. So, I wonder if Gandalf the White might have been able to handle it like Tom Bombadil? Something to think about...
I think Tom Bomdadil and Goldberry are the only good primordial beings of Middle-Earth we know of. But there are numerous evil ones, like Ungoliant and the Nameless things. And if good and evil might not apply to them in the same way, they maybe have something else in common? If the Valar were to send Gandalf, Melian, Eönwe and others on a new quest to rid the world of the Nameless things, maybe there would be some connection between Tom Bombadil and them that changes his behaviour when Gandalf slays them? Other than that I have a difficult time thinking of things that can change a 50 000+ year old being. But if there is an old primordial connection... that might be something that stirred up Tom Bombadil's good nature. And in that case there could have been a fight. Though I'm not sure the Valar would risk these titans clashing against eachother and endangering Middle-Earth's safety. Only if the Nameless things were on the move somehow, and consuming the world, that could happen.
And if that's the case, I first of all think Goldberry would be at Tom Bombadil's side. So Gandalf had to have his buddies at his side. And well, since the balrogs could fend off Ungoliant I suppose a big enough force of Maiar would overcome Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. Though a one on one battle between Gandalf and Tom seems unlikely to go into Gandalf's favour.
Alternative ending? Sauraman enters Tom's realm while cementing control of the Shire, manages to kill Tom's wife and poison his lands. Now if Tom became wrathful not any being may have interrupted his purifying ire.
The most powerful, as indicated by their ability to resist the ring. 1.Bombadil 2. Bilbo Baggins as he gave up the ring after having it for years, 3. Samwise as he also gave up the ring after using it albeit for only a short time, 4. Faramir who didn't take it when he could have. Gandalf, Galadriel, and others feared the rings temptation. The worst has to be Smeagol, since he committed murder for it before he had any idea what it was. Those who don't seek or use power posses the true will, to reject the ring.
Tom Bombadil could be Sauron. He's the only other powerful character who could wear the ring without disappearing.
Tom is the OG of Arda.
I think he entrusted the newly discovered issue about the Nameless Things of Moria and what to do about them, and kinda found that maybe Tom could deal with them, henceforth he left for good Middle-Earth without any trouble of a pending issue which if those beings were so dreadfull as he didn´t wanted to share anything to "dark the day" back then when telling about, why he should have left them unfinished to solve in all?
I was sad that Tom was not included in the movies when they were released.
The movies cut out everything that isn't a primary plot device. It's pretty obvious that it worked very well. It's not sad.
I like to entertain the idea that Tom is Eru Illuvitar incarnate.
You're confusing him with Jesus Christ. Tom Bombadil was intentionally written as an enigma and to intrigue the audience.
It's a literary device that causes the readers to speculate about Tom Bombadil and ask more and more questions that will never be answered.
If we ignore their intentions and just have them fight is word that you added Gandolf's allies. Tom's allies are the trees and forests themselves which includes the Ents. The only reason Sauron would have had a chance against Tom was after he conquered the entire world. Sauron would've burned down all of the forests in preparation for a fight with Tom.
Tom Bombadill is eru iluvatar
Tolkien wrote in one of his many letters that Tom Bombadil is not Eru Iluvatar, Tom just is. Trying to understand Tom's nature would defeat his purpose in the story.
@LordTKII I was unaware of that. My opinion is just head cannon after reading the books.
@@robertbrown6513 I only know this from other videos about this, on a different channel.
Maybe Tom is more like Eru Ilúvatar. Maybe that is why he existed before the Valar. Tom wouldnt fight Gandalf, he doesnt need to. He would just ignore him.
Thanks for sharing.
Who thinks that Tom Bombadil is older than the Music of the Ainur?
Bad title.
Tom is Keith Richards… the first and oldest.
I think Tom Bombedil is the spirit of earth much like Gia. Both are spirits and predate earth hence is unaffected by earth and things of the earth.
Total misunderstanding of Tom. Mysterious doesn't equate to menacing.
They don’t care about understanding. They just want to drive engagement.
How was that ever in question? Tom was more powerful than Sauron with the ring.
I think Bombadil was more powerful than Gandalf
No way. Gandalf was an angelic being from the Undying Lands. Tom Bombadil was inexorably tied in with the material, created world.
Clearly Tom Bombardil is a very particular being. but during the council meeting about what to do with the one ring they do say he would not have been able to hold against Sauron forever. Even if he could have been persuaded to take the ring. So he's not THAT powerful. In fact I don't think he has much offensive power, if any at all. He's simply beyond most creatures ability to touch, the ultimate neutral party.
I think he is literally a personification of the world its self. That's why they said he would endure longer than any other, but as sauron's power could corrupt the earth its self, given time, he would defeat Tom.
Tom B. would destroy all of them. Don't run up , if you ain't willing to fall.
I choose to believe that Tom is part of the creator of Arda play star to experience the existence of the place
Tom Bombadil is an extra to TLOTR.
He is there as it was an old tale prior to TLOTR, so Tolkien added it without much thinking. That is my opinion 😐
no - gandalf said "you can not pass".
One little gripe - why are male valar shown as old and ugly, female valar as young and beautiful? Being a hetro sexual female id prefer it the other way round 😂
However, although of course Tom and Gandalf are at the very least allies, if not friends, I do enjoy these 'what if' videos. Lol i always wonder what would've happened if Sauron had turned on Morgoth and crafted a One Ring to give to him? Even with Morgoth's diminished power after his duel with Fingolfin, he may not have still been powerful enough to ensnare Morgoth.
I do not think the two could ever fight, they are two different beings and do not really interact at all.
Go read the two poems in The Tolkien Reader book about Tom, then go find the poem 'Once Upon a Time', And there's another even more obscure poem , - An Evening in Tavrobel. None are any like these silly scenes and descriptions This video is NOT about Tom who's a jolly fellow.
Reading the books one gets an image of Tom Bombadil happy and care free with a smile always on his face. Your artists seems to think that he is a miserable old pained man. Sad,
This video is a lot more about Gandalf not about Tom Bombadil
Hell yeah!
Going with the theory that Tom IS ERU Illuvatar, Gandolf should NOT Worry about this, as Tom Bombadil probably IS ERU!, As ERU Would Want to live in and experience the Wonderful Creation that he and the Others Sang to Make as ARDA. Of Course ERU like GOD have boundries just like here on modern Earth. Satan and his minions have Control, until Jesus "The King's" Return! Do Not forget, that When Aragorn became King, Evil did NOT vanquish, as Saruman wasstill in existance and there was intentions of writing a new novel, which did not happen. Yes Bombadil IS Probably an AVATARof ERU "The One"! 🙂 Gandolf Did not Fear him, but did Not interact with him much either, as ERU probably has the mindset of ARDA has tribulations.. That is Why I Sent You as a Man, with Ability to deal with it! The ONLY reason why Bombadil helped the Hobbits IS because they stumbled into HIS land, Boarder of PEACE. So there is NO REASON why Gandolf would do Anything that you creator of this video say's is possible, which would mean that Gandolf had become Evil = Impossible! But here is a Better Question.. What IF Saruman had turned his EYE upon Tom Bombadil, in his height of power?? What would have happened? We know that Bombadil's Boarders DID contain EVIL, which Was the Barrow Wrights, which Was Created by the General of Sauron = the Whitch King! Why did this happen? Was this pPreDestiny of Eru, as it Would play out in the War of the Ring, Ultimately?, (Kind of).. Bombadil, does Nothing to the story, excep a Sideline.. He ultimately provides Weapons to the Hobbits after the defeat of the Whrites, and adds to the mystery really. Thi is why P. Jacksom skipped the Bombadil saga, as it is a waste of time to his movie. It is not significant to the MAIN story. But the Mythology is a whole new and Unique thing to the LOTR History!
The UIltimate Answer is NO & Ganlolf would be thought out of Existance, by ERU! The Same with Saruman if he were to do the same!
Cool video and subject BTW!
Tolkien specifically and explicitly says that Tom Bombadil is _not_ Eru. And the conversation at the council of Elrond indicates the same: if he were Eru, then the Ring would be safe with him, whereas Elrond states that Tom would be the last to yield to Sauron, but he would lose the fight.
23 minutes to say, "I don't know." 23 minutes of nothing SHOCKING. Great review and production but blocked for clickbait dishonesty. Can't please everyone.
It’s lord of the rings…how “shocking” can it be? I found it informative as a person who’s interested in the deeper lore of Tolkiens work so I think the video actually accomplished its purpose which was to discuss the lore of Tolkiens work.
From the descriptions of them given, I don't see the possibility of a conflict between these two....An empty analysis.
I explained in the video I dont think they would fight its just for fun 😀
@tolkiensrealm1 I know, I was was just concurring.
much ado about nothing ! why does everyone try to work things into the tale that are`nt there ?
He's eru / illuvatar
What a ridiculous idea... Gandalf being feared of Tom's power. I just don't see the point of this video.
Iluvatar.
This is ridiculous. Setting them up as rivals is utter nonsense and shows how little the creator of this video knows about the stories.
I choose to believe that Tom is part of the creator of Arta play star to experience the existence of the place 21:43
I can't stand fake narration with computer voices.
What a bunch of gibberish and drivel. Gandalf was an angelic being from Valinor. Tom Bombadil is still tied into the creation of Middle Earth. Gandalf was around long before that.
Okay, the videos that are twisting my Good Professor's prose into idiotic ramblings are getting out of hand. Now see here! I will not stand for this, and if you persist with this tomfoolery I will be forced to become quite hasty! Gandalf was in no way frightened of Old Tom, in fact they knew each other before you were even a twinkle in a tadpole's eye a few hundred thousand years ago. ! Avert!!!
Why would Gandalf be afraid of an entity that was good? This is crap.........
I stopped watching this nonsensical clickbait video as soon as I saw hobbits wearing BOOTS...
AI bullcrap.
Pointed ears?
everything is "SHOCKING" now! thanks to this and other crappy titles like "WORST" or "than YOU remember" YT is degenerating to clickbait zoo 🙄
Very click baity!
Stop making videos with AI content
CLICKBAIT BS!
Booo! nice production qualities but completely based on a false premise.
Because they don’t really care. They just want clicks and engagement.
Oh my God what is everyone's obsession with Tom ? 🙄 All he is is a rest stop in the story a side quest... That's it 😂 pathetic.
Kind of pointless to even speculate. Even Tolkien didn’t know what Tom Bombadil was; he did not define the character’s limits, his abilities, or his essential nature. If the author doesn’t have this information, then no one else does either. It’s almost like saying, “Who would win, Gandalf or King Vorsythe?” No one knows who that is, because I just made him up. So the question can’t be answered except by pure speculation, and any answer is as good as another.
hilarious