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To: Overtaxed
I thought that the names of all the Valar were known (and Tom wasn't one of them). I can handle the Green Man nature spirit. Every time I get to "The Bombadil Question" I always end up arguing in circles!

In the Sillmarillion, there were a huge number of creatures who participated in "The Music of the Ainur," which foreshadowed the creation and history of Earth.

Many of these entered Arda and dwelt there when it was created. The 15 most powerful were the Valar, the single most powerful of whom was Melkor, the original Dark Lord, of whom Sauron was only a servant.

I would assume Tom B. was one of these Ainur, who were called the Maiar. They were mostly the followers and people of the Valar, but Tom was probably a free-lancer. If so, he was older than Middle Earth or Arda itself. Sauron, Saruman and Gandalf were other Maiar who were presumably older than Arda. Although some Maiar reproduced, so some of them might not be older than the Earth.

Treebeard was born(?) on Middle Earth and at the end of the Third Age might be the oldest "native" still alive.

153 posted on 03/22/2002 6:08:15 PM PST by Restorer
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To: Restorer
I would assume Tom B. was one of these Ainur, who were called the Maiar.

I thought that the Maiar were beings on the same "level" as Gandalf, Saruman, and Sauron all of whom were affected by the ring. Bombadil seems to have powers greater than these (or at least greater than Gandalf and Saruman.)

155 posted on 03/23/2002 6:23:01 AM PST by Overtaxed
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To: Restorer
I expect Tolkien was not thinking of the Valar when he conceived the idea of Bombadil. Tom's a unique creature whose origin may be left to individual interpretation. He seems much more earthy than any other whether character from Middle Earth or beyond the Sea.

Tolkien gives a comprehensive account of the great deeds and events of the three ages. He does not fully preclude the possibility of other entities arising outside the history he provides. The origin of the ancient Ents, for example, remains a mystery. Where and from what Tom Bombadil came I believe was meant to remain a mystery for ever ("forever" outside Tolkien-speak), adding to the mystery and depth of the world Tolkien creates.

Eventually, it would all become boring if Tolkien's written history covered all that transpired in the world he creates.

179 posted on 04/02/2002 2:00:16 PM PST by fire and forget
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