An Argument for Bombadil as Valar

by B. Edward Cave
(Nottingham)

I think this article fails to give adequate credence to the Vala hypothesis. Gene Hargrove's excellent article makes a very convincing case for his Valaric potential.

It is also important to note that Tolkien does not say that Sauron would be able to conquer Bombadil as Valar. This is a common misunderstanding caused by the somewhat hazy definition of the 'avatar' like embodiment which Valar and Maiar take on. If Bombadil were to fall as Gandalf hypothesizes (although being a mere Ishtar he does not have the ability to say so definitively), it would only be from his physical embodiment at which time he would return to the utmost west. More important is Tolkien's re-definition of that statement in Letters 179 where he says "there would be nothing left for him in the world of Sauron".

I agree with Hargrove and conclude against this article.

Bombadil fits perfectly the role of Aule the Smith (and Goldberry Yavanna) and Tolkien's concern for his anthropological meaning (Letters 192) only serves to re-enforce that reading. A final thought is that the reason Bombadil appears so un-Valaric is because he has taken a 'vow of poverty' (Letters 179) which fits in well with Aule's nature and recalls the self-limitation displayed in passages like Philippians 2:6 of Christ's descent (which the devout Tolkien would have undoubtedly been familiar with). Not that this is to say Bombadil is God or Iluvatar but the principal of self-elected boundaries (as discussed by Hargrove) applies admirably.

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An Argument for Bombadil as Valar

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Mar 21, 2012
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starstarstarstar 		Charming meeting with Tom NEW
by: Mike M.

I think the meeting with Tom and Goldberry and the Hobbits was charming. Tom did not seem to have the forsight of the elves or even the men of Numenor as he admited he first met the Hobbits by chance when he rescued them from Old Man Willow (tree)although Tom did go to the river to look for them in part.

-Mike M. Nice post--I love Tolkien & his works. I hope it is okay to leave a link to my blogpage. www.murraycavanaugh.com/blog.php
Feb 11, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Adam - Webmaster
by: Anonymous

Thank you for your thought-provoking response Mr. Cave. I have always found the Vala hypothesis to be intriguing but unconvincing. Given Tolkien's lack of information on the topic - his general playfulness about it, in fact - I doubt it will be resolved any time soon.

I see Bombadil as another of many examples wherein Tolkien reused creative material from his existing writings. Bombadil & Farmer Maggot (from THE ADVENTURES OF TOM BOMBADIL, a series of poems Tolkien had already written) are just one example of many. Was Bombadil, as originally conceived in the poems, Aule? Very, very doubtful. Might Tolkien's idea of Bombadil evolved to the point that he BECAME a personification of Aule in FotR? Possible, but I find it unlikely.

I find LETTERS 153 to be the most enlightening of Tolkien's statements on Bombadil -

"I don't think Tom needs philosophizing about, and is not improved by it. But many have found him an odd or indeed discordant ingredient. In historical fact I put him in because I had already 'invented' him independently (he first appeared in the Oxford Magazine) and wanted an 'adventure' on the way"

That, I think, does not imply a seriousness in thought or intent which Tolkien would have almost certainly given to the appearance of a Vala in his story.

Again, this is a topic that could inspire endless debate. I will not say that the Vala hypothesis - or indeed any hypothesis on Tom Bombadil - is definitively incorrect. But I think the bulk of evidence is against such a view.

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