The character of Bombadil was always Tolkien's greatest mystery and this hypothesis will give you something to think about
The acclaimed Tom Bombadil is now more fashionable than ever, since its unexpected inclusion in the second season of The Rings of Power (2022) has once again placed its name in the focus of attention of all followers of Tolkien's fantasy. However, he persistent Fan interest in this figure goes back a long timespecifically, when Peter Jackson decided to eliminate it from his films.
Tom Bombadil will be in the second season of The Rings of Power
For readers of Tolkien's novels, Tom Bombadil is a disturbing character which does not have much importance in the story but is shown as a powerful element of Tolkien's universe. However, fans of Jackson's trilogy most likely do not understand the relevance of Bombadil and the why his story is always treated with special devotion.
The truth is The film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings were quite faithful to the original narrative, something that was highly valued by the reading public. However, it is evident that cinematographic language has limits that are far removed from the freedoms enjoyed by a novelist, so Peter Jackson had to remove some content to fit three films which, even so, lasted more than nine hours if we put them together.
Tom Bombadil was not taken into account for the live action adaptation
The extended versions added some scenes, however, they did not refer to Tom Bombabil either. Thus, the character was always left aside of the significance that comes from being on the big screen and became a kind of legend that has had to wait for its moment to be captured, in this case, in a television series. A legend that has been talked about a lot to this day, giving rise to theories that claim that Bombadil was included in the films that we all saw from The Lord of the Rings.
The character of Bombadil was always Tolkien's greatest mystery and this hypothesis will give you something to think about
First, we must know that Bombadil is not a character that Tolkien was in charge of describing too much., did not even specify its origin. It's known that is a very animated being who lives in the Old Forest and whoas told in The Fellowship of the Ring, save Frodo and the rest of the hobbits with superior wraith powers and an evil Ent.
Tom Bombadil alongside The Stranger in The Rings of Power
The most surprising thing is his power against the One Ringwhich it doesn't affect you not even the slightest when he even puts it on his finger. All this makes him one of the most powerful characters in Middle-Earth who, in addition, seems to have been living there since the beginning of the First Age.
All the unknowns that spread around him make him its purpose is not very well understood, something that The Rings of Power must explain, and that theories are generated about him. One of them Not only does it completely change the direction of the character, but it also argues why we saw him in the movies from The Lord of the Rings.
Image of Tom Bombadil according to Tolkien's description
The hypothesis states that Tom Bombadil is really the Witch King. Although it was first published in 1996, The theory gains strength by being well represented in Jackson's films. In the novels, Tolkien also does not explain with excessive interest who the Witch King really is.which leaves open the option that, in reality, Tom Bombadil is just a evil specter costume who wants to gather information for Sauron.
This would explain why the One Ring has no consequence on him. and why The Nazgûl attack the Prancing Pony Inn after Frodo speaks with Bombadil about the refuge where, if it were not for Aragorn, his mission would have failed. At the Council of Elrond, Elrond and Gandalf speak of Tom Bombadil as someone they could not trusthence giving him the Ring is not an option despite possessing enough powers to reach Mordor and destroy it on Mount Doom.
The Witch King in The Lord of the Rings
in the novels Bombadil appears as an eccentric personlonely and very powerful, suspected of not participating much in Gandalf's mission and his Company. One of the phrases that is repeated most in the books is that remember a lost kingdom a long time ago, which confirms his long age and could be a hidden reference to Angmarthe ancient kingdom of the Witch King.
However, some details such as the existence of his wife Goldberry or the fact of not taking advantage of the possession of the One Ring to steal it from the hobbits, they do not play in favor of the hypothesis. Either way, We will never know the truth about a character thateven if they are only theories, will continue to generate debates among the most curious fans of the Tolkien world.
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