Who do you think Tom Bombadil really was

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by PrinceOfTheHalflings

One interesting thing to notice is that Tom does say "his songs are stronger". He does seem to maintain order in his land through his songs. It's hard not to be reminded of the Music of Eru at this moment, as Tom's songs seem to have some kind of deep influence on reality. This doesn't mean that Tom is Eru, just that he knows the Music! I seem to recall reading a theory that Tom actually is a manifestation of the Music brought to life as a conscious being. A spirit of the Music, if you like.

In my continuing quest to force Tom into fitting the established cosmology, and in reference to what I said here, the above quote makes me wonder if both Tom and Ungoliant couldn't be Ainu who entered Arda independantly, for purposes they perceived to be their own. Ungoliant initially was allied with Melkor, though she later renounced him to serve herself.

The Eldar knew not whence (Ungoliant) came; but some have said that in ages long before she descended from the darkness that lies about Arda....

Silm Of the Darkening of Valinor

Tom was here before the River and the trees; Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn. ....When the Elves passed westward, Tom was here already, before the seas were bent. He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless--before the Dark Lord came from Outside

FOTR In the House of Tom Bombadil

'Outside', to me must mean the Void, and Tom is claiming to have entered Arda before Melkor. Tom's allegiance, similar to Ungoliant, appears to be to himself, with the difference that he is not malevolent.

[PrinceOfTheHalflings]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

In my continuing quest to force Tom into fitting the established cosmology, and in reference to what I said here, the above quote makes me wonder if both Tom and Ungoliant couldn't be Ainu who entered Arda independantly, for purposes they perceived to be their own. Ungoliant initially was allied with Melkor, though she later renounced him to serve herself.

Yes, if Tom has to be considered to be part of any known order of being it would make sense for him to be an Ainu. Thus he would have been present, and participated in, the Music. Any question of whether he is a lesser or greater Ainu is too hard to answer ... and perhaps not relevant. What this means though (to me) is that he is not one of the known Vala or Maia.