Pet Theory about who Tom Bombadil is

[Inziladun]

I think I've actually heard that theory before, though I seem to remember it being presented in a joking fashion.

However, the indications are that the Witch-king, as all the Nazgûl, was completely conquered by his ring, and an extension of Sauron's will.
In the Unfinished Tales chapter The Hunt For the Ring, we are told:

At length [Sauron] resolved that no others would serve him in this case but his mightiest servants, the Ringwraiths, who had no will but his own, being each utterly subservient to the ring that had enslaved him, which Sauron held.

(empahsis added)

Also,

.....if one of [the Nazgûl], even the Witch-king their captain, had seized the One Ring, he would have brought it back to his Master.

It seems clear there was no 'partial conquest' of the WK's will, allowing for inner debate. That was Gollum's problem.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

I think I've actually heard that theory before, though I seem to remember it being presented in a joking fashion.

However, the indications are that the Witch-king, as all the Nazgûl, was completely conquered by his ring, and an extension of Sauron's will.
In the Unfinished Tales chapter The Hunt For the Ring, we are told:

(empahsis added)

Also,



It seems clear there was no 'partial conquest' of the WK's will, allowing for inner debate. That was Gollum's problem.

I agree with you.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

I agree with you.

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

I would agree as well, and add that there is nothing to support the idea in Tolkien's writings. Gollum's "split personality" is about as close as you get, and that is nothing more than an internal struggle. In order for the Witch King to be Bombadil, he would have to somehow be able to regain visible physicality, which he lost a long time ago to the fading influence of his ring (remember what Gandalf tells Frodo about the nature of the ring of power upon mortals who possess them). If we're talking about a literal split, ala the old Star Trek good-Kirk/evil-Kirk, there is absolutely nothing in Tolkien's tales that indicate a possibility of such an occurrence. It's an interesting notion, but not one that can really work, IMHO.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

I realise that may seem cryptic to the uninitiated.

So: there was recently a member by the name of MOON SHAH who had a most unusual conversational style, consisting as it did of replying, "I agree with you" to any post whatever.

Sadly, MOON SHAH was banned. Apparently the mods here don't like yes-men (or yes–bots, whatever).

...Anyway, carry on.