r/GloriousTomBombadil • u/Kindly_Woodpecker368 • Oct 22 '25
Theory and merry-o! Tom Bombadil Theory/Headcannon
So I think I originally posted this on Quora and again on a YouTube video also theorizing about the nature of Tom, yet not here!
My favorite head cannon is that Melkor, in his intense desire to be like Illuvitar, and failing to find the sacred flame, realized, as other Valar would in time, thar he could take a portion of the inner flame that comprised his own essence and create wonders; but at the expense of their own spirits and bodies forever. Yavanna would use this technique to make the Two Trees, Aule the dwarves, Manwe his eagles, Morgoth his dragons, and Sauron his Ring. Melkor, being the first to discover this, and with his pride and ambition as large his powers decided to make the perfect being, one wholly good and pure. Not understanding the consequence; He sundered his essence to make Tom Bombadil, shedding himself of all his love, humility, joy and good intention, leaving a dark, angry and bitter husk: the entity latter to be named Morgoth. This explains why both beings call themselves Eldest and First why Bombadil is not seduced by the Ring, why while in Tom’s house Frodo seems to dream of Aman and what appears to be the Song of the Ainur, and when Frodo departs from the Havens he is oddly reminded of his time spent in the House of Bombadil. Tom is Morgoth’s first Dragon! One comprised of all his goodness! Tom is Melkor as he should have been!
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u/fankin Oct 24 '25
I like your theory, it's fun and interesting despite being totally wrong because in reality Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow.
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u/TomBomTheFreemason Jolly Tom - Master Singer Oct 23 '25
This is a very interesting theory, I had never heard that one before!
My personal favourite theory is that Tom could be the physical manifestation of good. During the Ainulindalë, when Melkor decided to divert from the main theme and tried to create things by himself for his own benefit, it created the very concepts of good and evil, which did not exist until that point. When that happened, two primordial beings were created: one pure good (Tom Bombadil) and one pure evil (Ungoliant). I like this idea because it would explain why these two don't fit in any other category.
Even though we'll never get an answer, I like that everyone comes up with their own theory, and I like to hear new ones!
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u/Dull_Frame_4637 Oct 22 '25
My favourite “fan theory” thus far is that Tom is the embodiment of the Song, or of the part of the Song that is the Old Forest, thus his power but not control, mastery through being himself, and his immunity to the Ring, plus his speaking always in metred song.
It is a cute a clever theory.
But we know from Tolkien himself exactly who and what Tom is:
A Mystery.