Tom Bombadil is one of the most enigmatic characters in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. He appears briefly in The Lord of the Rings when he rescues the hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin from Old Man Willow and helps them recover from their encounter. Tom lives in the Old Forest with his wife Goldberry, the River-woman’s daughter. He seems to have supernatural power over nature and ancient knowledge of the world, leading many readers to speculate who or what he really is. One theory is that Tom Bombadil is an incarnation of the Green Man, an ancient pagan symbol of nature, vegetation, and rebirth. In this article, we will examine the evidence for and against this theory.
What is the Green Man?
The Green Man is a legendary figure in European myth and folklore who symbolizes nature, fertility, and the cycle of growth and decay. He is typically depicted as a face surrounded by or made from leaves and vegetation. The earliest known examples of the Green Man motif are found in architectural carvings from late Roman times. He was particularly popular in medieval churches and cathedrals, where he was included in sculptures, misericords, and illuminated manuscripts.
Some key attributes associated with the Green Man from folklore and mythology include:
- A benevolent spirit of nature and the forest
- Represents the cycle of vegetation growing and dying
- Often depicted with leaves, vines, and branches sprouting from his mouth or body
- Associated with springtime and rebirth
- Sometimes considered a god of nature or vegetation
- Linked to legends of the Wild Man, a mythical creature of the forest
The Green Man remained a popular artistic and architectural motif well into the Renaissance. Various folkloric interpretations see him as a symbol of rebirth, a forest spirit, or a pagan nature god reflecting pre-Christian beliefs.
Arguments For Tom Bombadil as the Green Man
There are several reasons why Tom Bombadil could be interpreted as Tolkien’s version of the Green Man archetype:
Tom’s Mastery Over Nature
Tom Bombadil exhibits a supernatural mastery over the natural world that mirrors traditional Green Man attributes. He effortlessly tames Old Man Willow, an ancient and powerful willow tree bent on harming the hobbits. Tom also frees the hobbits from the barrow wight on the Downs through the power of his voice. He seems to have a deep connection to the flora and fauna of Middle-earth. As the Green Man represents dominion over nature, Tom’s power fits the archetype.
Tom’s Age and Knowledge
Tom Bombadil appears to be one of the oldest beings in Middle-earth. Based on his comments to the hobbits, he was in the world before the Dark Lord Sauron came to power, perhaps even before the Elves awoke. Similarly, the Green Man harkens back to pagan eras before recorded history. Tom’s extensive knowledge of the world’s history mirrors the eternal perspective of the nature spirit.
Tom’s Association with Vegetation
Tom Bombadil’s home in the Old Forest, including its turf roof and walls, is covered in vegetation, leaves, and moss. His clothing also mirrors the Green Man iconography, such as his feathered cap, tall boots, and blue coat. These choices link Tom visually with plant life and the forest. The Green Man is commonly depicted in similar fashion with leaves, vines, and branches as part of his visage.
Tom’s Wife is a Nature Spirit
Goldberry, Tom’s wife, is described as the River-woman’s daughter and is associated with water lilies and aquatic plants. She exhibits an unmistakable connection to nature much like Tom. The pairing of two mythological nature beings further positions them as Tolkien’s version of the Green Man and a companion forest spirit or goddess.
Tom Sings of Living Things
When Tom Bombadil sings, he does not recite grand histories, but instead sings simple rhymes about flowers, trees, otters, and badgers. His child-like rhymes are focused on living things and nature, rather than epic tales. This preoccupation mirrors the Green Man’s symbolism as the spirit of vegetation and forest life.
Arguments Against Tom Bombadil as Green Man
However, there are also some key arguments against interpreting Tom Bombadil as strictly an incarnation of the Green Man archetype:
Tom is Frivolous and Carefree
The Green Man is most often a solemn and even awe-inspiring figure. Tom Bombadil, on the other hand, comes across as frivolous, silly, and carefree almost to the point of irresponsibility. This playfulness seems at odds with the typical Green Man persona. Tolkien described Tom as an intentional “enigma” and there may be more to him than meets the eye, but his surface personality does not match the weightiness associated with the Green Man.
Tom is Indifferent to the Outside World
While the Green Man is seen as lord of the natural world, Tom Bombadil remains untouched by the momentous events in Middle-earth. Despite his power, he does not leave his tiny corner of the Old Forest or involve himself in the struggle against Sauron. The Green Man is a much more active force shaping the fate of the world around him.
Tom Lacks a Backstory and Mythology
Unlike many Middle-earth characters drawn from Norse, Anglo-Saxon, and other legends, Tolkien never provided a mythological backstory for Tom Bombadil’s origins. The Green Man has an extensive history, folklore, and set of mythical tales behind him. Tom seems to simply exist without context.
Tom Has Unique Powers Beyond Nature
While Tom Bombadil dominates nature, he exhibits other uncanny powers too, such as making the Ring disappear when he wears it. He is also unaffected by the Ring’s corruptive powers. This wider array of enigmatic abilities sets Tom apart from a purely nature-based figure like the Green Man.
Tolkien Never Made the Connection Explicit
Most compellingly, Tolkien himself never directly equated Tom Bombadil with the Green Man, despite being familiar with this folkloric archetype. The Green Man comparison is conjecture, while Tolkien described Goldberry as a river spirit. If Tom was meant as a classic Green Man figure, Tolkien likely would have made the relationship clear.
Conclusion
In summary, while Tom Bombadil exhibits some traits that echo the Green Man archetype, he cannot be definitively categorized as a straight representation of this folkloric nature spirit. Tolkien crafted him as a mysterious, whimsical, and free-spirited character with unique powers that set him apart. Tom certainly embodies some attributes of the Green Man and serves as a nature guardian within Middle-earth. However, Tolkien ultimately gave him a much more multidimensional identity not confined to this traditional archetype. Tom Bombadil remains one of Tolkien’s most original and enigmatic creations. His connection to the natural world is just one aspect that makes him a beloved figure in Middle-earth.