A question about Tom Bombadil - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Meneltarmacil · 09-26-2004, 04:36 PM

I'm not sure if this should go in Books, N&N, or Mirth but here it is anyway.

THE SITUATION:
You are walking in the Old Forest when Tom Bombadil appears, singing a song as usual. For no reason, you attempt to pull out a big knife and stab him with it. What exactly would happen? Would the knife go right through and do nothing? Would you be frozen in place and not be able to draw your knife? Would the knife disappear? I'm really interested in hearing your replies.

Boromir88 · 09-26-2004, 05:15 PM

I don't know what will happen, maybe the knife will burn up or something, I don't know. But, I do know it probably won't phase him at all, he might even laugh at the attempt (figuring the Bombadil character is a jolly, singing, big man). Bombadil is a mystical character, we know it won't harm him, because as we hear from Glorfindel in the Council of Elrond "Bombadil was first as he is last" and it would take all of Sauron's might to overthrow Bombadil, but Glorfindel does think Sauron could defeat Bombadil if all of Sauron's might is forced upon him.

Elianna · 09-26-2004, 05:16 PM

I think Tom would hop out of the way of my knife singing:
"Hey now, crazy lass, you put your knife away!
Tom is in a hurry now. He cannot be delayed.
You go attack Willow Man, he's the one to fear.
But if you attack aught else, it's from Tom that you'll hear."

His words would probably hold a strong power over me, so I would immediately put my knife away and not try it again.

**The Saucepan Man** · 09-26-2004, 05:21 PM

He would subject you to an extended reading of his poetry. More than sufficient to deter any recurrence of the incident.

Boromir88 · 09-26-2004, 05:22 PM

I like your little rhyme/song from Bombadil Elianna very creative, and when reading it I actually thought it would be something the Book Bombadil would have said, good post!

Estelyn Telcontar · 09-27-2004, 01:00 AM

Since this is not a discussion of the actual contents of the book, and answers are highly speculative, with great possibilities for humorous ideas, I'm moving this thread to the Mirth forum. Please continue there.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 09-27-2004, 03:21 AM

If you stabbed him then he would be badly wounded. However, Tom would probably use his deceptive quickness to jump out of the way of your stroke. He would then tie you up with vines and toss you into the river, whilst muttering something about 'bloody hitchhikers'. You would be left to fend for yourself in the Old Forest, thus you would perish.

Nimrodel_9 · 09-27-2004, 04:31 PM

This brings up another question. Can Tom Bombadil die? We know he is immortal, but do you think that he could be killed physically? Hmmmm...

Boromir88 · 09-27-2004, 07:41 PM

If we believe the words of Glorfindel, then yes Bombadil can be beaten.

Quote:

Council of Elrond
"But in any case" said Glorfindel, "to send the Ring to him would only postpone the day of evil. He is far away. We could not now take it back to him, unguessed, unmarked by and spy. And even if we could, soon or late the Lord of the Rings would learn of its hiding place and would bend all his power towards it. Could that power be defied by bombadil alone? I think not. I think that in the end, if all else is conquered, Bombadil will fall, Last as he was First; and then night will come."

So you got to ask if you believe Glorfindel's words, because this is only his speculation. What HE thinks, and HE thinks Bombadil would die/fall. I don't see any reason not to believe Glorfindel, he is one of the more powerful elves left on Middle-Earth, and grew in wisdom with his death an "reincarnation."

Nilpaurion Felagund · 09-27-2004, 09:44 PM

Hmmm . . . perhaps the director would stop the filming process and say "Hey! You're not in my movie!"

Pallando · 09-28-2004, 03:33 PM

I think you'd wouldn't be able to get the blade out, or if you did, you wouldn't get a chance to harm him. If you think of it, Frodo and Sam seem to have been entranced from the first moment they heard his voice!

"Hey now! keep that silly blade in its sheath! What be you a-thinking of? Old Tom's in a hurry now, and you'd better not hinder him!"

09-26-2004, 04:36 PM	#1
Meneltarmacil Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The bottom of the ocean, discussing philosophy with a giant squid Posts: 2,254	A question about Tom Bombadil I'm not sure if this should go in Books, N&N, or Mirth but here it is anyway. THE SITUATION: You are walking in the Old Forest when Tom Bombadil appears, singing a song as usual. For no reason, you attempt to pull out a big knife and stab him with it. What exactly would happen? Would the knife go right through and do nothing? Would you be frozen in place and not be able to draw your knife? Would the knife disappear? I'm really interested in hearing your replies. __________________ I ♣ baby seals.

09-26-2004, 05:15 PM	#2
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,519	Not sure. I don't know what will happen, maybe the knife will burn up or something, I don't know. But, I do know it probably won't phase him at all, he might even laugh at the attempt (figuring the Bombadil character is a jolly, singing, big man). Bombadil is a mystical character, we know it won't harm him, because as we hear from Glorfindel in the Council of Elrond "Bombadil was first as he is last" and it would take all of Sauron's might to overthrow Bombadil, but Glorfindel does think Sauron could defeat Bombadil if all of Sauron's might is forced upon him.

09-26-2004, 05:16 PM	#3
Elianna Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ad finem itineris Posts: 384	I think Tom would hop out of the way of my knife singing: "Hey now, crazy lass, you put your knife away! Tom is in a hurry now. He cannot be delayed. You go attack Willow Man, he's the one to fear. But if you attack aught else, it's from Tom that you'll hear." His words would probably hold a strong power over me, so I would immediately put my knife away and not try it again. __________________ Enyale cuilenya, ú-enyale mandenya. Last edited by Elianna; 09-26-2004 at 05:20 PM.

09-26-2004, 05:21 PM	#4
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	He would subject you to an extended reading of his poetry. More than sufficient to deter any recurrence of the incident. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

09-27-2004, 01:00 AM	#6
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Since this is not a discussion of the actual contents of the book, and answers are highly speculative, with great possibilities for humorous ideas, I'm moving this thread to the Mirth forum. Please continue there. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

09-26-2004, 05:22 PM	#5
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,519	I like your little rhyme/song from Bombadil Elianna very creative, and when reading it I actually thought it would be something the Book Bombadil would have said, good post!

09-27-2004, 03:21 AM	#7
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	If you stabbed him then he would be badly wounded. However, Tom would probably use his deceptive quickness to jump out of the way of your stroke. He would then tie you up with vines and toss you into the river, whilst muttering something about 'bloody hitchhikers'. You would be left to fend for yourself in the Old Forest, thus you would perish. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

09-27-2004, 04:31 PM	#8
Nimrodel_9 Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 734	That was great, Elianna! This brings up another question. Can Tom Bombadil die? We know he is immortal, but do you think that he could be killed physically? Hmmmm... __________________ .:A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart:.

09-27-2004, 09:44 PM	#10
Nilpaurion Felagund Scion of The Faithful Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The brink, where hope and despair are akin. [The Philippines] Posts: 5,312	If you try to stab Bombadil? Hmmm . . . perhaps the director would stop the filming process and say "Hey! You're not in my movie!" __________________ フェンリス鴨 (Fenrisu Kamo) The plot, cut, defeated. I intend to copy this sig forever - so far so good...

09-28-2004, 03:33 PM	#11
Pallando Wight Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: On your grave, Dancing. Posts: 101	I think you'd wouldn't be able to get the blade out, or if you did, you wouldn't get a chance to harm him. If you think of it, Frodo and Sam seem to have been entranced from the first moment they heard his voice! "Hey now! keep that silly blade in its sheath! What be you a-thinking of? Old Tom's in a hurry now, and you'd better not hinder him!"