The Rings of Power: Tom Bombadil’s dialogue is taken from the books, so expect some jaunty singing

The Rings of Power: Tom Bombadil's dialogue is taken from the books, so expect some jaunty singing

As a long-time fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation as we approach the release of the second season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” on Amazon Prime Video. The inclusion of Tom Bombadil, a whimsical character from Tolkien’s earlier works, has piqued my curiosity.


The next installment of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” Season 2 is almost here, igniting our anticipation. In this upcoming chapter, we’ll delve deeper into the journeys of beloved characters such as Galadriel, Elrond, and the enigmatic Stranger, who could be none other than Gandalf in disguise. Showrunners J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay are also introducing newcomers from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” novels, including the immortal Tom Bombadil, famously known for his yellow boots.

Tom Bombadil was introduced in a poem titled “The Adventures of Tom Bombadil” penned by J.R.R. Tolkien prior to his publication of “The Hobbit,” marking his first work set in Middle-earth. Later, he made an appearance in “The Fellowship of the Ring,” the initial book of “Lord of the Rings” series. In this story, Tom Bombadil lends a hand to the hobbits during their early predicament. However, most adaptations of “Lord of the Rings” exclude him since his role doesn’t significantly influence the overall narrative; instead, it seems like Tolkien playfully added this earlier, enchanting character he had created into an otherwise more somber tale.

The Rings of Power will give him greater importance, be it positive or negative. Payne explained to Vanity Fair that Tom Bombadil subtly advances the Stranger on his path, understanding that this will eventually safeguard the larger natural world he’s passionate about. So, I would describe our Tom Bombadil as somewhat more active than depicted in the books, but not significantly so (merely by 5% to 10%).

In “The Lord of the Rings” storyline, Tom exhibits an extraordinary level of detachment, bordering on the absurd. For instance, if he were to obtain Sauron’s One Ring, he would simply let it go due to his indifference. This is among the explanations for why Tom Bombadil is effortlessly omitted in adaptations since he barely influences the plotline.

In an interview with Games Radar, Payne shared Tom’s upcoming development, revealing that approximately 25% of the dialogue is taken directly from “The Fellowship of the Ring.” To compose the remaining lines, they delved deeply into Tolkien’s approach to Anglo-Saxon poetry for authenticity. One scene I particularly enjoy in this season is when The Stranger queries, “Who are you?” And Bombadil responds with, “Eldest.” Despite his quirks and penchant for singing, at that moment, you grasp the depth of his ancient existence.

Forbes tracked down the full passage Payne is talking about:

Eldest, that’s what I am. Mark my words, my friends: Tom was here before the river and the trees; Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn. He made paths before the Big People, and saw the little People arriving. He was here before the kings and the graves and the Barrow-wights. 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.

It’s impressive how well you delivered that monologue. However, I can’t help but ponder this: since “The Rings of Power” is an earlier story than “The Lord of the Rings,” shouldn’t we be cautious about using dialogue from a book that takes place many centuries after the series?

The Rings of Power: Tom Bombadil's dialogue is taken from the books, so expect some jaunty singing

The delightful, baffling problem of Tom Bombadil

In my opinion, when when I learn that we will be given many lines of dialogue from Tom Bombadil in “Fellowship,” the thought that immediately comes to mind is his propensity for singing. After all, Tom is well-known for his musical talents. Here’s an example:

Hop along, my little friends, up the Withywindle!
Tom’s going on ahead candles for to kindle.
Down west sinks the Sun: soon you will be groping.
When the night-shadows fall, then the door will open,
Out of the window-panes light will twinkle yellow.
Fear no alder black! Heed no hoary willow!
Fear neither root nor bough! Tom goes on before you.
Hey now! merry dol! We’ll be waiting for you!

Or this classic jam:

Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow,
Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow.
None has ever caught him yet, for Tom, he is the master:
His songs are stronger songs, and his feet are faster.

As a longtime fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and his iconic “The Lord of the Rings” series, I can’t help but feel a pang of apprehension regarding the upcoming adaptation of Tom Bombadil, the enigmatic character from the books. Having grown up with these stories, I’ve developed a deep connection to the characters and their world. So, when I consider how this elusive figure might translate onto the screen, I find myself at a loss.

Perhaps I’ll be in for a surprise. The second season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” on Amazon Prime Video is set to debut on Thursday, August 29.

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2024-07-25 18:41

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