The Rings of Power reducing Tom Bombadil to a tired fantasy trope is a mistake

Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) appeared in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power For two episodes as a somewhat withdrawn magical mentor to The Stranger (Daniel Wyman). With the appearance of this modestly-mentioned character, who first appeared in a poem of 26 stanzas, written by Tolkien in 1934 with the title. The Adventures of Tom BombadilSome obvious questions arise about who he is and what (if at all) his adaptation should be The rings of power.

After Bombadil’s first appearance in Tolkien’s poem, Tolkien included him The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingOnly to be left out of Peter Jackson’s movie adaptations because Bombadil added nothing to the story (Tolken admits as much to Bombadil’s character in one of his letters). There is no need for Bombadil to appear in The rings of powerEspecially since the creators of the show are making him more than Tolkien (or his fans) wanted. As a result, one of Tolkien’s most original and enigmatic inventions is now in danger of becoming something completely ordinary.

The Rings of Power turn Tom Bombadil into a classic magical mentor figure

Not true to the character created by Tolkien, The rings of power Tom Bombadil quickly reveals himself to be a mentor to the stranger, who wants to master magic. Not only does Bombadil accept this role, however He also reveals that he has played the part before by training the Dark Wizard.

Tolkien’s Bombadil represents pacifism beyond the forces of good and evil. He is a character who has no desire to accept power. In Tolkien Fellowship of the RingWhen Bombadil interacts with the ultimate symbol of power, the ring (the foundation icon to The rings of power), he remains visible, because it has no control over him. However, in The rings of powerBombadil not only cares about the outcome of Middle Earth, however He seems to be actively training participants in the war of good vs evil. This is a massive change to the character Tolkien wrote, turning him into a lazy stereotype rather than something more metaphorical.

The problem with adapting Tom Bombadil into live action

While Rory Kinnear does an admirable job embodying a version of Bombadil, there are some traits his character lacks to stay true to Tolkien’s vision. from his appearance to his whole appearance, The Bombadil in Tolkien’s vision would struggle to exist in the role created for him in The rings of power.

Tolkien’s Bombadil wears bright colors: a blue feather in his hat, yellow shoes, a bright blue jacket and a face as red as a ripe apple. He also speaks in poetic meter and often sings his dialogue. Kinnear’s Bombadil does indeed often sing under his breath, but it lacks the boisterous silliness usually associated with Tolkien’s version. His character is separate enough from the understanding of humans, hobbits and elves that he would appear stupid on screen, not someone who could (or would) take part in a war for Middle-earth.

The biggest problem with adapting Tolkien’s Tom Bombadil to The rings of power Is that he is so small about the entire premise of the show. Tolkien’s Bombadil is a fearless and cheerful fellow who gathers white water lilies and sings to trees; He is a natural. The rings of power is all about a struggle for power that Bombadil rejects. Perhaps Tolkien’s Bombadil could be adapted as a brief and confusing refuge from the struggles in The rings of powerBut he would never be a driving force in his story. His characterization in the show contradicts this fundamental truth.