Goldberry
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Goldberry, the "River-daughter", was the wife of Tom Bombadil.
History
Although her origins are uncertain, it has been speculated that she is a river-spirit of the river Withywindle. Otherwise, she and Bombadil are enigmas.[1]
According to the Bucklandish poem The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, Goldberry was in the Withywindle when she pulled Tom by his beard under the water-lilies out of mischief, but he ordered her to let him free. The next day he came to the River-woman and asked Goldberry to be his wife, and the creatures of the Old Forest (the badger-folk and other animals) attended their wedding.[2]
In T.A. 3018 Tom Bombadil travelled to the lower reaches of the Withywindle to gather white water-lilies for her, and it was while returning from a lily-gathering expedition that he discovered Frodo and his companions, and rescued them from Old Man Willow.[3] Goldberry seems to have used her lilies to recreate her original home in the river: when Tom brought the Hobbits back to his house, they found a seated Goldberry surrounded by water-lilies floating in pots of earthenware.[4]
Goldberry welcomed and tended the travellers to their home. The hobbits thought of her as a beautiful and calm being, with a beauty resembling an Elf but less exotic to their hearts. Her voice was described as "the song of a glad water ... coming down like silver". The hobbits would listen to her sing in a voice like rain, and they would imagine rivers and pools.
Inspiration
Tolkien wrote about Goldberry that she "represents the actual seasonal changes in [river-lands]."[5]
Portrayal in Adaptations
1955: The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series):
- Because adaptor Terence Tiller thought the age difference between Bombadil and Goldberry was too big, he made them father and daughter.[6] Tolkien thought little of the change.[7] No actress is credited specifically for the part, though Nicolette Bernard is the only female in the episode's cast list, making it likely she voiced Goldberry.[8]
1992: Tales from the Perilous Realm (1992 radio series):
- Sorcha Cusack played Goldberry in the episode "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil".[9]
2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):
- Goldberry appears at the house of Tom Bombadil. One of the tasks the player has to accomplish is bringing collecting water-lilies for Tom and Goldberry. She is voiced by Kath Soucie.[10]
See also
References
- ↑ Steuard Jensen, "[What is Tom Bombadil? Viable Theories: A Nature Spirit? ]", Tolkien FAQ (accessed 20 April 2024)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Old Forest"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "In the House of Tom Bombadil"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 210, (undated, written June 1958)
- ↑ Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull, The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide Reader's Guide, "Adaptations", pp. 8-23
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 175, (dated 30 November 1955)
- ↑ Radio Times, Volume 129, No. 1672, November 25, 1955
- ↑ Tales from the Perilous Realm (1992 radio series), CD Booklet
- ↑ The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game), "Withywindle Path"