Goldberry

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Beyond the Old Forest by Ted Nasmith.

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]

Tomb and Goldberry

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 by D.W. Luebbert

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 though 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