The Real Merlin Essay - 2171 Words

From the shores of Avalon to the court of King Arthur, tales and accounts of the mystical Merlin abound. Did Merlin really exist, and if so, was he the dark magical wizard of legend or an image conjured up by superstitious townsfolk to explain occurrences they didnt understand? To answer this question, one should first look at the actual accomplishments of the figure Merlin. When was the character introduced and what did he do afterwards? What kinds of feats did this person accomplish to make him as well known as he is? Secondly, Merlin was well known as a mythical figure. How did this mythical figure emerge and what aspects of his life do we still remember to this day? As the son of a devil, was Merlin an evil character or a good†¦show more content†¦Many stories of the Arthurian legend contain some reference to Merlin, as either a wizard or a prophet. As a magician, Merlin performed feats such as the moving of Stonehenge, the disguising of Uther Pendragon, and the crowning of King Arthur by the use of the sword in the stone (Fletcher 25). As a prophet, Merlin told of the defeat of the Saxons, the death of Arthur, and the one who found the Holy Grail. Almost everyone knows the story The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White wherein Merlin instructed Arthur in his life as king, but what most dont know is that Merlin was, in legend, the son of a devil. An incubus came and bedded with Merlins mother so that she would bear his child (Ackerman 168). One story that shows the significance of this union is Geoffrey of Monmouths Historia regum Britannae. In this book there is a section that tells the tale of Vortigern and Ambrosius. Vortigern, the King of Britain at the time, wants to build a new retreat, but every night the foundation is destroyed. Vortigerns wise men tell him he must sprinkle the spot with the blood of a child born fatherless. After a long and tedious search, Ambrosius is found and brought before Vortigern. Ambrosius tells the King not to slay him but to dig in the spot for two vases. Those digging found these two vases and inside were two tents. Inside the two tents were a red dragon and a white dragon. These cre atures fought each otherShow MoreRelatedThe Mythical Tale Of King Arthur Written By Thomas Mallory1619 Words   |  7 PagesWeb). One example of this function, can be found in the conception of King Arthur with the help of Merlin. Uther Pendragon was the king of Britain and fought against the Saxons with the aid of the Duke of Cornwall. The Duke was married to a beautiful woman named, Igraine. Uther fell in love with her, the instant he saw her at the feast in London and the Duke also noticed the King’s attraction. Merlin proceeded to help his King hatch a plan to sleep with the lovely Igraine. It would involve the useRead MoreEssay on The Legend of King Arthur606 Words   |  3 PagesWho was the real King Arthur? King Arthur did not grow up as a normal King would. He was raised in a very odd way, however with the help of Merlin an extraordinary wizard, Arthur became King as it was his destiny. Queen Igrane from England bore king Uther a son. This child was to someday inherit the throne. King Uther sent for Merlin, a farseeing prophet and powerful magician. Merlin was to perform a vital service to the kingdom. Merlin agreed with the condition that the king would grant him anythingRead MoreComparing The Legend Of King Arthur And Merlin1016 Words   |  5 Pagescharacters in the legend: King Arthur and and the wizard Merlin. 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He was conceived after his father had used a potion, with the help of Merlin, to disguise himself as Igraine’s husband before sex. In some legends, there is even an â€Å"Otherworld†. The term Otherworld has Celtic origins and is usually described as a separate plane of existence from the normal world. Typically, it holds divineRead MoreKing Arthur: The Myths and the Actual Person Essay733 Words   |  3 PagesArthur was a real person or just a mythological figure. Based on facts however, many believe that Arthur was not a real person; just a le gendary British leader in the 5th and 6th centuries. According to history, there wasnt anyone named King Arthur in the late 5th and the early 6th centuries of Britain. As well the actions of King Arthur don’t correspond with the typical actions of a king at the time. Also the events described in the tales of King Arthur are not linked to any real historical eventsRead MoreEssay on The Role Of Nurse Glauce In The Faerie Queene1604 Words   |  7 Pagesof every remedy she can think of to help Britomart, finally decides to take Britomart to Merlin, the maker of the enchanted mirror which first showed the image of Artegall to Britomart, in effect the cause of Britomarts despair. This is the ultimate act of motherly love, admitting that one can do no more for her beloved child, and allowing another the task of helping the child. Although Glauce fears Merlin, and feels ‘dread of daunger (Spenser 3.3.121), she nevertheless is willing to confrontRead MoreThe Tragedy Of The Gre at Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1693 Words   |  7 PagesThe high priestess was nowhere to be seen. The once noble and beautiful woman, someone he had denied help and compassion, consigned herself to darkness for nearly three years now; insanity and hate etched in her mind and heart. Merlin felt partly responsible for her cruel deal of fate. But still, he couldn t ignore her choice to walk this path either. Could it all have been different if he hadn t denied her? Hadn t listened so ardently to the advice of an admittedly older and wiser creature thanRead More Morte d Arthur Essay931 Words   |  4 Pageswhich he lived. Respect for women and courtesy were two major characteristics that knights longed to develop, and King Arthur was able to demonstrate them in two specific instances. Arthur showed great respect for the Lady of the Lake. Merlin, the magician who guided Arthur as he grew to be a legendary knight advised him to â€Å"address her courteously, and do as she directed† (page 75). Arthur spoke very politely and she gave him the famous sword, Excaliber. In his respect for the lady