The unforgettable Merlin the Mage
In later literature Merlin's most prominent gift is that of prophecy. "Since I, Myrdin, am next after Taliesin, / Let my prediction become common."
As the Arthurian saga develops, so does Merlin, changing from an aloof, druidical character into a more human, magical being, though always retaining traces of his Welsh origins.
Geoffrey of Monmouth
We can thank Geoffrey of Monmouth for our aquaintance with Merlin. In the twelfth century he took the Welsh legends of a bard and seer named Myrddin, and combined them with stories of Ambrosius from the ninth-century chronicler Nennius.The normal Latinisation of Myrddin is Merdinus, a name embarassingly close to the common vulgarity "merde" of Norman English, so Geoffrey names his character Merlinus. A wiser choice.
While we remember Geoffrey mostly for his tales of Arthur, Merlin is a central character of his three books: Prophetiae Merlini, Historiae Regum Britanniae and Vita Merlini.
In the second of these books Merlin appears in the stories around King Vortigern, Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther Pendragon (who reigned immediately before Arthur).
Tales of Merlin
The boy Merlin is said to be the son of a cloistered lady of royal birth, and of a demon. As a youth, he was already known for his prophetic abilities, and was consulted by Vortigen to explain why his castle would collapse every time it was rebuilt. He revealed there was an underground lake, with two sleeping dragons, a white one and a red one and explained that they, respectively, represented the Saxons and Britons (and a portent of things to come).
He later assists and advises Uther Pendragon and is responsible for transporting the Giants' Stones from Ireland and raising them as Stonehenge, but he is not associated with Arthur.
My favourite Merlin Book
Her Merlin is believable, not entirely without magic, but endowed with wisdom, and much common sense, and he tells the tale himself.
No other Arthurian fantasy has presented such an unforgettable Merlin. Highly recommended!
Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy
Amazon Price: $22.79 (as of 07/12/2009) 
Merlin in the Middle Ages
Merlin gained sudden popularity in the Middle Ages, turning up in French and English romances, such as the works of Chretien de Troyes and in Thomas Malory's Morte d'Arthur.In Morte d'Arthur, the magical powers of Merlin are given prominence.
Malory wrote 'The Death of Arthur' during 1469 while imprisoned for a series of violent crimes. The chivalry of Arthur's world was a far cry from Malory's own, which was torn by war between the noble dynasties of York and Lancaster.
Morte D'Arthur e-text
- Morte D'Arthur in E-Text
- Malory, Sir Thomas. Le Morte Darthur: Sir Thomas Malory's Book of King Arthur and of his Noble Knights of the Round Table, Volume 1
Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library
Merlin in the 19th century
Closer to us in time is Tennyson's Idylls of the King, in which Merlin is credited with feats of great magic.Tennyson enhances the story of Merlin and makes him the architect of Camelot.
In "Merlin and Vivien," the sixth poem in Idylls of the King, the poet describes Merlin's gradual capitulation to the deceitful charms of a malevolent woman. She is described as using rumour and scandal in an attempt to wreak havoc in the court of King Arthur.
This section of the Idylls is quite remarkable for its use of Victorian misogynistic language and assumptions.
Merlin in the 20th Century
Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) made Merlin into a hack magician with the fatal flaw of actually believing in his own sleight of hand. Merlin is portrayed as deceptive, petty and vindictive; an incredibly dangerous person if any of his tricks ever worked.Walt Disney gave the world the image of Merlin the Magician. A friendly, wise old man whose only reason to exist is to guide and care for the young Arthur.
Nowadays, Merlin in his spangled cape and wizard's hat, is a common Arthurian character. It's a long way from the magical Druid, but Merlin is now a household name.
Classics on the Matter of Britain
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Arthur's Women : Tales of King Arthur
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The stirring tales of King Arthur are legendary. His achievements of courage and endeavour are exciting stories passed down through generations, and songs are still sung of Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. There are several women who play...
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Arthur and Britain : Lensography of Legends
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Who was King Arthur? Well, to begin with, there was not one Arthur, but many. There was an historical Arthur, or, if you prefer, a folkloric or mythological Arthur who came to be mistaken for a living person. Christopher Snyder : The World of King A...
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Best Books on the Legend of King Arthur
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From the faraway days of Britain come the stories rooted in ancient Celtic and Germanic imagination, stories of the strongest, the bravest and the best. Tales that have been told and endlessly retold, tales of a chivalrous knight, a powerful warrior...
All Info About Arthur is a collection of lenses on the legend of Arthur and the Matter of Britain.
Reader Feedback for Merlin
You can rate this lens with the stars on top of the page .. and leave me your comment, criticism or curious question
youhavegottobekidding wrote...
Very Interesting. I have not herd of those other merlin stories before. I think I have to grab one of those books.
5 stars for your Great Lens.
Posted September 02, 2008
suzycarpenter wrote...
Evolution of Merlin is quite fascinating. I love the sequence you've used. Well done.
Posted August 25, 2008
kab wrote...
It is always extrodinary how common figures in todays society are just come from tales told for thousand of years and always taking on a bit from each new teller.
Posted August 16, 2008
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