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MerlinA character from British folklore
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Merlin, the Enigmatic Wizard of British Folklore
- The Merlin of Geoffrey of Monmouth
- Merlin and King Arthur
- Merlin in Modern Reinterpretations
- Merlin's Legacy and Influence
Merlin, the Enigmatic Wizard of British Folklore
Origins and InspirationMerlin, the revered sage, wizard, and mentor of King Arthur, emerged in the 12th century. His prototype was the legendary Welsh bard Myrddin Wyllt, a prophet and madman who lived in the 6th century. Geoffrey of Monmouth, in his "Historia Regum Britanniae" (c. 1136), Latinized Myrddin's name to Merlinus.
The Merlin of Geoffrey of Monmouth
Geoffrey's Merlin was a son of a mortal woman and a divine father, inheriting his supernatural abilities and wisdom. As Merlin aged, he became renowned for his foresight and magical prowess. However, his downfall came through his love for a beautiful maiden, Nimue. Betrayed, Merlin was imprisoned in a tomb or a tree, where he remains asleep.
Merlin and King Arthur
Geoffrey's text provided the foundation for Merlin's role in Arthurian legends. He helped construct a tower by revealing the presence of battling dragons beneath it. Later, Merlin advised King Vortigern and Uther Pendragon, orchestrating Uther's love affair with Igraine, which resulted in the birth of Arthur.
Merlin prepared Arthur for his reign, placing a sword in a stone that only the rightful king could withdraw. He also established the Round Table, fostering equality among the knights of Camelot. Merlin's guidance sustained Arthur until his own imprisonment, at which point Arthur's enemies gained the upper hand.
Merlin in Modern Reinterpretations
In the 20th century, Merlin became a central figure in Arthurian works. Novels such as Marion Zimmer Bradley's "The Mists of Avalon" depicted him as a role rather than a name. Mary Stewart's acclaimed trilogy ("The Crystal Cave," "The Hollow Hills," and "The Last Enchantment") and Terence White's "The Once and Future King" delve into Merlin's life and influence on Arthur.
Merlin's Legacy and Influence
Merlin has inspired countless literary characters, most notably J.R.R. Tolkien's Gandalf and J.K. Rowling's Albus Dumbledore. In popular culture, he remains a beloved and enduring archetype of wisdom and magic, featured in films, television shows, and books.
