Arthurian Legend Merlin “Arthur Becomes A King”

Early Arthur Literature  Late 500 AD: Probably a military chieftain in Britain  Led British tribes against Saxon invaders  Saxons ultimately victorious, but Britons cherished the image of Arthur  Late 500 AD: Probably a military chieftain in Britain  Led British tribes against Saxon invaders  Saxons ultimately victorious, but Britons cherished the image of Arthur

Early Arthur Literature  c. 600 AD: Early literary reference in a Welsh elegy  c. 800 AD: Welsh priest Nennius lists Arthur’s victories  c. 600 AD: Early literary reference in a Welsh elegy  c. 800 AD: Welsh priest Nennius lists Arthur’s victories

Early Arthur Literature  Cornish and Breton peoples shared enthusiasm for Arthur  Breton oral tradition spread tales in French: Provence, Norman England, Asia Minor  Arthur eventually adopted by the Saxons as a hero  Cornish and Breton peoples shared enthusiasm for Arthur  Breton oral tradition spread tales in French: Provence, Norman England, Asia Minor  Arthur eventually adopted by the Saxons as a hero

The Figure of Merlin  First bard and prophet in Celtic legendary history  Magician and seër in Arthur’s private circle  Protector and counselor of young King Arthur  First bard and prophet in Celtic legendary history  Magician and seër in Arthur’s private circle  Protector and counselor of young King Arthur

The Figure of Merlin in Geoffrey of Monmouth  A “wonder child,” son of the “Golden Stranger” and a Welsh princess  Confounds King Vortigern’s magicians with a vision of fighting red (Briton) and white (Saxon) dragons which tear down a fortress under construction  A “wonder child,” son of the “Golden Stranger” and a Welsh princess  Confounds King Vortigern’s magicians with a vision of fighting red (Briton) and white (Saxon) dragons which tear down a fortress under construction

The Figure of Merlin in Geoffrey of Monmouth  Utters prophecies predicting Arthur’s reign  Crazed warrior endowed with a prophetic gift  Flees to the Caledonian Forest = early figure of the Wild Man in the Woods  Utters prophecies predicting Arthur’s reign  Crazed warrior endowed with a prophetic gift  Flees to the Caledonian Forest = early figure of the Wild Man in the Woods

The Figure of Merlin in Geoffrey of Monmouth  Credited with moving stones from Ireland to form Stonehenge  Credited with the chicanery that resulted in Arthur’s conception  Credited with moving stones from Ireland to form Stonehenge  Credited with the chicanery that resulted in Arthur’s conception

The Figure of Merlin in Robert de Boron  Gains anti-Christ(ian) attributes  Agent of dark powers to counteract Jesus Christ  Father was an incubus who conspired with demons  Gains anti-Christ(ian) attributes  Agent of dark powers to counteract Jesus Christ  Father was an incubus who conspired with demons

The Figure of Merlin in Malory  Aged magician  Creates Round Table for Uther  Warns Arthur not to marry Guinevere  Aged magician  Creates Round Table for Uther  Warns Arthur not to marry Guinevere

The Figure of Merlin in Malory  Becomes infatuated with Nimue  Nimue uses his magic to entrap him either in a cave or in an oak tree  Becomes infatuated with Nimue  Nimue uses his magic to entrap him either in a cave or in an oak tree

“Arthur Becomes A King”  Merlin gives Uther Gorlois’ likeness  Arthur is conceived as Gorlois dies in battle  Uther later marries Igraine = Arthur’s legitimacy?  Merlin gives Uther Gorlois’ likeness  Arthur is conceived as Gorlois dies in battle  Uther later marries Igraine = Arthur’s legitimacy?

“Arthur Becomes A King”  Kingdom in jeopardy = son must restore the garden  Questions of birthright and identity (Telemachus, Milkman)  Kingdom in jeopardy = son must restore the garden  Questions of birthright and identity (Telemachus, Milkman)

“Arthur Becomes A King”  Succession disputed by “ambitious barons”  Magical test of worthiness = sword/stone  New Year’s Day = king’s rebirth  Succession disputed by “ambitious barons”  Magical test of worthiness = sword/stone  New Year’s Day = king’s rebirth

“Arthur Becomes A King”  Arthur’s parentage unknown to himself  Feat repeated three times (Candlemas, Easter, Pentecost)  Candlemas = Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple  Pentecost = descent of Holy Spirit on the Apostles  Arthur’s parentage unknown to himself  Feat repeated three times (Candlemas, Easter, Pentecost)  Candlemas = Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple  Pentecost = descent of Holy Spirit on the Apostles

“Arthur Becomes A King”  Question of parentage and legitimacy = Christ figure  Pressure of commoners finally persuades nobles!  Question of parentage and legitimacy = Christ figure  Pressure of commoners finally persuades nobles!

Further Resources Select this link for excellent Arthurian resources The Camelot Project at University of Rochester Select this link for excellent Arthurian resources The Camelot Project at University of Rochester