Introduction
In the book Idylls of the King, Merlin acts as Arthur’s adviser, a prophet and a magician. Merlin is simply a creation of Geoffrey of Monmouth currently in living his 12th century history under Kings of Britain. He combined both the welsh tradition about a prophet known by the name Myrddin with the story. As the story unfolds we get to understand that Merlin had no human father. It unfolds later that Merlin too had earlier prophesied of the downgrading defeat of the British Knights by the Saxons (Tennyson, 16). The original Merlin legend that is portrayed in various medieval Welsh poems is not connected to the King Arthur. Myrddin also referred to as a Lailoken by other Scottish societies is a wild man living who lives in the Caledonian forest during the 6th century.
According to the Britons historiographer, the Vortigern (British king) during the mid-fifth century safely took refuge into the remote Heremus Mountains and immediately started construction of a fortified city. It was then that the materials they had gathered started escaping during the night. The soothsayers advised the King that the only solution to the misfortunes happening to them was sanctifying the field with blood of a boy with no father.
This led to finding of a son of a lady who said that the child was born of a spirit that could come and leave. Before the boy was sacrificed, he luckily solved the problem of the stones that were disappearing by identifying the underground pool that was emptied, revealing two dragons; one Red represented the Britons and the other was white which represented the Saxons. The two fought with the red one winning symbolizing the death of the Vortigern. This led to the king assigning the fortress to Ambrosius (Tennyson, 24).
He is illegitimate. He is referred to have been born of the spirit who happens to appear and disappear. It is believed to be born of incubus who had intercourse with sleeping women. His illegitimacy brings out all the theories that followed his birth. The aspect of his involvement in the conception of Arthur is also brought out. The aspect is believed to have occurred at Tintagel Castle, when one of Vortigern’s sons, King Uther Pendragon got away with one of the portions belonging to Merlin that managed to turn him into a precise resemblance of Ygerna husband Gorlois (Tennyson, 56). The conception of Arthur happens at this trick where by Uther maneuvered his way into the Castle and at last to Ygerna bed where he was mistakenly allowed to bed.
Merlin is documented to have transported stones from Stonehenge all the way from Ireland to England. Merlin is a character whose reputation led to his personal acceptance and favor, as he was calm and acted as a message in his original context. His acquaintance with folkloric tradition that based on the fate that Merlin the wild man gained prophetic powers naturally (Tennyson, 76). Merlin is also alleged to have lost his powers when he happened to watch his master being defeated. Merlin is thus a royal and loving character to the master since the defeat of his master disturbs him to an extent of going crazy. The Arthurian romancers developed the involvement of Merlin with Arthur the King. This means that Merlin was a social character who was able to intermingle with the king’s romancers and maneuvers his way to socializing with King Arthur.
Merlin played a very important role during the early years of King Arthur. After the birth of Arthur, he constantly advises him. He advises Arthur several as he had knowledge and thus good tactics for advising King Arthur. There is nothing much new about Merlin. The most crucial events e vents of Merlin the event of King making role. The Archbishop Canterbury introduced this role to him (Tennyson, 126). His influential character is very important as it assist in advising the King. He also uses the same knowledge to persuade barons to provide support to the young King. The young King is fighting against the rebels. Merlin advice is guidance to the battle. Merlin’s knowledge is useful as he is seen advising King Arthur later concerning Arthur’s marriage. Arthur had fallen in love with Guinevere and he wanted her to be his wife. Merlin advises him she was not fit to be his wife. Although he advises the King Arthur, concerning the marriage the king could take his advice (Tennyson, 155).
Later Merlin meets king Pellinor who happened to bring a woman into the court. Merlin loved her and he could not move away from her. The woman accommodated him as she learnt the craft from him. After loving each other, they move and meet Lancelot. Through his knowledge, his predicts that Lancelot will one day be the most worshipped man in the world. Merlin’s knowledge is very important in King Arthur’s life as he influences the king’s life. The wisdom that he had was used to advise the king. Although Merlin warned King Arthur that, he was not supposed to get married to the woman, whom he fall in love with he could not take it. Later the advice comes true and Merlin’s knowledge becomes important (Tennyson, 251).
Works Cited
Tennyson, Baron Alfred Tennyson. Idylls of the King. Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1896.
