Short Story

“Don’t harass me, Merlin!” barked Arthur, pacing the floor from bed to window. “I need some honest advice and help. You’re the only one who can give it to me. See me later for supper, here in my quarters. All right?”

In the Arthurian legend/romance known as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, readers are given insight to Gawain’s (the protagonist) struggle to choose whether his knightly virtues are more significant than his own life. Sir Gawain proves himself to be a commendable knight, for he is tested by Bertilak of Hautdesert (the green knight) and passes most temptations. Still, Gawain did not complete his “covenant” truthfully, and therefore chastises himself. In Medieval works such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, figures like Gawain are idealized and expected to embody the morals and conduct of perfection—perfection that may be unattainable by even the holiest of people. Gawain may not have abided by the courteous social conduct that a knight should obey in the instance when he took the green girdle from Bertilak’s wife, but the fact remains that he is still fit to be recognized as an honorable knight because of the way he acknowledges and repents over his mistake and because of his punishment by the blow he is given by Bertilak. However, the story demonstrates that expecting appearances of perfection and courtesy has a toll on those who seek to embody such an image, which leads to emotional suppression.

He emphasizes for them to not let their skill make them boastful, but instead stay with the basics and stay true. “Where are all my noble knights become? Alas that ever I should see this doleful day!” (Pg. 187) Arthur is revitalized by the Holy Grail and has one last battle before the battle with his son, Mordred. In this feast, he make a speech on how knights should always follow their code. When asking what is more important, Merlin states that for every lie told an evil appears on the

Sir Gawain shows great respect to his hosts. “Please, please, noble sirs,” he tells the Sir Bertilak’s men when they first meet. “There is no need at all to kneel. I am a humble knight like yourselves, a follower of King Arthur and the round table.”

Gwen nodded and strode a step forward. “Thank you, Princess Mithian.” She summoned up every bit of her own royal manner. For a minute, she could well understand Merlin’s feeling of inferiority in that regard. She exchanged looks with the resident Prince.

King Uther, whom Merlin serves, falls in love with Igraine, the wife of a neighboring duke, but the duke refuses to allow Uther to have her, and Igraine is too loyal a woman to willingly commit adultery. So, Merlin devises a plan, telling Uther, "this night ye shall lie with Igraine . . . and ye shall be like the duke her husband, Ulfias will be like Sir Brastias . . . and I will be like Sir Jordanus" (Le Morte, 5). Merlin had disguised the men so well that they took on the appearance of other people, enough that Igraine believed Uthor was her husband. Merlin's greatest feats usually involve shapeshifting and disguise, as well as perhaps prophecy. After Merlin comes to Arthur in the guise of a child, and then an old man, to tell him about his parentage, he says, "But I ever ought to be heavy, for I shall die a shameful death, to be put in the earth quick, and ye shall die a worshipful death" (Le Morte, 23). This foreshadows Merlin's death at the hands of his protégé Nineve, and Arthur's death at the end of the book, and illustrates that Merlin has some knowledge of the events in the future. He demonstrates this once again after subduing Sir Pellinore, when he tells Arthur, "And he shall tell you the name of your own son begotten of your sister that shall be the destruction of all this realm" (Le Morte, 29). Through his powers of foresight, Merlin can pinpoint what will bring about the end of Camelot. Gandalf, although immortal and powerful, rarely shows these powers of foresight. The future in Lord of the Rings is something that cannot be known, only fought

You are most intelligent and cunning Phillip. I wish that whatever you have planned, I not to be the catalyst of it. As Daughter Knight I am bound by law to give my life to save yours and you know this. You also know, that I have a place at banquet, so your invitation was hollow and only asked to cause trouble with Will.”

He is always trying to protect his loved ones, and goes against his emotions to defeat his spiritual mother, queen mab. Merlin is a wizard in training but is still able to use his powers. When he does have the ability to use them, or has prophetic visions, he is able to make wise choices as to what to use them for, such as saving Nimue, or using his vision of the dragons to know who is next in line for the throne, rather that using his powers for evil and the upkeep of the old ways. Merlin is also a protective person. In the movie, the adulterous lover of Lancelot was being burned at the stake for treason.

Merlin, a prophet with the gift of sight in Mary Stewart’s “Hollow Hills” plays the protagonists in the quest to make Arthur King. He has several magical abilities including most notably his gift of sight and magic. These powers bring him comfort in time of despair and guidance in his quest to make Arthur King. These powers are what Merlin is most known for but without his “human powers” Merlin wouldn’t be who we picture him to be today. Merlin has several human characteristics such as a gift of dialect and the ability to manipulate and adapt to his environment that serves as powers in his quest.

Besides Merlin’s logic for leaving, for fear of a violently “mad” society, the reader can also see how the deceptive nature of humans in feudal society is reasonable enough for leaving. Merlin’s summary of a doorman’s life gives the reader a better explanation of how much his extra worldly perception haunts him. Merlin explains, “The doorman in front of the gates was sitting in shabby clothes and was begging passers-by to give him money or buying clothes. Yet all the time he was secretly rich, for he had a secret hoard of coins under him” (79). Most people would walk by the doorman and believe him to be a true poor person. Merlin, however, has

A shrill cry echoed in the mist as the fight between good and evil expanded and had grown massively. The war between witches and sorcerers was fought in the shadows of history and the fate of mankind rested with the powerful and just Merlin. He taught his secrets to three trusted apprentices, Belshazzar, Avarona, and Horvath. However he should have trusted only two. Avarona and Belshazzar witnessed the savagery of a sorcerer beyond evil, Morgana, Merlin's most deadly enemy. Merlin screamed in disgust “Horvath! You betray me!” “It's nothing personal Merlin. I will no longer be your slave.” As Morgana staunchly walked into the room, she said “Well done Horvath now, where is the spell?” “Right here Morgana.” Horvath replied.

Briefly, Morgana had wondered if he was the type who preferred the charms of other men. There were a few among the knights, she knew, one of Camelot's most poorly guarded secrets. But that didn't seem to be it either. For men and women alike, his gaze had been kind and respectful, nothing more.

Another example of Merlin’s struggle with a higher power is when Uther wanted Merlin’s help to get to Igraine. Merlin had to help Uther and Ygraine be together for one night, even if

Merlin realizes he has come upon a ritual. He is extremely drawn to the proceedings and watches in excitement. He hears a man scream as if in mortal danger. A robed man emerges holding something high in his hands. The others in the group circle him. Later, that night Merlin discovers that Belasius is also a Druid Priest. Belasius tells Merlin that he must study the Goddess with him, or he will be cursed. This too is added to Merlin's studies. Merlin's character is further defined. Merlin becomes an intelligent and confident young man.

THOU art full young and tender of age, said Arthur, for to take so high an order on thee. Sir, said Griflet, I beseech you make me knight. Sir, said Merlin, it were great pity to lose Griflet, for he will be a passing good man when he is of age, abiding with you the term of his life. And if he adventure his body with yonder knight at the fountain, it is in great peril if ever he come again, for he is one of the best knights of the world, and the strongest man of arms. Well, said Arthur. So at the desire of Griflet the king made him knight. Now, said Arthur unto Sir Griflet, sith I have made you knight thou must give me a gift. What ye will, said Griflet. Thou shalt promise me by the faith of thy body, when thou hast jousted with the knight at the fountain, whether it fall ye be on foot or on horseback, that right so ye shall come again unto me without making any more debate.