Merlin
Sign in to saveMerlin () is a mythical figure prominently featured in the legend of King Arthur and best known as a prophet and a magician, along with several other main roles. The familiar depiction of Merlin, based on an amalgamation of historical and legendary figures, was introduced by the 12th-century Catholic cleric Geoffrey of Monmouth and then built on by the French poet Robert de Boron and prose successors in the 13th century. Geoffrey's account presented Merlin as a prophet and royal advisor to Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon.
AI overview
Merlin is a legendary figure from King Arthur's stories who is typically portrayed as a prophet and magician serving as an advisor to Arthur's father. The popular version of Merlin was created by 12th-century writer Geoffrey of Monmouth and later expanded by French poets and writers in the following centuries, blending historical and legendary elements together.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Character.image
- File:Arthur-Pyle The Enchanter Merlin.JPG
- Character.caption
- The Enchanter Merlin, Howard Pyle's illustration for The Story of King Arthur and His Knights (1903)
- Character.first
- Prophetiae Merlini ( 1130)
- Character.creator
- Geoffrey of Monmouth
- Character.based_on
- Myrddin Wyllt and Ambrosius Aurelianus
- Character.species
- Cambion
- Character.occupation
- Varied, including prophet, magician, bard, advisor, warrior, and others (depending on the source)
- Character.significant_other
- Lady of the Lake, Morgan le Fay, Sebile (romance tradition)
- Character.spouse
- Gwendolen
- Character.relatives
- Ganieda
- Character.home
- "Esplumoir Merlin", British woods
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
14 sectionsContents
- Name
- Legend
- Overview
- Geoffrey and his sources
- Romance reimagination
- Other aspects and developments
- Merlin's prophecies
- Tales of Merlin's disappearance
- Modern culture
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Bibliography
- External links
Merlin () is a mythical figure prominently featured in the legend of King Arthur and best known as a prophet and a magician, along with several other main roles. The familiar depiction of Merlin, based on an amalgamation of historical and legendary figures, was introduced by the 12th-century Catholic cleric Geoffrey of Monmouth and then built on by the French poet Robert de Boron and prose successors in the 13th century. Geoffrey's account presented Merlin as a prophet and royal advisor to Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon.
Geoffrey seems to have combined earlier Welsh tales of Myrddin and Emrys (Ambrosius), two legendary Briton prophets with no connection to Arthur, to form the composite figure that he called Merlinus Ambrosius. His rendering of the character became immediately popular, especially in Wales. Later chronicle and romance writers in France and elsewhere expanded the account to produce a more full, multifaceted character, creating one of the most important figures in the imagination and literature of the Middle Ages.