Merlin and Legendary Romance

by Carol Harding

Overview

An indepth work on the origins of the Merlin of Arthurian legend, this book examines early texts, thirteenth century romances focusing particularly on Merlin as a character, rather than those where Merlin is a background cast member. The outline here starts with looking at the genre and the place of fantasy, moving on to consider the attitudes towards magic and magic-users in medieval times. Main works considered are Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae and Vita Merlini; the Vulgate cycle, Suite du Merlin; and finally Malory’s work. The author asserts that each portrays a different approach to Merlin but all are tied to history and to the Christian religion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138785410
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/01/2014
Series:	Routledge Library Editions: Arthurian Literature , #5
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. The Good Magician Before Merlin: Secular Tales and Saints’ Lives 2. Merlin the Prophet: Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia 3. Merlin Beatified: The Vita Merlini 4. The King’s Right Hand: The Vulgate Merlin 5. Magician Beware: The Suite du Merlin 6. Conclusion: Malory’s Le Morte Darthur. Appendix 1: Summary, Robert de Boron’s Merlin. Appendix 2: Summary, Vulgate Merlin. Appendix 3: Summary, Suite du Merlin