Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
III: Merlin explained
This chapter recounts the origins, life, and magical deeds of Merlin, the son of an Incubus and a virtuous woman, who was saved by baptism.
What happens
This chapter recounts the origins, life, and magical deeds of Merlin, the son of an Incubus and a virtuous woman, who was saved by baptism. It describes his role as advisor to King Vortigern, his revelation of the dragons beneath the tower, and his service to Pendragon, Uther, and Arthur. The chapter also details Merlin's enchantment and imprisonment by his mistress Viviane (the Lady of the Lake) in a tower of magic, his final communication with Sir Gawain urging the quest for the Holy Grail, and his legacy as a magical artificer in later romances.
Themes in this chapter
Fate and Free Will
Merlin is aware of his 'fatal destiny' yet imparts secrets to Viviane, leading to his imprisonment; his prophecy to Gawain about the Graal quest underscores predestined events.
Love and Transformation
Merlin's love for Viviane leads to his betrayal and magical imprisonment; Gawain is transformed into a dwarf due to a damsel's revenge.
Hospitality and Its Violation
Viviane's betrayal of Merlin's trust and her deceptive enchantment violate the bonds of love and hospitality.
Characters to notice
- Merlin
Son of an Incubus, saved by baptism; advisor to Vortigern, Pendragon, Uther, and Arthur; imprisoned by Viviane in a magical tower; communicates with Sir Gawain from his prison.
- King Arthur
King during Merlin's later years; sends knights to search for Merlin; charged by Merlin to undertake the quest of the Sacred Graal.
- Sir Gawain
Sent by Arthur to find Merlin; transformed into a dwarf by a damsel; encounters Merlin's voice in the forest of Brécéliande and receives the prophecy of the Graal.
- Vulcan
Mentioned indirectly as 'Hercules' in the context of Merlin's magical works; not a primary figure in this chapter.
Key passages
“Merlin, who knew the range of all their arts, Had built the King his havens, ships and halls.”
Merlin, skilled in all magical arts, constructed the king's harbors, ships, and halls.
Highlights Merlin's role as a magical architect and advisor.
“And a sleep Fell upon Merlin more like death, so deep Her finger on her lips; then Vivian rose, And from her brown-locked head the wimple throws, And takes it in her hand and waves it over The blossomed thorn tree and her sleeping lover. Nine times she waved the fluttering wimple round, And made a little plot of magic ground.”
Merlin fell into a deathlike sleep, and Vivian rose, removed her wimple, and waved it nine times around the thorn tree and Merlin, creating a magical enclosure.
Describes Viviane's enchantment that imprisons Merlin in an invisible tower.
“Ah, sir! you will never see me more, and that grieves me, but I cannot remedy it; I shall never more speak to you, nor to any other person, save only my mistress. But do thou hasten to King Arthur, and charge him from me to undertake, without delay, the quest of the Sacred Graal.”
Merlin tells Gawain he is forever imprisoned and can only speak to Viviane, then charges him to urge Arthur to begin the quest for the Holy Grail.
Merlin's final message to the mortal world, initiating the Grail quest.