Idylls of the King · Chapter
Merlin and Vivien explained
Vivien, a cunning and vengeful woman, infiltrates Arthur's court and manipulates her way into the company of Merlin, the great enchanter.
What happens
Vivien, a cunning and vengeful woman, infiltrates Arthur's court and manipulates her way into the company of Merlin, the great enchanter. She seeks to learn a powerful charm from him that can trap a man forever in a hollow tower. Despite Merlin's melancholy and awareness of her deceit, Vivien uses her seductive wiles and persistent questioning about the purity of the knights and queen to wear him down. Eventually, she succeeds in learning the charm and ensnares Merlin in the wild woods of Broceliande.
Themes in this chapter
Illusion and Reality
Vivien's deceptive appearance of innocence and devotion contrasts with her true malicious intent, while Merlin's wisdom is clouded by melancholy.
Love and Betrayal
Vivien feigns love and reverence for Merlin to betray him, and the chapter explores the betrayal of trust within Arthur's court.
Gender and Purity
Vivien exploits and challenges the court's ideals of purity, using accusations of impurity to manipulate and undermine the knights and queen.
Characters to notice
- Merlin
The great enchanter, growing melancholy and withdrawn, is targeted by Vivien for his magical knowledge.
- Vivien
A manipulative and vengeful woman, she infiltrates Camelot and seduces Merlin to learn a trapping charm.
- King Mark
The Cornish king who harbors grudges against Arthur and encourages Vivien to spy on the court.
- Guinevere
The Queen, who is deceived by Vivien's feigned innocence and allows her to stay at court.
- Sir Lancelot
Mentioned as the object of Vivien's slanderous gossip regarding his relationship with Guinevere.
- King Arthur
The blameless king, whose purity and court are the targets of Vivien's scorn and manipulation.
Key passages
“A storm was coming, but the winds were still, And in the wild woods of Broceliande, Before an oak, so hollow, huge and old It looked a tower of ivied masonwork, At Merlin’s feet the wily Vivien lay.”
A storm was approaching, but the air was calm. In the untamed forest of Broceliande, the cunning Vivien lay at Merlin's feet in front of an ancient, hollow oak that resembled a tower covered in ivy.
Sets the scene for the final confrontation between Merlin and Vivien.
“For Merlin once had told her of a charm, The which if any wrought on anyone With woven paces and with waving arms, The man so wrought on ever seemed to lie Closed in the four walls of a hollow tower, From which was no escape for evermore;”
Merlin had previously revealed to Vivien a spell that, when performed with specific steps and gestures, would trap a man inside an invisible hollow tower with no way out.
Explains the magical knowledge Vivien seeks to use against Merlin.
“And Vivien answered smiling saucily, 'What, O my Master, have ye found your voice? I bid the stranger welcome. Thanks at last! But yesterday you never opened lip, Except indeed to drink: no cup had we: In mine own lady palms I culled the spring...'”
Vivien cheekily replied, 'Oh Master, you finally speak! Welcome. Yesterday you didn't say a word except to drink, and I had to cup water in my hands for you.'
Highlights Vivien's manipulative and mocking tone as she tries to engage Merlin.