Stories involving the mythical wizard
Merlin have been popular since the
Renaissance, especially with the renewed interest in the
legend of King Arthur in modern times. As noted by Arthurian scholar Alan Lupack, "numerous novels, poems and plays center around Merlin. In American literature and popular culture, Merlin is perhaps the most frequently portrayed Arthurian character."[1]
Analysis
According to
Stephen Thomas Knight, Merlin embodies a conflict between knowledge and power: a symbol of wisdom in the first Welsh stories, he became an advisor to kings in the Middle Ages, and eventually a mentor and teacher to Arthur and others in the works around the world since the 19th century.[2] While some modern authors write about Merlin positively through an explicitly
Christian worldview,[3]New Age movements see Merlin as a druid who accesses all the mysteries of the world,[4] and Francophone artistic productions since the end of the 20th century have tended to avoid the Christian aspects of the character in favor of the pagan aspects and the tradition sylvestre (attributing positive values to one's links to the forest and wild animals), thus "dechristianizing" Merlin to present him as a champion for the idea of return to nature.[5] Diverging from his traditional role in medieval romances, Merlin is also sometimes portrayed as a villain.[1] As Peter H. Goodrich wrote in Merlin: A Casebook:
Merlin's primary characteristics continue to be recalled, refined, and expanded today, continually encompassing new ideas and technologies as well as old ones. The ability of this complex figure to endure for more than fourteen centuries results not only from his manifold roles and their imaginative appeal, but also from significant, often irresolvable tensions or polarities [...] between beast and human (Wild Man), natural and supernatural (Wonder Child), physical and metaphysical (Poet), secular and sacred (Prophet), active and passive (Counselor), magic and science (Wizard), and male and female (Lover). Interwoven with these primary tensions are additional polarities that apply to all of Merlin's roles, such as those between madness and sanity, pagan and Christian, demonic and heavenly, mortality and immortality, and impotency and potency.[6]
Since the
Romantic period, Merlin has been typically depicted as a
wise old man with a long white beard, creating a modern wizard archetype reflected in many fantasy characters,[7] such as
J. R. R. Tolkien's
Gandalf[8] or
J. K. Rowling's
Dumbledore,[9] that also use some of his other traits. Things named in honour of the legendary figure have included asteroid
2598 Merlin, the British company
Merlin Entertainments, the
Merlin handheld console, the literary magazine Merlin, the metal band
Merlin, and more than a dozen different British warships each called
HMS Merlin. He was one of eight British magical figures that were commemorated on a
series of UK postage stamps issued by the
Royal Mail in 2011,[10] and one of the three Arthurian figures (along with Arthur and Morgan) commemorated on the gold and silver British pound coins issued by the
Royal Mint in 2023.[11]Merlinia, the
Ordoviciantrilobite, is also named after Merlin. The name is given in memory of the legends of Wales, in which broken tail parts of trilobites were identified as butterflies turned to stone by Merlin.[12][13]
In Curses, Merlin is an important figure in the story's history.
In Fate/Grand Order, Merlin is playable as a Caster-class servant.
Merlin's female 'Prototype' is a playable Caster-class servant first debuted in the Arcade version of the game, who later became playable in the original mobile version under the name Lady Avalon.
In the arcade game Gauntlet, Merlin is one of the four playable heroes. His role in the game series continued until Gauntlet 4 for the Sega Genesis.
In Blazing Dragons, Merlin, renamed Mervin, is Sir George's wizard companion, advisor and sidekick of Castle Grim, and antagonist. He is voiced by
Rob Paulsen.
In Master of Magic, Merlin is one of the predefined wizards.
In the
MMORPGRuneScape, Merlin is a part of three quests, including Merlin's Crystal (a quest to free Merlin and become one of the Knights of the Round Table), The Holy Grail, and King's Ransom.
In Sonic and the Black Knight, the character Merlina is based on Merlin. Merlin is Merlina's grandfather.
In the 2013 video game Soul Sacrifice, Merlin was the game's antagonist. In the English version of the game, he is known as the Magusar. Merlin reappeared in the game's sequel, Soul Sacrifice Delta, to conclude the Magusar's story.
In the
MMORPGWizard101, the character Merlin (who presents himself as "Merle Ambrose") is the headmaster of Ravenwood School of Magical Arts and assigns players multiple quests.
In Young Merlin, the player follows Merlin in his youth.
In Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II, Merlin gives the protagonist, Mike, psychic abilities to help him throughout the game.
In the Avalon variant of The Resistance, Merlin is given knowledge at the start of every game who the evil players are, but must keep his identity secret or else the evil players can redeem a lost game by correctly guessing which player is Merlin.
In Disney Dreamlight Valley, the Disney version of Merlin appears as a villager and guide for the player.
Literature
In a play called The Birth of Merlin, written by
William Rowley in 1622, Merlin appears to be a son of the
Devil (or a devil). By the end of the play, he becomes an adviser to Uther, the young King of Britain.
Mark Twain presents Merlin in his 1889 novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court as a complete charlatan with no real magical powers. The character seems to stand for (and to satirize)
superstition. However, near the end of the book, Merlin seems to possess real magical powers.
C.S. Lewis used the figure of Merlin Ambrosius in his 1946 novel That Hideous Strength, the third book in The Space Trilogy. In it, Merlin has supposedly lain asleep for centuries to be awakened for the battle against the materialistic agents of the devil, able to consort with the angelic powers because he came from a time when sorcery was not yet a corrupt art. Lewis' character of Ransom has apparently inherited the title of
Pendragon from the Arthurian tradition. Merlin also mentions "Numinor", a nod to
J.R.R. Tolkien'sNúmenor.
In the novel Merlín e Familia (1955) written by the
Galician author
Álvaro Cunqueiro, Merlin dwells in the Galician forest of Esmelle and is visited by mythical figures seeking magical advice. This story synthesizes Arthurian legend and Galician folktales.
Susan Cooper'sThe Dark Is Rising series (first published between 1965 and 1977) has Merlin as the central character in an Arthurian fantasy series about the battle between "the Dark and the Light". Some of the child characters know him as "Gummerry" (a contraction of Great Uncle Merry). He is also variously known as Professor Merriman Lyon, Merry Lyon, Mer-lion, and Merlin.
In
T.H. White's 1958 Arthurian retelling, The Once and Future King, "Merlyn" has a curious affliction of living backward in time to everyone else. This affliction also appears in
Dan Simmons' Hyperion (1989) as the "Merlin sickness". A related novel to The Once and Future King is The Book of Merlyn (1977).
In
Mary Stewart'sMerlin Trilogy (first published between 1970 and 1979), Myrddin Emrys (Merlin Ambrosius) is the protagonist of the first two novels, The Crystal Cave (1970) and The Hollow Hills (1973), which are based on earlier traditions of the character. The last book of the trilogy, The Last Enchantment, and a related book, The Wicked Day, focus more on Arthur and
Mordred, though the former is still told from Merlin's viewpoint. Stewart portrays
Aurelius Ambrosius (brother to Uther Pendragon) as his father, and thus makes him Arthur's cousin. In the end, Merlin goes mad due to
Morgause's poison.
Merlin's Mirror (1975) by
Andre Norton, tells the story of the half-human, half-alien Merlin.
Merlin (1978) by
Robert Nye is a bawdy, anti-Christian version of the Arthurian story, as relived by Merlin after
Nimue had trapped him. Though dedicated to
Malory, it draws rather from the earlier texts, curiously intertwining references to
Kaballah and explicit erotic passages.[21]
Merlin, called Aurelianus, is a character in
Tim Powers' novel The Drawing of the Dark (1979), which describes the reincarnation of King Arthur as an Irishman named Brian Duffy leading the forces of the West into battle against the forces of the East in 16th century Vienna.
Stephen King mentions a character called Maerlyn in
The Dark Tower series of novels (the first novel published in 1982), as well as the prequel comic The Gunslinger Born (2007). Although this Maerlyn is an adviser to an alternative Earth's version of
King Arthur, he appears to be evil, as he sires the evil sorcerer
Marten Broadcloak and creates the soul-corrupting Wizard's Rainbow.
René Barjavel's novel L'Enchanteur (1984) tells the story of the Knights of the Round Table and the quest for the Holy Grail from the perspective of Merlin and his relationship with the Lady of the Lake.
Arthurian scholar
Nikolai Tolstoy (a distant relative of
Leo Tolstoy) wrote two books about Merlin, a non-fiction The Quest For Merlin (1985) and a historical fantasy The Coming of the King (1988), the first of an unfinished trilogy. The latter book's depiction of Merlin may be the most historically accurate of all since he lives after Arthur's death. The hero
Beowulf even appears as an invader.
In Merlin (1989), a novel by
Michel Rio, Merlin is presented as a strategist and a wise man rather than a wizard, an advisor to the king and, later, Morgana's teacher. A hundred-year-old Merlin reflects upon the fate of Avalon and remembers people who surrounded him throughout his long life. There are also two connected novels, Morgane (1999) and Arthur (2002) told from the respective perspectives.
Merlin is one of the main characters in the Magic Tree House series of children's books by
Mary Pope Osborne (the first novel published in 1992). He appears in the later volumes of the series, known as TheMerlin Missions.
Merlin (1988) and Pendragon (1994), the second and fourth books of
Stephen Lawhead's fantasy
Pendragon Cycle series respectively, are narrated by Merlin (Myrddin) and seen through his viewpoint. Lawhead makes him a half-Atlantean king of
Dyfed, who goes insane but recovers after years of living in the forest; he then assumes the roles of prophet, adviser, and bard.
Merlin is a central figure in
Jack Whyte's nine-volume series
The Camulod Chronicles (first published between 1992 and 2005). The series presents a full retelling of the Arthurian legend with entirely natural explanations of the magical abilities attributed to Merlin.
In A Logical Magician (1994), also published as A Modern Magician, and its sequel A Calculated Magic (1996) by
Robert Weinberg, Merlin is portrayed as a being brought into existence through belief. Thus, here Merlin possesses all the powers general belief grants him.
Fred Saberhagen's novel Merlin's Bones (1995) is told partly from the perspective of a young Merlin.
T.A. Barron portrays Merlin as a young man in his The Lost Years of Merlin series (the first novel published in 1996), and as an adult in its sequel series, The Great Tree of Avalon. Merlin also figures prominently in Barron's Merlin Effect, which may be in the same fictional continuity.
The Young Merlin Trilogy by
Jane Yolen (first published between 1996 and 1997), featuring the novels Passager, Hobby, and Merlin, re-imagines the story of Merlin in his boyhood. Abandoned by his parents and left to live in the woods at the age of eight, he discovers his powers at twelve.[23]
J.K. Rowling portrays Merlin as a famous or almost God-like wizard in her
Harry Potter series (first published between 1997 and 2007) and refers to him as "The Prince of Enchanters."
The magical population uses the expression "Merlin's Beard" as a substitute for "My God."
"The Order of Merlin," mentioned throughout the books, is given to witches and wizards for great accomplishments and is given in three classes: First, Second, and Third; it is similar to an
OBE. According to the Harry Potter website
Pottermore, the Order of Merlin began as an organization formed by Merlin to protect
Muggles (non-magical beings).
Merlin is featured on a Famous Witches and Wizards Collectors card; such cards are included with chocolate frogs.
As in many other stories, Merlin is the enemy of
Morgan le Fay.
The Harry Potter website
Pottermore states that Merlin was a
Slytherin, despite the fact that real-world mythology places Merlin's existence several centuries before the founding of Hogwarts.
Jim Butcher'sThe Dresden Files series (the first novel published in 2000) includes Merlin as both a title (leader of the White Council) as well as a man responsible for the creation of the supernatural prison Demonreach.
Merlin is the main character in
Robert Holdstock'sThe Merlin Codex trilogy of
mythic fiction novels (first published between 2001 and 2006), which traces Merlin's adventures in Europe over a span of two millennia; this trilogy places him alongside
Jason and the Argonauts and
Urtha Pendragon. Merlin is also a major character in Holdstock's short novel Merlin's Wood (1994).
In
Diana Wynne Jones' book The Merlin Conspiracy (2003), Merlin is not a person, but rather a title. The Merlin of the kingdom is entrusted with the kingdom's magical health.
Simon Green'sNightside series (first published between 2003 and 2012) contains a character named Merlin Satanspawn, who is the son of the
Devil and King Arthur's mentor and friend.[24]
In the romantic urban fantasy Enchanted, Inc. (2005) and its sequels by
Shanna Swendson, Merlin is the
CEO of Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc.
Sherrilyn Kenyon (
writing under the name of Kinley MacGregor) includes a "Penmerlin Emrys" of Arthurian legend in her Lords of Avalon series (first published between 2006 and 2018).
Books based on the British TV show Merlin (2008) feature an adolescent Merlin in King Uther's Camelot.
Merlin appears as the antagonist in
James A. Owen's The Indigo King (2008) in the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series. In the book, Owen discusses the development of Merlin into the Cartographer of the Imaginarium Geographica. Merlin comes from a place known as the Archipelago of Dreams, where he was born as Myrdyyn along with his twin brother, Madoc (who would become
Mordred). He is portrayed as an ambitious and treacherous man who was banished from the Archipelago for trying to use knowledge of the future to shape it. He then travels to Britain (then called
Albion) and changes his name to Merlin. Sometime after this, he becomes the apparent father of Arthur through the
Lady of the Lake.
In Chapter 19 of
James Rollins' sixth
Sigma Force novel, The Doomsday Key (2009), Father Rye and historian Wallace Boyd tell the group seeking the Doomsday Key that Bardsey Island was home to
Fomorian royalty and that
Merlin was a famous
Druid priest, buried on sacred Bardsey Island with other prominent Druids.
Kristine Papin Morris explores Merlin's emotional childhood in the Merlin of Carmarthen[25] series, which features Merlin of Carmarthen[26] (2010) and Merlin of Calidon (2013).[27]
In the urban fantasy series Arkwell Academy (first novel published in 2013) written by Mindee Arnett, Merlin is the main antagonist who sets out to claim a legendary sword of great power, only to be thwarted by protagonist Dusty Everhart.[28]
In the High School DxD light novel series written by
Ichiei Ishibumi, the mythological Merlin of Arthurian legend (under the name Merlin Ambrosius) was stated to have founded the system of magic and sorcery used by human beings by studying demon magic, and was considered the first human magician.
Merlin Ambrosius and other aspects of Arthurian mythology appear in a semi-
science fiction context in
Theodore Sturgeon's short story Excalibur and the Atom (1951).
In The Seven Deadly Sins, Book 1, the First Hunt[29] written by Gabriel Estes, Merlin is a sorcerer in Caerleon who gives Exevalathor a
grimoire in the form of a pair of gauntlets called the Gauntlets of Ira. He is later revealed to be
Satan, the Sin of Wrath, aged and weakened from the side effects of having the Sin of Wrath sealed within him.
Merlin is an opera by Spanish composer
Isaac Albéniz that was completed in 1902 but not premiered until 2004. The opera retells Arthurian legend with some dramatic changes for the stage.
Merlyn has been played by various actors in various productions of the Camelot musical and its spinoffs:
Legends of Tomorrow (
2016–22), an American
superhero television series, based on the characters of
DC Comics and set in the
Arrowverse. In the episode "Camelot/3000" (
2017), Merlin is revealed to be a superheroine,
Stargirl. Portrayed by
Sarah Grey, Stargirl escaped from 1956 to the sixth century to guard a fragment of the
Spear of Destiny, which she then used to create the court of Camelot.
Sofia the First (2012–18), an American animated television series; features numerous references to Merlin who is idolized by the character of Cedric the Sorcerer. The former later appears in the episode "Gone With the Wand" (2016), where he is depicted in his traditional Disney design and voiced by
Jeff Bennett.
Nanatsu no Taizai (2016), also known as The Seven Deadly Sins, a Japanese anime series based on the manga by the same name; features a female Merlin, voiced by
Maaya Sakamoto, as The Boar's Sin of Gluttony and tutor of a younger Prince Arthur.
Once Upon a Time (2011–18), an American fairy tale drama television series. Merlin, known as the Sorcerer, first appears in the fourth season in the episode "Lily" (2015).
Elliot Knight is the first black actor to play Merlin in a prominent production.
Camelot (
2011), a historical-fantasy-drama television series of conjoined Irish, British, American, and Canadian production; Merlin is played by
Joseph Fiennes.
Merlin (
2008–
12), a British fantasy-adventure drama television programme by
BBC filmed in
Wales and
France, in which young Merlin, played by
Colin Morgan, has to hide his magic while protecting Prince Arthur.
Merlin's Apprentice (
2006), an American-Canadian miniseries. It is a sequel to the 1998 television miniseries Merlin with
Sam Neill reprising his role as
Merlin, albeit as a slightly different version of the character.
Kaamelott (2005–09), a French comedy medieval fantasy television series; Merlin is played by Jacques Chambon.
Potatoes and Dragons (
2004), an animated series of conjoined Canadian and French production; Merlin is voiced by John Vamvas.
Stargate SG-1 (
1997–
2007), Stargate Atlantis (
2004–
09), and Stargate: The Ark of Truth (
2008), part of the
Stargate franchise; Merlin is represented here as an
Ancient named Myrddin (originally
Moros) from the Pegasus galaxy, who ascended to a higher plane of existence, descended to a lower plane of existence on Earth, and proceeded to 'create' King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Played by
Matthew Walker, he first appears in an episode of Stargate Atlantis, "Before I Sleep" (2004).
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo (2001–07), a Brazilian television series based on the eponymous book series written by
Monteiro Lobato; Merlin, played by Emiliano Queiroz, featured in a number of episodes in
2003.
ChuckleVision (1987–2009), a British television series; in the episode Bookshop Chuckles (
2003), Merlin is played by
Leslie Schofield.
Guinevere Jones (
2002), a Canadian/Australian fantasy television series about a modern teenage girl who is the reincarnation of
Guinevere; Merlin is played by
Ted Hamilton.
The Fairly OddParents (2001–17), an American animated television series; in the episode "Knighty Knight" (
2002), Merlin, voiced by
Jim Ward, is a fraudulent magician who uses his nephew, Arthur, to run away from the kingdom they live in.
The Outer Limits (1995–2002), a Canadian-American television series; in the episode "The Tipping Point" (
2002), Merlin is played by
Jim Byrnes.
The Zack Files (2000–02), a Canadian science fiction television program; in the episode Once and Future Zack (
2002), Merlin is played by
J. Adam Brown.
Young Arthur (
2002), an American TV drama about the childhood of King Arthur; Merlin is played by
James Fleet.
MythQuest (
2001) a Canadian television series; in the episode Sir Caradoc at the Round Table, Merlin is played by
David Gant.
The Brak Show (2000–03, 2007), an American animated sitcom; in the episode Time Machine (2001), Merlin is voiced by Marc Cram.
The Mists of Avalon (
2001), a TV mini-series of conjoined Czech, German, and American production; Merlin is played by
Michael Byrne.
Arthur's Quest (
1999), an American television film. In an attempt to save young King Arthur from the evil sorceress Morgana, Merlin, played by
Arye Gross, transports him into 20th-century America.
A Knight in Camelot (
1998), an American television film about a modern scientist who gets sent to King Arthur's times when the machine shes invented malfunctions; Merlin played by
Ian Richardson.
Merlin (
1998), an American television miniseries starring
Sam Neill as Merlin. The film depicts his life, from his magical birth through the reigns of Vortigern, Uther, and Arthur, and ends with him as an old man.
Histeria! (
1998–
2000), an American animated series; in the episode "Histeria Satellite TV" (1998), Merlin was voiced by
Paul Rugg.
The Crystal Cave (
1996), an American TV movie on the art of spiritual transformation; Merlin is played by
Robert Guillaume.
Blazing Dragons (1996–1998); Merle the Wizard (played by Suzanne Coy), a wisecracking female magician who fits the stereotype of a witch much more than that of a wizard, is based on Merlin.
Alchemy (
1996), an American TV movie on the art of spiritual transformation; Merlin is played by
Robert Guillaume.
Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders (
1995–
96), an American comic fantasy-themed animated children's television series; Merlin, voiced by
Bob Kaliban, is an ancient wizard who had discovered Avalon and tamed its magic centuries ago.
Darkstalkers (1995) is an American children's animated TV series loosely based on the
Capcom fighting game Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors. Harry, the main character of the series, is a descendant of the great sorcerer Merlin. Merlin himself appears in the twelfth episode of the show as a silent character.
MacGyver (1985–92), an American action-adventure television series; in the two-part episode "Good Knight MacGyver" (1991), Merlin, played by Time Winters, is shown to be a bumbling trickster who relies on the title character's wit and wisdom to save the day.
Doctor Who (1963–89, 1996, 2005–present), a British science fiction television programme; the episode "
Battlefield" (1989) suggests that Arthurian legend in our world is influenced by actual events in a parallel world, and when
the Seventh Doctor played by
Sylvester McCoy is recognized as Merlin by the knight Ancelyn, Mordred, and finally Morgaine, it is implied that Merlin is, or will be, a future (or alternate-dimension) incarnation of
the Doctor. The 2010 episode "
The Pandorica Opens" confirms this.
Knightmare (1987–94), a British children's adventure game show; Merlin is played by
John Woodnutt.
The Comic Strip (1987), an American animated series; Merlin's son Melvin, voiced by
Earl Hammond, appeared on the segment Mini Monsters along with his large crow assistant Cawfield.
The Twilight Zone (1985–89) in the episode "A Day in Beaumont/The Last Defender of Camelot" (1986), Merlin was played by
Norman Lloyd.
3-2-1 (1978–87) a British game show; in the episodes "The Magic of Merlin and Egypt", Merlin was played by
Kenneth Connor.
ThunderCats (1985–89), an American animated television series; in the episode "Excalibur" (1985), Merlin was voiced by
Earl Hammond.
Once Upon a Classic (1976–80), an American television program; in the episode "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (1978), Merlin was played by
Roscoe Lee Browne.
Shadows (
1975–
78), a British supernatural television anthology series; in the episode "The Boy Merlin" (1978), Merlin was played by Ian Rowlands. A 1979 TV series, The Boy Merlin, was later based on that episode, with Rowlands reprising the role of Merlin.
Carry on Laughing (
1975), a British television comedy series; in the episodes "Short Knight, Long Daze and Under the Round Table", Merlin was played by
Peter Butterworth.
The Time Tunnel (1966–67), an American science-fiction TV series; in the episode "Merlin the Magician" (
1967), Merlin was played by two actors, Christopher Cary and
Dennis Christopher.
The Adventures of Superboy (1966–69), an American animated series; in the episode "The Black Knight" (
1966), Merlin is one of the antagonists of the story, jealous of Superboy's powers.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964–68), an American spy-fiction television series; in the episode "The Foxes and Hounds Affair" (
1965), Merlin (a stage magician capable of reading minds) was played by Andre Philippe.
Startime (1959–60), an American anthology series and one of the first American TV shows to broadcast in color; in the episode "Tennessee Ernie Ford Meets King Arthur" (
1960), Merlin was played by
Carl Ballantine.
The David Niven Show (
1959), an American television anthology series; in the episode "A Day of Small Miracles", Merlin was played by
Eddie Bracken.
Kraft Television Theatre (1947–58), an American drama/anthology television series; in the episode "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (
1953), Merlin was played by
Victor Jory.
Studio One (1947–58), an American radio and TV anthology drama series; in the episode "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (
1952), Merlin was played by
Salem Ludwig.
Biker Mice from Mars (1993), an American animated series; appears in the episode "Biker Knights of the Round Table".
In Puck's Song, at the beginning of Puck of Pook's Hill,
Kipling calls England "Merlin's Isle of Gramarye".
John le Carré's 1974
spy novelTinker Tailor Soldier Spy focuses on "Source Merlin", the code name of an agent supposedly providing British Intelligence with high-level information on the Soviets. The source is sponsored under an operation codenamed "Witchcraft". The code names were evidently chosen to emphasize the superb quality of the information provided "magically" by "Merlin". The protagonist,
George Smiley, eventually proves that this "Merlin" is far from a wondrous magician.
In the
historical mystery novel Sovereign by British author
C. J. Sansom, conspirators seeking to overthrow King
Henry VIII of England make use of a prophecy attributed to Merlin that calls Henry VIII evil and illegitimate and foretells his rise and his highly deserved fall. This supposed prophecy was distributed by broadsheets despite the harsh punishment meted out to anyone caught spreading it.
In Kingsman, the fictional
secret service featured in the
Kingsman comic series and the
film franchise, each agent bears the name of an Arthurian character. "Merlin" is an older, wise agent who acts as a mentor to younger agents and who sacrifices his life so that the others may survive and successfully complete their vital mission.
Adobe Photoshop has long included an
Easter egg featuring Merlin in a miniature dialogue box entitled "Merlin Lives!", with a cartoon depiction of the wizard and a single button, "Begone".
The British-made
Merlin helicopter is a medium-lift helicopter in military and civil use by the armed forces of Britain, Denmark, Portugal, and others under the name Merlin instead of its original
AgustaWestland AW101 designation.[30][31]
^Doherty, John J. (1999). "'A land shining with goodness': Magic and Religion in Stephen R. Lawhead's "Taliesin, Merlin, and Arthur"". Arthuriana. 9 (1): 57–66.
doi:
10.1353/art.1999.0063.
JSTOR27869422.
S2CID161452366.
^Goodrich, Peter (1992). "The New Age Mage: Merlin as Contemporary Occult Icon". Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts. 5 (1 (17)): 42–73.
JSTOR43308138.
^"Baghdad Wizard Magic for Kiddies". The Daily Oklahoman. 26 December 1960. Retrieved 13 January 2020 – via Newspapers.com. ...the prince and princess live happily ever after and hung-over genie goes from Arabian Nights to the Knights of the Round Table for his next assignment, as Merlin, the Magician.
Stories involving the mythical wizard
Merlin have been popular since the
Renaissance, especially with the renewed interest in the
legend of King Arthur in modern times. As noted by Arthurian scholar Alan Lupack, "numerous novels, poems and plays center around Merlin. In American literature and popular culture, Merlin is perhaps the most frequently portrayed Arthurian character."[1]
Analysis
According to
Stephen Thomas Knight, Merlin embodies a conflict between knowledge and power: a symbol of wisdom in the first Welsh stories, he became an advisor to kings in the Middle Ages, and eventually a mentor and teacher to Arthur and others in the works around the world since the 19th century.[2] While some modern authors write about Merlin positively through an explicitly
Christian worldview,[3]New Age movements see Merlin as a druid who accesses all the mysteries of the world,[4] and Francophone artistic productions since the end of the 20th century have tended to avoid the Christian aspects of the character in favor of the pagan aspects and the tradition sylvestre (attributing positive values to one's links to the forest and wild animals), thus "dechristianizing" Merlin to present him as a champion for the idea of return to nature.[5] Diverging from his traditional role in medieval romances, Merlin is also sometimes portrayed as a villain.[1] As Peter H. Goodrich wrote in Merlin: A Casebook:
Merlin's primary characteristics continue to be recalled, refined, and expanded today, continually encompassing new ideas and technologies as well as old ones. The ability of this complex figure to endure for more than fourteen centuries results not only from his manifold roles and their imaginative appeal, but also from significant, often irresolvable tensions or polarities [...] between beast and human (Wild Man), natural and supernatural (Wonder Child), physical and metaphysical (Poet), secular and sacred (Prophet), active and passive (Counselor), magic and science (Wizard), and male and female (Lover). Interwoven with these primary tensions are additional polarities that apply to all of Merlin's roles, such as those between madness and sanity, pagan and Christian, demonic and heavenly, mortality and immortality, and impotency and potency.[6]
Since the
Romantic period, Merlin has been typically depicted as a
wise old man with a long white beard, creating a modern wizard archetype reflected in many fantasy characters,[7] such as
J. R. R. Tolkien's
Gandalf[8] or
J. K. Rowling's
Dumbledore,[9] that also use some of his other traits. Things named in honour of the legendary figure have included asteroid
2598 Merlin, the British company
Merlin Entertainments, the
Merlin handheld console, the literary magazine Merlin, the metal band
Merlin, and more than a dozen different British warships each called
HMS Merlin. He was one of eight British magical figures that were commemorated on a
series of UK postage stamps issued by the
Royal Mail in 2011,[10] and one of the three Arthurian figures (along with Arthur and Morgan) commemorated on the gold and silver British pound coins issued by the
Royal Mint in 2023.[11]Merlinia, the
Ordoviciantrilobite, is also named after Merlin. The name is given in memory of the legends of Wales, in which broken tail parts of trilobites were identified as butterflies turned to stone by Merlin.[12][13]
In Curses, Merlin is an important figure in the story's history.
In Fate/Grand Order, Merlin is playable as a Caster-class servant.
Merlin's female 'Prototype' is a playable Caster-class servant first debuted in the Arcade version of the game, who later became playable in the original mobile version under the name Lady Avalon.
In the arcade game Gauntlet, Merlin is one of the four playable heroes. His role in the game series continued until Gauntlet 4 for the Sega Genesis.
In Blazing Dragons, Merlin, renamed Mervin, is Sir George's wizard companion, advisor and sidekick of Castle Grim, and antagonist. He is voiced by
Rob Paulsen.
In Master of Magic, Merlin is one of the predefined wizards.
In the
MMORPGRuneScape, Merlin is a part of three quests, including Merlin's Crystal (a quest to free Merlin and become one of the Knights of the Round Table), The Holy Grail, and King's Ransom.
In Sonic and the Black Knight, the character Merlina is based on Merlin. Merlin is Merlina's grandfather.
In the 2013 video game Soul Sacrifice, Merlin was the game's antagonist. In the English version of the game, he is known as the Magusar. Merlin reappeared in the game's sequel, Soul Sacrifice Delta, to conclude the Magusar's story.
In the
MMORPGWizard101, the character Merlin (who presents himself as "Merle Ambrose") is the headmaster of Ravenwood School of Magical Arts and assigns players multiple quests.
In Young Merlin, the player follows Merlin in his youth.
In Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II, Merlin gives the protagonist, Mike, psychic abilities to help him throughout the game.
In the Avalon variant of The Resistance, Merlin is given knowledge at the start of every game who the evil players are, but must keep his identity secret or else the evil players can redeem a lost game by correctly guessing which player is Merlin.
In Disney Dreamlight Valley, the Disney version of Merlin appears as a villager and guide for the player.
Literature
In a play called The Birth of Merlin, written by
William Rowley in 1622, Merlin appears to be a son of the
Devil (or a devil). By the end of the play, he becomes an adviser to Uther, the young King of Britain.
Mark Twain presents Merlin in his 1889 novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court as a complete charlatan with no real magical powers. The character seems to stand for (and to satirize)
superstition. However, near the end of the book, Merlin seems to possess real magical powers.
C.S. Lewis used the figure of Merlin Ambrosius in his 1946 novel That Hideous Strength, the third book in The Space Trilogy. In it, Merlin has supposedly lain asleep for centuries to be awakened for the battle against the materialistic agents of the devil, able to consort with the angelic powers because he came from a time when sorcery was not yet a corrupt art. Lewis' character of Ransom has apparently inherited the title of
Pendragon from the Arthurian tradition. Merlin also mentions "Numinor", a nod to
J.R.R. Tolkien'sNúmenor.
In the novel Merlín e Familia (1955) written by the
Galician author
Álvaro Cunqueiro, Merlin dwells in the Galician forest of Esmelle and is visited by mythical figures seeking magical advice. This story synthesizes Arthurian legend and Galician folktales.
Susan Cooper'sThe Dark Is Rising series (first published between 1965 and 1977) has Merlin as the central character in an Arthurian fantasy series about the battle between "the Dark and the Light". Some of the child characters know him as "Gummerry" (a contraction of Great Uncle Merry). He is also variously known as Professor Merriman Lyon, Merry Lyon, Mer-lion, and Merlin.
In
T.H. White's 1958 Arthurian retelling, The Once and Future King, "Merlyn" has a curious affliction of living backward in time to everyone else. This affliction also appears in
Dan Simmons' Hyperion (1989) as the "Merlin sickness". A related novel to The Once and Future King is The Book of Merlyn (1977).
In
Mary Stewart'sMerlin Trilogy (first published between 1970 and 1979), Myrddin Emrys (Merlin Ambrosius) is the protagonist of the first two novels, The Crystal Cave (1970) and The Hollow Hills (1973), which are based on earlier traditions of the character. The last book of the trilogy, The Last Enchantment, and a related book, The Wicked Day, focus more on Arthur and
Mordred, though the former is still told from Merlin's viewpoint. Stewart portrays
Aurelius Ambrosius (brother to Uther Pendragon) as his father, and thus makes him Arthur's cousin. In the end, Merlin goes mad due to
Morgause's poison.
Merlin's Mirror (1975) by
Andre Norton, tells the story of the half-human, half-alien Merlin.
Merlin (1978) by
Robert Nye is a bawdy, anti-Christian version of the Arthurian story, as relived by Merlin after
Nimue had trapped him. Though dedicated to
Malory, it draws rather from the earlier texts, curiously intertwining references to
Kaballah and explicit erotic passages.[21]
Merlin, called Aurelianus, is a character in
Tim Powers' novel The Drawing of the Dark (1979), which describes the reincarnation of King Arthur as an Irishman named Brian Duffy leading the forces of the West into battle against the forces of the East in 16th century Vienna.
Stephen King mentions a character called Maerlyn in
The Dark Tower series of novels (the first novel published in 1982), as well as the prequel comic The Gunslinger Born (2007). Although this Maerlyn is an adviser to an alternative Earth's version of
King Arthur, he appears to be evil, as he sires the evil sorcerer
Marten Broadcloak and creates the soul-corrupting Wizard's Rainbow.
René Barjavel's novel L'Enchanteur (1984) tells the story of the Knights of the Round Table and the quest for the Holy Grail from the perspective of Merlin and his relationship with the Lady of the Lake.
Arthurian scholar
Nikolai Tolstoy (a distant relative of
Leo Tolstoy) wrote two books about Merlin, a non-fiction The Quest For Merlin (1985) and a historical fantasy The Coming of the King (1988), the first of an unfinished trilogy. The latter book's depiction of Merlin may be the most historically accurate of all since he lives after Arthur's death. The hero
Beowulf even appears as an invader.
In Merlin (1989), a novel by
Michel Rio, Merlin is presented as a strategist and a wise man rather than a wizard, an advisor to the king and, later, Morgana's teacher. A hundred-year-old Merlin reflects upon the fate of Avalon and remembers people who surrounded him throughout his long life. There are also two connected novels, Morgane (1999) and Arthur (2002) told from the respective perspectives.
Merlin is one of the main characters in the Magic Tree House series of children's books by
Mary Pope Osborne (the first novel published in 1992). He appears in the later volumes of the series, known as TheMerlin Missions.
Merlin (1988) and Pendragon (1994), the second and fourth books of
Stephen Lawhead's fantasy
Pendragon Cycle series respectively, are narrated by Merlin (Myrddin) and seen through his viewpoint. Lawhead makes him a half-Atlantean king of
Dyfed, who goes insane but recovers after years of living in the forest; he then assumes the roles of prophet, adviser, and bard.
Merlin is a central figure in
Jack Whyte's nine-volume series
The Camulod Chronicles (first published between 1992 and 2005). The series presents a full retelling of the Arthurian legend with entirely natural explanations of the magical abilities attributed to Merlin.
In A Logical Magician (1994), also published as A Modern Magician, and its sequel A Calculated Magic (1996) by
Robert Weinberg, Merlin is portrayed as a being brought into existence through belief. Thus, here Merlin possesses all the powers general belief grants him.
Fred Saberhagen's novel Merlin's Bones (1995) is told partly from the perspective of a young Merlin.
T.A. Barron portrays Merlin as a young man in his The Lost Years of Merlin series (the first novel published in 1996), and as an adult in its sequel series, The Great Tree of Avalon. Merlin also figures prominently in Barron's Merlin Effect, which may be in the same fictional continuity.
The Young Merlin Trilogy by
Jane Yolen (first published between 1996 and 1997), featuring the novels Passager, Hobby, and Merlin, re-imagines the story of Merlin in his boyhood. Abandoned by his parents and left to live in the woods at the age of eight, he discovers his powers at twelve.[23]
J.K. Rowling portrays Merlin as a famous or almost God-like wizard in her
Harry Potter series (first published between 1997 and 2007) and refers to him as "The Prince of Enchanters."
The magical population uses the expression "Merlin's Beard" as a substitute for "My God."
"The Order of Merlin," mentioned throughout the books, is given to witches and wizards for great accomplishments and is given in three classes: First, Second, and Third; it is similar to an
OBE. According to the Harry Potter website
Pottermore, the Order of Merlin began as an organization formed by Merlin to protect
Muggles (non-magical beings).
Merlin is featured on a Famous Witches and Wizards Collectors card; such cards are included with chocolate frogs.
As in many other stories, Merlin is the enemy of
Morgan le Fay.
The Harry Potter website
Pottermore states that Merlin was a
Slytherin, despite the fact that real-world mythology places Merlin's existence several centuries before the founding of Hogwarts.
Jim Butcher'sThe Dresden Files series (the first novel published in 2000) includes Merlin as both a title (leader of the White Council) as well as a man responsible for the creation of the supernatural prison Demonreach.
Merlin is the main character in
Robert Holdstock'sThe Merlin Codex trilogy of
mythic fiction novels (first published between 2001 and 2006), which traces Merlin's adventures in Europe over a span of two millennia; this trilogy places him alongside
Jason and the Argonauts and
Urtha Pendragon. Merlin is also a major character in Holdstock's short novel Merlin's Wood (1994).
In
Diana Wynne Jones' book The Merlin Conspiracy (2003), Merlin is not a person, but rather a title. The Merlin of the kingdom is entrusted with the kingdom's magical health.
Simon Green'sNightside series (first published between 2003 and 2012) contains a character named Merlin Satanspawn, who is the son of the
Devil and King Arthur's mentor and friend.[24]
In the romantic urban fantasy Enchanted, Inc. (2005) and its sequels by
Shanna Swendson, Merlin is the
CEO of Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc.
Sherrilyn Kenyon (
writing under the name of Kinley MacGregor) includes a "Penmerlin Emrys" of Arthurian legend in her Lords of Avalon series (first published between 2006 and 2018).
Books based on the British TV show Merlin (2008) feature an adolescent Merlin in King Uther's Camelot.
Merlin appears as the antagonist in
James A. Owen's The Indigo King (2008) in the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series. In the book, Owen discusses the development of Merlin into the Cartographer of the Imaginarium Geographica. Merlin comes from a place known as the Archipelago of Dreams, where he was born as Myrdyyn along with his twin brother, Madoc (who would become
Mordred). He is portrayed as an ambitious and treacherous man who was banished from the Archipelago for trying to use knowledge of the future to shape it. He then travels to Britain (then called
Albion) and changes his name to Merlin. Sometime after this, he becomes the apparent father of Arthur through the
Lady of the Lake.
In Chapter 19 of
James Rollins' sixth
Sigma Force novel, The Doomsday Key (2009), Father Rye and historian Wallace Boyd tell the group seeking the Doomsday Key that Bardsey Island was home to
Fomorian royalty and that
Merlin was a famous
Druid priest, buried on sacred Bardsey Island with other prominent Druids.
Kristine Papin Morris explores Merlin's emotional childhood in the Merlin of Carmarthen[25] series, which features Merlin of Carmarthen[26] (2010) and Merlin of Calidon (2013).[27]
In the urban fantasy series Arkwell Academy (first novel published in 2013) written by Mindee Arnett, Merlin is the main antagonist who sets out to claim a legendary sword of great power, only to be thwarted by protagonist Dusty Everhart.[28]
In the High School DxD light novel series written by
Ichiei Ishibumi, the mythological Merlin of Arthurian legend (under the name Merlin Ambrosius) was stated to have founded the system of magic and sorcery used by human beings by studying demon magic, and was considered the first human magician.
Merlin Ambrosius and other aspects of Arthurian mythology appear in a semi-
science fiction context in
Theodore Sturgeon's short story Excalibur and the Atom (1951).
In The Seven Deadly Sins, Book 1, the First Hunt[29] written by Gabriel Estes, Merlin is a sorcerer in Caerleon who gives Exevalathor a
grimoire in the form of a pair of gauntlets called the Gauntlets of Ira. He is later revealed to be
Satan, the Sin of Wrath, aged and weakened from the side effects of having the Sin of Wrath sealed within him.
Merlin is an opera by Spanish composer
Isaac Albéniz that was completed in 1902 but not premiered until 2004. The opera retells Arthurian legend with some dramatic changes for the stage.
Merlyn has been played by various actors in various productions of the Camelot musical and its spinoffs:
Legends of Tomorrow (
2016–22), an American
superhero television series, based on the characters of
DC Comics and set in the
Arrowverse. In the episode "Camelot/3000" (
2017), Merlin is revealed to be a superheroine,
Stargirl. Portrayed by
Sarah Grey, Stargirl escaped from 1956 to the sixth century to guard a fragment of the
Spear of Destiny, which she then used to create the court of Camelot.
Sofia the First (2012–18), an American animated television series; features numerous references to Merlin who is idolized by the character of Cedric the Sorcerer. The former later appears in the episode "Gone With the Wand" (2016), where he is depicted in his traditional Disney design and voiced by
Jeff Bennett.
Nanatsu no Taizai (2016), also known as The Seven Deadly Sins, a Japanese anime series based on the manga by the same name; features a female Merlin, voiced by
Maaya Sakamoto, as The Boar's Sin of Gluttony and tutor of a younger Prince Arthur.
Once Upon a Time (2011–18), an American fairy tale drama television series. Merlin, known as the Sorcerer, first appears in the fourth season in the episode "Lily" (2015).
Elliot Knight is the first black actor to play Merlin in a prominent production.
Camelot (
2011), a historical-fantasy-drama television series of conjoined Irish, British, American, and Canadian production; Merlin is played by
Joseph Fiennes.
Merlin (
2008–
12), a British fantasy-adventure drama television programme by
BBC filmed in
Wales and
France, in which young Merlin, played by
Colin Morgan, has to hide his magic while protecting Prince Arthur.
Merlin's Apprentice (
2006), an American-Canadian miniseries. It is a sequel to the 1998 television miniseries Merlin with
Sam Neill reprising his role as
Merlin, albeit as a slightly different version of the character.
Kaamelott (2005–09), a French comedy medieval fantasy television series; Merlin is played by Jacques Chambon.
Potatoes and Dragons (
2004), an animated series of conjoined Canadian and French production; Merlin is voiced by John Vamvas.
Stargate SG-1 (
1997–
2007), Stargate Atlantis (
2004–
09), and Stargate: The Ark of Truth (
2008), part of the
Stargate franchise; Merlin is represented here as an
Ancient named Myrddin (originally
Moros) from the Pegasus galaxy, who ascended to a higher plane of existence, descended to a lower plane of existence on Earth, and proceeded to 'create' King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Played by
Matthew Walker, he first appears in an episode of Stargate Atlantis, "Before I Sleep" (2004).
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo (2001–07), a Brazilian television series based on the eponymous book series written by
Monteiro Lobato; Merlin, played by Emiliano Queiroz, featured in a number of episodes in
2003.
ChuckleVision (1987–2009), a British television series; in the episode Bookshop Chuckles (
2003), Merlin is played by
Leslie Schofield.
Guinevere Jones (
2002), a Canadian/Australian fantasy television series about a modern teenage girl who is the reincarnation of
Guinevere; Merlin is played by
Ted Hamilton.
The Fairly OddParents (2001–17), an American animated television series; in the episode "Knighty Knight" (
2002), Merlin, voiced by
Jim Ward, is a fraudulent magician who uses his nephew, Arthur, to run away from the kingdom they live in.
The Outer Limits (1995–2002), a Canadian-American television series; in the episode "The Tipping Point" (
2002), Merlin is played by
Jim Byrnes.
The Zack Files (2000–02), a Canadian science fiction television program; in the episode Once and Future Zack (
2002), Merlin is played by
J. Adam Brown.
Young Arthur (
2002), an American TV drama about the childhood of King Arthur; Merlin is played by
James Fleet.
MythQuest (
2001) a Canadian television series; in the episode Sir Caradoc at the Round Table, Merlin is played by
David Gant.
The Brak Show (2000–03, 2007), an American animated sitcom; in the episode Time Machine (2001), Merlin is voiced by Marc Cram.
The Mists of Avalon (
2001), a TV mini-series of conjoined Czech, German, and American production; Merlin is played by
Michael Byrne.
Arthur's Quest (
1999), an American television film. In an attempt to save young King Arthur from the evil sorceress Morgana, Merlin, played by
Arye Gross, transports him into 20th-century America.
A Knight in Camelot (
1998), an American television film about a modern scientist who gets sent to King Arthur's times when the machine shes invented malfunctions; Merlin played by
Ian Richardson.
Merlin (
1998), an American television miniseries starring
Sam Neill as Merlin. The film depicts his life, from his magical birth through the reigns of Vortigern, Uther, and Arthur, and ends with him as an old man.
Histeria! (
1998–
2000), an American animated series; in the episode "Histeria Satellite TV" (1998), Merlin was voiced by
Paul Rugg.
The Crystal Cave (
1996), an American TV movie on the art of spiritual transformation; Merlin is played by
Robert Guillaume.
Blazing Dragons (1996–1998); Merle the Wizard (played by Suzanne Coy), a wisecracking female magician who fits the stereotype of a witch much more than that of a wizard, is based on Merlin.
Alchemy (
1996), an American TV movie on the art of spiritual transformation; Merlin is played by
Robert Guillaume.
Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders (
1995–
96), an American comic fantasy-themed animated children's television series; Merlin, voiced by
Bob Kaliban, is an ancient wizard who had discovered Avalon and tamed its magic centuries ago.
Darkstalkers (1995) is an American children's animated TV series loosely based on the
Capcom fighting game Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors. Harry, the main character of the series, is a descendant of the great sorcerer Merlin. Merlin himself appears in the twelfth episode of the show as a silent character.
MacGyver (1985–92), an American action-adventure television series; in the two-part episode "Good Knight MacGyver" (1991), Merlin, played by Time Winters, is shown to be a bumbling trickster who relies on the title character's wit and wisdom to save the day.
Doctor Who (1963–89, 1996, 2005–present), a British science fiction television programme; the episode "
Battlefield" (1989) suggests that Arthurian legend in our world is influenced by actual events in a parallel world, and when
the Seventh Doctor played by
Sylvester McCoy is recognized as Merlin by the knight Ancelyn, Mordred, and finally Morgaine, it is implied that Merlin is, or will be, a future (or alternate-dimension) incarnation of
the Doctor. The 2010 episode "
The Pandorica Opens" confirms this.
Knightmare (1987–94), a British children's adventure game show; Merlin is played by
John Woodnutt.
The Comic Strip (1987), an American animated series; Merlin's son Melvin, voiced by
Earl Hammond, appeared on the segment Mini Monsters along with his large crow assistant Cawfield.
The Twilight Zone (1985–89) in the episode "A Day in Beaumont/The Last Defender of Camelot" (1986), Merlin was played by
Norman Lloyd.
3-2-1 (1978–87) a British game show; in the episodes "The Magic of Merlin and Egypt", Merlin was played by
Kenneth Connor.
ThunderCats (1985–89), an American animated television series; in the episode "Excalibur" (1985), Merlin was voiced by
Earl Hammond.
Once Upon a Classic (1976–80), an American television program; in the episode "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (1978), Merlin was played by
Roscoe Lee Browne.
Shadows (
1975–
78), a British supernatural television anthology series; in the episode "The Boy Merlin" (1978), Merlin was played by Ian Rowlands. A 1979 TV series, The Boy Merlin, was later based on that episode, with Rowlands reprising the role of Merlin.
Carry on Laughing (
1975), a British television comedy series; in the episodes "Short Knight, Long Daze and Under the Round Table", Merlin was played by
Peter Butterworth.
The Time Tunnel (1966–67), an American science-fiction TV series; in the episode "Merlin the Magician" (
1967), Merlin was played by two actors, Christopher Cary and
Dennis Christopher.
The Adventures of Superboy (1966–69), an American animated series; in the episode "The Black Knight" (
1966), Merlin is one of the antagonists of the story, jealous of Superboy's powers.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964–68), an American spy-fiction television series; in the episode "The Foxes and Hounds Affair" (
1965), Merlin (a stage magician capable of reading minds) was played by Andre Philippe.
Startime (1959–60), an American anthology series and one of the first American TV shows to broadcast in color; in the episode "Tennessee Ernie Ford Meets King Arthur" (
1960), Merlin was played by
Carl Ballantine.
The David Niven Show (
1959), an American television anthology series; in the episode "A Day of Small Miracles", Merlin was played by
Eddie Bracken.
Kraft Television Theatre (1947–58), an American drama/anthology television series; in the episode "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (
1953), Merlin was played by
Victor Jory.
Studio One (1947–58), an American radio and TV anthology drama series; in the episode "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (
1952), Merlin was played by
Salem Ludwig.
Biker Mice from Mars (1993), an American animated series; appears in the episode "Biker Knights of the Round Table".
In Puck's Song, at the beginning of Puck of Pook's Hill,
Kipling calls England "Merlin's Isle of Gramarye".
John le Carré's 1974
spy novelTinker Tailor Soldier Spy focuses on "Source Merlin", the code name of an agent supposedly providing British Intelligence with high-level information on the Soviets. The source is sponsored under an operation codenamed "Witchcraft". The code names were evidently chosen to emphasize the superb quality of the information provided "magically" by "Merlin". The protagonist,
George Smiley, eventually proves that this "Merlin" is far from a wondrous magician.
In the
historical mystery novel Sovereign by British author
C. J. Sansom, conspirators seeking to overthrow King
Henry VIII of England make use of a prophecy attributed to Merlin that calls Henry VIII evil and illegitimate and foretells his rise and his highly deserved fall. This supposed prophecy was distributed by broadsheets despite the harsh punishment meted out to anyone caught spreading it.
In Kingsman, the fictional
secret service featured in the
Kingsman comic series and the
film franchise, each agent bears the name of an Arthurian character. "Merlin" is an older, wise agent who acts as a mentor to younger agents and who sacrifices his life so that the others may survive and successfully complete their vital mission.
Adobe Photoshop has long included an
Easter egg featuring Merlin in a miniature dialogue box entitled "Merlin Lives!", with a cartoon depiction of the wizard and a single button, "Begone".
The British-made
Merlin helicopter is a medium-lift helicopter in military and civil use by the armed forces of Britain, Denmark, Portugal, and others under the name Merlin instead of its original
AgustaWestland AW101 designation.[30][31]
^Doherty, John J. (1999). "'A land shining with goodness': Magic and Religion in Stephen R. Lawhead's "Taliesin, Merlin, and Arthur"". Arthuriana. 9 (1): 57–66.
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10.1353/art.1999.0063.
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^Goodrich, Peter (1992). "The New Age Mage: Merlin as Contemporary Occult Icon". Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts. 5 (1 (17)): 42–73.
JSTOR43308138.
^"Baghdad Wizard Magic for Kiddies". The Daily Oklahoman. 26 December 1960. Retrieved 13 January 2020 – via Newspapers.com. ...the prince and princess live happily ever after and hung-over genie goes from Arabian Nights to the Knights of the Round Table for his next assignment, as Merlin, the Magician.