The Enigmatic Fate of Merlin After Arthur’s Demise: Unraveling the Wizard’s Journey
So, King Arthur died, huh? That’s a downer for Camelot. It’s a major issue for his advisor, Merlin. After such a loss, what happened to the legendary wizard? Did he vanish, heartbroken? Or did the old sorcerer have more to do? Let’s explore Arthurian lore and the BBC’s Merlin to see what became of everyone’s favorite warlock after the king’s exit.
Merlin’s Post-Arthurian Ponderings: Grief, Dragons, and Immortality
Arthur’s death hit Merlin hard. He dedicated his life to protecting Arthur. He guided him and saved him from dragons. To see Arthur fail was crushing. The BBC Merlin series shows Merlin was devastated, feeling like he failed in his mission to save the king. This grief was immense; it destroyed him.
So, he retreated. He went into a wooden cottage for months. Picture him locking himself away, playing sad songs, ignoring messages. Isolation was his punishment, a wizardly time-out. But a wizard can’t hide forever, especially with a dragon nearby.
Then comes Kilgharrah, the ancient dragon. Who else could pull a heartbroken wizard from despair? This wasn’t merely a friendly chat. Kilgharrah sensed trouble brewing in Camelot and knew Merlin’s help would be needed. Dragons can feel when drama unfolds.
Now, let’s chat about immortality. The finale of Merlin, “The Diamond of the Day,” hints that Merlin isn’t your average human. We see him in modern times, looking older but still alive. This immortality is significant. Is it a benefit of his sorcery? Is it linked to his destiny with Arthur, waiting for the “Once and Future King”? The series hints at this, showing Merlin as an old man heading towards Avalon’s lake–the place where Arthur might be sleeping or waiting for a moment to rise again.
The last scene of Merlin is striking. Old Man Merlin walks in a modern city. Some say it’s Winchester, a stand-in for Camelot, while others think of London. This image underscores Merlin’s ongoing existence. He isn’t just living; he is waiting. Waiting for Arthur’s return, waiting for destiny to unfold. This poignant ending leaves fans contemplating Merlin’s timeless life.
Merlin’s Entangled Web of Relationships: Love, Loyalty, and Lineage
Beyond destiny and magical fights, Merlin’s life is rich with relationships. Love, friendship, and family define him. After Arthur’s death, did Merlin return to Camelot? Did he reunite with Gaius, his mentor? These questions remain unanswered but spark speculation.
Then there’s romance, or a lack thereof. Arthurian legends often hint at connections between Merlin and the Lady of the Lake, known as Nimue or Viviane. This relationship is often complex–think unrequited love or a connection leading to Merlin’s downfall. The BBC series suggests this undercurrent, fitting within the broader Merlin mythos.
Did Merlin have children? Surprisingly, some tales suggest he could be a father. In “The Second Continuation of Perceval,” a daughter named the Lady of the High Peak appears. She guides Perceval on his Grail quest, adding familial depth to Merlin’s character. It’s a lesser-known piece of Arthurian history but exists.
The family tree doesn’t stop there. In a modern novel, Lancelot encounters Else, seemingly Merlin’s daughter and part fey. Her “real” name is Eleanor de Clare, making Merlin’s lineage magically diverse and anachronistic. These tales imply that family stretches across time and magic.
Did Merlin settle down? Some legends suggest he did. Guendoloena appears as his wife in certain texts. She draws from historical figures like King Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio. Post-Arthur’s downfall, Merlin goes a bit… hermit-like. During his eccentric forest phase, he marries Guendoloena. A unique romance indeed.
The Vita Merlini expands on Guendoloena. Depicted as a beautiful Welsh woman, she is a “flower-maiden.” She worries when Merlin loses his sanity after the battle of Arfderydd. In a moment of clarity, Merlin sends her a message to move on and remarry. Quite the mature split from a mad wizard.
Finally, we examine the most debated relationship: Merlin and Arthur. Were they just best friends or was there more? The BBC Merlin series toyed with this idea. Many fans sensed a romantic subtext, viewing their bond as love. The creators intended it to be deep platonic loyalty. But art allows interpretation; the dynamic sparks theories and intense feelings. Whether platonic or romantic, their connection was deep.
Unmasking Merlin: Identity and the Resurgence of Power
Who is Merlin? Beyond his pointed hat and cryptic words, what defines him? What is his true nature and where does his power come from? Let’s uncover his story.
In “The Seven Deadly Sins,” Merlin’s true name is elusive, said to be unpronounceable by human tongues. “Merlin” is merely a name for us mortality-bound folks. Arthurian lore offers other origins. Often depicted as a cambion—born of a mortal woman and an incubus—his parentage grants him supernatural abilities. Quite a dramatic background.
The BBC Merlin series adds another name: Emrys. Throughout the show, he is referred to as Emrys too. This name carries deeper meaning. “Emrys” is believed to be the Welsh name for the wizard, while “Merlin” is Latinized from “Myrddin.” So, depending on preference, he has multiple names spanning different languages.
Regarding power, don’t overlook the journey Merlin undertakes in the series. For much of it, he subtly uses his abilities in secret, especially from Arthur. Yet as the series goes on, his power becomes more prominent.
This showcases Merlin’s growth and struggle with identity. His past continuously influences him. Struggling with his role amid changing events tests his character and spirit.
Merlin embodies wisdom mixed with vulnerability—an intricate, timeless figure with profound magical roots and enduring connections.
Viewers saw Merlin grow into his potential. They waited for him to become the powerful sorcerer of Arthurian lore. In later seasons, Merlin truly evolves. His magic becomes more overt. He rises beyond a manservant with spells. He becomes Merlin, the legendary wizard, unleashing his full might.
Camelot’s Crumbling Fate and the Post-Arthurian World
Arthur is gone. Merlin is somewhere, possibly brooding in a cottage or wandering through time. What happened to Camelot? What became of Gwen and the others after the king’s demise? The aftermath of Arthur’s death is a blend of loss, change, and uncertainty.
Guinevere, Arthur’s queen, steps into power. She becomes Queen Regent, ruling Camelot amid immense grief and upheaval. Camelot, once a beacon of chivalry, is now led by a widowed queen. But how long could this last? History often presents bleak outcomes for kingdoms without kings.
Some versions of the tales show Camelot collapsing. The Tavola Ritonda depicts Camelot as abandoned, falling into ruin after Arthur’s death. The vibrant city, with its churches and chivalrous spirits, decays. It reminds us how fragile kingdoms are and the impact of a leader’s absence.
Guinevere’s fate also darkens. Some legends place her in the Tower of London briefly during turmoil. Many state she seeks solace in a nunnery. She dedicates herself to contemplation, finding peace after turmoil. Ultimately, she is buried alongside Arthur, a poignant resting place for the queen and king.
Lancelot chooses a path of repentance. He survives the saga but is scarred by his affair with Guinevere and the downfall. He embraces a religious life. Lancelot becomes a monk, devoting himself to atonement and contemplation. Guinevere and Lancelot both find post-Arthurian paths that lead to seclusion.
Morgana, Arthur’s half-sister and a formidable foe, meets a definitive end. Some legends say Merlin kills her using Excalibur. This showdown marks the defeat of one of Arthur’s most relentless enemies, a dramatic end.
And what happened to Excalibur? In lore, after the final battle and Arthur’s impending death, he instructs Sir Bedivere to return Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake. Bedivere throws the sword into the lake. A hand rises from the water to catch it, marking the end of Arthur’s reign and returning the sword to its origins.
The BBC’s “Merlin”: A Chapter Closed, But the Legend Lingers
The BBC Merlin series concluded with Arthur’s death. Gwen becomes queen. Merlin’s walk into the modern world ends the narrative arc established. But why did it end when it did? Is there a chance of revisiting this magical world?
One show co-creator stated that ending Merlin when Arthur learned of Merlin’s magic was a deliberate choice. The dynamic of secrecy drove the plot. Once that secret became known, they felt the core premise reached its conclusion. “As soon as Arthur knows Merlin has magic, we saw the story as over,” co-creator Johnny Capps explained.
No season 6 of Merlin seems imminent. With 65 episodes, the series concluded in 2012, and currently, there are no additional seasons planned. However, co-creator Julian Murphy mentioned exploring the legend again. While season 6 may seem distant, revisiting the Merlin legend isn’t entirely off the table.
Speaking of spin-offs, there was “Camelot: The New Age.” The first episode, “Awoken,” was intended as “Series 1 of Camelot: The New Age.” This episode planned to introduce new characters like Hana, Lucas, and Annabella, alongside familiar faces like Merlin and Gwen. Whether this spin-off materialized isn’t clear but shows interest in expanding the Merlin universe.
Merlin Miscellanea: Warlock or Wizard, Sinful Glutton, and Twin Sister Shenanigans
Before wrapping up our exploration of Merlin’s life after Arthur’s death, let’s explore a few intriguing tidbits that add flavor to the mythos.
Why Emrys? “Emrys” is the original Welsh name for Merlin. “Merlin” is a Latinized version of “Myrddin.” PBS’s series touches upon Welsh roots in Arthurian legends. “Emrys” connects Merlin to his cultural heritage.
Twin sister alert! In Jessica Amanda Salmonson’s 1995 novelette, “Namer of Beasts, Maker of Souls,” Merlin has a twin sister named Ganicenda. She’s described as “Divine Wisdom,” adding a cosmic dimension to Merlin’s family. This interpretation offers a creatively intriguing twist.
Merlin as the Sin of Gluttony? In “The Seven Deadly Sins,” Merlin is designated as the Boar’s Sin of Gluttony. This isn’t about food; it relates to knowledge. His “gluttony” stems from an overwhelming thirst for knowledge at times leads to manipulation, casting a darker light on his intellect.
Broceliande is thought to be Merlin’s resting place. The Armorican tradition places his tomb in this mythical forest in Brittany, France. This forest, shrouded in legend, becomes his eternal resting place in some narratives.
Wizard or warlock? In Merlin, he’s often termed a warlock when younger. The series hints that this young warlock will grow into the most powerful wizard ever known. The terms indicate progression; “warlock” suggests youth while “wizard” denotes maturity. The distinction blurs across interpretations.
Arthur’s age at death remains uncertain. Estimates range from 35 to 50 years old, with some suggesting closer to 75. This uncertainty reflects the mythical nature of his character across legends.
Did Camelot ever exist? Camelot, the heart of Arthur’s kingdom, is considered mythical. It symbolizes an idealized kingdom of chivalry. Places like Caerleon and Winchester suggested as inspirations do not make Camelot itself real; it remains in myth’s realm.
Thus ends our journey through Merlin’s post-Arthurian saga. From solitude to potential immortality, tangled relationships to enduring magic, his story enchants. The legend resurfaces over time, woven into myth and imagination’s fabric. Delve into more through sources like the Merlin Wikipedia page or explore King Arthur perspectives from PBS’s “In Search of Myths & Heroes”.
