One of the most fascinating figures in the Welsh mythology and the Arthurian legend is Merlin, the great wizard, prophet and adviser to several kings, including King Arthur.
Merlin is a man ofmystery and magic; contradiction and controversy.
Merlin wore many hats: he was a wizard or sorcerer, a prophet, a bard, an adviser and a tutor. He appeared as a young boy with no father. He appeared asan old, wise man, freely giving his wisdom to four successive British kings. He was dotting old fool, who couldn’t control his lust over beautiful women, who hold him in fear and contempt. He had evenappeared as a madman after bloody battle, and had fled into the forest and learned how to talk to the animals, where he became known as the Wild Man of the Woods. Merlin was the last of the druid, theCeltic shaman, priest of nature, and keeper of knowledge, particularly of the arcane secrets.
According to Geoffrey, his mother was the daughter of the King of Demetia (Dyved, kingdom in southernWales). Though, a princess, she became a nun.
As to his father, he was either a devil or an incubus. Merlin is a paradox, he was the son of the devil, yet he was the servant of God. Merlin was probablyborn in the town of Carmarthen. Because of his link with a demon and God, Merlin had great wisdom and powers from the two opposing forces.
After King Vortigern lost his battle and much of histerritory lost to the Saxons, he fled into Wales, where he decided to build a fortress. Everyday he had part of the wall built, but it would collapse the next day. The elders led by Magan, advised the kingto find a boy without a father, kill the boy, and use the boy’s blood mixed with mortar, so the building would not crumbled again. These elders, who advised King Vortigern, conspired to have the boyMerlin killed, because they knew that he would cause their death.
When they found the boy without a father, he was brought before the king. When Merlin found out what the king’s advisers had told…