The Vita Merlini Research Paper

The Vita Merlini by Geoffrey of Monmouth is a retelling of how a well-known sorcerer became a prophet and a king. In this version, Merlin is a king of the southern part of Wales, where he is beloved by his people. The wars in the United Kingdom consequently tried his leadership when a king named Peredur, from South of Wales, comes to start a war with Merlin’s close friend. Knowing this, he decides to help his friend not knowing of the dangers the battle will give to him and his army. During the heat of the battle, Merlin fought valiantly, “But when Merlin saw such great crowds of men present, he was not able to endure them; he went mad again, and, filled anew with fury, he wanted to go to the woods, and he tried to get away by stealth.” (Geoffrey).

In this version, Merlin is also a sorcerer who takes care of a young man named Arthur. The difference is that it brings upon the view of a more amicable appearance to the dark and twisted story that entertains many minds to this day. Disney’s take on the legend begins with a young orphan named Arthur, who stumbles upon a house, owned to a wizard named Merlin. Merlin takes Arthur in as his own and teaches him very valuable lessons in life. Merlin has a strong connection with animals and commonly transforms objects and people into animals. He loved his pet owl named Archimedes, who contains the ability to speak like a human. He is a very intelligent and playful man, and teaches Arthur many ideas of science, including Merlin saying, “Yes, it 's like a stumble or a- No, no, no, it 's the force that pulls you downward, the phenomenon that any two material particles or bodies, if free to move, will be accelerated toward each other.” (Reitherman). He also is very clumsy with his words and mistakenly begins to change his ideas by saying, “No, no, no, it 's round now. Man will discover this in centuries to come. And he will also find that the world is merely a tiny speck in the universe.” (Reitherman). Nonetheless, Merlin values Arthur’s eagerness to learn and tells him his destiny is bright. Merlin displays joy and peacefulness. Reitherman’s idea of his life presents aptitudes of happier ideas. He never intends at any moment to bring upon death and suffering for Merlin’s character. The story brings themes of Happiness, Friendship, and Love which makes the story more adverse to all audiences. The author wants to make his story more readable and enjoyable for all ages and to all people willing to see the version. The younger audiences would have a greater denouement of this nature of Merlin because he is affable and he creates humor that relates to the younger