keep the magic alive
TRANSCRIPT
Keep the Magic Alive
Fan negotiations of multiple materials in relation to the Arthurian Legend, as
evinced in Merlin fanfiction
Arthurian Legend• Builds upon itself.• From Geoffrey of
Monmouth to Cretien de Troyes (Lancelot-Grail Cycle), to Thomas Mallory(Le Morte d’Arthur), to T.H White (Once and Future King), and many others.
Merlin CanonNotable divergence:• Morgana starts out as a protagonist• Arthur is a prat• Merlin is young and really foolish• Guinevere is Morgana’s maidservant.
Left to right: Guinevere, Arthur, Merlin, Uther, and Morgana.
Fanfiction (Fic)• Most Merlin fans have been in other fandoms• Most are knowledgeble about the Arthurian legend.
Merlin, Arthur, and Arthur’s Knights. Lancelot stands directly behind Arthur.
Playing with the Legend1. Making Merlin canon
and Arthurian legend fit together
2. Fixing the Legend• Happier endings for our
characters usually or changing relationships
3. Fixing the Canon• More knights, etc.
A King and His Sorcerer– Once and Future
King• T.H White
– History of the Kings of Britain and Biography of Merlin• Geoffrey of
Monmouth– Le Morte d’Arthur
• Thomas Mallory– Idylls of the King
• Tenneyson
The two dragons• Tarayith • Geoffrey of Monmouth
Merlin’s Nature
• Wild Man• Prophet• Son of an
Incubus• Timeless or
Immortal
Beltane Cycle • Beltane Cycle• 4 fics: 1. Introduction to Herne2. Encounter with Herne3. Revelation of magic:
banishment and Arthur’s Knights
4. Tournament at Vortigern’s castle, and encounter with the Saxons.
Herne and Our Heroes.• "A priestess of the Isle gave
her power, your father his honor, your mother her life, and the blood of a thousand sorcerers has been spilt… all that you might live…You are the bait in the trap: a prison he would choose…They forgot that I am unbound. And not even your destiny can stand against me, once and future king.”
Herne, the Hunter
Conclusion