Myrddin, Merlin, Myrlin, Merlyn

[Gwilym Goch]

How do all?

Recently joined this space and very interesting it all is too.

Would any of you mind giving me a little bit of your time? I've started an MA course recently and have just been looking at the historic development of Myrddin in early Welsh and Medieval English literature. This has led me to realise that there's an enormous organic, cultural phenomena which has sprouted from these early versions and would like to gauge the current trends in this ongoing myth. My question is, how do you personally relate to Myrddin or Merlin or whatever you choose to call him? What is your experience of him?

[DJ Droood]

I bought a copy of Excalibur...the definitive film version of the tale and Nicol Williamson resides in my brain as "Merlin" whenever I access that idea....certainly a facinating British character, more interesting and evocative than even King Arthur.

[oaklight]

I bought a copy of Excalibur...the definitive film version of the tale and Nicol Williamson resides in my brain as "Merlin" whenever I access that idea....certainly a facinating British character, more interesting and evocative than even King Arthur.

I'm with you, Cuz; for me, he is the definitive literary Myrddin!

[Corwen]

I find the story of Suibhne Geilt fascinating as he is another character in the same ecstatic 'wildman' tradition as Merlin. Its well worth a read.

http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T302018/index.html

[oaklight]

I find the story of Suibhne Geilt fascinating as he is another character in the same ecstatic 'wildman' tradition as Merlin. Its well worth a read.

http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T302018/index.html

I agree, and history is full of many other examples of the very fine line between inspiration and madness. I've often wondered if that's because a mind that's operating at high performance has less of a "safety margin" than the rest of us. Does inspiration cause the madness or the other way around?