Merlin, Son Of The Devil…
Yeah, OK I am going to do this as kindly as possible…
I really think people’s notions of what, or who Merlin is have become skewed by that awful BBC show, as well as the rather New Age Marion Zimmer Bradley notion of Arthurian Legend which seems to have become for too many people, a touchstone for this topic.
But yes, many sources such as here, for example, tell the tale of how Merlin’s mother was seduced by the Devil. Simply Googling the phrase “Merlin son of the Devil” provides many hits on this topic. In fact that is the source I used for the first part of The First Technomancer. All I did was move it out of Europe, and back even further in time.
I’m more amazed that more people don’t seem to be aware of it…
Does it not then make sense that um, matters of Biblical import would come into play within a story dealing with who, or what “Merlin” truly is? Surely The One God (and his shade) might have some interest in Merlin, as well as his purpose? I mean being the son of an expelled archangel and all surely might motivate God to keep an eye on him… just saying…
I’m not gonna say anything more than this, as I can’t be responsible for other people’s limited view of history or legend. Though, once again, this has proven to me that I should remain true to my instincts when it comes to my own writing, and storytelling.
Oh, never mind the whole Holy Grail aspect of Arthurian Legend… naturally these things will crossover into Biblical ideas. How could they not?
Links of interest…
Unless you happen to be doing the dreaded biography of a Colonel who spent the war years in a supply depot then your job is to entertain your readers. Knowing that is enough to tell you of course you should rely on your instincts. Whether or not the ‘One God’ would take an interest in the son of a fallen Angel is moot since you must explore this previously unexplored avenue and create that interest as your instincts screamingly suggest. What a wonderful new take on the Archdruidic master of Arthurian magic.
It’s in good hands as they say……
Hi David,
This is just my reaction to something I stumbled on. I figured it made perfect sense if I made Merlin the Devils son (though its somewhat a different sort of Prince of Darkness, who actually is not all a bad guy) it seemed only logical for me to bring in larger Biblical notions into the story – such as “what is the nature of God?” ect.
Though, it seems not everyone could follow that logical thread… which kind of confounded me, since, well the blurb makes it clear “this is a different sort of Merlin”.
of course my first hope is that the end result is fun and entertaining.