History Main / Merlin

* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Thundercats}}'', Mumm-Ra disguised himself as King Arthur in order to steal Excalibur and use it to defeat Lion-O. The only reason he was defeated was because he dropped the disguise and started gloating, which prompted Merlin to show up [[DeusExMachina out of nowhere]] and kick his ass.

* Merlin was apparently a real historical figure in the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' universe. He gave his name to an order of powerful wizards, the Order of Merlin. His name also gets used in an OhMyGods fashion a number of times, usually as "Merlin's beard!"

* TheAntiChrist: In some stories, Merlin was the antichrist. Instead of destroying the world, he became good and decided to help some guy become the [[KingArthur King of Britain]] instead.
* AntiAntiChrist: Merlin's mother was raped/seduced by either the Devil or some random demon, but she had Merlin baptized as soon as he was born. This relieved him of his Antichrist status but still let him keep his nifty magical powers. Since Medieval Christianity generally thought any sort of power must come from either [[HijackedByJesus God]] or {{Satan}}, this story explained how Merlin performed his magical acts without being a saint.

* DivineParentage

* TheChooserOfTheOne: Merlin is basically behind the creation of King Arthur and why Arthur becomes king. Not to mention he's basically behind many of the factors in Arthurian legend, such as the creation of the Knights at the Round Table, Excalibur, the Sword in the Stone, etc.

* {{Seer}}[=/]OracularUrchin

Before there was [[Franchise/HarryPotter Dumbledore]]... Before there was [[TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms Elminster]]... Before there was [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Gandalf]]... There was Merlin. The [[UrExample original]] [[WizardClassic bearded old wizard]], this PublicDomainCharacter was added to the Arthurian mythos around 1100 AD. Merlin was the trusted advisor and surrogate parental figure to KingArthur.

Before there was [[Franchise/HarryPotter Dumbledore]]... Before there was [[TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms Elminster]]... Before there was [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Gandalf]]... There was Merlin.

The [[UrExample original]] [[WizardClassic bearded old wizard]], this PublicDomainCharacter was added to the Arthurian mythos around 1100 AD. Merlin was the trusted advisor and surrogate parental figure to KingArthur.

In one legend, Merlin was intended to be an [[TheAntichrist Antichrist]] figure, begotten on a virgin by the [[{{Satan}} Devil]]. His mother, however, had the boy baptized at birth, [[AntiAntiChrist freeing him from the Devil's influence]]. His demonic heritage gave him the ability to see into the past and future, a gift that is often carried over to myths that do not include this origin story. In other myths, his father is an angel, [[TheFairFolk a fae]], or even [[TheMessiah no one]].

He is also frequently depicted as a shapeshifter and with a [[TricksterMentor trickster's personality]].

In most legends, Merlin's magic helped Uther Pendragon seduce and bed another man's wife, leading to the conception of Arthur Pendragon, who he prophesized would be a great king. Merlin was given care of the boy, whom he raised and prepared for kingship. In some myths Merlin created the sword Excalibur and the Round Table.

Merlin's final fate varies from telling to telling. In some recountings, he loses his wits when Arthur is slain. In others, [[MerlinAndNimue he is tricked and imprisoned by the witch Niviane (or Nimue)]], whom he loved and taught magic.

For the 2008 British TV series, see ''{{Series/Merlin}}''; for the 1998 miniseries, see ''[[Series/{{Merlin-1998}} Merlin]]''.

* {{Badass}}: Most powerful wizard to ever exist.

* TheChooserofTheOne: Merlin is basically behind the creation of Arthur and why Arthur becomes king.

** ... And if you want to go back to the source material with the myth of Myrddin and his sister, it's implied that they both have 'magical' heritage. However, the emphasis is more on Myrddin's far-reaching Sight than anything else.

* {{Mentor}}: To KingArthur.

* {{Seer}} / OracularUrchin

** Pretty sure in both the Christian and non-Christianized versions of the Arthurian Tradition Merlin was depicted as something of a fey spirit. So, half fairy was more like it. See works like the Elfin Knight, which predates most of the Malory as we know today. In the ''Literature/History of the Kings of Britain'', Merlin was depicted as born from a rather consensual experience. Try not to think about that too much.

** BadassLonghair

** BadassAbnormal

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* BadassBeard
* BadassLonghair
* BadassLongRobe

* He made his appearance as Arthur's mentor in the 1960's musical ''Theatre/{{Camelot}}'', which was made into a film in 1968. In this version his name is spelt "Merlyn".

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* T.H. White's ''Literature/TheOnceAndFutureKing'' and ''The Book of Merlyn''.

* Merlin was apparently a real historical figure in the ''HarryPotter'' universe. He gave his name to an order of powerful wizards, the Order of Merlin. His name also gets used in an OhMyGods fashion a number of times, usually as "Merlin's beard!"

* Mary Stewart's "Merlin" trilogy, based on Geoffrey of Monmouth, has Merlin telling his own story, as she fills in some gaps left by Geoffrey and by Mallory. A fourth book, "The Wicked Day" follows with Mordred's story.

** MercedesLackey's ''{{Gwenhwyfar}}'' borrows this element. It also explains the myth of him sealed in a tree with him having a stroke, which leaves him paralyzed and catatonic (wooden and tree-like, in the words of one character).

* HalfHumanHybrid

* MagicStaff

* Badass: Most powerful wizard to ever exist.

!!Tropes usually displayed by Merlin

* AntiAntichrist

* TheSmartGuy: Merlin is a wizard. Of course he's a genius.