1129:2P

CAMS1103Module3ModelLabReport.docx

Lab Report 3

Summary:

Merlin, a BBC television show, revolves around the young and courageous boy named Merlin who has to do everything to save Prince Arthur in order for him to complete his destiny. Prince Arthur’s destiny is to allow magic to be practiced in the world of Camelot, as it is also Merlin’s dream since he is a warlock and has to hide his use of magic from everyone except his uncle, Gaius, who he lives with. Merlin is a lowly servant boy in this world due to no one knowing of his powers and his amazing destiny as well to help Prince Arthur get to that land of Camelot where people of magic can practice freely. Arthur’s father, Uther, who currently rules the kingdom has banished magic and will give the death penalty to anyone who practices magic. Since Merlin’s destiny is to save Arthur so that Arthur can complete his destiny of allowing the practice of magic in Camelot, Merlin needs to make sure Arthur stays alive. Arthur, as a knight, goes through many dangerous journeys and would not be able to survive them without help from Merlin secretly using his magic. And to Arthur, Merlin is a lowly servant boy who is just there to clean Arthur’s clothes and his armor while accompanying him on journeys.

Analysis:

This story of Camelot recalls amongst years where the tale has been passed down in a non-literate culture, like with Homeric bards and their told tales, such as the story of Odysseus. Merlin, a myth of glory, is a modern television show in itself with humor and modern romance portrayed in it. When thinking of Camelot and Merlin, most would give the title of hero to Prince Arthur, a prince similar to classic stories, when actually Merlin should be given the title. Merlin constantly saves Arthur’s life and with Merlin’s ethical issues that come up about following his destiny, he wonders if everything he does is worth it. This television show relates to kleos due to its recollection of the story of Camelot and its interpretation of Merlin and Prince Arthur to decide who receives kleos. Merlin realizes that in order to allow magic back into Camelot, he must fulfill his destiny, without receiving any kleos as he is a servant boy. Merlin does not compare to Odysseus in this way, the man who wants and yearns for kleos due to his hardships during the journey and what he went through to reach his family.

The cultural truth-value of this show recognizes the theme of fulfilling one’s destiny at no matter what cost. Arthur’s destiny was to be king, although unconsciously he was truly striving to be king to allow magic in the world as his destiny provides. Merlin strived to help Arthur, as it was his own destiny to care for Arthur and make sure he fulfills that prophecy. Odysseus, like Merlin, receives help from others to get to where he wants to be, such as Calypso helping him in building his raft. Merlin as well receives help from a Calypso-like character named Nimue, who has him do questionable things to save Arthur and fulfill his journey. Similar to Odysseus’ information from Circe about Scylla and Charybdis where he must decide which monster to deal with in order to sacrifice the least amount of peoples lives, Merlin deals with Nimue and risks his own mother’s life in order to save Arthur’s when he is close to death in an episode.

Merlin, the hero, does not realize the sacrifices he must make when he takes on this task, such as potentially losing his mother’s life to save Arthur’s for his destiny. While he deals with such ethical hardships, he receives no kleos for it, making the viewers as well as Merlin question whether this destiny is worth it in the end. He must live by the cultural truth-value of this television show but in the end, he receives pity for being a servant boy and nothing more. He becomes nothing in the eyes of everyone in Camelot, although he is the mightiest wizard in the land. “Your servant? You make these outrageous accusations against a knight on the word of your servant?” says the King about Merlin in an episode. Making such difficult decisions as well as never receiving any kleos for saving the prince’s life after every episode must be a great ordeal for Merlin himself.

Merlin is portrayed as the good guy with no humanistic characteristics to himself except doing what he needs to for his destiny, but Merlin follows this destiny of helping Arthur so he can use magic freely. Merlin will do anything to get his magic back in Camelot, so he will do anything for Arthur. When it comes to others in Camelot, he puts them on the back burner instead of himself or Arthur. Odysseus himself is selfish as well, for example he sleeps when others are in danger, although he can save them. Odysseus places himself as number one in importance in safety than others and will do whatever it takes for him to get back home and complete his journey. “They are there in the Odyssey to show us the way that Odysseus is able to manipulate his own story,” in our lecture about the Bards and Odysseus who, similar to Merlin, will do whatever it takes to receive kleos. They both followed that cultural truth-value of fulfilling their destiny, with Merlin displaying kleos by allowing magic into the world through his actions. And Odysseus constantly thrives for kleos in his tales of his wondrous journey. Merlin and Odysseus receive kleos and wonder at times if everything they do is worth that destiny, but in the end they follow through and complete their journey and prophecy.

Reference:

1) Class Video Lecture

2) Classical Mythology

3) Merlin (TV)

4) The Odyssey