Question by Kiiyoko k: How does Merlin’s portrayal in “The Crystal Cave” contrast with other accounts of him in other works?
As stated above, how does Merlin’s portrayal in “The Crystal Cave” by Mary Stewart compare with his portrayal in other well known works of the character (Eg. “Le morte d’ Arthur, The once and future king, etc)
Best answer:
Answer by lockedjew
Interesting question. I think the key is that Stewart’s books are narrated from Merlin’s perspective. As such, he’s more human, in a great many ways. First off, he doesn’t come from nowhere. Rather, he has a background, and it affects the way he acts and perceives the world. Also, we see context for all of his actions and plans. He isn’t just old and venerable and near infallible, because we see him at non-essential times. There are a few examples I can think of, but I’m not sure if they’re Crystal Cave or or one of the later books in the trilogy, and I don’t want to spoil if you haven’t read the rest yet. Which you definitely should, by the way. The Hollow Hills and then The Last Enchantment.
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In these books Merlin is a person with a background and family history. The Crystal Cave starts with Merlin as a boy and although I read it a long time ago it is my favorite portrayal of Merlin. I heard there is a fourth book but I haven’t read it. Maybe it is time to start them all over again !
First, to the best of my knowledge, Stewart’s work is the only one that depicts him from boyhood into his teens. The other two titles in the trilogy (The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment) follow him from young adulthood to maturity, middle age and premature old age. Merlin is also, for once, the central character.
More significantly, Merlin as characterized by Stewart is a human being, not a magician. He is precociously intelligent and gifted with a sort of second sight, but NOT magical or otherworldly. He is definitely not a bumbler or someone who lives his life backwards. Other than his visions and occasional prophesies uttered during “possession” by what he calls the god, Merlin’s amazing acts are usually the applications of his vast acquired knowledge and skills–his engineering abilities, multiple language proficiency, keen observations of nature, and even his extensive travel experience.
Stewart’s setting of the story some five centuries before most other versions and retelling of the Arthur legend from Merlin’s perspective is the best rendition I’ve read to date.