Merlin

by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Merlin is a book written by Edwin Arlington Robinson. This book is a narrative poem that tells the story of the legendary wizard Merlin who has been imprisoned by the Lady of the Lake. The story is set in the time of King Arthur and his knights, and it revolves around Merlin's attempts to escape from his captivity and regain his powers. The book is divided into three parts, and each part tells a different aspect of Merlin's story. In the first part, the reader is introduced to Merlin and his predicament. The second part of the book focuses on Merlin's visions of the future, including the downfall of King Arthur and the rise of Mordred. The final part of the book deals with Merlin's final fate and his eventual release from his captivity.Throughout the book, Robinson's poetic language creates a vivid and mystical atmosphere that captures the essence of the Arthurian legend. The book is also notable for its exploration of themes such as power, destiny, and the consequences of one's actions.Overall, Merlin is a beautifully written and engaging narrative poem that offers a fresh and insightful perspective on one of the most enduring legends of Western literature.And many a moving candle, in whose light The prisoned wizard, mirrored in amazement, Saw fronting him a stranger, falcon-eyed, Firm-featured, of a negligible age, And fair enough to look upon, he fancied, Though not a warrior born, nor more a courtier.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Poetry, Arthurian

84 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1917

About the author

Works of American poet Edwin Arlington Arlington include long narratives and character studies of New Englanders, including "Miniver Cheevy" (1907).

Edwin Arlington Robinson won three Pulitzer Prizes for his work. His family moved to Gardiner, Maine, in 1870. He described his childhood as "stark and unhappy."

Early difficulties of Robinson led to a dark pessimism, and his stories dealt with "an American dream gone awry."

In 1896, he self-published his first book, "The Torrent and the Night Before", paying 100 dollars for 500 copies. His second volume, "The Children of the Night", had a somewhat wider circulation.

Edwin Arlington Robinson won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1922 for his first "Collected Poems," in 1925 for "The Man Who Died Twice," and in 1928 for "Tristram."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Ar...

Reviews

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't really know what to think of Robinson's Merlin. There are some amazing lines, and it seems much more... human and easy to relate to than other portrayals of Vivienne -- and the references back to Tennyson made me smile. 'I am cold and cruel, and I like snakes...'

But. I didn't get swept up in it or interested in it critically. I think Arthurian verse in general doesn't really do it for me -- which is sad.

[Illiterate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The First World War looms over this poem. Camelot is rushing to destruction. Merlin sees all, lacks magic to intervene, offers hope of new birth.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite poetry, but the characters (apart from Vivian) are compellingly written & the drama palpable.

While reading "Merlin" I couldn't help but wonder if T.H. White drew inspiration (particularly for the latter parts of "The Once and Future King") from Robinson's interpretation of the Arthurian characters.

[Tpendleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A morose telling of a sad tale

Thankfully, this dreary dirge, and the thrill of the Quest, was rescued later in the same century by Monty Python...

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, I've been reading all this Edwin Arlington Robinson poetry because, well, you know, he won a bunch of Pulitzers and whatnot. A pioneering Pulitzer poet, that's our boy E.A.R., and while I've read some of his stuff in years past I've always meant to get through his collected works. Well. Some of the works I've endured this year don't seem all that worth collecting. I mean, this guy is totally capable; he gave us "Richard Cory" and "Bokardo" and "The Man Against the Sky" and all the peeps of Tilbury town but when I come across a Merlin I just don't know what to think. What was ol' E.A.R. trying to accomplish here? We get it: the King Arthur legend resonates and is going to be forever alluded to in literature (and HBO programming). But a 100-page (give or take) poem written in 1916 or something? This does what exactly? It's a bunch of conversations between Merlin and Dagonet and Merlin and Vivian and Merlin and himself, maybe... Who knows, it was hard to pay attention. News flash: the heroes of the King Arthur legend were flawed. What! I mean, I guess some people needed an early 20th century poem to tell them that, but I kind of already knew. This poem added nothing to the legend for me.

[Peter Aronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful but melancholy poem of Merlin and Vivian, Merlin and Arthur, the last days of Camelot and of Merlin's end, but mostly of Merlin and Vivian.