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Merlin Through the Ages: A Chronological Anthology and Source Book
Never shall no man speak with me after you, therefore it is for nothing that nay man should seek me out
These words appear in a classic medieval French story of the life Merlin, spoken to Sir Gawain, and recorded as the great seer's last call. This Cri de Merlin still echoes in our ears down the ages and across borders and generations, typifying the fascination which the figure of Merlin still exerts in Western culture.
Although Merlin and the Arthurian legends are chiefly British and Celtic in basis, such is his importance that the stories have had a great influence across the English, French and German traditions as well as in the Celtic languages.
In Merlin through the Ages, noted experts Bob Stewart and John Matthews have brought together an astonishingly wide range of accounts and depictions of Merlin, from the very earliest records, through the medieval and Victorian re-interpretations to the modern depictions in stories and electronic media. The figure of Merlin remains a strong and influential one throughout, from the ancient Celtic myths to the allegorical characterization as Obi Wan Kenobi in the 'Star Wars' movies.
Though the editors present such a valuable and wide-ranging array of texts, this is not primarily a scholarly collection. Instead, it is an overview of the Merlin literature for the general reader as well as for the historian, researcher, Arthurian enthusiast and modern seeker after an older knowledge.
Whatever the starting point of any interest in Merlin, be it in his archetypal human wildness, his role of wiseman, as seer, prophet or shaman, this book is surely destined to become the
These words appear in a classic medieval French story of the life Merlin, spoken to Sir Gawain, and recorded as the great seer's last call. This Cri de Merlin still echoes in our ears down the ages and across borders and generations, typifying the fascination which the figure of Merlin still exerts in Western culture.
Although Merlin and the Arthurian legends are chiefly British and Celtic in basis, such is his importance that the stories have had a great influence across the English, French and German traditions as well as in the Celtic languages.
In Merlin through the Ages, noted experts Bob Stewart and John Matthews have brought together an astonishingly wide range of accounts and depictions of Merlin, from the very earliest records, through the medieval and Victorian re-interpretations to the modern depictions in stories and electronic media. The figure of Merlin remains a strong and influential one throughout, from the ancient Celtic myths to the allegorical characterization as Obi Wan Kenobi in the 'Star Wars' movies.
Though the editors present such a valuable and wide-ranging array of texts, this is not primarily a scholarly collection. Instead, it is an overview of the Merlin literature for the general reader as well as for the historian, researcher, Arthurian enthusiast and modern seeker after an older knowledge.
Whatever the starting point of any interest in Merlin, be it in his archetypal human wildness, his role of wiseman, as seer, prophet or shaman, this book is surely destined to become the
- GenresArthurian
351 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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About the author
R.J. Stewart
65 books82 followersRobert John Stewart (Bob Stewart) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father came from a Gaelic speaking family originally from the Western Highlands. His mother was Welsh, from a Welsh speaking family from the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, with a tradition of singing and playing the Welsh triple-harp. He is known today as a composer, author, and teacher, with 40 books in publication, translated into many languages worldwide. He is widely experienced in theater, film, and television, and is a skilled performer and presenter.
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March 19, 2016
Obi-Wan Kenobi, Gandolf, and countless other variations of the earliest figure of Merlyn are spoken of in Merlin Through the Ages: A Chronological Anthology and Source Book edited by E. J. Stewart and John Matthews, David Spangler.
Merlin is ur-man of nature: spiritual and material, civil and wild. This early man of magic controls his will, knows mysteries, moves raw energy; he studies and masters man and nature.
This essential reference sweeps a long corridor through our current time.
Merlin is ur-man of nature: spiritual and material, civil and wild. This early man of magic controls his will, knows mysteries, moves raw energy; he studies and masters man and nature.
This essential reference sweeps a long corridor through our current time.
Displaying 1 of 1 review