Talk:Merlin

message: My rewrite of this article was prompted by this passage in the original:
:Stories of his origins include his birth as the intended Antichrist, being the offspring of a demon fathered on a virgin; but his expectant mother, realising what was amiss, had him baptized at birth to foil this Satanic plot. However, being half-demon, he still had tremendous magical powers.he was known as merliby 
Now my memory is not as good as I think it was (e.g., I probably never could keep my facts in my head), but having read widely in the Arthurian mythos, I have never seen any suggestion that Merlin was wholy, partly, or when in costume on Hollowe'en, a demon! The people who told the stories of Arthur and Merlin before the 20th century would never lightly suggest that someone was kin to the Antichrist, not only because that personage was the ultimate evil made human, but his presence would be a harbinger of the Apocalypse. Merlin was always portrayed as a positive individual, an asset to the people of Britain, although in the later stories his desire for Nimue brought on his downfall.
I have to assume that this story of Merlin was written by someone who not only knew of the later legends of Merlin better than the earlier, but for whom "Antichrist" has the same connotation as any  monster encountered in a Dungeons & Dragons game. In other words, someone from the last quarter of the 20th century.
If this is the creation of a published author, proper attribution would allow us to add this bizarre tale to this article. There are certainly enough bizarre tales about well-known personages -- for example the story of "The Great God Pan is dead" told in Plutarch. However, I suspect that this tale is just an imaginative creation of someone eager to add to the Wikipedia, and had never existed beyond this one article. But until we see more evidence either way, I'm placing this snippet of a story here in Talk. -- llywrch 02:11 Dec 21, 2002 (UTC)
: Miguel de Cervantes's Don Quixote (17th century) mocks books about chivalry. Chapter XXIII of the second part. My translation:
::This is my friend Durandarte, cream and mirror of inamoured and brave knights of his time. He is held here under a charm, as I and many others are, by Merlin, that charmer Frenchman that is said to be son of the devil; and what I believe is that he was not son of the devil, but that he knew, as they day, one nottch over the devil.
:-- Error
::I've seen other references to Merlin as the son of a demon and a mortal woman, some of which attribute the idea to the Geoffrey of Monmouth version. I have to admit, though, the bit about the Antichrist is a new one on me, and I agree with Llywrch that it sounds like a 20th century tack-on.
::--Paul A 04:05 Mar 27, 2003 (UTC)
:::The 'son of the devil' thing comes from a poem written by Robert De Boron a few decades after Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia. Although very few lines remain of the poem, it was translated into prose though so the material survives. Robert De Boron posits that  Merlin's mother was raped by a demon. I will post some more later when I have more time but the first reference I found for this was Goodrich, Norma Lorre, Merlin, Franklin Watts, 1987, New York pp 42-44. 58.110.115.201 04:02, 25 October 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: That's actually the interpretation I've seen in the secondary literature. If further citations are needed (e.g., people with letters after their names, with a job at an educational institution, with papers published in peer-reviewed journals), I'll provide them. -- llywrch 21:00, 19 Sep 2003 (UTC)
thread_title: Antichrist?

message: How about a page just for notable mentions or just mentions? Two I know off the top of my head are...
*Merlin is the first king of Xanth.
*Merlin is an Ancient from the Stargate series who built Avalon.
There may be others, but there could be a whole list of these. The main article wouldn't be tainted with the list.
(If this comment is on a user's talk page, please respond here.)
- Lady Aleena ( on   )
:Sounds better than having a list on this page, but I really don't see what use something like that would be other than to divert fans who want their favorite reference included. I'd just as soon remove it entirely.--Cúchullain t / c 22:31, 17 February 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Notable mentions page? 

message: Add "* Support" or "* Oppose" followed by an optional one-sentence explanation, then sign your opinion with ~~~~
*Support as nominator.--Cúchullain t/c 18:57, 20 August 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Survey

message: The Final Experiment is a rock opera album from A Project called Ayreon. The man who made Ayreon is called Arjen Lucassen. The album has many singers that represents characters and tells a story. 
In the Story, Merlin is the bad guy who locks up Ayreon(The Protagonist) in prison because he is jealous of his gift to forsee the future. 
I am going to put The Final Experiment in to the Novels and Plays Section, because this is a rock opera.
Deimoss 04:42, 1 October 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Ayreon - The Final Experiment 

message: I would humbly suggest that the first paragraph or two be uncluttered with names, excessive bold print, translations into Welsh, and other distractions. I see that the style of trying to jam all kinds of informaion and bold print into the first few sentences if very common in Wikipedia. However, to be honest, this makes the articles completely unreadable and unusable to the average reader. The average reader does not want to dig through a long boring bunch of minutae. The average reader wants to know quickly in a sentence or two about the topic, and why they should care. Based on what they read in the first paragraph or two, they might continue reading. Who really cares what his full name was in Welsh  in the first sentence or two, when they are still trying to find out who Merlin is? That is my view.--Filll 13:36, 8 November 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Introductory Paragraphs

message: The stories of Wyllt and Emrys have become different in the earliest texts that they are treated as separate characters, even though similar incidents are ascribed to both.
I was simplifying this and I all of a sudden realized I do not know what it was supposed to mean. --Filll 04:52, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Looks like there should an "in" between "text" and "that". Totnesmartin 19:50, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

text: Caer means "City" in the Old Welsh (as in Caerleon, Caerwent, and Caer-Ligualid (Carlisle) to name a few).  Not sure if that helps. --Narfil Palùrfalas 22:13, 21 January 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: What on earth does this sentence mean?

message: "Geoffrey's version of the character was immediately popular. Later writers produced a fuller image of Merlin. Merlin was the son of a nun and an incubus." (from the intro) - who says this, geoffrey or the later writers? Totnesmartin 17:50, 29 November 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: It could be clearer. Geoffrey has the story about the incubus; the same story is told about Ambrosius Aurelianus in the Historia Brittonum. Geoffrey calls the fatherless boy Merlin Ambrosius, and makes him distinct from Ambrosius Aurelianus. However, in both Geoffrey and his source, the mother is a princess; she is a nun in Robert de Boron's Merlin and the later literature. I'll see what I can do to clear it up.--Cúchullain t/c 18:50, 29 November 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Sun of a nun 

message: At least some Arthurian fiction like Stephen Lawhead's Pendragon Cycle has Merlin being named after the bird. This is unquestionably fan-fiction, but is it the other way around or just coincidence? Did Geoffrey coin "Merlin(us)" or did he in effect rename the character after the bird? Uthanc 13:27, 12 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: No.  "Merlin" is the Latinized version of the Welsh place-name "Myrddin".  Geoffrey of Monmouth presumably invented this Latinized form, according to the EBK site probably not wanting to confuse it with the French word merde, meaning excrement. --Narfil Palùrfalas 22:13, 21 January 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  The [[Merlin (bird)|merlin bird]] 

message: This article states clearly that Myrddin Emrys and Ambrosius Aurelianus were one and the same person.  The EBK page does not seem to say this, and I'm wondering where the information came from and why the article sounds so definite on this. --Narfil Palùrfalas 22:13, 21 January 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Myrddin Emrys = Ambrosius Aurelianus

message: Wasn't there a British television series called something like "Young Merlin" in the seventies or early eighties?  80.43.10.130 11:15, 7 March 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Television 

message: I included (Welsh language|Welsh 'Myrddin') after Merlin at the beginning of the article, but that was inexplicably removed by somebody calling it vandalism to insert the name of the character. I'd like to point out that a large number of articles on both mythological and historical persons include the name in the original language, and often in a number of languages. See Zeus, Odin, Roland and Sigurd for just a few examples. Is there any particular reason why this article should not confirm to that of similar mythological characters like Rolard or Sigurd? —Preceding unsigned comment added by MartinTremblay (talk • contribs) 
:Hey Martin, I responded to this on your talk page, but I'll bring it up here too. I don't think we should give the Welsh name in the first sentence because it's potentially confusing. While Myrddin is the Welsh name for Merlin, the modern concept of Merlin is really a composite figure deriving from the depiction in Geoffrey of Monmouth, who combined characteristics of the Welsh bard Myrddin Wyllt with stories of Aurelius Ambrosius. The character's development is described below, and I'm afraid that giving the Welsh name as an alternate spelling will create the impression that the later medieval Merlin is synonymous with the indiginous Welsh Myrddin.--Cúchullain t/c 05:59, 5 April 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Then we probably ought to create a separate Myrddin page so that readers still have access to the information. ---G.T.N. (talk) 23:44, 15 March 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Myrddin 

message: A Scotch historian friend told me of celts and he said that "Merlin" is a hi druidic rank for men and is the highest in a certain region, like the Merlin of Britain or The Merlin of Gaul. I can't find him and his books right now so it would be good if someone can search through it. Also many of the things I read are alternates of the story created by christians later. By the way, The equal rank for women is "lady of the lake"87.101.51.52 17:04, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: I think there is such a rank (Merlin) in some modern druidic religions.  But I am not sure on this and doubt that this rank is very historical.  Until you (or we) find sources for this, it cannot be put in the article.  Do you happen to know the names of any of his books, or even the name of the historian?  That might help, depending on what his books were about. --Narfil Palùrfalas 18:31, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Merlin As A Druidic Rank 

message: Nice article. I came here to help format a reference or do something, anything, to help, and find there are only two references for the whole article. I will see if I can find one in Google. But I do think that to reach GA this article needs more than two sources. Am I missing some refs (entirely possible)? No problem, but I wondered. Best wishes. -Susanlesch (talk) 19:26, 18 November 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: *Done (added a ref and some text). "scan of" in the publisher field of the citation I added refers to either Harvard College or Harvard University. -Susanlesch (talk) 19:51, 18 November 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Thank you

message: This sentence is a little unclear to me. Who or what was first published in 1498? Works by Merlin? Works depicting or including Merlin? If so what works? PyrE (talk)  —Preceding comment was added at 11:47, 20 November 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: First published in Paris in 1498

message: Just followed a link here, and apparently somebody messed with the pagename. Can somebody fix this? I can't seem to revert this change. Thomas Yen (talk) 15:12, 13 March 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  False article name (?) 

message: They make for easier reading when compiling a list.
Is there some magic number after which they're suddenly rendered acceptable?
They're good enough for the rest of Wikipedia.  Why aren't they permitted HERE?  LizFL (talk) 08:58, 25 July 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: It's not an issue with the "board" (whatever you mean by that), it's an issue all accross Wikipedia. From WP:Embedded list: "In an article, significant items should be mentioned naturally within the text rather than merely listed." Writing in the paragraph form allows us to give context on why an item is important, while a list like this one is basically just a collection of random trivia, which is highly discouraged (WP:TRIVIA) Remember, this is supposed to be an encyclopedia article about the character Merlin, not a list compiling (a handful of) his appearances in modern media.--Cúchullain t/c 22:13, 25 July 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  What is this board's issue with bullet points? 

message: Hello.  I was looking for this series that I read when I was young, and I didn't find it here.  I did find a different Wikipedia article on it:
Lost_Years_of_Merlin_series
The Lost Years of Merlin is a set of 5 books by T.A. Barron.  It's children's stuff, but it is REALLY GOOD children's stuff.  I loved this series when I was young.  I think it ought to be included in the literature section.  Thanks!  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.202.235.183 (talk) 05:49, 6 December 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  The Lost Years of Merlin 

message: There are stories out there alleging that Merlin is a partial incarnation of Thoth/Enoch. It would be interesting if anyone could look into that. ADM (talk) 13:36, 5 April 2009 (UTC)
thread_title: Merlin, Thoth and Enoch

message: When listing literary references to Merlin one ought to include Shakespeare, who refers to him twice, in HENRY IV part 1 (by Hotspur)  and in KING LEAR (by the Fool).  In both cases Merlin is described as making obscure prophecies about the future of England.  Shakespeare does not mention his connection with King Arthur, although the writer refers to Arthurian legends in both  HENRY IV part 2 ( by Justice Shallow) and HENRY V (by Mrs. Quickly).
CharlesTheBold (talk) 03:01, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Shakespeare 

message: Merlin was also a character in the book The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
Rozzychan (talk) 04:42, 15 July 2009 (UTC)
thread_title: Mists of Avalon

message: I'm supprized to see that the TV series on NBC this season does not have any mention in this article or on Wikipedia at all. I know nothing about the series, and came to Wikipedia to learn more. I'd write the article myself, but asside from knowing nothing about the series, I immagine that there is annother Wikipedian who specializes in TV serieses and could do a much better job. Hope this is in the right place. Cheers! 74.249.53.96 (talk) 00:31, 22 July 2009 (UTC)
thread_title: 2009 NBC TV Series

message: ???? - Uthanc (talk) 14:11, 25 October 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Did, same text as was on the Merlin page, will see if their was anything better in history. SADADS (talk) 16:52, 25 October 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: I don't know that the Disney Merlin really needs its own page, but the material certainly shouldn't all be here.--Cúchullain t/c 12:22, 26 October 2009 (UTC)

text: It really just needs some expansion of the real world information. He has been one of the more popular expressions of Merlin ever. It could be given in the context of the "Sword and the Stone" or it could be part of a "Sword and the Stone Universe" article but it should remain on Wikipedia as content. One day I went looking for information about the guy who voiced him, and the "Merlin (Disney)" page was helpful. SADADS (talk) 13:24, 26 October 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  The Disney version has its own section 

message: According to the Welsh historian, Nennius, Merlin appeared as a young boy, but under the name of Emrys or as Ambrosius in Latin, with the British king, Vortigern.                                                                                                                                                          
In a similar account with Vortigern, it was Geoffrey ofMerlin wore many hats: he was a wizard or sorcerer, a prophet, a bard, an adviser and a tutor. He appeared as a young boy with no father. He appeared as an old, wise man, freely giving his wisdom to four successive British kings. He was dotting old fool, who couldn't control his lust over beautiful women, who hold him in fear and contempt. He had even appeared as a madman after bloody battle, and had fled into the forest and learned how to talk to the animals, where he became known as the Wild Man of the Woods. Merlin was the last of the druid, the Celtic shaman, priest of nature, and keeper of knowledge, particularly of the arcane secrets. Monmouth, who had named this boy – Merlinus Ambrosius!
Geoffrey of Monmouth composed a similar tale of Merlin's madness, written in Latin, known as Vita Merlin or the "Life of Merlin", in 1150. In this version, he was known as Merlin Calidonius. Here, he has a sister and a wife, but there's no mention of his parents. It is the only text that mentioned Merlin having a wife.
Many scholars were puzzled over his birth, his magical power, his prophetic gifts and his mysterious yet often conflicting fate.
First of all, Geoffrey of Monmouth wasn't the first writer who recorded event about Merlin in his Historia regum Britanniae ("History of the Kings of Britain", c. 1137). In fact, how Merlin had gain his power in the Historia regum Britanniae was different to Geoffrey's later work called Vita Merlini ("Life of Merlin", c. 1152). These two contradictory works had led many scholars to believe that there are two different people with the same name, Merlin.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sophmonky127 (talk • contribs) 15:47, 21 December 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: You're a bit confused. Please read the article for information on the development of the Merlin figure. If you have specific questions or suggestions regarding article content, please bring them up.--Cúchullain t/c 15:54, 21 December 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  The many faces of Merlin 

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thread_title: File:MerlinTheFirstWizardBadass1.jpg Nominated for speedy Deletion

message: Why does this page refer to Níðhöggr & the European Dragon? What does Merlin have to do with objects of such draconian nature? 92.32.20.127 (talk) 14:09, 7 December 2011 (UTC)
thread_title:  Dragon 

message: The opening paragraph reads... "is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures. Geoffrey combined existing stories of Myrddin Wyllt (Merlinus Caledonensis), a North Brythonic prophet and madman with no connection to King Arthur, with tales of the Romano-British war leader Ambrosius Aurelianus to form the composite figure he called Merlin Ambrosius" Er, when was this ever proven? I've read a lot of the research concerning the various Arthurian legends and their sources, and absolutely NONE of this has ever been proven to be any more then a theory, even if a relatively valid one.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 184.76.69.33 (talk) 00:42, 9 August 2012 (UTC)
thread_title:  When was this proven? 

message: Merlin played a big part on The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Quoting the wikipedia page, in this retelling, "Merlin" is a title rather than a proper name. His role was passed from man to man, first as Taliesin and then as Kevin.
Taliesin is "the old Archdruid and harpist of Avalon. He is revered by Christian and pagan alike as a wise, kind old man. He fathered Igraine, Morgause and Niniane. His mental health continually deteriorates throughout the story.
Kevin succeeds Taliesin after his death. He is a horribly disfigured hunchback, having been burned in a fire as a child, but can sing like an angel. He becomes Morgaine's lover and later her worst enemy. Foreseeing the demise of pagan ways, he betrays Avalon. In an ultimate attempt to unite Christianity and Avalon, so Avalon will survive, he brings the Holy Grail to Camelot. To punish him for this atrocity, Morgaine sets up Nimue to seduce and then betray him, and wants to torture him to death as a traitor. But before the torture begins, Morgaine changes her mind and has him executed swiftly out of mercy, and at the same time, a bolt of lightning incinerates the Holy Oak of Avalon. Morgaine understands that Avalon is doomed.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.157.192.57 (talk) 10:30, 2 May 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  Merlin and The Mist of Avalon 

message: I thought I would put this here, as there is no reference to it.  A book was published by Graham Philllips back in 2005 (Bear & Company, USA) entitled "Merlin and the Discovery of Avalon in the New World."
In this volume, Phillips puts forth a reasonable hypothesis that Merlin was a real person, by the name of Ambrosius Aurelius.  He also proffers the idea that Avalon may have actually be located off the coast of North America, and that Manana Island may bear the burial ground of Merlin, although Phillips did not actually locate any burial there when he visited (in the depths of winter).  Interestingly, Phillips discovers that there are traditional stories told in northern France that deal with the consecration of swords in what are believed to be sacred water places,and Phillips points out that this may be the origin of the story of the Lady of the Lake, and the sword Excalibur is given to Merlin (who in turn gives Excalibur to Arthur).
Another decently reasonable hypothesis put forward by Phillips in the book is that St. Brendan and Merlin (due to the close time proximity) may have actually ventured over to North America on the same trip.  By finding out what the name of Merlin would be in the Irish language--Maelduin--Phillips located an Irish saga "written in the eighth century" entitled "Immram Curaig Maelduin Inso" "The Voyage of Merlin's Boat," which tracks in many ways closely to Saint Brendan's passage story, but with the added wrinkle of showing details that indicate of getting farther on along the coastline of North America, which Phillips interprets as perhaps Labrador, or even further south to the New England area.
Phillips also puts forward the notion that "Merlin" was not the person's actual name, but a labeling--"person with Eagle sight."  Unlike many "armchair generals," Phillips has attempted to actually visit the places that he writes about.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.72.121.226 (talk) 20:33, 5 July 2014 (UTC)
thread_title:  Historical Merlin, and the Alleged Finding of the "Actual" location of Avalon (in the New World) 

message: In the lead it says "Prose Brut" like I´m supposed to understand what that means, but I don´t. Is it the same as Layamon's Brut? Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 08:59, 3 January 2017 (UTC)
thread_title:  Prose Brut 

message: Dear WP editors,
Merlin WP entry
I first posted on 1st January 2016.
I refer to one small addition that I put forward for inclusion in the Merlin entry, under the heading 'Name and Etymology'.
This item presently says, “The name "Merlin" is derived from the Welsh Myrddin…”
I do not ‘say’ that the name ‘Merlin’ is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name Myrddin, I simply ‘suggest’ this.
I go on to specify the two Gaelic words that make up the name Myrddin, with reference to the relevant etymological dictionary, including the relevant page number. 
I go on to suggest, with reference to the name Blaise, Merlin’s mentor, that there is corroboration for the above (not that corroboration is necessary because the above, re ‘Merlin’, speaks for itself, does it not?).
Again, I provide dictionary and page references.
The WP rules say, “To demonstrate that you are not adding OR, you must be able to cite reliable, published sources that are directly related to the topic of the article, and directly support the material being presented.”
I submit that I have done this, and more, I have cited a reliable (although this would be for a reader to decide), published source that is directly relevant to the man called Merlin and which supports, by putting the whole matter in context, the material being presented.
I cannot see that what I suggest is materially different from what AOH Jarman suggests a few lines later, except, perhaps, he is mainstream and I am not.
I don’t know about you but I think it more likely that the name Myrddin was derived from Mer-Duine (Madman) than that it was derived from Caerfyrddin, but that’s just me. 
People can decide for themselves… given the chance. 
Now that I am more familiar with the WP rules, I accept that the second passage I submitted for inclusion is out of line.
Best wishes
DunardryDunardry (talk) 09:36, 3 January 2017 (UTC)
replies: text: Wikipedia is not a forum for you to push your own pet theories. It doesn't matter that you "think it more likely that the name Myrddin was derived from Mer-Duine"; if you cannot cite any serious, academic scholarship on this topic, your etymological musings have no place here. Cagwinn (talk) 17:37, 3 January 2017 (UTC)

text: Also note, re: your comment "the name ‘Merlin’ is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name Myrddin", that Myrddin is Welsh, not "Scottish Gaelic".  Cagwinn (talk) 17:41, 3 January 2017 (UTC)
thread_title:  Merlin's name 

message: Some materials concerning the link between Merlin and Stobo Kirk (in the Scottish Borders) have been deleted from the Myrddin Wyllt page on the basis that they refer to the medieval conflation of figures into 'Merlin' rather than to the original Myrddin Wyllt.  I think it would be worthwhile to add these materials to the Merlin page but I'm not sure where or how (as an inexperienced editor).
The materials can be seen here https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myrddin_Wyllt&oldid=758422647 
thumb|200px|Merlin being converted to Christianity by Saint Kentigern (Mungo) at Stobo Kirk, Borders, Scotland
Gilgamesh4 (talk) 19:17, 16 July 2017 (UTC)
thread_title:  Connection with Stobo Kirk - suggestion for inclusion 

message: --94.246.150.68 (talk) 08:45, 16 October 2017 (UTC)
thread_title:  Removed long quote to turn into prose somewhere at the end of the article (or possibly just fringe) 

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thread_title:  External links modified 

message: * 
* Arbrois De Jubainville, H., "Merlin est-il un personage historique?". Revue des questions historiques 5, 1868.
* Breton-Guay, Neomie, Merlin l'Enchanteur dans les images de la renaissance arthurienne. 2006.
* Cadieux-Larochelle, Josee, Pour forger un mythe: les avatars de Merlin. 1996.
* Castleden, Rodney, King Arthur: The Truth Behind the Legend. London, New-York, G. Routhledge, 2000.
* Donnard, Ana, Merlin, L'intermediaire des mondes. Minas Gerais Federal University.
* Dumezil, Georges, Mythes et Dieux des Indo-europeens. Flammarion, 1992.
* Gaster, M, "The Legend of Merlin", Folk-Lore, 1905.
* Gaster, M, The Legend of Merlin: A Postscript, Folklore, 1905.
* Gill, N.S., "Who was Merlin and was Merlin Real?". Ancient/Classical History. 2007.
* Heather, P.J., Divination, Folklore, 1954.
* Hersart, Theodore, Myrdhin ou l'enchanteur Merlin: son histoire, ses oeuvres, son influence. Paris, Terre de Brume, 1989.
* Holdstock, Robert, Le graal de fer, Paris, Pocket, 2006.
* La Croix, Arnaud de, Arthur, Merlin et le Graal, un mythe revisite, Monaco, Editions du Rocher, 2001.
* 
* Rider, Jeff, The Fictional Margin: The Merlin of the Brut, Modern Philology, 1989, University of Chicago Press.
* Torregrossa, Michael A. “Merlin Goes to the Movies: The Changing Role of Merlin in Cinema Arthuriana.” Film & History: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Film and Television Studies 29.3–4 (1999): 54–65.
* Torregrossa, Michael A. “The Way of the Wizard: Reflections of Merlin on Film." The Medieval Hero on Screen: Representations from Beowulf to Buffy. Eds. Martha W. Driver and Sid Ray. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2004. pp. 167–91.
--SNAAAAKE!! (talk) 19:21, 7 October 2018 (UTC)
thread_title:  Unused sources 

message: I've collected some sources here regarding mentions and descriptions of Merlin's esplumoir (linked on this page to fr:Esplumoir Merlin) in the hopes of providing some more information on the subject, but I'm not sure if it warrants its own page or if it should be added here somewhere. Does anyone have thoughts on this? Emflazie (talk) 15:14, 2 July 2020 (UTC)
thread_title:  Should there be a page or section for esplumoir? 

message: Good evening. I noticed that, in good faith, you reverted my recent edit arguing that "myth" is not synonymous with "legend." While I do understand this, I would like to point out to you that Merlin is very much the more fictional, and I believe that "mythical" is more appropriate to describe him than "legendary," as the character has very little basis in real history. GOLDIEM J (talk) 17:13, 20 December 2022 (UTC)
replies: text: If you read the article, you will see that Merlin had an historical basis. Legend is what builds up around a once-historical figure. Myth is generally about gods. Skyerise (talk) 17:19, 20 December 2022 (UTC)
thread_title: December 2022

message: This edit , which I already previously reverted as "not lead worthy" has been reasserted by an IP. Now there is no disagreement that you can find texts that use the spelling of Merlyn as well as those that go with Merlin. It is not wrong, nor even contentious. But that is not the reason I reverted it. The reason it does not belong in the lead is it is simply not an interesting fact, as anyone with any understanding of medieval orthography would immediately understand. Of course it had that spelling too. This is not something we need to tell the reader in the first sentence of the lead of the article.
We need Merlin and Myrddin, but do not need orthographical variations of either. I shall remove the addition again. Please discuss here if you wish to explain where my reasoning is in error. Sirfurboy🏄 (talk) 17:23, 21 February 2023 (UTC)
thread_title:  Alternative spelling 

message: None of these theories were ever proven or disproven in any way, none of them are "more plausible" just because a rival author declared so - Wikipedia must be neutral on matters that aren't factual and it's just pet theories with zero medieval sources actually stating any of this.
All of which should be absolutely obvious to anyone who knowd anything about the subject: WE DON'T KNOW AT ALL.
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Merlin&diff=1196900414&oldid=1196900157 - revert taking sides about things JUST NO ONE KNOWS.
Also, it may be rephrased further to make clear "it" means that the legend of Saint Martin could have been inspired by the Merlin stories (in the "or vice versa" meaning - the chicken or egg paradox, if there's even any connection between the 2 figures at all, because, of course, WE DON'T KNOW). 
5.173.4.130 (talk) 20:47, 18 January 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  On the talk page 

message: merlin 196.190.62.101 (talk) 17:15, 25 January 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  The firt came to camelot