How old was the real Merlin when he died?
I'll answer
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.20
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.
40more
40more
Oliver Brown
Works at Facebook, Lives in Menlo Park, CA
As an expert in medieval literature and history, I am often asked about the enigmatic figure of Merlin, the legendary wizard who is a central figure in Arthurian legend. Merlin is a fascinating character, wrapped in layers of myth and folklore, and his age at the time of his death is a subject of much debate and speculation.
The primary source that discusses Merlin's age is Geoffrey of Monmouth's "Historia Regum Britanniae," a 12th-century historical work that is largely fictional but has had a significant impact on the development of the Arthurian legend. According to Geoffrey, Merlin was a contemporary of King Arthur and was said to have lived for "400 summers his Lord," which implies that he was around 440 to 460 years old when he died, considering that Arthur himself died in his 40s to 60s.
However, it is important to note that the figure of Merlin in Geoffrey's work is a blend of various historical and mythological elements. One of the most significant influences on the character of Merlin is believed to be Myrddin Wyllt, a 6th-century poet and warrior from Wales. Myrddin, who is often anglicized as Merlin, is known to have died at a much younger age, around 39 years old, according to some accounts.
The discrepancy between the two ages is not surprising given the legendary nature of the character. The number 400 is often used symbolically in literature and history to represent a long and significant lifespan, and it is likely that Geoffrey chose this number to emphasize Merlin's wisdom and longevity.
It is also worth considering the cultural context in which these stories were written. The medieval period was a time when the supernatural and the divine were deeply intertwined with everyday life. Characters like Merlin, who were said to possess magical powers and prophetic abilities, were not uncommon in the literature of the time. The age of such characters was often exaggerated to reflect their extraordinary nature and to serve the narrative purposes of the stories in which they appeared.
In conclusion, while the "Historia Regum Britanniae" suggests that Merlin was around 440 to 460 years old when he died, this figure is likely a symbolic representation rather than a historical fact. The character of Merlin is a rich tapestry woven from various strands of myth, folklore, and history, and his age is just one aspect of the many mysteries that surround him.
The primary source that discusses Merlin's age is Geoffrey of Monmouth's "Historia Regum Britanniae," a 12th-century historical work that is largely fictional but has had a significant impact on the development of the Arthurian legend. According to Geoffrey, Merlin was a contemporary of King Arthur and was said to have lived for "400 summers his Lord," which implies that he was around 440 to 460 years old when he died, considering that Arthur himself died in his 40s to 60s.
However, it is important to note that the figure of Merlin in Geoffrey's work is a blend of various historical and mythological elements. One of the most significant influences on the character of Merlin is believed to be Myrddin Wyllt, a 6th-century poet and warrior from Wales. Myrddin, who is often anglicized as Merlin, is known to have died at a much younger age, around 39 years old, according to some accounts.
The discrepancy between the two ages is not surprising given the legendary nature of the character. The number 400 is often used symbolically in literature and history to represent a long and significant lifespan, and it is likely that Geoffrey chose this number to emphasize Merlin's wisdom and longevity.
It is also worth considering the cultural context in which these stories were written. The medieval period was a time when the supernatural and the divine were deeply intertwined with everyday life. Characters like Merlin, who were said to possess magical powers and prophetic abilities, were not uncommon in the literature of the time. The age of such characters was often exaggerated to reflect their extraordinary nature and to serve the narrative purposes of the stories in which they appeared.
In conclusion, while the "Historia Regum Britanniae" suggests that Merlin was around 440 to 460 years old when he died, this figure is likely a symbolic representation rather than a historical fact. The character of Merlin is a rich tapestry woven from various strands of myth, folklore, and history, and his age is just one aspect of the many mysteries that surround him.
2024-05-22 22:40:08
reply(1)
Helpful(1122)
Helpful
Helpful(2)
Studied at the University of Toronto, Lives in Toronto, Canada.
The Historia Regum Britanniae explains that when Merlin died he was "400 Summers his Lord" (His Lord would be Arthur and Arthur died in his 40's to 60's). So we can assume that Merlin was around 440-460 years old. However his character was based on Myrddin Wyllt. Myrddin died at the age of 39.May 4, 2015
2023-06-13 06:57:02
Charlotte Clark
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
The Historia Regum Britanniae explains that when Merlin died he was "400 Summers his Lord" (His Lord would be Arthur and Arthur died in his 40's to 60's). So we can assume that Merlin was around 440-460 years old. However his character was based on Myrddin Wyllt. Myrddin died at the age of 39.May 4, 2015
