In his article “Heroism: Why heroes are important” Scott LaBarge states that “we need heroes first and foremost because our heroes help define the limits of our aspirations.” Heroes can be found in history since the beginning of mankind – although the term ‘hero’ was not used until the ancient Greeks (LaBarge). It can be said that we always were and still are fascinated by outstanding skills and personalities.
One timeless tale in which two famous heroes can be found is the Arthurian legend, namely King Arthur himself and the wizard Merlin. The story can be referred to as timeless because “it is full of universal ideas that we still feel connected to” (Hardyment). This means that, even though King Arthur and Merlin are heroes of the past, they are significant today because we still appreciate the values they embody. Down to the present day, the legend was adapted numerous times in different forms of media or used as an inspirational source. Consequently, it also found its way into children’s literature, for instance into Joanne K. Rowling’s famous fantasy book series “Harry Potter”, which was published between 1997 and 2007 (Eldridge). In her essay “Is Dumbledore another disguise? Where to find Merlin in Harry Potter”, Florence Marsal puts forward the thesis that “the consensus of [the series] is an amalgam of popular myths, foes, and heroes, reworked into a modern fantasy tale (...)”.
The aim of this seminar paper is to prove Marsal’s thesis to a certain extent, by examining the elements of the medieval legend in the “Harry Potter” series, focusing on the characters of Merlin and King Arthur as well as Dumbledore and Harry Potter. First, a closer look at the history of the Arthurian legend, together with a definition of the terms ‘legend’ and ‘myth’, will give the reader a better understanding of the topic. Subsequently, the subject of history in “Harry Potter” will be investigated from two different angles: the handling of history within the story and the reflection of ‘real historical events’, together with an explanation of J.K. Rowling’s usage of the past. The following sections will deal with the above-mentioned characters and in which way the ancient heroes can be rediscovered in the modern children’s story. Annotating, it has to be said that, as Merlin is a “’multi-faceted’ character” (Marsal), his history and characteristics cannot be discussed completely in this seminar paper.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction – Heroes
2. The Medieval Legend
2.1 History
2.2 Definition of Myth and Legend
3. Forms and Usage of History in Harry Potter
3.1 The Passive and Active History Concept
3.2 Historical References
4. The Medieval Legend in Harry Potter
4.1 Merlin
4.2 King Arthur
4.3 Mentor and Mentee
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography
Objectives and Core Themes
This paper aims to validate the thesis that J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series functions as a modern synthesis of traditional myths, legends, and historical motifs. By examining the structural and character-driven parallels between the Arthurian legend and the Harry Potter universe, the study explores how the past is repurposed to address contemporary ethical and societal issues.
- Analysis of the Arthurian legend as a foundational narrative.
- Evaluation of historical concepts, specifically the tension between passive and active engagement with the past.
- Comparative study of the mentorship dynamics between Merlin and Dumbledore.
- Exploration of the hero's journey in the figures of King Arthur and Harry Potter.
- Investigation into how J.K. Rowling integrates ancient symbols to shape ethical frameworks.
Excerpt from the Book
4. The Medieval Legend in Harry Potter
Due to the numerous versions and adaptations of the Arthurian legend throughout the course of history, there are also many different interpretations of the wizard Merlin. Merlin is also a character “among the figures of the Arthurian legend” who has been very “popular with authors of modern fiction”, and as “he is the most famous enchanter from the island of Britain […] it is intelligible that also Rowling gives him a place in her stories” (Thompson, p. 245).
The name ‘Merlin’ comes from Celtic ‘Myrrdin’, which was a name as well as a title, probably for a reputable druid (Schneidewind, pp. 231-232). The character’s origin is close to un-traceable, but there are three roots which are important to mention: Ambrosius, a figure in Nennius’s 9th century ‘Historia Brittonum’ (“Historia Brittonum”), the Lailoken tradition and the Bard Myrddin, to whom several poems and prophecies are attributed (Schneidewind, pp. 231-232). Geoffrey of Monmouth is assumed to be the first who united these sources.
Merlin is supposed to be not only an enchanter, but also a prophet, a wise man and jester (Schneidewind, pp. 231-232), who was born to “a very pious virgin, and an incubus demon” and who inherited his father’s ability to know the past (Marsal). After his baptism Merlin received the power to foresee the future as a present from god (Marsal). Yet, as already implied, these facts differ in the various sources.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction – Heroes: Establishes the importance of heroes in literature and outlines the paper's thesis regarding the integration of Arthurian elements into Harry Potter.
2. The Medieval Legend: Provides a historical overview of the Arthurian tradition and defines the scholarly distinctions between myth and legend.
3. Forms and Usage of History in Harry Potter: Examines how J.K. Rowling utilizes history both as an academic subject within the narrative and as a framework for exploring contemporary social consciousness.
4. The Medieval Legend in Harry Potter: Delves into specific character parallels, comparing Merlin to Dumbledore and Harry Potter to King Arthur, while discussing the mentor-mentee dynamic.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that Rowling effectively uses historical and legendary themes to anchor her fantasy world in meaningful ethical traditions.
6. Bibliography: Lists the academic and literary sources utilized for the research of this paper.
Keywords
Arthurian legend, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Merlin, King Arthur, Albus Dumbledore, Mentor, Mentee, Myth, History, Fantasy Literature, Heroism, Intertextuality, Ethics, Symbolism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the intersection of the Arthurian legend and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, analyzing how ancient legendary tropes are woven into modern fantasy.
Which primary characters are compared?
The study primarily compares the figures of Merlin and Dumbledore, as well as King Arthur and Harry Potter, examining their roles and development.
What is the author's primary research goal?
The goal is to prove that the Harry Potter series is an amalgam of popular myths and legends, reworked to reflect and address modern concerns and ethical values.
What methodology does the paper employ?
The author uses literary analysis, examining secondary academic sources on the Arthurian legend and history, and applying them to the textual content of the Harry Potter novels.
What is explored in the "Forms and Usage of History" section?
This section explores two concepts: history as a "dead" subject in Hogwarts, and the active, meaningful use of the past to solve present problems and shape character identity.
What characterizes the keywords of this work?
The keywords center on the synthesis of legendary archetypes, the role of mentorship, and the adaptation of historical myth within 20th and 21st-century literature.
How is the figure of Merlin specifically adapted?
Merlin is adapted as an "intertextual character," a recognizable model of wizardry that is simultaneously used for humor and as a parallel for Dumbledore's own wisdom and flaws.
In what way is Harry Potter interpreted as an Arthurian hero?
Harry is interpreted as a figure who, like Arthur, is predestined, carries an enchanted weapon, is surrounded by a loyal circle, and acts as a beacon of hope against despair.
How does the mentor-mentee dynamic differ in modern literature?
Unlike medieval texts where the hero meets the mentor as an adult, modern literature like Harry Potter often depicts the mentorship starting in the hero's early youth.
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- Beatrice Dietel (Autor:in), 2013, The Mentor and the Mentee, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/268391
