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Stories involving the mythical wizard Merlin have been popular since the Renaissance, especially with the renewed interest in the legend of King Arthur in modern times. As noted by Arthurian scholar Alan Lupack, "numerous novels, poems and plays center around Merlin. In American literature and popular culture, Merlin is perhaps the most frequently portrayed Arthurian character." Analysis According to Stephen Thomas Knight, Merlin embodies a conflict between knowledge and power: a symbol of wisdom in the first Welsh stories, he became an advisor to kings in the Middle Ages, and eventually a mentor and teacher to Arthur and others in the works around the world since the 19th century. While some modern authors write about Merlin positively through an explicitly Christian worldview, New Age movements see Merlin as a druid who accesses all the mysteries of the world, and Francophone artistic productions since the end of the 20th century have tended to avoid the Christian aspects of the character in favor of the pagan aspects and the tradition sylvestre (attributing positive values to one's links to the forest and wild animals), thus "dechristianizing" Merlin to present him as a champion for the idea of return to nature. Diverging from his traditional role in medieval romances, Merlin is also sometimes portrayed as a villain. As Peter H. Goodrich wrote in Merlin: A Casebook: Merlin's primary characteristics continue to be recalled, refined, and expanded today, continually encompassing new ideas and technologies as well as old ones. The ability of this complex figure to endure for more than fourteen centuries results not only from his manifold roles and their imaginative appeal, but also from significant, often irresolvable tensions or polarities [...] between beast and human (Wild Man), natural and supernatural (Wonder Child), physical and metaphysical (Poet), secular and sacred (Prophet), active and passive (Counselor), magic and science (Wizard), and male and female (Lover). Interwoven with these primary tensions are additional polarities that apply to all of Merlin's roles, such as those between madness and sanity, pagan and Christian, demonic and heavenly, mortality and immortality, and impotency and potency. Since the Romantic period, Merlin has been typically depicted as a wise old man with a long white beard, creating a modern wizard archetype reflected in many fantasy characters, such as J. R. R. Tolkien's Gandalf or J. K. Rowling's Dumbledore, that also use some of his other traits. Things named in honour of the legendary figure have included asteroid 2598 Merlin, the British company Merlin Entertainments, the Merlin handheld console, the literary magazine Merlin, the metal band Merlin, and more than a dozen different British warships each called HMS Merlin. He was one of eight British magical figures that were commemorated on a series of UK postage stamps issued by the Royal Mail in 2011, and one of the three Arthurian figures (along with Arthur and Morgan) commemorated on the gold and silver British pound coins issued by the Royal Mint in 2023. Merlinia, the Ordovician trilobite, is also named after Merlin. The name is given in memory of the legends of Wales, in which broken tail parts of trilobites were identified as butterflies turned to stone by Merlin. Film The Green Knight (2021), played by Emmet O'Brien. Hellboy (2019), played by Brian Gleeson. The Kid Who Would Be King (2019), played by Angus Imrie (young form) and Patrick Stewart (true form). Transformers: The Last Knight (2017), played by Stanley Tucci. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017), played by Kamil Lemieszewski. Kingsman film franchise (2015–present), played by Mark Strong (Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingsman: The Golden Circle) and Djimon Hounsou (The King's Man); here, Merlin is a title rather than a person. Avalon High (2010), the Disney Channel Original Movie based on Meg Cabot's 2005 novel of the same name, played by Joey Pollari; in this version, the character of Miles is the reincarnation of Merlin. The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010), played by James A. Stephens. Merlin and the Book of Beasts (2010), played by James Callis. Merlin and the War of the Dragons (2008), played by Simon Lloyd Roberts. Shrek the Third (2007), voiced by Eric Idle. The Last Legion (2007), played by Ben Kingsley. Merlin's Apprentice (2006), played by Sam Neill. King Arthur (2004), played by Stephen Dillane; in this version, Merlin is presented as a Celtic Druid instead of a wizard. The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2001), played by Robert Davi. Merlin: The Return (1999), played by Rik Mayall. Quest for Camelot (1998), voiced by John Gielgud. Merlin (1998), played by Sam Neill. In the miniseries, Merlin fights the pagan goddess Queen Mab. Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders (1996), played by George Milan. Kids of the Round Table (1995), played by Malcolm McDowell. A Kid in King Arthur's Court (1995), played again by Ron Moody. Merlin and the Dragons (1991), narrated film by Kevin Kline. Dragon and Slippers (1991), voiced by Tony Randall. Vasantha Sena (1985), played by Shobana. Arthur the King (1983), played by Edward Woodward. Knightriders (1981), played by Brother Blue. Excalibur (1981), played by Nicol Williamson. Le Dernier métro (1980), played by Marcel Berbert. The Spaceman and King Arthur (1979), played by Ron Moody; Merlin is, in a rather unusual fashion, portrayed as an evil character. Licensed to Love and Kill (1979), played by John Arnatt. Son of Dracula (1974), played by Ringo Starr. Camelot (1967), played by Laurence Naismith. 7 Faces of Dr Lao (1964), played by Tony Randall. The Sword in the Stone (1963), the Disney animated adaptation of T.H. White's book, voiced by Karl Swenson. Siege of the Saxons (1963), played by John Laurie. Lancelot and Guinevere (1963), played by Mark Dignam. The Wizard of Baghdad (1960); at the film's end, a genie played by Dick Shawn is told his next assignment will be as Merlin. Santa Claus (1959), played Armando Arriola. Faites-moi confiance (1954), played by Pierre Larquey. Knights of the Round Table (1953), played by Felix Aylmer. Adventures of Sir Galahad (1949), played by William Fawcett. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949), played by Murvyn Vye. A Connecticut Yankee (1931), played by Brandon Hurst. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1921), played by William V. Mong. Games In Age of Wonders II and Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic, Merlin is a playable character. In Curses, Merlin is an important figure in the story's history. In Fate/Grand Order, Merlin is playable as a Caster-class servant. Merlin's female 'Prototype' is a playable Caster-class servant first debuted in the Arcade version of the game, who later became playable in the original mobile version under the name Lady Avalon. In the arcade game Gauntlet, Merlin is one of the four playable heroes. His role in the game series continued until Gauntlet 4 for the Sega Genesis. In Blazing Dr.... Discover the Mindee Arnett popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Mindee Arnett books.