MERLIN and the holy grail
PERHAPS THE POINT OF THE WHOLE ARTHURIAN LEGEND
The Grail
Although the Holy Grail is more closely associated with the quests of Arthur's knights, Merlin's wisdom and foresight often guide the quest for the Grail. It represents spiritual fulfillment and the pursuit of divine knowledge, aligning with Merlin's mystical nature.
Merlin's Staff: In many stories, Merlin is depicted with a staff, which symbolizes his magical powers and authority. This staff is a personal item that embodies his identity as a wizard and his connection to the magical realm.
Perhaps the most significant object associated with Merlin, aside from the Round Table, might be the Holy Grail.
Robert de Boron’s poem Merlin is a partly lost epic poem, in which Robert de Boron reworked Geoffrey of Monmouth's material on the legendary Merlin, writing in Old French in the late 12th or early 13th century.
It tells of the origin and early life of Merlin, his role in the birth of Arthur, and how Arthur became King of Britain.
It emphasizes Merlin's power to prophesy and connection to the Holy Grail. Merlin introduced several motifs that became popular in medieval and later Arthuriana, ensuring him a lasting place in the legend of King Arthur.
Merlin's story is related to Roberts's two other reputed Grail poems. Its medieval prose retelling and its continuations, collectively the Prose Merlin, were inserted into the Vulgate and the Post-Vulgate cycles of chivalric romances in the early 13th century.
The Afanc
The grail of course is important. But Merlin’s Afanc (a clay creature) never actually touches the grail, he just sends a vision of it to the knights of the round table.
The Afanc (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈavaŋk], sometimes also called Addanc, [ˈaðaŋk]) is a lake monster from Welsh mythology. Its exact description varies, being described as resembling a crocodile, beaver or dwarf-like creature, or a platypus and is sometimes said to be a demon. The lake in which it dwells is also uncertain and it is variously said to live in Llyn Llion, Llyn Barfog, near Brynberian Bridge or in Llyn yr Afanc, a lake near Betws-y-coed that was named after the creature.
The Stag’s Antlers
He also wears antlers taking on the role of Lord of the animals.
Merlin’s Giant
Merlin has a giant, Gargantua who is like a golem.