ARTHURIAN LEGEND ABOUT MORGAN LE FAY
I see Morgan Le Fay first introduction into Arthurian legend by Geoffrey of Monmouth in his “Vita Merlin” (c.1150). Her true origin however like many Arthurian characters is traced back during the Celtic Mythology and has developed with every new edition of the tale. Morgan le Fay’s personality is fascinating enough, and so is her name (Perez & Kristina, 2014, p.159).
Morgan Le Fay, an enchantress yet a healer, is the half-sister to King Arthur according to legend and literature. I see Morgan Le Fay scheme to overthrow Arthur from his thrown throughout Arthurs reign to an extend of attempting to take his life although she does not succeed. Vividly I see Morgan always trying to bring danger and mystique in Arthurian stories (Perez & Kristina, 2014, p.159).
Her character
In literature characters are perceived as good or evil, antagonists or protagonists clearly demonstrated. However, some characters cannot be easily defined. I consider Morgan Le Fay as one of the latter case. Despite of being half-sister to King Arthur and understood as his greater enemy, Morgan Le Fay is also a healer (Larrington $ Carolyne, 2013, p.123). Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Why is she important
According to Thomas Malory “Le Morte de Arthur” author I see Morgan Le Fay character being adapted from Celtic legends, where she is an established enchantress and a shape shifter. I see Morgan as a character not to be trusted and easily disguise herself to accomplish her own intentions. She changes her appearance easily, becoming beautiful, old, ugly, or young, at will. Morgan Le Fay gives Arthurian legend what is very important in every good story, Mystique, and an ever-present danger possibility. I consider Morgan as a representative of the ‘beautiful evil,’ as it was, the craved-after yearning that can destroy. Because of Morgan like characters, I have strong bases of storytelling magic, out of which come other anti-heroes in tales narrated from generation to generation(Larrington $ Carolyne, 2013, p.123)..
Legendary action
In most of the legends before we are shown that Morgan and Arthur are not in good terms although the reason has not been clearly explained. Different researchers however have given their ideas. For instance, I understand that Morgan, who is invariably presented as evil, had a plan to steal King Arthur’s sword and bring him down, on a different note, I realize that Morgan had a quarrel with Arthur(Larrington $ Carolyne, 2013, p.123).
Immediately after Morgan comes to Avalon Island as a foretold, she starts a great plan over the outrage which she thought King Arthur had retained upon her house. I perceive that the more she thought about it, the more big it boils in her mind. She lastly finds herself restless unless she could punish the king for what he had done. Yes, she would be glad to see the king down at her feet out of the burning anger she had against him (Larrington $ Carolyne, 2013, p.123).
I perceive Morgan as a character who needs to remain in control of people and situations, in some legends, I see Morgan as a mistress of Merlin where through seduction she uses and manipulates him in order to know his spells. Morgan even manipulates situations to cause pain to King Arthur. For instance, Morgan uses his power to destroy the ties in the Arthur court in the Guinevere and Lancelot courtship hence ruining his reputation and pride. Out of the action, the kingdom begins to enjoy a long, peaceful and glory with king Arthur maintaining justice and knights helping the people in distress.
Uniqueness of Morgan Le Fay legendary version
In most of Arthurian legend versions the main legend characters are usually men unlike in this version where the role is played by Morgan Le Fay a female character. As a result of the character being feminine she does not use physical force to realize his intentions but her unique powers of manipulation and changing of appearance. Secondly, unlike in many other Arthurian legend versions the legend character plays one role. For instance, If he/she is evil, the character will maintain the role through the tale. Contrally, in this legend version, the character of Morgan Le Fay keeps on fluctuating. At one point she is evil while at other different situations becomes savior. Using the case of attempt to overthrow King Arthur, she portrays an evil character but in turn she becomes a savior on healing the king using her healing powers.
Work cited
Jill M.Hebert. Morgan le Fay, Shapeshifter. Web. July 2012. Retrieved from https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=3SwwL9Dm9MC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&o ts=8ZfWT7Qs5v&sig=1HznO205X5xBa2IB29n0T4KdhYA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage& q&f=false
This study re-examines Morgan le Fay in early medieval and contemporary Arthurian sources, arguing that she embodies the concerns of each era even as she defies social and gender expectations.
“….a lens to explore traditional ideas of femininity, monstrousness, resistance, identity”
“ and social expectations for women and men alike”
Black, Susa Morgan. “Morgan Le Fay”
Morgan is the third aspect of the sacred triad of the Triple Goddess, the essence of the powerful Crone, Warrior’s, and Seductress. Although She is an elder Goddess, she is still magnificent in appearance.
“…she can change her appearance from an ancient hag to a beautiful maiden…”
“Morgan’s castle is said to be located under the water”
Medieval text
Larrington, Carolyne. King Arthur’s enchantresses: Morgan and her sisters in Arthurian tradition. IB Tauris, 2014
Morgan le Fay, an enchantresses also referred to the lady of the lake turns marlins magic against him. It emphasizes that enchantresses are not witches but sexually attractive females applying the magic for their own benefits and not Satan.
“Tennyson used Arthurian motifs to explore contemporary social problems”
“ and the Victorian Revival wouldn’t have been the same with-out his influence”
Renaissance text
Pérez, Kristina. “Follow Me: Beguiling the Victorians.” The Myth of Morgan La Fey. Palgrave Macmillan US, 2014. 159-181
The definition of mutations is used in this work to explore the victory obsession at the moments when the patriarchal society is in fear of the New Woman in attempt to transform into an educated woman and men consider it against nature. Morgan is used in this work to narrate the beguiling of Merlin and Victorian Revival under her influence.
“During the nineteenth century, it was the Lady of the Lake as seductress who captivated the Victorian cultural imagination”
“far outstripping Morgan la Fey herself in popularity”.
Romance
Thompson, Raymond H. “The First and Last Love: Morgan le Fay and Arthur.” The Arthurian Revival: Essays on Form, Tradition, and Transformation (2013): 230-247.
Sir Gawain and the green Knight is without questions “profound celebration of the romance values……”. “Christian chivalry and courtesy”….. Constantly as a romance
Film
Harty, Kevin J., ed. King Arthur on Film: New Essays on Arthurian Cinema. McFarland, 2011.
The late Maureen Fries analyzes cinematic depictions of Morgan le Fay in the year 1931 Connecticut Yankee, sword in the stone, Excalibur and knights of round table
“….first knight concern with masculine rather than feminism…”
“…if Arthurian legend develops a spiritual basis by its association with quest for holy ….”
Modernist text
Giles, Paul. “A Good Gatsby.” Commonweal 140.12 (2013): 12.
Whether real or imaginary, as complex as Morgan le Fay deserves more than a few lines or pages here and there in various tomes. She is too complex for such brevity.
“The Isle of Happiness,”
“The Ram and the Green Serpent”
Painting
Morgan comes to have several major, somewhat contradictory, roles in the Arthurian legend, though the association with magic is constant. As in Sandys’s painting, she can be her brother Arthur’s sworn enemy, determined to destroy him. As shown below