User blog comment:Fimber/Elements of classic literature and religion in "Merlin"/@comment-188.32.253.75-20130203051430/@comment-188.32.253.75-20130204194335

Oh, that's really a shame. It's your business, obviously, but I suggest you watch the episodes you haven't seen already. :)

As for actual legends, it is obvious that the series is very loosely based on them, and many things or characters are quite different. Still, I realize there are hints at the classic lore.

The leitmotif of the Arthuriana is the brother-sister incest of Arthur and Morgause (I guess, this varies according to the source, but this, perhaps, is the most well-known version; I'm no expert, unfortunately, so let's take this for granted; mind you, however, that Morgause is often confused with Morgana or they are refered to as the same person), Mordred being his son and ultimately his doom. That's not the case in the series, but still, some moments are very creepy references to it.

Early in the series, Morgana is a little flirty with Arthur, she is! Sure, they grew up more like brother and sister, but still... It gets worse because they actually are.

And Mordred? Morgana's bond with the child is almost as if it is *her* child. Since the viewer is most likely aware of the legends to some point, such moments are both a bit disturbing and being sort of a tribute to original lore.

Gwinevere. I realise in the legends she was quite a slut and a big trouble, her character not being very positive. The story with Lancelot is classic... Though it is all better in the series, Lancelot is not a major enemy (although his shade is), and Gwen is supposed to be a good girl, she is still quite a slut (I mean, her favourite pastime is telling one guy how much she loves him etc and then sleeping with the other, even if platonically, and then vice versa) and an eternal trouble (if she is not the trouble itself, than most likely she's herself in trouble or once again close to being burned at stake).

And yes, I believe I've just aggravated all Gwen's fans by contemplating her being a slut. :D Well, I'm sorry to hurt your feelings, but still, admit the reason in my words.

For some reason, there are also a lot of references to what is known as Scandinavian mytholigy. The burial rituals, anybody? And don't forget that Freya was a goddes in there (the actual Lady of the Lake would have been more likely called Nimueh than anybody else). For some reson the poor girl got the name and the place in the Avalon lake instead, however.

The last but not the least, perhaps, is the legend of Tristan and Isolde often associated with Arthuriana... Oh, and as a bonus, somebody have already mentioned the red dragon vs white dragon symbolism and it's possible reference to Kilgarrah and Aithusa.

PS I guess I should have registered by now, having left so many lenghty posts at this wiki, but I'm still feeling a bit lazy. :D