Role Of The Supernatural Essay Research Paper

Role Of The Supernatural Essay, Research Paper

The Role Of The Supernatural

In Arthurian Legends, supernatural phenomenon plays a major role. Such phenomenon may include magic and other worldly beasts. Merlin and an animal known as the Griffin are prime examples of the paranormal. These events and creatures help to enhance the story and force people to use their imaginations. The role of the supernatural is an essential element portrayed in all Arthurian Legends.

Magic or events caused by wizardry and witchcraft are encountered in Arthurian Legends. Both Merlin and Queen Morgause practice the art of magic. However, unlike Queen Morgause who has an interest in Black Magic, Merlin practices White Magic. He has a huge impact on King Arthur.s life, especially when he predicts future events that Arthur will have to endure. He served as Arthur.s tutor and .educated Arthur as a youth. (The World Book Encyclopedia 418). However, he goes about educating Arthur in a different manner than a normal tutor would approach it. Merlin uses his magical powers to change Arthur into a variety of animals such as a fish, bird, and an ant. When Merlin changed Arthur into a fish, he .took off his hat,

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raised his staff of lignum vitae politely in the air, and

said slowly, .Snylrem stenemilpmoc ot enutpen dna lliw eh yldnik tpecca siht yob sa a hsif... (White 41) and immediately, Arthur felt himself transforming into the animal. The magician.s rationalization to morphing Arthur is to provide the young king with knowledge of such things as kindness and helping others who are in distress. Merlin uses his powers to help prepare Arthur for things to come. An event that depicts Merlin doing this is when he says, ..I have told you about Guenever, haven.t I... (White 293). This refers to the infidelity of Arthur.s future wife. Merlin forewarns his student to better prepare him for his misfortunes. Since Merlin is closely related to the paranormal, it is obvious that one of the roles of the supernatural is that of an educator and protector of Arthur.

Magic does not always have a positive effect in Arthurian Legends. Queen Morgause uses magic in a disturbing manner. Although she does not practice magic to a great extent, there are two instances when she does, and both are used for evil purposes. When Queen Morgause is bored one evening, she decides to boil her cat alive because the .Queen knew that every pure black cat had a certain bone in it, which, if it were held in the mouth after boiling the cat alive, was able to make you invisible. (White 222).

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After many unsuccessful bones, she lost interest and threw

the rest away. Later, Queen Morgause hears about a strong and popular king whose name is Arthur. Therefore, she uses a magical tool called a Spancel to seduce him. It is apparent that magic, a supernatural art, is also used as an antagonist in Arthurian Legends because what Arthur and Queen Morgause are not aware of, is the fact that she is his half-sister.

Supernatural creatures are also present in Arthurian Legends. One such beast is the Griffin, which is .a fabulous beast with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. (William 579). When Arthur and Kay embark on a quest to save some of their friends who were captured and held in Morgan le Fay.s castle, the Griffin attacks them before they are able to bring their friends to safety. The Griffin.s attack poses as an obstacle that must be overcome to complete their quest. Since the Griffin is a supernatural animal, it can be concluded that the supernatural is also used as obstacles that must be defeated to accomplish one.s goals.

Arthurian Legends were not only written in serious tones. Humor was present as well. Another paranormal creature is the Questing Beast. This animal helps to incorporate humor into the story. It is described to have

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.an enormous snake.s head…At the other end of the snake.s

head there was a long, lean, yellow body with spots on it. At the end of the body there were some lion.s legs which ended in the slots of a hart. (White 152). This beast is said to be the curse of the Pellinore family. The Questing Beast causes humor during the time when Sir Grummore and Sir Palomides disguise themselves as a male Questing Beast in attempt to bring joy to King Pellinore. Then, unsuspectingly, the real Questing Beast returns and falls in love with the two knights in disguise. It continues to chase them up a mountain until King Pellinore comes to their rescue. The purpose of the Questing Beast is to add humor to the story. Therefore, it is evident that the supernatural was used to add comedy to Arthurian Legends.

Supernatural creatures known as fairies also play a role in Arthurian Legends. A fairy is .a tiny supernatural being in human form, depicted as clever, mischievous, and capable of assisting or harassing humans. (William 471). The role of these creatures is best described in the following quote taken from T.H. White.s The Once And Future King:

.One of the few things we know,. said Robin, .about the Blessed Ones, is that they go by the names of animals.

For instance, they may be called Cow, or Goat, or Pig, Keang 5

and so forth. So, if you happen to calling one of

your own cows, you must always point to it when you call. Other

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