Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave is a fictionalized account of young Merlin's life based on Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain. Stewart admits that Geoffrey's reputation is "mud" with real historians, but explains that "as a story it is tremendous stuff" (523). Though the History and many of the other accounts of Arthur were written in the twelfth century, Merlin and Arther were thought to have possibly existed in the fifth century AD. In many ways, this is a great time to write about because so little is known of its actual history. My mother, who recommended this book to me, mentioned that she was fascinated by all the magic in the book, but it is not magic but religious cult and ritual that drives the fantasy aspect of this book.In this incarnation, Merlin is the "bastard" grandson of the King of Wales. His mother Niniane refuses to disclose the name of his father, and for this reason, he is always treated poorly around the castle. Rumours spread that he is the son of the "Prince of Darkness," and Merlin does not dispute them. Merlin is eventually given a tutor, and he learns secretly from Galapas, a local magician. The political machinations that drive the plot are detailed and feel realistic, as though Stewart had read quite a bit about the period. The main players, the Saxons, the Welsh, and the Britons are fighting over control of the whole of England, Wales, and Ireland. When Merlin's uncle returns home, he immediately considers Merlin a threat. When Merlin's grandfather dies and Merlin's own slave is punished for it, he flees the country.
In Cornwall, Merlin meets up with his father Ambrosius, a man destined to unite England and leave it to his brother, Uther. Merlin's time living and learning from Ambrosius is the happiest period in the book. It is widely acknowledged that Merlin has the power of prophecy, and this is the only magic worked throughout. When the time comes for Ambrosius to attack Greater Brittan, Merlin goes before him and is captured by the old High King Vortigern. In a deft display self-preservation, Merlin expands his reputation and becomes known as Vortigern's prophet. Ambrosius does take England and rules well but only for a short time. Merlin's father is only in the picture for a short time.
The relationship with Uther is much more strained. Perhaps Merlin's royal blood destines him to his life as a feared outcast, but those circumstances does not make it any more comfortable for me. In any case, by the end of the story, Merlin has agreed to help Uther obtain Ygraine, another man's wife. He lies with her, and she conceives, but the chaos that ensues causes Uther to resent the fulfillment of his wishes. He severs ties with Merlin and exclaims that he will not claim the son. Even though I knew what was coming as soon as a love-sick Uther begged Merlin for his help, I was not prepared for the humiliation and anger I felt on Merlin's behalf. Stewart makes Merlin very real, despite his power. I felt for him deeply at the end of the book.
The more I think about it, the more I realize the two things that bother me most about this story. First of all, Merlin's gift as a prophet seems to truly curb self determination. There is no free will once Merlin has spoken. Things may come about in an unusual or surprising fashion, but they will come about nonetheless. There is something frustrating and emasculating about this theory of prophecy. The second thing that really bothers me about Uther's and Arthur's stories is that it always seems to be women that bring them down. They become types to Adam's Anti type. It's very frustrating to read over and over again as a woman.
On a more structural note, this story is also told in the first person. Merlin is our narrator. He is an interesting narrator for the story because, at least at this point, he is a major player. It will be interesting to see (if I decide to continue the series) how his perspective colors the fall of Uther and the rise of Arthur. Already, Stewart has given him some interesting lines. Pondering Ygraine, he states, "I shall never cease to wonder at women. Even with power, it is not possible to read their minds. Duchess and slut alike, they need not even study to deceive. I suppose it is the same with slaves, who live with fear, and with those animals who disguise themselves by instinct to save their lives" (478). These are very intriguing lines as written by a woman. I wonder if they were closely related to something else she had read about Merlin; she does make him celibate as have many others, for example, or if these lines are protestations to the whole theory behind the story. Steward does an excellent job of staying out of the story herself, so my efforts to decode her ideology will require a great deal of analysis. I just hope the benefits of the challenge outweigh the depression.
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