In “Historia Regum Brittaniae,” King Arthur’s birth is foretold by Merlin as a miraculous event. Uther Pendragon, the King of Britain, uses Merlin’s magic to disguise himself and conceive Arthur with the queen, Igrayne. Arthur is raised in secret and revealed as the true heir after drawing the sword from the stone. This account of Arthur’s birth in “Historia Regum Brittaniae” is a work of fiction that combines historical and mythical elements to form an appealing story, rather than a factual historical account (Loomis, 2019). Other chroniclers, such as the French poet Chretien de Troyes, tell similar versions of Arthur’s birth (Toohey). However, Geoffrey’s account is one of the earliest and most influential versions. Its purpose is to set the stage for the rest of the Arthurian legend and to establish Arthur as a figure with divine origins. The miraculous birth of Arthur has a profound effect on the reader, as it reinforces the idea that Arthur is a special and chosen figure who was destined for greatness.
The following passage can be analyzed in relation to this:
“But when the messenger of the tyrant had declared this message, the powerful king Uther was inflamed with love for her. He asked the wise magician Merlin to help him win her love, promising to reward him with whatever he desired. So the magician promised to help him.” (Monmouth 32)
This passage highlights the fictional aspects of Arthur’s birth, as it describes the use of magic and disguise by Uther and Merlin to enable the conception of Arthur. The idea of a powerful king being inflamed with love and seeking the help of a wise magician adds a layer of romance and adventure to the story, making it more appealing to the reader. This episode serves as a foundation for the supernatural elements that will play a central role in the Arthurian legend.
Works Cited
Monmouth, Geoffrey. History of the Kings of Britain. In parentheses Publications, 1999.
Loomis, R. M. (2019). Arthur in Geoffrey of Monmouth. In N. Lacy & J. Wilhelm (Eds.), The Romance of Arthur (pp. 58-87). Routledge. Web.
Toohey, Kathleen D. “The Arthurian Romances of Chrétien de Troyes: A Prosopographic Analysis Part 1.” International Arthurian Society, 2019.