thesis

Merlin, tours, détours (ou la séduction de Merlin, de Geoffroy de Monmouth et Robert de Boron à nos jours

Defense date:

Jan. 1, 1986

Edit

Institution:

Toulouse 2

Disciplines:

Literature

Authors:

Directors:

Abstract EN:

Study of merlin's character through middle age writings and numerous modern images. We studied his type of seduction which first appeared during the middle age period and also the evolution of this particular metaphor. We also focalized our attention on the evolution of the character himself : from the wild man (the fool on the hill) to an idealistic vision : the wise man. We tried to show the evidence of merlin's own seducing seducing processus : a mixture of ambiguity and pagan reminiscences. Merlin annoys, is attracting ; his whole presence gives a supplementary touch of meaning to the text. Merlin seems to be the fortunate possessor of a knowledge that is missing us : nostalgia of the roots or taste for suspense ?

Abstract FR:

Etude du personnage de merlin a travers les textes du moyenage et diverses representations modernes. Type de seduction developpe au moyen age et evolution de la representation. Passage du fou a une vision idealisante : le sage. Mise en evidence du processus de seduction propre a merlin : ambiguite et reminiscences paiennes. Merlin d'erange, attire, investit le texte d'un supplement de sens. Il semble investi d'une connaissance qui nous echappe : nostalgie des origines ou gout de l'enigme ?