- “There is something about you, Arthur Pendragon. Something which gives me hope for us all.”
- ―Queen Annis to Arthur Pendragon
King Arthur Pendragon is the deuteragonist of BBC's Merlin. He is the king of Camelot destined to unite the lands of the Five Kingdoms. He is the son of Ygraine Pendragon and Uther Pendragon, the husband of Guinevere, the paternal, half-brother of Morgana Pendragon and the best friend of the sorcerer, Merlin.
Arthur used to be pompous and arrogant; however, he matures as the series goes on, with influences from those he cares for (such as Gwen and Merlin).
He is portrayed by Bradley James.
Background[]
Since Uther and Ygraine could not conceive a child, Uther went asked Nimueh, a Priestess of the Old Religion to make it possible. Soon, his wife become pregnant with a son. However, in exchange for Arthur's birth, his mother died in childbirth due to the balance of the world of life and death based on the Old Religion.
Personality[]
Role in the series[]
Series 1[]
Series 2[]
Series 3[]
Series 4[]
Series 5[]
Three years after the fourth series, since retaking Camelot back from Morgana, Arthur has lead his kingdom into a new era of peace and prosperity. However after sending Gwaine to scout the northern mountains and him not returning, as well as Percival and begins to suspect his sister has something to do with their disappearances, which is a true statement. Arthur leaves Camelot with Merlin and what remains of their knights; however, they come across a village that was raided by Morgana's Saxons, leaving no survivors. Here, Merlin visits a druid seer on the brink of death. In his final words, the druid seer shows Merlin a vision where Arthur is killed by a grown-up Mordered. The next day, Arthur and his party visit Queen Annis, who has allowed him to travel through her kingdom's safe passage. It is here that Annis tells Arthur that the rumors are true: Morgana is taking prisoners to the abandoned fortress of Ismere, where Arthur suspects Gwaine and Percival are being hidden. Later that night, Arthur realizes something is troubling Merlin, who quickly denied it.
Quotes[]
- "We ride at dawn." - Arthur's favourite sentence.
- "God, have mercy." - Upon seeing Morgana Pendragon
- "Sometimes I think I know you, Merlin. Other times..." - to Merlin
- "You are nothing but a hypocrite and a liar!" - to Uther
- "Come on then. I warn you, I've been trained to kill since birth."
- "Put the sword down, Merlin, you look ridiculous." - to Merlin
- "You don't have a dog and fetch the stick yourself. No offence, Merlin." - to Merlin
- "You know me, Merlin, I never listen to you." - to Merlin
- "Guinevere, I... want you to know that your job is safe and that your home is yours for life. I guarantee you that. I know that under the circumstances, it's not much but, erm... anything you want, anything you need, all you have to do is ask. I am sorry." - to Guinevere
- "Stick to girls who are more... how can I put it... on your level. She can't be your friend, let alone anything else." - Arthur advising Merlin about Morgana Pendragon (while referring to his relationship with Gwen)
- "I don't imagine anyone loving you like that either" - to Morgana Pendragon
- "Father, please, I can't allow this. This is madness! There's no way *Merlin* is a sorcerer!" - to Uther about Merlin
- "She's a troll! A giant...grey...(Morgana: Stinking!) "stinking! Troll!" - to Uther
- "What happened to you Morgana? I thought we were friends." - to Morgana Pendragon
- "I swear I'm going to rescue my men, or die trying." - to Merlin
- "He has all the makings of a fine knight. Don't you think?" - to Merlin about Mordred
- "Just hold me – please" - Arthur to Merlin
- "Thank you" - Arthur's last words to Merlin
- "Right, you jumped up dung beetle, this is it. The final test. Pass this and you're a knight of Camelot. Fail, and you're no one. You face the most feared of all foes, the ultimate killing machine. You face me." - Arthur on the training ground
- "Shut up, Merlin." - to Merlin on numerous accounts.
Trivia[]
Differences from the myths[]
- In the show, Arthur and Morgan are paternal half-siblings. However, in the Legends, Arthur and Morgana share the same mother instead. This is similar to their parentage on Camelot
- Arthur is also related to Morgause, who is his half-sister. Her husband is King Lot and two, her sons, Gawain and Agravaine, are Arthur's nephews. In the series, Morgause is not his sister, King Lot is a character who was only mentioned in the season 4 finale, and Gawain, who is called Gwaine has no relation to Arthur or Morgause. This makes Agravaine the only character,, apart from Morgana, who is still related to Arthur but is his uncle and Ygraine's brother instead of her grandson.
- Arthur has affairs with either of his sisters depending on the version and usually results in the birth of his son, Mordred. However, at the time Mordred is conceived, Arthur is unaware that either one of his partners are his sister. In the Legends and other media, Arthur is disheartened when he learns he fathered a child with his own sister.In the series, Mordred is not related to Arthur, Morgause or Morgana.
- In the series, Arthur was raised with Morgana and initially has no idea that he and Morgana are siblings until the seige of Camelot. In the Legends they were not raised together.
- In the myths, Arthur had a spear and a dagger. However in the TV show he has notes and series of arrows as well.
- His swords, Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone, are also not the same weapon.
- In the series, however, they are the same but have different stories. In the series, Excalibur was thrown into the Lake of Avalon by Merlin and placed in a stone.
- Instead of pulling the Sword out of the Stone to prove his lineage Arthur had to remove it from the stone in the season 4 finale to "prove" he is a worthy King of Camelot. However the story was fabricated by Merlin so Arthur could restore his faith and hope.
- While sir Bedivere is tasked to return Excalibur to the lady of the lake after Arthur's death, Merlin is the one to return it.
- In the myths, Gwen had an affair with Lancelot, a tale the was not added until the French version emerged. In the series, Gwen remains loyal and faithful to Arthur and only commits an affair with Lancelot after being influenced by a magical bracelet that was enchanted by Morgana.
- Merlin is usually portrayed as being Arthur's senior, a fatherly figure for Arthur and is his advisor. In the series, Arthur is portrayed as being older than Merlin by about three years and they more or less have a brotherly dynamic instead. Also Merlin does give advice to Arthur that he does take to heart. Additionally, while the mythological Merlin disappears during Arthur's reign after being trapped in a crystal cave or tree by the lady of the lake, he is present through the whole reign.
- In the legend, Arthur was unaware of his birth parents and he was adopted by Sir Hector. When he learns the truth, his father Uther Pendragon, is killed before Arthur has the chance to meet him. In the series, however, Arthur is aware of his parentage, has a relationship with Uther, and status as a royal since the beginning. However, the circumstances behind his birth remained hidden from him
- Like his mystical counterpart, Arthur is a skilled swordsman.
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