The Arthurian Legend

Throughout the Arthurian legend, Arthur learns different lessons by turning into various animals, helping him become a better king in the future. Arthur meets a magician, Merlyn who becomes his mentor and teaches him to treat people with respect and kindness by showing him the lives of diverse animals. He starts out as a naive stranger to the vast world of governing but through these valuable experiences, he becomes familiar with rule. Beginning on a hot summer day, Arthur and his new tutor meet for his first lesson. He transforms into a fish and is brought to see the king of the moat. The large pike believes that the only worthy things in life are power and might. “‘Power is of the individual mind, but the mind’s power is not enough. Power of the body decides everything in the end, and only the Might is Right’” (White 52). The relationship between “Might” and “Right” represents the difference between control and morality. Arthur is disgusted with
He meets the badger who tells him a story about the creation of all embryos by God. It explains that Man is the strongest and highest of rank, being able to solve the riddle, not implying flaws in their original design. All embryos are given the gift of choosing what to be, the ability to alter any part of themselves, but they have to live with their desired tools in the future whether it be useful or ineffective.“‘Now then, step up and choose your tools, but remember that what you choose you will grow into, and will have to stick to’” (White 192). When the badger begins to insult humans, Arthur is quick to defend his own kind. He debates that although Man is the tyrant who goes to war, “‘...I should have liked to do great deeds, and be brave, and conquer my own fears” (White 194). Arthur takes pride in his species and the loyalty shown in this last step displays his potential to have a role in politics and