Thomas Malory’s depiction of Merlin in Le Morte d’Arthur was that of a cold, distinguished sage, providing counsel to Arthur that, at times, appears morally difficult to follow. An example was in his counselling Arthur to send away newborn baby boys adrift at sea to risk perishing.T. H. White’s depiction of Merlyn in The One and Future King shows him as a bumbling wise man who lives backwards through time and eventually becomes younger. This opened the character to have more human traits, making him more relatable to readers.
