So yes, as both of you say, Pete and Nora, Act 5 seems very much a case of ‘lock/shut away or kill all the unruly women, maintain patrilinealism at all costs, and establish a quasi-androgenetic origin myth for “Britain”‘, because, of course, no one does remember Joan’s name. There is dissidence in Artesia’s laughter however as you also note.…[Read more]

More beard reflections. I’m sorry – but Merlin’s beard is mentioned 4 or 5 times in 4.1., it’s clearly important! It becomes evident in this scene that his beard is too manly for his stature I think – the Gentlemen call him a “small gentleman” for instance, so there appears to be a mismatch between his height and his hair. It strikes me that there…[Read more]

Those familiar with my research background won’t be surprised if I confine my discussion to Act 3’s presentation of Merlin as newborn with a beard because it is AMAZING.

But what in holy hell is going on? Early modern masculine ideology is clear that, in order to be considered a man, one must have a beard. Lucina assured us that Merlin will be…[Read more]

I’m fascinated with the shape of Act 2: how we move from the liminal, perilous and (as Pete says) identity-morphing space of the woods, ever closer to the court and ultimately the king’s bed-chamber – the place where legitimate heirs are begotten and patriarchy perpetuated. But something about that woodsy disorder continues to permeate all of th…[Read more]

Hi everyone. Wanted to open by saying that I’m already enjoying reading this play one act at a time and really considering what is presented in each one. Not sure I’ve ever done that.

First thing I wanted to say is how much I got out of reading the dramatis personae, particularly the intriguing role of the ‘little antic spirit’ and also the cha…[Read more]

Hi everyone, I’m Ellie and an early modernist with a special interest in gender, politics, and the practice-based/staging side of things. I’m also Nora’s colleague right now which is a) how I know she’s awesome and b) how I know about The Birth of Merlin! I’m very grateful to her for setting up a structured way for me to finally read this play.…[Read more]