Merlin BBC UK TV Show - A Psychological Analysis Series Part 2
The Gay Arc Of Our Protagonist and Antagonist
Using magic equals homosexuality motif, Camelot represents a homophobic society. Against this backdrop, is where Morgana and Merlins character arcs are formed.
For Morgana, the backdrop of an intolerant society is further compounded by a homophobic family dynamic. She is literally disowned I.e not acknowledged by Uther as being his child (a fear a lot of lgbt people have). She ultimately rebels against the society and her family by coming to terms with her sexuality. However all the oppression and the unpleasant coming out process (Merlin literally poisons her) has made her bitter and she lashes out in destructive ways namely against the token heterosexual couple of the show Gwen and Arthur. It plays into the homophobic stereotype of how militant homosexuals are a threat to traditional heterosexual society. Morgana is literally turned from a brave and loyal friend who helped a lowly servant by going to his village and helping him defend it to being this irredeemable shrew once she embraces her true identity I.e a goth lesbian ROFLMAO.
Merlin who has also grown in a homophobic society, however was lucky enough to experience a tolerant interpersonal dynamics. His mother and his friend are both aware of his identity and are supportive of him. However unlike Morgana, Merlin chooses to stay in the closet because, he has chosen to focus on his career of being this amazing sorcerer whose job is to enable a king achieve greatness. This parallels a lot of gay people who remain closeted I,e actors, athletes, politicians, even ordinary people who feel coming out will deprive them of opportunities.
To really understand why the tone of merlin tv series changes drastically in seasons 4 and 5 is to understand the primary motivation of our hero and villain.
Merlin character arc is driven by fear. Fear of being found out. Fear of being rejected. Fear of failing his destiny.
Morgana character arc is driven by hate. Hatred of Uther for not acknowledging her and forcing her to supress her true self. Hatred of Camelot for condemning her when she wanted to rebel against a system that vilified her for what she was.
In classic fashion, those who rebel against society meet an untimely end. Morgana just like Sal Mineo’s character in the classic heavily gay Sub textual movie “Rebel Without A Cause” is killed off.
Merlin who plays by society’s rule by remaining closeted and denying his true feelings, lives to be an old man full of regret.
In a case of art imitating life, Richard Wilson, the actor who played Gaius, came out in his 80s and said that he regrets hiding all his life because he never got the chance to build a family with someone he loved. I think it’s very bittersweet how he played a role that frequently told Merlin to “be more careful”.
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