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
the pike’s views on life and his exposure to a forceful government teaches him the dangers of an absolute monarchy. What he learns from his conversation with the ruler of the sea helps him deviate from establishing dictatorship as a king.
Furthermore, when Arthur’s mentor Merlyn turns him into an ant, he experiences a life with no freedom. There are two broadcasts that tell the rules and although they contradict each other, no one questions because it is looked against. Arthur runs into a sign that reads “Everything not forbidden is compulsory” (White 122). He believes that the sign is menacing and sinister. Free thought isn’t allowed because it poses a threat to the colony. Another ant catches Arthur doing nothing so he believes he is insane and reports him to the central command. Arthur learns that ants live in a world of communism. They share everything, especially the food that they collect. The ants have no individuality or unique features. In fact, they don’t even have their own names. One example of how communism is displayed is when Arthur has food in his mouth, another ant takes it without asking. As he tries his best to complete his duty of planting seeds, he learns the basic statements of their language, “done” and “not done.” From turning into an ant, Arthur discovers that ants are like mindless slaves who live in a conformist world. He disapproves of most of the ants’ government, but he uses their idea of equality through the Round Table in the future.
Finally, Merlyn turns Arthur into one last animal, a badger as he approaches the end of his education.
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
leadership.
All of these lessons learned enable Arthur to become King Arthur, the successful ruler of Camelot and the rest of Great Britain. The different governments in the societies of animals represent the possible leadership paths that he could follow as a king. Arthur uses the ideal combination of communism, dictatorship, and surely, loyalty to maintain authority over Britain.