Merlin, the legendary wizard from Arthurian legend, is often associated with the Hogwarts house of Slytherin. Though Merlin predates the Harry Potter universe by centuries, many fans have speculated what house the great wizard would have been sorted into if he attended Hogwarts. There are several compelling reasons why Merlin exhibits the qualities valued by Salazar Slytherin and would have been sorted into Slytherin house.
Merlin Valued Cunning and Ambition
The two traits most associated with Slytherin house are cunning and ambition. Slytherins are known for their resourcefulness, cleverness, and determination to achieve their goals. Merlin embodied these qualities in many ways throughout the legends surrounding him.
As King Arthur’s advisor, Merlin often had to rely on his wit and intellect to guide and protect the young king. He frequently gave Arthur prudent advice and strategies, demonstrating his resourcefulness and wisdom. Merlin was a clever tactician who outsmarted Arthur’s enemies on many occasions through his quick thinking and magical abilities.
Merlin was also very ambitious in pursuing his goals of ushering in a new age led by Arthur. He put Arthur’s interests above his own and dedicated his life to making sure Arthur fulfilled his destiny of becoming a legendary king. Merlin worked diligently behind the scenes, showing great ambition and perseverance in accomplishing his aims.
Merlin Valued Pure-Blood Wizards
Salazar Slytherin was a strong proponent of pure-blood supremacy, believing wizards from all-magic families were superior. While Merlin did not discriminate to such an extent, he did seem to place great value on old magic and pure-blood wizard families.
The legends indicate Merlin was descended from ancient Celtic druids. He inherited his magical abilities from these ancestral roots in the Old Religion, giving him a claim to ancient, pure magical lineage. Merlin believed in upholding the traditions of the Old Religion and respected its power.
Merlin also chose to mentor and guide Arthur, who came from a long line of magical kings descended from dragons. He saw Arthur’s royal bloodline as giving him a rightful claim to the throne and special magical abilities. This emphasis on blood status and ancestry shows Merlin valued the traits of pure-blood wizard families, much like the Slytherin ideology.
Merlin Could Speak Parseltongue
One of the abilities associated with Salazar Slytherin and his descendants is the capability to speak Parseltongue, the language of snakes. As a legendary wizard closely tied to the natural world, Merlin was said to be able to converse with many animals, including serpents.
In Robert de Boron’s 13th century epic poem Merlin, the wizard spoke in riddles to deliver prophecies. This poetic speech was described as sounding sibilant, similar to the hissing of snakes. The Parseltongue-like abilities Merlin possessed align him with the gifts passed down through the Slytherin bloodline.
Merlin Possessed Many Slytherin Traits
Beyond his specific ambitions and abilities, Merlin exhibited personality traits that would have made him feel at home in Slytherin house:
- Cleverness – Merlin’s intellect, strategic mind, and ability to solve problems demonstrate his cleverness, a prized Slytherin trait.
- Cunning – Merlin achieved his goals through subtle strategy, foresight, and resourcefulness, showing his Slytherin-like cunning.
- Ambition – Merlin strove tirelessly to fulfill his ambitions for Arthur’s rule, dedicated to making Arthur a legendary king.
- Determination – Merlin never gave up on accomplishing his aims, persevering through all obstacles, which shows Slytherin determination.
- Self-preservation – Merlin’s secrecy about his magic and deceptions to keep his powers hidden align with the Slytherin instinct for self-preservation.
Overall, Merlin’s personality and drive match well with the type of student who would thrive in cunning, ambitious Slytherin house.
Merlin Used His Powers to Influence and Manipulate
While Merlin ultimately used his magic for good, he was not above using his powers to control situations and bend people to his will if it served the greater purpose. Slytherins are known for their tendency to use any means to achieve their ends.
As just one example, when Arthur was born, Merlin used his powers of prophecy to foresee that Arthur was destined to die at the hands of his half-sister Morgana. To prevent this fate, Merlin manipulated events behind the scenes to have Arthur fostered away from home as a baby without King Uther’s knowledge. This craftiness and end-justifies-the-means mentality aligns with the Slytherin approach.
Merlin Highly Valued Self-Preservation
Self-preservation was one of Merlin’s top priorities, leading him to keep his magical powers secret to protect himself. Slytherins also tend to be wary of showing vulnerability and adept at stealthily maneuvering behind the scenes.
Merlin lived during a time when magic was outlawed in Camelot. Despite being the last Dragonlord and a tremendously powerful wizard, he kept his magic hidden to avoid being executed. He protected himself by taking on the guise of an old man when serving as Arthur’s adviser. His constant vigilance against threats to his safety reflects Slytherin self-preservation.
Merlin Was a Powerful Leader in the Shadows
Slytherins are not always outright leaders like Gryffindors but often wield power subtly behind the scenes. Merlin took on this type of quiet leadership role in guiding Arthur toward his destiny.
He did not claim overt authority but still managed to steer the course of events through strategic advice, magical interventions, and prophecies. Merlin led in a distinctly Slytherin way, surpassing most others in magical ability yet working covertly to maneuver Arthur into a position of legendary leadership.
Conclusion
In summary, Merlin exhibits the key Slytherin traits of ambition, cunning, determination, blood status awareness, secrecy, manipulation, self-preservation, and behind-the-scenes leadership. His personality, abilities, and goals align closely with Salazar Slytherin’s values and the type of student sorted into Slytherin house. Looking at Merlin’s full story reveals him to exemplify the qualities of a true Slytherin wizard.