So, this was actually a challenge set by the lovely Stacey (EPaws) on the A/G spot asking everyone what they love about Arthur Pendragon's character. And I thought that it would make sense for me to post my own reasoning here. Considering that I tend to be long and winding with my explanations.
My love for any character comes from the ideals which the character tries to embody. Arthur Pendragon always strives to be noble, chivalrous, confident, courageous, etc.- traits which I would characterize him as any day. But, it must be noted that Arthur doesn't always act upon these traits. In every season there are plenty of occasions where we see this present. It's clearly there all the time because Arthur isn't perfect. But he strives to always have some of those characteristics that were stated above. He's human and a round character with a great deal of dynamic. He is not a character who just thinks of what the noble thing is in a particular situation- other emotions and influences come into play and sway him. In season 1, the episode entitled "The Gates of Avalon" shows plenty of examples of Arthur's emotions swaying him. He is lusting for Sophia and when he decides to take her out, he forces Merlin to cover for him and take the blame. While clearly not the noble thing to do, it's completely normal. Have your servant cover for you. What's the worst that can happen? He's put in the stocks. Oh well. It is not the best position for Merlin, but Arthur has Merlin lie plenty of times in that episode. In "Lancelot and Guinevere," Arthur comes to rescue Gwen from the clutches of the thug, Hengist and sees the "rekindled spark" between Lancelot and Guinevere. The "noble" thing to do would be to let it go as he previously said in that episode, "I cannot expect Guinevere to wait for me." Yes well said, Arthur Pendragon. And yet for all his fine words, jealousy, pain, and hurt come into play. It's much easier said than done. He even goes so far as to state that he only came because Morgana begged him. (Instigating a rather interesting expression from Merls.) So Arthur is once again swayed from what he had previously said. And it's very human to be so. Who wants to see a character that does not feel these emotions when he sees the woman he loves have supposed "feelings" for another? It would be less appealing to us if he waved it down because he thought it was the noble thing to do and not have any personal emotion take hold of the situation. Then there's The Sword in the Stone Part 2, where a much more vulnerable Arthur is portrayed. He believes he has failed his people; he thinks there is nothing special about him especially after Tristan's words really begin to sink in. He's hopeless and he needs guidance- one that he cannot give to himself. We see the loss of confidence in our ever so valiant King and as viewers it hurts. It hurts because we understand what he's going through. We've all experienced that lack of confidence- that 'I'm such a failure at everything' mindset. He's a round character- dynamic. He is not a person that can be summed up im a few lovely adjectives. And that's what makes his character relatable. It's what makes him loved and admired. We can understand a character who is quite like us when it comes to emotion.
Another reason why Arthur is so loved is because of his development. He is the character who is most developed on Merlin despite the title of the show and therefore we very much get to experience him and his journey. And he has had a fantastic journey. In season 1, we meet an arrogant, pompous Prince who has his head in the clouds...and yet, seems to have a better heart than his ruthless father who just murdered the son of one Mary Collins who now seeks revenge. So, we're all intrigued right from the start about Prince Arthur. And we continue to be. We see him ready to put his life before Merlin's in "The Labyrinth of Gedref" and we get a glimpse of Arthur's compassion. How he would sacrifice himself before anyone else. And slowly we begin to see The Once and Future King evolve. We see his love for Guinevere, a handmaiden. His love for his people developing also. He intervenes in Uther's decree in Beauty and the Beast because he does not want his people to be treated so harshly. And we love him and root for him. Season 3 rolls about and he is beginning to take on much more responsiblity. Building his knights of the Round Table- knighting those who are commoners which has forever been against the code of knighthood. We see why and how he will be a different king than those before him. He is well rounded and his development through the seasons shows us his dynamic. And because we have seen his journey, we have seen all aspects of his character. We cry when he cries because we're so moved by his emotions- his triumphs and failures. We're angered when he completely trusts Agravaine- after recently being betrayed by his sister and being lied to by his father. This being too trusting leads him to make many mistakes once under the influence of those who do not mean well to him. Such as when he kills Carleon- an act that was not known of him before. His development is not straightforward, therefore. He is not going from a bad person to a good person and staying that way. He is trying to become this legendary king that we all are familiar with. However, there are many character flaws that will always cloud reasoning and many difficulties which come up and will continue to come up along the way. Because a person's development doesn't end. It's a continual inner journey of self-discovery. Self-discovery is always happening.
Arthur is clearly a much loved character for good reason. He has the ability to captivate viewers on screen because he is so very relatable and his journey of self-discovery is extremely realistic. He is a character that you really can't just characterize with a few good-sounding words. Because no person can be characterized as such and Arthur is no flat character who has no dynamic. He is a very strong person who has grown so much and will continue to grow. He is an unforgettable character. Plus, the fact that Bradley James portrays him so brilliantly is a major up side, of course.
My love for any character comes from the ideals which the character tries to embody. Arthur Pendragon always strives to be noble, chivalrous, confident, courageous, etc.- traits which I would characterize him as any day. But, it must be noted that Arthur doesn't always act upon these traits. In every season there are plenty of occasions where we see this present. It's clearly there all the time because Arthur isn't perfect. But he strives to always have some of those characteristics that were stated above. He's human and a round character with a great deal of dynamic. He is not a character who just thinks of what the noble thing is in a particular situation- other emotions and influences come into play and sway him. In season 1, the episode entitled "The Gates of Avalon" shows plenty of examples of Arthur's emotions swaying him. He is lusting for Sophia and when he decides to take her out, he forces Merlin to cover for him and take the blame. While clearly not the noble thing to do, it's completely normal. Have your servant cover for you. What's the worst that can happen? He's put in the stocks. Oh well. It is not the best position for Merlin, but Arthur has Merlin lie plenty of times in that episode. In "Lancelot and Guinevere," Arthur comes to rescue Gwen from the clutches of the thug, Hengist and sees the "rekindled spark" between Lancelot and Guinevere. The "noble" thing to do would be to let it go as he previously said in that episode, "I cannot expect Guinevere to wait for me." Yes well said, Arthur Pendragon. And yet for all his fine words, jealousy, pain, and hurt come into play. It's much easier said than done. He even goes so far as to state that he only came because Morgana begged him. (Instigating a rather interesting expression from Merls.) So Arthur is once again swayed from what he had previously said. And it's very human to be so. Who wants to see a character that does not feel these emotions when he sees the woman he loves have supposed "feelings" for another? It would be less appealing to us if he waved it down because he thought it was the noble thing to do and not have any personal emotion take hold of the situation. Then there's The Sword in the Stone Part 2, where a much more vulnerable Arthur is portrayed. He believes he has failed his people; he thinks there is nothing special about him especially after Tristan's words really begin to sink in. He's hopeless and he needs guidance- one that he cannot give to himself. We see the loss of confidence in our ever so valiant King and as viewers it hurts. It hurts because we understand what he's going through. We've all experienced that lack of confidence- that 'I'm such a failure at everything' mindset. He's a round character- dynamic. He is not a person that can be summed up im a few lovely adjectives. And that's what makes his character relatable. It's what makes him loved and admired. We can understand a character who is quite like us when it comes to emotion.
Another reason why Arthur is so loved is because of his development. He is the character who is most developed on Merlin despite the title of the show and therefore we very much get to experience him and his journey. And he has had a fantastic journey. In season 1, we meet an arrogant, pompous Prince who has his head in the clouds...and yet, seems to have a better heart than his ruthless father who just murdered the son of one Mary Collins who now seeks revenge. So, we're all intrigued right from the start about Prince Arthur. And we continue to be. We see him ready to put his life before Merlin's in "The Labyrinth of Gedref" and we get a glimpse of Arthur's compassion. How he would sacrifice himself before anyone else. And slowly we begin to see The Once and Future King evolve. We see his love for Guinevere, a handmaiden. His love for his people developing also. He intervenes in Uther's decree in Beauty and the Beast because he does not want his people to be treated so harshly. And we love him and root for him. Season 3 rolls about and he is beginning to take on much more responsiblity. Building his knights of the Round Table- knighting those who are commoners which has forever been against the code of knighthood. We see why and how he will be a different king than those before him. He is well rounded and his development through the seasons shows us his dynamic. And because we have seen his journey, we have seen all aspects of his character. We cry when he cries because we're so moved by his emotions- his triumphs and failures. We're angered when he completely trusts Agravaine- after recently being betrayed by his sister and being lied to by his father. This being too trusting leads him to make many mistakes once under the influence of those who do not mean well to him. Such as when he kills Carleon- an act that was not known of him before. His development is not straightforward, therefore. He is not going from a bad person to a good person and staying that way. He is trying to become this legendary king that we all are familiar with. However, there are many character flaws that will always cloud reasoning and many difficulties which come up and will continue to come up along the way. Because a person's development doesn't end. It's a continual inner journey of self-discovery. Self-discovery is always happening.
Arthur is clearly a much loved character for good reason. He has the ability to captivate viewers on screen because he is so very relatable and his journey of self-discovery is extremely realistic. He is a character that you really can't just characterize with a few good-sounding words. Because no person can be characterized as such and Arthur is no flat character who has no dynamic. He is a very strong person who has grown so much and will continue to grow. He is an unforgettable character. Plus, the fact that Bradley James portrays him so brilliantly is a major up side, of course.