Merlin — The Sword in the Stone Character Profile

About Merlin

An elderly wizard who becomes Arthur's magical tutor. He uses transformations into fish, squirrels, and sparrows for educational lessons. He battles his nemesis Madam Mim, temporarily leaves for Bermuda out of frustration, and returns to guide Arthur as he assumes the throne.

Merlin — Character Profile

Merlin appears in 7 titles

• The Sword in the Stone (1963)
• Excalibur (1981) — character page
• A Kid in King Arthur's Court (1995) — character page
• King Arthur (2004) — character page
• Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) — character page
• Hellboy (2019) — character page
• Kaamelott: The First Chapter (2021) — character page

Character Facts

Played by

Karl Swenson

Appears in

The Sword in the Stone (1963)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (3)

• Merlin — Professional Tutor — Wart (Robert Reitherman)

  Merlin takes on the formal role of Wart's magical educator.

• Merlin — Conflict Arch Enemy — Madam Mim / Old Lady Squirrel (Martha Wentworth)

  The two wizards share a long-standing antagonistic rivalry.

• Merlin — Social Host — The Narrator/Sir Ector (Sebastian Cabot)

  Sir Ector provides Merlin lodging and supervision within his castle.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of The Sword in the Stone

More characters from The Sword in the Stone

• The Narrator/Sir Ector (Sebastian Cabot)
• Archimedes the Owl (Junius Matthews)
• Madam Mim / Old Lady Squirrel (Martha Wentworth)
• Scullery Maid (voice) (uncredited) (Barbara Jo Allen)
• Kay (Norman Alden)
• Knight in Crowd #1(uncredited) (Jack Albertson)
• Knight in Crowd (voice) (uncredited) (Tudor Owen)
• The Wolf / Pike / Tiger Mim (voice) (uncredited) (James MacDonald)
• Black Bart (voice) (uncredited) (Thurl Ravenscroft)
• Wart (Rickie Sorensen)
• The Minstrel in opening sequence (voice) (uncredited) (Fred Darian)
• Little Girl Squirrel (Ginny Tyler)