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Morthoron · 07-10-2007, 08:37 PM

I'd have to say Gandalf is the most consistent characterization and most forceful, with the caveat that T.H. White's reiteration of Merlin is, for me, the most endearing (imagine the difficulty of living backwards in time while everyone else is going forwards). Unfortunately, Merlin has been kicked around by so many authors (from Mary Stewart's somber, almost humorless character, to Zimmer-Bradley's use of 'the Merlin' as a title and giving it to more than one character, to the distant and arcane Merlin of Malory), and so poor Merlin has some baggage that Gandalf does not. I don't consider Dumbledore in the same league as Gandalf or Merlin, but then I never really was a fan of the Potter books.

07-10-2007, 08:37 PM	#8
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,515	I'd have to say Gandalf is the most consistent characterization and most forceful, with the caveat that T.H. White's reiteration of Merlin is, for me, the most endearing (imagine the difficulty of living backwards in time while everyone else is going forwards). Unfortunately, Merlin has been kicked around by so many authors (from Mary Stewart's somber, almost humorless character, to Zimmer-Bradley's use of 'the Merlin' as a title and giving it to more than one character, to the distant and arcane Merlin of Malory), and so poor Merlin has some baggage that Gandalf does not. I don't consider Dumbledore in the same league as Gandalf or Merlin, but then I never really was a fan of the Potter books. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.