Nicole Kimball, Chronicle to Canon: Classical Style & Insular Tradition in Monmouth’s Vita Merlini

Описание: Nicole Kimball (Newcastle), From Chronicle to Canon: Classical Style and Insular Tradition in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Vita Merlini.
6 March 2026

This paper focuses on the earliest appearance of Morgan le Fay in Arthurian literature, Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Vita Merlini. It examines his reconfiguration of the witch figure following the rediscovery of the classical corpus in the twelfth century. More specifically, it explores the medieval reliance on the authority of classical texts and the impact this had on Geoffrey’s interpretation of the witch figure. I argue that Geoffrey used the classical witch figure, particularly Circe, as a framework for the character of Morgan. In doing so, Geoffrey was able to convey the same level of power, authority, and dignity in his work that was endemic to writers such as Ovid and Virgil. Moreover, in recasting his native British ideas of magic within a classical framework, Geoffrey was able to bypass aspects that did not support the more academic ideas of magic that had come to the fore. The resulting witch figure was both positive and powerful, seamlessly blending into established legend. [Note: the recording cuts out just before the end of the presentation, and the Q&A was not captured.]

Dr. Nicole Kimball works as a Casual Academic at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Focused primarily on cultural and literary history, Nicole’s research focus explores the representation of witches and witchcraft throughout major works of literature, from the Odyssey of ancient Greece to the modern-day Harry Potter series. Her work examines the common features of the witch in these representations and addresses the reasons behind why these images might differ from the norm.


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