#there’s such a severe lack of *respect* for Merlin. such a simplification of Merlin that Arthur is happy to continue imagining.
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Merlin is kind of like a dog to Arthur. I mean this in all of the good and all of the bad ways.
#but that is mostly bad. on account of the classism/general dehumanization#idk if it’s subtle to other ppl 😭 but he just doesn’t see Merlin as a full person with an equally (or moreso) complex life and mind#he also cares for him deeply simultaneously. hence the dog-like treatment#and that is majorly because he sees Merlin as a ‘simple servant’#b/c even if Merlin didn’t have all the ✨ magic ✨ going on… he is still a complex person deserving of dignity#Arthur literally won’t make the mental jump into that because Merlin hasn’t ‘proven’ that he’s ‘more’ than a servant#he doesn’t get promoted to advisor at the round table whilst everyone Arthur deemed worthy was promoted to the knighthood and Gwen to queen#Arthur still doesn’t see him as a very good physician. he sees Merlin’s worth/place as a human being as… someone there to serve him (a king)#which also implies that Arthur sees himself worthy of being served and of the excess power + wealth he has#(ie. Arthur’s skill as a king and warrior justify a disproportionately higher pay that comes thru taxation of the poor)#at the same time he cares deeply for Merlin. he certainly doesn’t want Merlin to die (barring 1x01 and 5x13). but#there’s such a severe lack of *respect* for Merlin. such a simplification of Merlin that Arthur is happy to continue imagining.#like lbr. that’s the real reason he never figured Merlin out — the image he made and kept of a ‘simple-minded fool’#no matter how wise or brave he was. no matter how many times he saved Arthur’s life.#merlin emrys#arthur critical#bbc merlin
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