It's been umpteen years since I read Stewart, so I'm not sure this is what she was trying to do, but I wonder if tying Merlin's power to his virginity was a way of subverting the trope where women's power is tied to virginity. (I wouldn't necessarily bet on it, since I don't recall that being an Arthurian trope, but I could see it being done in an interesting way.)
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dancing_serpent
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-15 12:11 am (UTC)