Morgan Le Fay appears in various identities—some helpful, some troublesome—in the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. In all her roles, she has the power to heal and the ability to change shapes at will.
According to some sources, Morgan Le Fay is Arthur's sister (or half sister). She opposes him and schemes to destroy his court by revealing the affair between his queen, Guinevere, and Sir Lancelot. Other stories identify Morgan Le Fay as the enchantress known as Nimuë or the Lady of the Lake. In this role, she tricks
* See Names and Places at the end of this volume for further information.
Arthur's magician Merlin to fall in love with her. After learning Merlin's secrets, she imprisons him behind invisible walls.
benevolent desiring good for others
Morgan Le Fay has another side in some stories. As the leader of the nine women who guard the island of Avalon, she lives in a castle beneath a lake surrounding the magical island. She appears as a benevolent figure when she gives Arthur the magical sword Excalibur and takes him to Avalon when he is near death.
See also Arthur, King ; Arthurian Legends ; Avalon ; Excalibur ; Lady of the Lake ; Merlin .
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