The Shaping of a King in The Once and Future King by T.H. White

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Shaping the Future king

In The Once and Future King, Experience is Everything. T.H. White shows that education depends on ones owns personal experiences. Wart’s tutor, Merlyn, uses this exact learning method on Wart. Merlyn uses magic to transform Wart into various animals to show him important life lessons. The Wart is transformed into a fish, goose, and a badger in order to experience different forms of power each being a part of how he should rule as king. Wart learns from Mr. P that mind power is nothing, from the wild goose he learns freedom, and the badger teaches him to accept what you have.

When Wart is transformed into a fish he meets the master of the moat, Mr. P. When Wart accosted Mr. P he sensed a great deal of danger because of his massive size and strength. Mr. P Began to share his view on life, “There is only power. Power is of the individual mind, but the mind’s power is not enough” (52). With this comment, Mr. P is showing Wart the importance of physical power over the minds. Wart is so amazed by what Mr. P has stated that he becomes speechless and motionless....

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