# Vivien — Idylls of the King character guide

> Vivien in Idylls of the King by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** lissome Vivien, Poor Vivien

**First appearance:** 0007-merlin-and-vivien

## Snapshot

The wily, lissome Vivien, born from death among the dead, who ferrets out the secrets of Arthur's court and hunts Merlin with his own charm.

## Who they are

Vivien comes to Camelot from King Mark's court, an orphan maid who kneels to Guinevere and weeps for a father slain in battle against the King. Beneath the meekness lies a scorner who tells Mark that hate, if perfect, casts out fear, and vows to bring him back the hearts of all Arthur's Order in her hand. She follows Merlin to Broceliande and lies at his feet before the hollow oak, working to quench the great Enchanter with the very charm he taught her.

## Relationships

### [Merlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/merlin)

_psychological_

Vivien seduces and entraps Merlin, using his love for her to learn his secrets and imprison him.

### [Merlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/merlin)

_psychological_

Vivien seduces and entraps Merlin, using his love for her to learn his secrets and imprison him.

### [Merlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/merlin)

_psychological_

Vivien seduces and entraps Merlin, using his love for her to learn his secrets and imprison him.

## In the story

### [Idylls of the King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/chapters/idylls-of-the-king)

The seductress who traps Merlin, symbolizing the destructive power of deceit.

### [Balin and Balan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/chapters/balin-and-balan)

Deceives Balin with fabricated tales of Lancelot and Guinevere's infidelity, provoking his violent outburst.

### [Merlin and Vivien](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/chapters/merlin-and-vivien)

A manipulative and vengeful woman, she infiltrates Camelot and seduces Merlin to learn a trapping charm.

### [Guinevere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/chapters/guinevere)

Lurking, overheard Guinevere and Lancelot's plan to meet, and informed Modred.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/vivien
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters