Proving Arthur's Rightful Claim to the Throne: Merlin's Test
What test does Merlin propose to prove that Arthur is the true king?
A. Merlin asks Arthur to pull the Sword in the Stone, and only the true king can do so.
B. Merlin presents a magical sword in a stone and asks Arthur to draw it out to prove his lineage.
C. Merlin has Arthur recite a secret incantation that only the true king would know.
D. Merlin shows a hidden birthmark on Arthur that marks him as the rightful king.
Answer:
Merlin proves Arthur is the true king by presenting a magical sword in a stone. According to Arthurian legend, only the rightful king could draw out this enchanted sword.
Explanation:
In the Arthurian literature, Merlin helps to establish Arthur's rightful claim to the throne of England. According to the tale, he does this by presenting a sword in the stone, which only the true king could draw out. This is an enchanted sword, and removing it is a feat that no one else could accomplish, demonstrating that Arthur is the true king. So, the correct option among those given is B: 'Merlin presents a magical sword in a stone and asks Arthur to draw it out to prove his lineage.'