How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph.)
Quote #1
"You swim along," said the tench, "as if there was nothing to be afraid of in the world. Don't you see that this place is exactly like the forest which you had to come through to find me?" (S.5.65)
One of the first steps on your road to adulthood is to recognize that the world isn't the safe place you think it is. There are dangers that you've been shielded from (usually by your parents), and here Merlyn (in the shape of a fish) scolds Arthur for not realizing this. Oh, sure: it's all fun and games... until someone gets his head snapped off by a hungry pike! Once you realize there are dangers that you can't see, though, you can start to learn.
Quote #2
The two knights stood to attention while one could count three. Then, with a last unanimous melodious clang, they both fell prostrate on the fatal sward. (S.7.231)
Young people have grand, idealized notions of what it means to be something or do something. How many young boys glamorize being a policeman or fireman? Here, Wart glamorizes being a knight errant, and by showing him the ridiculous fight between King Pellinore and Sir Grummore Grummursum, Merlyn gives Wart a taste of reality. Being a knight isn't all it's cracked up to be. You can get hurt, and sometimes it's just downright silly.
Quote #3
They dragged [Arthur] from under the dead griffin and found Kay's arrow sticking in its eye. (S.12.10)
The Robin Hood episode is not about Wart… but it's about Wart. Wart previously asked Merlyn why he couldn't change Kay into an animal, like he does for Wart. After Wart wears him down on the issue, Merlyn finally agrees to send the pair on an adventure. Here, Kay's the hero, not Wart. But, this episode says a lot about the boy, nonetheless. He understands Kay needs to feel special, and he's learning to be generous towards others and not take all the glory for himself.