Archimedes

Archimedes, voiced by Junius Matthews, is a supporting character from the film, The Sword in the Stone. He is the pet owl of Merlin and has the ability to speak like a human.

Background
Little of Archimedes's past is known. At some point, he became the pet owl of Merlin, and gained the ability to speak. Archimedes is known for being somewhat grouchy and sarcastic. Though he is loyal to Merlin, he is not afraid to point out the Wizard's shortcomings and often does. He is however, very well educated, and possesses a great deal of practical knowledge.

Archimedes is based on Merlin's talking owl, from the book The Sword in the Stone, which the film was based on. Like the movie, the book version of Archimedes can talk and teaches Wart to fly.

Role in The Sword in the Stone
Archimedes first makes an appearance with Merlin in Merlin's cottage. He scoff's at Merlin's idea that someone will join them for tea. Later, when Wart does appear, he snidely reminds Merlin about his limits, when Merlins states that he can see everything in the future, as Merlin had no clue who the person was that would be joining them.

Archimedes accompanies Merlin as Merlin heads to [Sir Ector |Sir Ector's]] castle. Merlin introduces Archimedes as a "highly educated owl," which sends Sir Ector into hysterics, much to the offense of Archimedes. The next day, Archimedes protests that Merlin should return to the woods, as Sir Ector has placed the two of them in a crumbling tower, referred to as the "guest room."

He doesn't get his wish, and soon Archimedes is with Merlin as Merlin gives Wart a lesson. Merlin forgets the spell he intended to cast, and awakens a sleeping Archimedes for the spell. Archimedes is shown to be very cranky early in the morning, and finds a nice tree to sleep in, while Merlin and Wart swim through the moat as fish. Archimedes doesn't get much rest, as he is soon forced to come to the rescue of Wart, who is being chased by a giant pike. After Wart and Merlin are human again, Merlin slyly notes that Archimedes cared a lot about Wart's safety. This leads Archimedes to excuse himself on the basis that young perch is his favorite dish,and that he intended to eat Wart.

Archimedes is next seen after Wart is fired as Kay's squire. Merlin begins Wart's education in earnest by talking about very complicated theories. Archimedes sees that Wart is getting confused and takes over Wart's education. Archimedes is shown to be much more practical than Merlin. he first tasks Wart with reading a mountain of books, but when he discovers that Wart can't read or write, Archimedes teaches him. During a break, Merlin demonstrates a model airplane. Archimedes believes that it won't work, and becomes hysterical when the plane crashes, due to it being caught in Merlin's beard.

When Merlin turns Wart into a sparrow, so that Wart can fly as he dreamed, Merlin begins to explain the concept of flight using Archimedes as a model. Archimedes quickly stops this, and decides to teach Wart to fly himself, as Archimedes is a bird. He teaches Wart to fly by making him do it. Everything is going well, when a hawk appears and tries to eat Wart. Archimedes attempts to delay the hawk, and Wart is able to dive into a chimney to escape. When Archimedes sees that Wart is now in the hands of Madam Mim, Archimedes flies off to warn Merlin. Archimedes next appears as the Wizard's Duel is about to start, and explains the premise to Wart.

After Merlin becomes angry with Wart and goes to Bermuda, Archimedes stays with Wart, accompanying him to London to the tournament. He goes with Wart as Wart attempts to find a sword for Kay. When Wart attempts to retrieve the Sword in the Stone, Archimedes warns him against pulling it. Later, he witnesses Wart being officially recognized as the rightful king, and shows a mixture of happiness and disbelief.

After the coronation, Wart begins to feel unprepared for the duties of king. Archimedes tries to help Wart run away, but they are unsuccessful as the castle is surrounded by cheering subjects. Merlin magically reappears, to guide Wart again. Presumably, Archimedes stayed with Wart and Merlin.