Me watching that scene where Arthur uses Merlin as a mounting block for his horse: Hmm, no, the guy who drank poison for Merlin like three minutes ago wouldn't do that. Guards, take that scene away.
Oh, here I come with my probably unpopular opinions.
I think the two scenes you mentioned are the epitome of Arthur’s character. He’s not his father’s son completely, he can’t stomach having people die for him when he can save them, but he was still raised in a household that held hierarchy above all else and as such, even maybe subconsciously (though I’m not sure I fully believe it’s all subconscious), he sees Merlin as beneath him enough to literally step on him.
Arthur has no problems overworking Merlin, making him the butt of the joke, having him be the person under his feet and his control, yet he still sees him as human enough to try everything to save him (as he does for basically anyone he can). He touts equality but doesn’t mind the fact that Merlin is quite literally serving him as a servant. He can’t shake the doctrine he was raised in enough to notice when he is abusing his power unless it is presented in these life or death scenarios.
And as such I think both of these scenes fit perfectly into his character, because Arthur barely notices how using Merlin as a block probably made Merlin feel, but he certainly can’t ignore Merlin taking death in his place. He isn’t his father’s son except when he is.
