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The earlier works of fantasy, such as the [[Iliad]] and the [[Odyssey]], contributed prominent elements to the modern day genre, such as themes of transformation and journeys to exotic lands. Because of its lengthy and rich heritage, fantasy is believed to be the antecedent of other literary genres.<ref name="Fantasy Literature"/> | The earlier works of fantasy, such as the [[Iliad]] and the [[Odyssey]], contributed prominent elements to the modern day genre, such as themes of transformation and journeys to exotic lands. Because of its lengthy and rich heritage, fantasy is believed to be the antecedent of other literary genres.<ref name="Fantasy Literature"/> | ||
Fantasy is notable as the only form of literature that consistently blurs the boundaries between adult fiction and children’s fiction.<ref>Sanchez, Matt. "Genre Fiction As Literature - Fantasy - Page 2." ''Genre Fiction As Literature'' - Fantasy - Page 2. 2005. Web. 2 July 2015. <http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring05/Sanchez/fantasy2.htm></ref> In recent years, fantasy has conquered box offices and best seller lists. Novels and novel based films, like the ''Harry Potter'' and the ''Lord of the Rings'' series, have made the genre popular in modern culture. Fantasy also plays a major role in the video gaming world. Players have the potential ability to write their own storylines through interactions within different games. | Fantasy is notable as the only form of [[literature]] that consistently blurs the boundaries between adult fiction and children’s fiction.<ref>Sanchez, Matt. "Genre Fiction As Literature - Fantasy - Page 2." ''Genre Fiction As Literature'' - Fantasy - Page 2. 2005. Web. 2 July 2015. <http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring05/Sanchez/fantasy2.htm></ref> In recent years, fantasy has conquered box offices and best seller lists. Novels and novel based films, like the ''Harry Potter'' and the ''Lord of the Rings'' series, have made the genre popular in modern culture. Fantasy also plays a major role in the video gaming world. Players have the potential ability to write their own storylines through interactions within different games. | ||
=Origins= | =Origins= | ||
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=Characteristics of Fantasy= | =Characteristics of Fantasy= | ||
One of the defining traits of the genre of fantasy is magic. It’s the most basic element of fantasy. Magic is something humans can’t perform, which makes the task intriguing to readers. Magic is | One of the defining traits of the genre of fantasy is magic. It’s the most basic element of fantasy. Magic is something humans can’t perform, which makes the task intriguing to readers. Magic is in charms, spells or rituals that are used in order to produce a supernatural event.<ref name="Fantasy Books">McGowen, Karlene. "Fantasy Books: There's a Whole Other World Out There". Web. 7 July 2015. <http://teachers.yale.edu/curriculum/viewer/initiative_06.03.08_u >.</ref> For example, Harry Potter finds out at the age of eleven he has magical abilities. | ||
Other worlds are an imaginative creation by the author of a place that is nothing like earth. It is a completely imagined world where anything can happen and is only limited by the author's imagination. The characters can also have the ability to jump between two worlds.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> For example, in C.S Lewis's ''The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe'', the characters are able to Narnia from England through a magical wardrobe. | Other worlds are an imaginative creation by the author of a place that is nothing like earth. It is a completely imagined world where anything can happen and is only limited by the author's imagination. The characters can also have the ability to jump between two worlds.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> For example, in C.S Lewis's ''The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe'', the characters are able to go to Narnia from England through a magical wardrobe. | ||
Universal themes are also needed. The most basic of these is good versus evil. There's always a good guy trying to fight for what is right against the powerful force of a bad guy.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> For example, in the Harry Potter series the good and evil could be Harry and Voldemort. Other themes include | Universal themes are also needed. The most basic of these is good versus evil. There's always a good guy trying to fight for what is right against the powerful force of a bad guy.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> For example, in the Harry Potter series the good and evil could be Harry and Voldemort. Other themes include love and friendship, death, isolation, etc. | ||
Special character types are abundant in fantasies. Some examples are fairies, giants, ogres, dragons, witches, unicorns and centaurs. | Special character types are abundant in fantasies. Some examples are fairies, giants, ogres, dragons, witches, unicorns and centaurs. An author can shape the character in such a way that the reader has no problem believing that such a being could exist.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> | ||
The use of talking animals or [anthropomorphism] in fantasy stories can be used for several purposes. Sometimes the animals can talk to humans, as in James in the ''Giant Peach'' or ''The Chronicles of Narnia''. Then sometimes the animals only talk amongst each other and are incapable of talking with humans, as in ''Charlotte's Web'', ''Redwall''or ''Rabbit Hill''. The need and use for communication is prevalent in both types.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> | The use of talking animals or [anthropomorphism] in fantasy stories can be used for several purposes. Sometimes the animals can talk to humans, as in James in the ''Giant Peach'' or ''The Chronicles of Narnia''. Then sometimes the animals only talk amongst each other and are incapable of talking with humans, as in ''Charlotte's Web'', ''Redwall''or ''Rabbit Hill''. The need and use for communication is prevalent in both types.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> | ||
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Fantastic objects help the characters perform their task. Many times these objects become almost a character in themselves. Many times characters need such an object to make themselves complete.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> In Harry Potter, J. K Rowling writes, “…the wand chooses the wizard.” The wand has emotions and can feel, making it a character. Also in the series, The Sorting Hat chooses the house to which each wizard or witch belongs. | Fantastic objects help the characters perform their task. Many times these objects become almost a character in themselves. Many times characters need such an object to make themselves complete.<ref name="Fantasy Books"/> In Harry Potter, J. K Rowling writes, “…the wand chooses the wizard.” The wand has emotions and can feel, making it a character. Also in the series, The Sorting Hat chooses the house to which each wizard or witch belongs. | ||
Mythology also consists of monsters, creatures, and magic. The two lie very close together when it comes to contents and themes. Tolkien borrowed a lot from mythology when he built Middle-Earth, using Nordic, Germanic, and archaic English myths and legends.<ref>Penn, Joanna. " Writing Fantasy: A Short Guide To The Genre". 2013. Web. 7 July 2015. < http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2013/06/27/writing-fantasy/ >.</ref> | |||
=Types of Fantasy= | =Types of Fantasy= | ||
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===Low Fantasies=== | ===Low Fantasies=== | ||
[[File:American-gods-cover-600.jpg|thumb|American Gods]] | [[File:American-gods-cover-600.jpg|thumb|American Gods]] | ||
Low fantasies are set in the real world with magical components.<ref>"Low Fantasy." <i>Low Fantasy</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. http://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/low-fantasy.html </ref> Low fantasy is in opposition to high fantasy literature with irrational events occurring in a rational setting. It does not consist of magical creatures or secondary worlds. Low fantasy stories focus on the protagonist's daily life. ''Harry Potter'' is one example. The series showcases the adventures of a young wizard. Harry’s quest is to overcome the Dark wizard Lord Voldemort. American Gods is another novel that displays low fantasy elements.<ref>"Neil's Work." "Neil's Work | Books | American Gods." Neil Gaiman Neil's Work. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/American+Gods/in/180/</ref> The main point of the novel is gods and mythical creatures existed simply because people believed in them. Immigrants brought spirits and gods with them to the United States.The conflict is the war between the new gods and the old ones. | Low fantasies are set in the real world with magical components.<ref>"Low Fantasy." <i>Low Fantasy</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. http://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/low-fantasy.html </ref> Low fantasy is in opposition to high fantasy literature with irrational events occurring in a rational setting. It does not consist of magical creatures or secondary worlds. Low fantasy stories focus on the protagonist's daily life. ''Harry Potter'' is one example. The series showcases the adventures of a young wizard. Harry’s quest is to overcome the Dark wizard Lord Voldemort. American Gods is another novel that displays low fantasy elements.<ref>"Neil's Work." "Neil's Work | Books | American Gods." Neil Gaiman Neil's Work. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/American+Gods/in/180/</ref> The main point of the novel is gods and mythical creatures existed simply because people believed in them. Immigrants brought spirits and gods with them to the United States.The conflict is the war between the new gods and the old ones. | ||
===High Fantasy=== | ===High Fantasy=== | ||
High Fantasies include characters such as dragons, elves, wizards and dwarfs that can be found in a secondary world. The plots are serious, and the main hero fights evil forces. Contemporary high fantasies either exclude the primary world, parallel the primary world with the secondary world, or have the hero enter the secondary world from the primary world through a portal.<ref>"High Fantasy." <i>Wikipedia</i>. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_fantasy>.</ref> ''The Lord of the Rings'' is a high fantasy novel.<ref>"The Lord of the Rings." <i>Wikipedia</i>. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings>.</ref> The ring symbolizes power and evil; it was created by the The Dark Lord Sauron to rule over middle-earth.<ref>"Sauron." <i>The One Wiki to Rule Them All</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. <http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sauron>.</ref> It is more powerful than other power rings within the secondary world. The "Eye or Sauron" is a representation of darkness. The "Eye" is used to protect Mordor and give Lord Sauron the ability to see all. | High Fantasies include characters such as dragons, elves, wizards and dwarfs that can be found in a secondary world. The plots are serious, and the main hero fights evil forces. Contemporary high fantasies either exclude the primary world, parallel the primary world with the secondary world, or have the hero enter the secondary world from the primary world through a portal.<ref>"High Fantasy." <i>Wikipedia</i>. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_fantasy>.</ref> ''The Lord of the Rings'' is a high fantasy novel.<ref>"The Lord of the Rings." <i>Wikipedia</i>. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings>.</ref> The ring symbolizes power and evil; it was created by the The Dark Lord Sauron to rule over middle-earth.<ref>"Sauron." <i>The One Wiki to Rule Them All</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. <http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sauron>.</ref> It is more powerful than other power rings within the secondary world. The "Eye or Sauron" is a representation of darkness. The "Eye" is used to protect Mordor and give Lord Sauron the ability to see all. | ||
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===Heroic Fantasy=== | ===Heroic Fantasy=== | ||
[[File:The Ring.jpg|thumb|Left|The Ring]] | |||
Heroic fantasies follow the hero's story within the secondary world. Most heroes are humble and reluctant to go on the journey. They learn, grow, and become self-aware along their trials and tribulations. Problems presented in the plot are those of the hero, not of the secondary or primary world.<ref>"Heroic Fantasy." <i>Heroic Fantasy</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. <http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HeroicFantasy>.</ref> | Heroic fantasies follow the hero's story within the secondary world. Most heroes are humble and reluctant to go on the journey. They learn, grow, and become self-aware along their trials and tribulations. Problems presented in the plot are those of the hero, not of the secondary or primary world.<ref>"Heroic Fantasy." <i>Heroic Fantasy</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. <http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HeroicFantasy>.</ref> | ||
Frodo Baggins, from ''The Lord of the Rings'', battles alongside with wizards, dwarfs, and other creatures along the quest to destroy the "ring" in the fire of Mount Doom.<ref>"Frodo Baggins." <i>The One Wiki to Rule Them All</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. <http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo_Baggins>.</ref> The journey Frodo embarks on is a test of survival; he travels thousands of miles, on foot, escaping the black riders, and fighting off Sauron's men holding the only ring that controls middle earth. Throughout his journey, Frodo struggles with the decision to keep the ring for himself or have it destroyed. | Frodo Baggins, from ''The Lord of the Rings'', battles alongside with wizards, dwarfs, and other creatures along the quest to destroy the "ring" in the fire of Mount Doom.<ref>"Frodo Baggins." <i>The One Wiki to Rule Them All</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. <http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo_Baggins>.</ref> The journey Frodo embarks on is a test of survival; he travels thousands of miles, on foot, escaping the black riders, and fighting off Sauron's men holding the only ring that controls middle earth. Throughout his journey, Frodo struggles with the decision to keep the ring for himself or have it destroyed. | ||
===Epic Fantasy=== | ===Epic Fantasy=== | ||
Epic fantasy, often mistaken for high fantasy, takes its name from the tradition of epic poetry. Like epic poetry, epic fantasy novels have many characters and long, complex plots which help shape the nature of the world.<ref>Smith, Chloe. "What Makes 'Epic Fantasy' Epic." ''Fantasy Faction''. 23 Nov. 2013. Web. 26 June 2015. http://fantasy-fiction.com/2013/what-makes-epic-fantasy-epic</ref> Epic fantasy tales have a high level of magic and violence. Although epic fantasy can be traced back to the epic of ''Beowulf'' and ''Gilgamesh'', epic fantasy is still a popular sub-genre of fantasy. Modern versions of epic fantasy tend to be more complicated and realistic. The difference between right and wrong is not as easily separated. The most popular epic fantasy novels of today are J.R.R. Tolkien’s ''The Lord of the Rings'' and George R.R. Martin’s ''A Game of Thrones''.<ref>"Epic Fantasy." ''Best Fantasy Books''. Web. 26 June 2015. http://bestfantasybooks.com/epic-fantasy.html</ref> | Epic fantasy, often mistaken for high fantasy, takes its name from the tradition of epic poetry. Like epic poetry, epic fantasy novels have many characters and long, complex plots which help shape the nature of the world.<ref>Smith, Chloe. "What Makes 'Epic Fantasy' Epic." ''Fantasy Faction''. 23 Nov. 2013. Web. 26 June 2015. http://fantasy-fiction.com/2013/what-makes-epic-fantasy-epic</ref> Epic fantasy tales have a high level of magic and violence. Although epic fantasy can be traced back to the epic of ''Beowulf'' and ''Gilgamesh'', epic fantasy is still a popular sub-genre of fantasy. Modern versions of epic fantasy tend to be more complicated and realistic. The difference between right and wrong is not as easily separated. The most popular epic fantasy novels of today are J.R.R. Tolkien’s ''The Lord of the Rings'' and George R.R. Martin’s ''A Game of Thrones''.<ref>"Epic Fantasy." ''Best Fantasy Books''. Web. 26 June 2015. http://bestfantasybooks.com/epic-fantasy.html</ref> | ||
===Sword and Sorcery=== | ===Sword and Sorcery=== | ||
Sword and sorcery fantasy is characterized by heroes engaging in action and violence in fast paced stories. <ref> "Sword and Sorcery." ''Wikipedia''. Wikimedia Foundation, 1 July 2015. Web. 7 July 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_and_sorcery</ref> Tales of sword and sorcery are narrowly focused unlike high fantasy stories which focus more on personal stakes and are self-contained. These stories pull from mythology and classic epics such as Homer's ''Odyssey''. A popular defining work of the genre is ''Conan The Barbarian'', a series by Robert E. Howard. The term "sword and sorcery" originated from the British author Michael Moorcock when he wanted a term for Robert E. Howard's fantasy series. | Sword and sorcery fantasy is characterized by heroes engaging in action and violence in fast paced stories. <ref> "Sword and Sorcery." ''Wikipedia''. Wikimedia Foundation, 1 July 2015. Web. 7 July 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_and_sorcery</ref> Tales of sword and sorcery are narrowly focused unlike high fantasy stories which focus more on personal stakes and are self-contained. These stories pull from mythology and classic epics such as Homer's ''Odyssey''. A popular defining work of the genre is ''Conan The Barbarian'', a series by Robert E. Howard. The term "sword and sorcery" originated from the British author Michael Moorcock when he wanted a term for Robert E. Howard's fantasy series. | ||
===Folklore=== | ===Folklore=== | ||
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Popular authors of the New Weird include China Mieville, Richard Calder, Jonathan Carroll, James Morrow, John Crowley, and many more.<ref>Davies, Alice."Science Fiction Research Association." New Weird 101. 2010. Web. 2 July 2015. <http://www.sfra.org/sf101newweird>.</ref> | Popular authors of the New Weird include China Mieville, Richard Calder, Jonathan Carroll, James Morrow, John Crowley, and many more.<ref>Davies, Alice."Science Fiction Research Association." New Weird 101. 2010. Web. 2 July 2015. <http://www.sfra.org/sf101newweird>.</ref> | ||
===Romantic Fantasy=== | ===Romantic Fantasy=== | ||
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Urban, or modern, fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that is characterized by setting or place. The location is often a city on Earth. Urban fantasy is the opposite of high fantasy- which is established in a fabricated world. Urban fantasy consists of contemporary settings featuring supernatural elements. These stories can exist in a historical, modern, or futuristic period, but the majority of the story must be mostly based in a city. Urban fantasy can include aliens, issues of human and non-human beings coexisting peacefully or otherwise, and/or the involvement of paranormal or mythological creatures. <ref>"Urban Fantasy." ''Wikipedia''. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 1 July 2015. Web. 3 July 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_fantasy/></ref> Urban fantasy depicts the influence of modern society on the fantasy elements included in the story, such as an alien driving a truck or a wizard using a telephone booth. Magic is an aspect that is out of the ordinary for the vast majority of the people in the story, and the majority will live normal lives that are ignorant to the fantastical elements around them. Urban fantasy often crosses paths with gothic punk, horror, magical realism, or paranormal romance. <ref>"Urban Fantasy." ''TV Tropes''. Web. 3 July 2015. <http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UrbanFantasy></ref> | Urban, or modern, fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that is characterized by setting or place. The location is often a city on Earth. Urban fantasy is the opposite of high fantasy- which is established in a fabricated world. Urban fantasy consists of contemporary settings featuring supernatural elements. These stories can exist in a historical, modern, or futuristic period, but the majority of the story must be mostly based in a city. Urban fantasy can include aliens, issues of human and non-human beings coexisting peacefully or otherwise, and/or the involvement of paranormal or mythological creatures. <ref>"Urban Fantasy." ''Wikipedia''. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 1 July 2015. Web. 3 July 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_fantasy/></ref> Urban fantasy depicts the influence of modern society on the fantasy elements included in the story, such as an alien driving a truck or a wizard using a telephone booth. Magic is an aspect that is out of the ordinary for the vast majority of the people in the story, and the majority will live normal lives that are ignorant to the fantastical elements around them. Urban fantasy often crosses paths with gothic punk, horror, magical realism, or paranormal romance. <ref>"Urban Fantasy." ''TV Tropes''. Web. 3 July 2015. <http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UrbanFantasy></ref> | ||
===Gothic Fantasy (Dark Fantasy)=== | ===Gothic Fantasy (Dark Fantasy)=== | ||
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The grim and dark tone of these stories gives this genre its name. Grimdark stories are often set in dystopian or amoral societies with a violent, realistic setting. These fantastic works move away from the uplifting and idealized. Grimdark illustrates how bleak and brutal life is at the moment or was in the past. The narratives do not re-image history or past events, but instead express pessimism or disillusionment. Grimdark features some similar characteristics of dark realism texts and the agency of the protagonist is that they are characters that must choose between good and evil, but they are just as lost as the average person- they have no special insight to how the world works. These texts are based on human nature; elements of jealously, murder, adultery, pride, revenge, and tragedy are all extremely common in Grimdark. While set in fantasy worlds, there is more focus on the psychology of the character than the surroundings <ref>Witvliet, Philip. "Grimdark Defined." ''Grimdark Reader''. Web. 3 July 2015. <http://grimdark-fantasy-reader.blogspot.com/p/grimdark-defined_4656.html></ref> | The grim and dark tone of these stories gives this genre its name. Grimdark stories are often set in dystopian or amoral societies with a violent, realistic setting. These fantastic works move away from the uplifting and idealized. Grimdark illustrates how bleak and brutal life is at the moment or was in the past. The narratives do not re-image history or past events, but instead express pessimism or disillusionment. Grimdark features some similar characteristics of dark realism texts and the agency of the protagonist is that they are characters that must choose between good and evil, but they are just as lost as the average person- they have no special insight to how the world works. These texts are based on human nature; elements of jealously, murder, adultery, pride, revenge, and tragedy are all extremely common in Grimdark. While set in fantasy worlds, there is more focus on the psychology of the character than the surroundings <ref>Witvliet, Philip. "Grimdark Defined." ''Grimdark Reader''. Web. 3 July 2015. <http://grimdark-fantasy-reader.blogspot.com/p/grimdark-defined_4656.html></ref> | ||
=Fantasy in Media= | =Fantasy in Media= | ||