What are some archetypes (e.g. common character types) of fantasy fiction?
I think the archetypes of fantasy fiction are very narrow, they consist of the hero the wise teacher and the villain. These main characters are usually from different backgrounds and come together through a common interest, for example in ‘A Wizard of Earthsea’ Ged (Sparrowhawk) is a wild young man that is very powerful in his magic and in turn cannot control his magic as he is young and inexperienced and needs guidance, this guidance is given from a very strong and experienced wizard Ogion the Silent. This guidance is the same kind of help that Albus Dumbledore gave Harry Potter in the ‘Harry Potter Series’. The protagonist in fantasy fiction usually seem to come from a sheltered background and of no status, mainly a nobody/orphan that rises up to become something amazing. Harry Potter lost his parents just as Ged lost his mother, his siblings has left home and he doesn’t get on with his father.
When talking about the Age of Harry Potter Meredith Tax goes on to say “How different are the Harry Potter books really, in style and substance, from contemporary realism? Are they not parodies of same, combining realistic conventions with magical appliances and the war between good and evil?” (pp.15).
Le Guinn, U. (1993; 1968). A Wizard of Earthsea. In The Earthsea Quartet (pp.13-167). London: Penguin.
Tax, M. (Jan 28, 2002). In the Year of Harry Potter, Enter the Dragon. In The Nation. (pp.11-16).
Rowling, J.K. (1997-2007) The Harry Potter Series.
Well, I believe it is mainstream if fantasy fiction where we have the hero through gathering companions by one way or another defeat the evil. I can't think of any non-mainstream fantasy fiction I'd read before so let it be it then(though I'd be happy to try 1 if you know it). About the battle between good vs evil, it's one way to make the story richer and more interesting while showing us the development of the characters.
ReplyDeleteActually, in my cultural background, i got some views abut the archetypes of fantasy fiction as well. Chinese fantasy fictions are more likely to make some characters of sprits and animals, base on some fair and old stories. Animals will be changed to person who have magic between good and evil.for example, "Monkey King". this fiction is base on real history of Tang Dynasty.Above mentioned Harry Potter, i do not read or see the book or movies, but i still learn about some features about it. i agree with your opinions.
ReplyDeleteHi Teu,
ReplyDeleteAnother post well done!
I think you gave good examples from the primary texts (of heroes and their mentors) but could have have some of the evil guys/girls also!
Additionally, there are more than these 3 charachter archetypes described in the secondary readings.
I agree wiht you regarding the repetitious nature of fantasy
Esther :)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteSimon I agree with you about the battle between good vs evil being integral as it definitely makes the story more interesting.
Qunhua thinking back on this post I wasn’t really thinking about Chinese fantasy fiction or really any other cultural fantasy fiction for that matter, but I agree with you completely in the fact that I have missed out on quite a few different archetypes. I recently watched an anime 'Porco Rosso' this is also about a human turning into a pig by some evil spirit spell.
Esther, Are we supposed to edit these posts? or is it just general feedback? As im not sure whether to add or change things in my posts
Thanks for your comments :)