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In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, modern fantasy began to take shape. The history of modern fantasy literature begins with George MacDonald, the Scottish author of such novels as The Princess and the Goblin and Phantastes; the latter can be considered to be the first fantasy novel written for adults. [31]
May 18, 2020 · These classical works of fiction basically laid the groundwork for the typical hero’s journey as well as the hallmarks of fantasy stories for centuries to come. The Victorian age saw the publication of one of the most groundbreaking and influential fantasy novels of all time, Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland(1865). Not ...
- I. What Is Fantasy?
- II. Examples of Fantasy
- III. Types of Fantasy
- IV. Importance of Fantasy
- V. Examples of Fantasy in Literature
- VI. Examples of Fantasy in Pop Culture
- VII. Related Terms
- VIII. Conclusion
Fantasy, from the Greek ϕαντασία meaning ‘making visible,’ is a genre of fictionthat concentrates on imaginary elements (the fantastic). This can mean magic, the supernatural, alternate worlds, superheroes, monsters, fairies, magical creatures, mythological heroes—essentially, anything that an author can imagine outside of reality. With fantasy, th...
Fantasy stories can be about anything, anywhere, anytime with essentially no limitations on what is possible. A seemingly simple plotline can be made into a fantasy with just one quick moment: As can be seen, by changing one ordinary thing into something fantastic or imaginary—like a normal stuffed animal coming to life before the eyes of a child—t...
There are dozens of types and subgenres of fantasy; below are several of the most well-known and typically used.
While fiction in general is a popular way to tell stories, fantasy’s key asset is that it allows authors to do things outside the confines of the common world. By removing the limitations of reality, fantasy opens stories to the possibility of anything. People can become superheroes, animals can speak, dragons become real dangers, and magic can be ...
Example 1
Fantastic stories of kings and queens, princes and princesses, knights and dragons have been entertaining people for centuries. One of the oldest and most important pieces of English literature is the epic fantasy poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In this medieval tale, a green knight challenges King Arthur in a match that involves each opponent taking one stroke of an axe to their neck. Below is a selection from the tale, when one of Arthur’s knights steps up to take the challenge in pla...
Example 2
With his creation of The Hobbit and the subsequent The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien changed fantasy literature as the world knew it. The most influential part of his writing is the fact that the stories take place in a fantasy world—a world completely external to our own—now known as high fantasy or epic fantasy. In such a setting, elements of fantasy are a standard part of that world. Below is a map of Tolkien’s Middle Earth: Before Tolkien, the genre of fantasy was composed of stories...
Example 3
A very influential set of short fantasy stories is Aesop’s Fables. Below is the well-known tale of “The Hare and the Tortoise:” The fantastic element of this story is, of course, the talking tortoise and hare, and their abilities to reason like humans. Aesop’s Fablesare short, memorable, and enjoyable to both children and adults alike, which is why they remain relevant thousands of years after being written. They are particularly memorable because of the moral or lesson that closes each of th...
Fantasy has a particularly large presence in popular culture, much more so than most other genres. Many now-famous books and films have developed massive fan bases seemingly overnight, from fantasy classics like The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia, to modern day favorites like the Harry Potter series, theTwilight saga, and Percy Jack...
Science Fiction
Technically, science fiction could be considered a subgenre of fantasy, as it involves supernatural elements. However, it is always distinguished from fantasy because its focus is scientific and futuristic rather than magical and (often) medieval. The most influential science fiction stories to date are undoubtedly the George Lucas’s Star Wars films; further examples include the TV series Star Trek and novels like H.G. Wells’ The War of the World’s and Douglas Adams’ series The Hitchhiker’s G...
Horror
Like science fiction, horror could also technically be considered a subgenre of fantasy, but it is likewise always distinguished from fantasy. Horror’s main focus is to promote fear and terror in its audience, sometimes using supernatural elements like ghosts, zombies, monsters, demons, etc. Examples include classic films like The Exorcist and Poltergeist, the popular TV series The Walking Dead, and Stephen King’s horror novels like Pet Sematary.
In conclusion, fantasy is one of the most popular and significant genres in both popular culture and literary history. From its dozens of subgenres, to its compatibility with other genres, to its ability to be adapted into any form of media, fantasy’s influence cannot be compared to many other styles.
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Oct 1, 2021 · Untethered from scientific and societal laws, and limited only by their imaginations, fantasy authors explore themes by creating their own worlds, where dragons battle in the skies, alien diplomats try to maintain peace between planets, and strange creatures cohabitate Earth with humans.
Fantasy literature has been captivating readers for centuries, offering escapes into magical realms, epic battles, and timeless tales. In this article, we'll explore the rich history of fantasy literature, from its roots in ancient mythology to the modern classics we know and love.
Sep 26, 2024 · In the few decades before 2001, Fantasy was the domain of children and a “nerd culture” populated mostly by white males. But in the 2000s, other demographics became more interested in Fantasy, and there was a cry for representation in Fantasy stories for women and for racial, LGBTQ+, and geographic minorities.
The history of modern fantasy literature began with George MacDonald, author of such novels as The Princess and the Goblin (1868) and Phantastes (1868), the latter of which is widely considered to be the first fantasy novel written for adults.
