The origins of fantasy fiction
The dictionary describes fantasy as being of the imagination, especially when extravagant or unrestrained. It goes on to say that fantasy is the forming of mental images, especially wondrous or strange fancies; imaginative conceptualizing.
A fantasy novel is of the genre that includes magic and other supernatural elements as part of plot, setting or theme. Fantasy fiction in its modern form has been around for almost two centuries though it can be traced much further back.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is perhaps the earliest example of the fantasy genre. Gilgamesh was a Uruk King of Babylonia (modern day Iraq). It is believed that he ruled around 2700 B.C.. The first legends of Gilgamesh appeared around 2000 B.C., inscribed on clay tablets in the native Sumerian language. The version that is available today is believed to have been made up from twelve stone tablets found amongst the ruins of the library of King Ashurbanipal (King of Assyria 669-633 B.C.). These tablets named Shin-eqi-unninni as the author and he is possibly the first ever author that has been recorded.
George MacDonald, a Scottish author is widely regarded as the first author of fantasy books for adults. His works included The Princess and theGoblin and Phantastes. George MacDonald was a huge influence on both J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.
It was at the turn of the 19th century that fantasy fiction started to become popular with Lord Dunsany writing novels and short stories on the theme. Rudyard Kipling and Edgar Rice Burroughs also contributed to the genre at this time. Peter Pan (J.M. Barrie) and The Wizard of Oz (Frank L. Baum) were also published around this time.
In the 1950’s heroic fantasy began to find itself a much larger audience with Conan the Barbarian proving very popular. However, it was high fantasy, in the form of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings that enabled the fantasy genre to burst fully upon the nation’s conscience. C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia helped keep an already interested audience hooked on the genre.
The fantasy novel is still alive and well in the 21st century with J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series proving to be a phenomenon amongst both children and adults of all ages. The film versions of the Harry Potter series and The Lord of the Rings trilogy has also brought fantasy to a whole new generation.
Posted: January 6th, 2008
Author: admin
Categories: Articles
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