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Revision as of 20:10, 30 September 2008

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For other meanings see Fantasy (disambiguation)

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Fantasy is a genre of art, literature, film, television, and music that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of either plot, theme, setting, or all three. The genre is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by overall look, feel, and theme of the individual work, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three (collectively known as speculative fiction). In its broadest sense, fantasy covers works by many writers, artists, and musicians, from ancient myths and legends, to many recent works embraced by a wide audience today.

As with other forms of speculative fiction, actions and events in fantasy very often differ from those possible in consensus reality. In many cases, especially in older works of fantasy but in many modern works as well, this is explained by means of divine intervention, magic, or other supernatural forces. In other cases, most frequently in works of modern fantasy in the high fantasy subgenre, the story might take place in a fantasy world that is wholly different from our own, complete with distinct laws of nature that permit magic.

Definition

The defining characteristics of fantasy fiction and its many overlapping sub-genres are the subject of debate among writers, scholars and fans of the genre.

One characteristic often cited to delineate the boundary of fantasy is that the story's setting differs from our own universe in a manner that is not the result of science or technology, but rather the result of magic or other anomalous phenomena. This criterion is commonly, but not universally, accepted. For example, much of children's literature might fit this definition (e.g. the works of Dr. Seuss), but is nevertheless considered by many to be a separate genre.

As a genre, fantasy is both associated with and contrasted with science fiction and horror fiction. All three genres feature elements of the fantastic and make radical departures from reality or radical speculations regarding the nature of reality. Some writers and critics therefore prefer the term speculative fiction due to the frequent crossover from one genre to another. The term science fantasy is also sometimes used to describe science fiction stories that incorporate elements of fantasy, or fantasy stories that occur in settings more commonly associated with science fiction.

Further blurring the definition, some suggest there is a distinction between the fantasy genre and the more generic "fantastic", the latter referring to the use of fantasy-like elements in other fiction genres.

History

Template:details Though the genre in its modern sense is less than two centuries old, its antecedents have a long and distinguished history.

Beginning perhaps with the Epic of Gilgamesh and the earliest written documents known to humankind, mythic and other elements that would eventually come to define fantasy and its various subgenres have been a part of some of the grandest and most celebrated works of literature. From The Odyssey to Beowulf, from Arthurian Legend and medieval romance to the epic poetry of the Divine Comedy, fantastical adventures featuring brave heroes and heroines, deadly monsters, and secret arcane realms have inspired many audiences. In this sense, the history of fantasy and the history of literature are inextricably intertwined.

The history of modern imaginary-world fantasy begins with William Morris, who pioneered the genre in the late 19th century with The Well at the World's End and other novels, and Lord Dunsany, who continued the tradition into the 20th.

In the early to mid 20th century, much fantasy was published in the same magazines as science fiction (and often written by the same authors).

In the mid-1900's, two subgenres of fantasy became very popular and influential: high fantasy and sword and sorcery. Within the High Fantasy genre, J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are milestones; other important works include C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia and Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series. Some of the most important contributors to the Sword and Sorcery genre include Fritz Leiber, Robert E. Howard and Clark Ashton Smith. Fantasy writing saw renewed popularity in the latter half of the 20th century, often influenced by these seminal works and, like them, borrowing from myth, epic, and medieval romance.

The popularity of the fantasy genre has continued to increase in the 21st century, as evidenced by the best-selling status of the Harry Potter series as well as fantasy film adaptations that have achieved blockbuster status, most notably the recent Lord of the Rings movies.

Media

For more details on this topic, see fantasy art, fantasy film, fantasy literature

Fantasy is a popular genre, having found a home for itself in almost every medium. While fantasy art and fantasy films have been hugely successful, it is fantasy literature which has always been the most expansive and diverse.

Fantasy role-playing games cross several different media. The 'pen & paper' role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons was the first and is arguably the most successful and influential, though the science fantasy role-playing game series Final Fantasy has been an icon of the computer role-playing game genre. Role-playing games have in turn spawned much new art, literature, and even music in the genre. Game companies have published fantasy novels set in their own fictional game universes; the Forgotten Realms, and Dragonlance series are some of the more popular.

Similarly, series of novels based on fantasy films and TV series have found their own niche.


Template:details Modern fantasy, including early modern fantasy, has also spawned many new subgenres with no clear counterpart in mythology or folklore, although inspiration from mythology and folklore remains a consistent theme. Fantasy subgenres are numerous and diverse, frequently overlapping with other forms of speculative fiction in almost every medium in which they're produced. Noteworthy in this regard are the science fantasy and dark fantasy subgenres, which the fantasy genre shares with science fiction and horror, respectively.

Subculture

Fans of fantasy get together yearly at the World Fantasy Convention. The first was held in 1975 and it has occurred every year since. The convention is held at a different city each year.

See also

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External links

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