High Fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy literature that is characterized by its expansive and intricate world-building, complex plotlines, and a vast array of characters. It often involves a struggle between good and evil, with the fate of the world or universe at stake. High Fantasy has its roots in mythology and folklore, with many authors drawing inspiration from these ancient tales to create their own unique worlds and stories.
The term “High Fantasy” was first coined by Lloyd Alexander in a 1971 essay, “High Fantasy and Heroic Romance,” to describe a sub-genre of fantasy that is set in a secondary world, as opposed to “Low Fantasy” which is set in the real world. High Fantasy has since become a popular genre in literature, particularly in young adult and adult fiction, with many notable authors and works contributing to its development and popularity.
Characteristics of High Fantasy
High Fantasy is distinguished by several key characteristics. These include the setting in a secondary world, the presence of magic or supernatural elements, a conflict between good and evil, and the inclusion of a quest or journey. The secondary world is often elaborately detailed, with its own history, geography, cultures, and languages. Magic is a common element in High Fantasy, with characters often possessing magical abilities or encountering magical creatures and artifacts.
The conflict in High Fantasy is typically epic in scale, with the fate of the world or universe at stake. The protagonists are often tasked with a quest or journey to defeat the forces of evil, and they must overcome numerous obstacles and challenges along the way. This quest often serves as the main plotline of the story, with various subplots and character arcs woven in. The characters in High Fantasy are often complex and well-developed, with their own strengths, weaknesses, and motivations.
Setting in a Secondary World
The setting in High Fantasy is one of its most distinguishing characteristics. The story takes place in a secondary world, separate from our own, which the author has created from scratch. This world is often richly detailed, with its own history, geography, cultures, and languages. The author may spend a significant amount of time describing this world, its inhabitants, and its customs, creating a sense of depth and realism.
The secondary world in High Fantasy is often a medieval or pre-industrial society, although this is not always the case. The world may be populated by a variety of races and species, including humans, elves, dwarves, and other fantastical creatures. The world may also have its own magical or supernatural elements, such as magical artifacts, spells, and creatures.
Magic and Supernatural Elements
Magic is a common element in High Fantasy. Characters may possess magical abilities, or they may encounter magical creatures and artifacts in their journey. The rules and limitations of magic vary from story to story, but it is often a powerful and dangerous force that can be used for both good and evil. Magic can serve as a plot device, a character trait, or a thematic element in the story.
Supernatural elements are also common in High Fantasy. These may include gods and goddesses, spirits, demons, and other otherworldly beings. These supernatural beings often play a significant role in the story, either as allies or adversaries to the protagonists. They may also serve as a source of conflict or tension in the story.
Themes and Tropes in High Fantasy
High Fantasy is known for its grand themes and tropes. These often revolve around the struggle between good and evil, the hero’s journey, and the quest or journey. The struggle between good and evil is often depicted as an epic battle, with the fate of the world or universe at stake. The protagonists are often portrayed as heroes, tasked with defeating the forces of evil and restoring peace and order to the world.
The hero’s journey is a common trope in High Fantasy. The protagonist is often a young, inexperienced character who is thrust into a dangerous and unfamiliar world. They must overcome numerous obstacles and challenges, grow and develop as a character, and ultimately defeat the antagonist. The quest or journey is another common trope, with the protagonist tasked with a mission or goal that they must achieve in order to save the world.
The Struggle Between Good and Evil
The struggle between good and evil is a central theme in High Fantasy. This conflict is often depicted as an epic battle, with the fate of the world or universe at stake. The forces of good are often represented by the protagonists and their allies, while the forces of evil are represented by the antagonist and their minions. The protagonists must overcome numerous obstacles and challenges, both physical and moral, in order to defeat the forces of evil.
The depiction of good and evil in High Fantasy is often complex and nuanced. The protagonists are not always purely good, and the antagonists are not always purely evil. Characters may have their own strengths, weaknesses, and motivations, and they may face moral dilemmas and difficult choices. This complexity adds depth and realism to the story, and it allows for character development and growth.
The Hero’s Journey
The hero’s journey is a common trope in High Fantasy. The protagonist is often a young, inexperienced character who is thrust into a dangerous and unfamiliar world. They must overcome numerous obstacles and challenges, grow and develop as a character, and ultimately defeat the antagonist. This journey often serves as the main plotline of the story, with various subplots and character arcs woven in.
The hero’s journey in High Fantasy often follows a similar pattern. The protagonist is called to adventure, faces trials and tribulations, receives aid from allies and mentors, confronts and defeats the antagonist, and returns home changed or transformed. This pattern, known as the monomyth or the hero’s journey, was first identified by Joseph Campbell in his book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces.”
J.R.R. Tolkien is often considered the father of High Fantasy. His “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, published in the mid-20th century, has had a profound influence on the genre. The trilogy is set in Middle-earth, a secondary world richly detailed with its own history, geography, cultures, and languages. The story follows a group of characters as they embark on a quest to destroy a powerful ring and defeat the dark lord Sauron.
Tolkien’s work is known for its epic scope, complex plotlines, and vast array of characters. His world-building is particularly notable, with Middle-earth serving as a fully realized world with its own history, geography, cultures, and languages. Tolkien’s work has served as the archetype for High Fantasy, influencing countless authors and works in the genre.
George R.R. Martin and “A Song of Ice and Fire”
George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series is another notable work in High Fantasy. The series is set in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, a secondary world with its own history, geography, cultures, and languages. The story follows a multitude of characters as they vie for power and survival in a world fraught with political intrigue, war, and supernatural threats.
Martin’s work is known for its intricate plotlines, complex characters, and moral ambiguity. His world-building is also notable, with the Seven Kingdoms serving as a fully realized world with its own history, geography, cultures, and languages. Martin’s work has been praised for its realism and complexity, and it has helped to popularize High Fantasy in mainstream culture.
Impact and Influence of High Fantasy
High Fantasy has had a significant impact on literature and popular culture. It has popularized the fantasy genre, introduced new generations of readers to speculative fiction, and influenced countless authors and works. High Fantasy has also had a significant impact on other forms of media, including film, television, and video games.
The impact of High Fantasy can be seen in its enduring popularity and influence. Works of High Fantasy, such as “The Lord of the Rings” and “A Song of Ice and Fire,” have become cultural touchstones, with their characters, themes, and worlds permeating popular culture. High Fantasy has also influenced other genres of literature, including science fiction, horror, and young adult fiction.
Influence on Literature
High Fantasy has had a significant influence on literature. It has popularized the fantasy genre, introduced new generations of readers to speculative fiction, and influenced countless authors and works. Authors of High Fantasy, such as J.R.R. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin, have been praised for their world-building, character development, and thematic depth, and their works have served as inspiration for countless other authors.
High Fantasy has also influenced other genres of literature. Elements of High Fantasy, such as world-building, magic, and the struggle between good and evil, can be seen in genres such as science fiction, horror, and young adult fiction. High Fantasy has also influenced the development of other sub-genres of fantasy, including urban fantasy, dark fantasy, and magical realism.
Influence on Other Media
High Fantasy has also had a significant impact on other forms of media. Works of High Fantasy have been adapted into successful films, television series, and video games, reaching a wider audience and further popularizing the genre. The “Lord of the Rings” and “Harry Potter” film series, for example, have been hugely successful, both critically and commercially, and have introduced new generations of viewers to High Fantasy.
Video games have also been heavily influenced by High Fantasy. Many popular video game franchises, such as “The Elder Scrolls,” “World of Warcraft,” and “Dragon Age,” feature elements of High Fantasy, including expansive world-building, magic, and epic quests. These games have helped to popularize High Fantasy among a younger audience and have contributed to the genre’s enduring popularity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, High Fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy literature that is characterized by its expansive and intricate world-building, complex plotlines, and a vast array of characters. It often involves a struggle between good and evil, with the fate of the world or universe at stake. High Fantasy has its roots in mythology and folklore, and it has been popularized by notable authors and works such as J.R.R. Tolkien‘s “The Lord of the Rings” and George R.R. Martin‘s “A Song of Ice and Fire.“
High Fantasy has had a significant impact on literature and popular culture, influencing countless authors and works, popularizing the fantasy genre, and permeating other forms of media such as film, television, and video games. With its enduring popularity and influence, High Fantasy continues to captivate readers with its richly detailed worlds, complex characters, and epic tales of good versus evil.
Kathryn Taylor was born and raised in the Midwest and has been a book lover and writer since childhood. As a queer teenager, she found solace in writing, and has written professionally ever since graduating from college. She loves a variety of fiction book genres, including romance books, thrillers, YA, sci-fi, and adventure. She's also a fan of the Oxford comma.
Kathryn has received numerous awards for her writing and now writes exclusively for RT Book Reviews. She is a passionate activist in the LGBTQ+ community, speaking at conferences and leading queer writing workshops. When not reading and writing, Kathryn enjoys visiting local libraries and bookstores across the country, exploring new cities, and spending time with her family.
