Thirteen Fantasy Cliches
By now, we’ve all read a fantasy novel (I hope) at some point in our lives. Perhaps you can relate to some of these clichés we’ve all come to know and love-- clichés that have now become staples to the genre.
1.) At some point during the story, the characters will either meet and/or discuss battle tactics in a tavern.
2.) This tavern will also have an inn attached so the characters can stay the night.
3.) Hero/heroine grows up in a tavern/inn.
4.) Mysterious, dark riders will show up to heighten tension.
5.) Hero/heroine’s family will be killed, thus forcing them on a life-threatening adventure.
6.) Hero/heroine is already an orphan, thus forcing them on a life-threatening adventure.
7.) The unlikeliest, poorest, or least experienced person will become the hero/heroine of the story, and the fate of the world is in their hands.
8.) The fantasy plot will be nothing less than total annihilation to king and country if the hero/heroine should fail their mission.
9.) There’s usually only one last dragon left in the world, one last wizard who knows the secret magics, or one last person who can wield the Mighty Uber Sword of Destiny.
10.) Elves will somehow be involved.
11.) Hero/heroine will go through some hellish ordeals throughout their plot, and will no longer be the fun-loving happy-go-lucky character of Chapter One.
12.) In fact, hero/heroine will become pensive and moody and wish things could go back to the way they were.
13.) At the end of the story, hero/heroine will either BE royalty, or so highly revered they might as well be royalty.
And there you have it. Thirteen clichés of the fantasy genre, whether it be straight fantasy, or fantasy romance. :)
~~Becka
http://www.RebeccaGoings.com
16 comments:
*snicker* I'm not confessing to how many off this list I've used.
I don't wanna, you can't make me :P
I don't think of them as cliches. More like guidelines to write a fantasy. *wg*
And your point is? *lol*
Great list!!
LOL! That reminds me of the scene in Stranger Than Fiction!
Well done!
I'm a huge fantasy novel and movie fan (I own way to many books hehehe)! Love your dragon header.
They do sound very familiar. lol
Is it bad that I like the fantasy cliche?
LOL. Very funny. I especially like elves showing up.
I think I resemble all 13 cliches... LOL
I like Tempest's post. They're merely "guidelines". :P
~~Becka
I've used a couple of those. ;D This was a totally amusing list!
Well, I was definitely waiting for the - young Hero or Heroine losing their familiy members and being forced off on their adventure - cliche. It's in them all! LOL!
Great list Becka!
I don't normally read fantasy, but your list makes me think I might like to!
You're so right about all of those!
*hugs*
Paige
Those were great. I think my fav was the dragon one. And maybe the elves.
I'm not much of a fantasy reader but know many who are. It seems to be a really popular genre.
[[Mighty Uber Sword of Destiny]]
[snickering]
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