Week 4 - Che Crawford - Fantasy

What are some archetypes of fantasy fiction?

The Hero

The most well known of fantasy archetypes is of course - The Hero. In the Earthsea Saga, our hero is Ged. There are two types of main hero, innocent and dangerous. The innocent one doesn’t know how he got into the action, but does his best to learn and overcome it. The dangerous hero is usually older and more experienced, and set out on their own quests.

Our hero is the innocent type.

Both types of hero can also appear as lesser characters. In our book - Vetch.

The Guide/Mentor

Guides in fantasy are skillful warriors or powerful magic users. Their job is, like their name states, to guide our hero on his journey. In Earthsea, this role is played party by some of the mages and Archmages at Roke Island. But the main Guide is predominantly Ogion, who heals Dunny with one touch, and later guides him as Ged in dealing with the shadow, leading Ged to recognise; “I have walked with great wizards and lived on the Isle of the Wise, but you are my true master Ogion.”

The Good/Bad Guy

The good/bad guy was once the brightest and the best, but is tempted to do evil. He is usually someone that is closely connected to the hero or guide, and will often turn good again at the end right before he dies, saving the hero’s life.

I think in Earthsea, that our hero actually fits into this archetype very well. Conceited, and egged on by Jasper, Ged is tempted to do something Ogion specifically banned him from doing unless he is in peril of his power or life, and as a result, Ged brings forth the shadow. Ged is so changed by this event that he goes back to ‘good’ and actively works to get rid of it.

Structure of Fantasy - A Hero’s Journey

1. THE ORDINARY WORLD.

Dunny is one of many children, who after losing his mother is looked after a bare minimum by his Aunt, the village witch. As her sister’s son, he meant nothing to her.

2. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE.

Dunny yells a rhyme aloud and the goats come to him. His Aunt recognises he is magic and trains him the best she can. Savage people attack their village, Dunny protects them with mist.

3. REFUSAL OF THE CALL.

This usually comes early in a fantasy story, but Ged has always been an eager character, plowing forward. The only time I can think of him refusing the call is when he runs and runs from the shadow.

4. MEETING WITH THE MENTOR.

Ogion comes to see and heal Dunny, and gives Dunny his truename - Ged. He then takes Ged to his home to train him.

5. CROSSING THE THRESHOLD.

Ged goes with Ogion. And then goes to the Island of Roke.

6. TESTS, ALLIES AND ENEMIES.

Ged meets the daughter of an enchantress. Ged meets Jasper and Vetch.

7. APPROACH.

Ged goes to school, where him and the other boys learn different branches of magic.

8. THE ORDEAL.

Ged summons the shadow. This changes him. He becomes less arrogant, and focuses on working hard.

This also happens when he faces the dragon. Ged chooses to help people rather then save himself by learning the name of the shadow.

9. THE REWARD.

Ged earns his mage staff.

10. THE ROAD BACK.

Ged finds his way back to Ogion, who offers him advice - chase the shadow. Vetch travels with him and together they go to face it.

11. THE RESURRECTION.

Ged faces and defeats the shadow.

12. RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR.

Ged and Vetch make their way back to Yarrow - Vetches sister (and I hope Ged’s soon to be love interest haha, but I have to read the rest of the books).