Fantasy Genre

What is a fantasy?

Fantasies can be stories that involve

beings and events that could not exist in
real life. These works may begin
realistically but soon turn into stories
that could never really happen.
 Characteristics of Fantasy
• Use of time travel
• Imaginary beings from other planets
• Animals that talk or act human
• Fantastic creatures may be part of a fantasy –
unicorns, trolls, elves, etc.
• Sometimes characters speak a fantasy
language.
• Conflicts involve magic or impossible
strategies.
 Magical objects may be used.
• Mirrors
• Rings
• Cloaks
• Lamps
Types of Fantasy
• High Fantasy – Epic
type Hero saves the
world.
• Game Related –
stories based on movie
or video game
• Historical Fantasy –
Magic set in past era
or age.
Heroic Fantasy - King Arthur
• Tales of a great king who
fought off invaders from
the time the Romans left
Britain.
• Wizard Merlin helps and
guides.
• An enchanted sword
Excalibur.
• The Round Table & Holy
Grail.
Heroic Fantasy – The Hobbit
• Magic Ring
• Little man, Bilbo
Baggins, challenged to
rescue a treasure from
a dragon.
• Author: John Tolkien
Heroic Fantasy – Chronicles of
Narnia
• Magical land called
Narnia.
• Travel back through
wardrobe (closet).
• Heroes – Aslan the Lion,
children
• Villains – witch, evil
minions.