High Fantasy : a Definition

[Vincent Ferre]

Hi, I'm new here ;-)

I'm looking for a precise definition of "High" Fantasy, though I roughly know what it is.
any idea where I could find a definition of it ?

thanks
Vincent

[FitzChivalry]

I don't think there is an exact definition for it, it's not science.
But you may try one of the Fantasy encyclopedias, i believe i saw definition of various fantasy sub-genres in one of those.

[Zaku]

hello, i am also new here too. This world is pretty strange, huh? All these terms can be very confusing, indeed. But i think I have the answer for this one.
High fantasy is just reading fantasy high. In fact, if you don't like reading fantasy high, I believe many members here would consider that to be sacrilege. They would condemn you to a strange form of punishment called "FLAMING".

I know, its insane. Just learn what you can from these people and run. You do not ever want to experience the "FLAME". I would love to point out a few flammers, but I fear the consquences....
bwhaaaaaaaaaaaaa....RUNNNN!!!! HERE COMES THE FLAME!!!!! FLAMMERRRRSSSSS

[wastra]

There's really no definition of it, as it's an entirely subjective term.

I've always thought of fantasy encompassing everything from Mother Goose to Disney to Tolkien.

Hig Fantasy has always seemed to me to be literature aimed at a more amture audience than fairy tales. hence, most fantasy books you see are 'high fantasy'. They're full-blown literary works set in a fantasy world.

That's my opinion.

[Vincent Ferre]

hi

thanks for your replies ; but I'm quite surprised to read that it is not possible to give a definition to this term.

of course it is always possible to _try_ to define a term, even though definitions can never be perfect.

but ok, i'll manage ;-))

Vincent

[Barbarossa]

Hey Vincent do you sometimes hang around in the Wotmania site? If yes, then we talked before
Anyway, Welcome here

[LeMort]

At the risk of being controversial, I'd say that the definition of High Fantasy is: Fantasy without merit.

[Hobbit]

According to John Clute, from The Encyclopedia of Fantasy, High Fantasy is 'Fantasies set in otherworlds, specifically secondary worlds, and which deal with matters affecting the destiny of these worlds'.

Hmmm. Better try and explain these other terms too....

Otherworlds = 'some sort of automonous impossible world' (ie: impossible in real terms);it is impossible in the real sense, such as Alice Through the Looking Glass.

Secondary Worlds = defined by JRR Tolkien no less and summarised by John Clute as being similar to otherworlds but have some following of the same rules as 'reality'.

Having said that, both of these terms are often seen as interchangeable.

The main point here seems to be that High Fantasy is that which deals with matters affecting some sort of global destiny.

Think that might help things?

Now...try and think of some examples!

Hobbit

[FitzChivalry]

Good definition Hobbit, i agree.

[Hobbit]

Whoops - sorry for the multiple posting!

Thank you, Fitz!

It's not mine but it seems to fit the bill.



Hobbit

[Vincent Ferre]

Thanks a lot, Hobbit ;-)

Your message confirms what I had found about High Fantasy

>According to John Clute, from The Encyclopedia of Fantasy, High Fantasy is 'Fantasies set in otherworlds, specifically secondary worlds, and which deal with matters affecting the destiny of these worlds'.

Here is Boyer & Zahorski's definition, in The Fantastic Imagination: An Anthology of High Fantasy, New York, Avon, 1977 : High Fantasy is Fantasy set in a fully imagined Secondary World
vs Low Fantasy : supernatural intrusions into the "real" world

I can write the article with confidence, now ;-)

bye
Vincent

PS : >Barbarossa : sorry, no, I don't know the site

[NOEL]

ok i am new here but i can answe this question cause i remember reading it somewhere . high fantasy is fantasy where there is a major plot driving quest with not so many subplots . it involves incredibly powerful monsters and incredibly powerful wizards who can use magic for almost anything and can usally kill whole armies by themselves . a good example would be the riftwar .