Myths and Heroes: What makes a fantasy hero in both fantasy fictions the hobbits and game of thrones ?

Myths and Heroes

Intro

Today I am going to introduce you to the concept of myths and heroes. But first of all, I would like to define the terms of myths and heroes.

A myth can be defined as a story about gods or heroes, it can be a popular belief or a tradition or a false notion. A hero can be a mythological figure, a person who is admired for his or her achievements, a superhero or maybe a role model or an icon.

What makes a fantasy hero in both fantasy fictions the hobbits and game of thrones ?

I – What is heroic fantasy

To begin with, one must first know what a heroic fantasy is.

In heroic fantasy one often finds the same types of characters: the hero, his second who can be a knight, a magician, or any other fancy creature like elves, dwarves, princes, dragons, wizard, fairy, etc. ...

At the same time, we can see that the hero evolves in a place often close to the Middle Ages with magical and mystical peculiarities. We find for example the use of magic formulas, runes, or even swords, horses, but also shield and outfits of the Middle Ages (helmets, armor).

And we can find all these things in Game of Thrones or the Hobbit.

Indeed Jon Snow in Game of Throne is in a place where the magic and the dragon exists, he is himself a Lord's son and fights against a whimsical enemies called the Whitewalkers.

Similarly for Bilbo, a hobbit living in a tiny house in the countryside, friend with a magician who will entrust him with a quest from home accompanied by dwarves.

II – Heroes begins in difficulties

As can be seen a heroic fantasy needs a hero to start. But we observe here that the hero always begins his story with a difficulty or an emancipation of the character to his routine. Indeed Bilbo loves his house and his quiet routine, but when Gandalf comes to propose him to go on an adventure the hero Bilbo does not agree and wants to stay in his comfort. For the character leaving his house and his tranquility is a big loss he saw very badly at the beginning of the story. "He does not want any adventure!"

For Jon Snow, there is talk of a family breakdown. Jon Snow is not the son of Lord Eddard Stark's wife. So Lady Stark does not like him and rejects him because he is not his son and she sees in him only the cheating of her husband to her.

So Jon Snow is a bastard and has no place in the castle with the Stark family. In order to redeem himself and find a way to be useful, Jon Snow goes to the north wall to monitor and fight the arrival of the Whitewalkers. For our two heroes their quest begins after they have separated from the things they loved most or belonged to them. We can see that for Jon Snow the pain of leaving everything is greater than that of Bilbo, because Jon Snow does not only leave material, he also leaves these brothers and sisters alone and he knows he will never see them again.

III – The journey of the Heroes

Finally we notice that the hero is not perfect at the beginning of his quest but that the latter learns about himself and evolves during his journey. Indeed the hero seems brave when he leaves any landmark to embark on a new adventure but we must not forget that he was forced by the destiny. During his journey the hero learns to become wise and courageous, his adventurous side comes out, he even comes to brave the danger for his friends or strangers. He also understands that there is his duty to save and carry the world on his shoulders, that he must not falter. He must fight against evil and push it away from himself.

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