This project examines Tolkien's utilisation of migration in his fantasy world-building. Firstly, it explores the utilisation of Medieval tropes, themes and imagery in Middle-Earth, and how this...Show moreThis project examines Tolkien's utilisation of migration in his fantasy world-building. Firstly, it explores the utilisation of Medieval tropes, themes and imagery in Middle-Earth, and how this creates the basis for believable fictional societies. Following this, it shows how the interactions between Tolkien's societies and characters contribute to the development of Middle-Earth as a fantasy world. Finally, these insights become a lens through which to view the theme of race in Tolkien's fantasy, and show a particular conception of racial issues that repeats itself throughout Tolkien's fiction.Show less
Inspiration drawn from the Middle Ages can be found in many forms of modern pop culture. In fact, so-called ‘neomedievalism’ has emerged onto the global scene, and has become almost as widespread...Show moreInspiration drawn from the Middle Ages can be found in many forms of modern pop culture. In fact, so-called ‘neomedievalism’ has emerged onto the global scene, and has become almost as widespread and as often referenced as when the Roman and Greek cultures were rediscovered during the Italian Renaissance. Neomedievalism is described as the postmodern ‘use’ of medieval cultures which often deliberately denies historical accuracy and is usually a nostalgic or romanticized version - or a crude representation - of medieval culture. This way of appropriating medieval themes and stories is possible because it is still “productive in the contemporary imagination”. This claim is substantiated by the popularity of countless medieval-inspired TV-series, films, medieval-styled ‘role playing games’, books such as J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book and TV series - and of course music containing neomedievalist themes. This thesis will explore the role of neomedievalism in Viking Metal, Anglo-Saxon Metal and Neofolk, to find out how neomedievalism fits in with the counter-culture of these music subgenres.Show less
This thesis examines the debate surrounding the genre of historical fiction, taking on a postmodern view of historical writing. Subsequently, this thesis places Deborah Harkness' All Souls trilogy...Show moreThis thesis examines the debate surrounding the genre of historical fiction, taking on a postmodern view of historical writing. Subsequently, this thesis places Deborah Harkness' All Souls trilogy in this debate, which is a historical fantasy series. Through an analysis of Harkness' novels, in particular their fantastical elements and fantastical protagonist, this thesis concludes that history, fiction and fantasy are intertwined in the novels and therefore are able to appropriately fit together as subjects. The notion that these seemingly opposing elements are in fact quite alike undermines some critics' distinctively negative assessment on the genres of historical fiction and historical fantasy.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Film- en literatuurwetenschap (BA)
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Een onderzoek naar de representatie van verkrachting in George R.R. Martins fantasy boekenserie A Song of Ice and Fire en - in mindere mate - de adaptatie Game of Thrones. Hoe reflecteert A Song of...Show moreEen onderzoek naar de representatie van verkrachting in George R.R. Martins fantasy boekenserie A Song of Ice and Fire en - in mindere mate - de adaptatie Game of Thrones. Hoe reflecteert A Song of Ice and Fire op het verschijnsel verkrachting via de representatie ervan?Show less
This thesis is a comparative analysis, viewing Terry Pratchet's Wyrd Sisters as a parody of Macbeth. The topics of comparison are the Macbeths versus the Felmets, Shakespeare's witches versus...Show moreThis thesis is a comparative analysis, viewing Terry Pratchet's Wyrd Sisters as a parody of Macbeth. The topics of comparison are the Macbeths versus the Felmets, Shakespeare's witches versus Pratchett's witches, and the fantasy elements present in both stories. This thesis aims to prove that Pratchett, and by extension comedy and fantasy, should be considered worthy of serious academic study, which has not been done much so far.Show less
This thesis argues that the anime Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood and the manga Fullmetal Alchemist -- boths mediums usually not associated with the Fantasy genre-- share many of its tropes with...Show moreThis thesis argues that the anime Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood and the manga Fullmetal Alchemist -- boths mediums usually not associated with the Fantasy genre-- share many of its tropes with the Western genre of Fantasy, and that this helps to explain this anime and manga's tremendous popularity among Western audiences not necessarily drawn to the two Japanese mediums as such. The argumentation is built around an inventory of such tropes; with an in-depth look at eleven of these.Show less
