This blog post is a continuation of the satirical series, “Poking Fun at Fantasy Tropes.”
So far, we’ve looked at the time-tested tropes of taverns, heroes, mentors, quests, allies, and the worlds themselves. Now we’re taking a look at something that inexplicably finds its way into just about every fantasy story in some form or another without fail: The Legendary Weapon.
Most often (and most recognizably), the legendary weapon that falls into the hands of the protagonist (or is given to them by their mentor, who’s been holding on to the weapon for years on end) is a sword with an impressive-sounding name. A name like Kingmaker or Fatebreaker or something poetic and grandiose along those lines. It’s really impressive when the sword’s name is in another fantasy language—then you really know that it’s an important part of the story. Sometimes it’s magical; sometimes it’s not. Either way, it’s exactly what the hero needs.
As if impenetrable plot armor weren’t enough to see them through to the story’s end, the legendary weapon they’re given (or go on a dangerous quest to acquire over the course of an entire novel) is usually the only thing that can possibly defeat the story’s villain or Dark Lord. Seems just a little too convenient and not quite realistic, doesn’t it? Yes, it’s fantasy, but even fantasy should have its roots in reality.
Give me a story about a desperate hero searching for a legendary weapon to defeat the story’s villain. But the only one he can find was used on the previous antagonist and is known to be quite ineffective against the current Dark Lord. In such a tale, the protagonist would be forced to find some other means of victory against their foe. Now that’d be an interesting story!
Why is the legendary weapon usually a sword for that matter? Why not a trident, a pike, or a morning star—or even a magically enchanted shovel? (Okay, the last example was a bit of a joke, but I was more serious about the other ones.)
Here are just a few, rambling thoughts:
Aside from the fact that swords are the typically the most well-known and frequently thought of fantasy-esque weapon around (making it a no-brainer to feature them prominently in such stories), swords also seem to be a more elegant and noble weapon for a hero to wield. A less dignified weapon just seems… well, awkward and common.
Because of well-known stories, we often associate swords with those who wield them—most often the knights in shining armor who are heroes in fairy tales and epics of old. Their traits of nobility and chivalry extend to the weapons they carry: Sword, spear, etc.
I believe that by having the protagonist wield a sword (as opposed to another deadly weapon such as a trident, pike, or a morning star), storytellers imply that we, the readers, can trust the protagonist to truly be the hero of the story. Of course, other less than noble characters wield swords as well—including the villains—so that isn’t a perfect implication. How they use their weapon matters. It reveals their character as well.
However, I’ll stand by this belief: It isn’t impossible, but it’s a whole lot harder for a storyteller to convince readers that the protagonist is indeed the hero of the story when they’re killing their enemies with a shovel. Even if it’s a magically enchanted, legendary weapon. Just saying.
On second thought, that sounds like the premise for an interesting story too…
Until next time,
Al
