Many people seem to have struggles differentiating different types of fantasy for each other. If I asked you what was the difference between Low Fantasy and High Fantasy, what would you say?
So, allow me to differentiate them for you using one of the quintessential fantasy creatures: the elf. Allow me to introduce the High Elf, Low Elf, Old Elf, and Dark Elf.
The High Elf would be a representation of high fantasy. Originating with Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings, the high elves are quite magical and elegant with long histories. These are the types of elves you'd see in a world with goblins and dwarves along with humans, the type to wield staves and wear long flowing robes. In short, high fantasy is the genre based off of the works of Tolkien and his almost optimistic and iconic worlds and is the most common type of fantasy you'd see.
Next are the Low Elves. Low elves are rather similar in appearance to mankind and typically need to hide their magical and elvish nature and are the most recently born of these elves. In short, Low Fantasy is where magic is hidden from the typically modern world. Popular examples are Harry Potter or Percy Jackson and are the most accessible to people considering they take place in a world that is ours.
Next, Old Elves- also known as the Fairytale Elf. These are the elves that were born before the high elves and are seldom born nowadays. They are typically short and rather simple creatures and are most seen in whimsical realms far far away or at the beds of children, ready to entertain.
And last the Dark Elves. Dark Elves are creatures derived from the High Elves and look quite similar, but typically are not as grand, elegant or optimistic as the High Elves. They descend from the mind of George Martin and are based primarily off of his works. Famous Dark Fantasies are Game of Thrones, Dark Souls, and Elden Ring.
Now, I hope you now know the difference, even if you aren't a major fantasy enjoyer!
So, allow me to differentiate them for you using one of the quintessential fantasy creatures: the elf. Allow me to introduce the High Elf, Low Elf, Old Elf, and Dark Elf.
The High Elf would be a representation of high fantasy. Originating with Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings, the high elves are quite magical and elegant with long histories. These are the types of elves you'd see in a world with goblins and dwarves along with humans, the type to wield staves and wear long flowing robes. In short, high fantasy is the genre based off of the works of Tolkien and his almost optimistic and iconic worlds and is the most common type of fantasy you'd see.
Next are the Low Elves. Low elves are rather similar in appearance to mankind and typically need to hide their magical and elvish nature and are the most recently born of these elves. In short, Low Fantasy is where magic is hidden from the typically modern world. Popular examples are Harry Potter or Percy Jackson and are the most accessible to people considering they take place in a world that is ours.
Next, Old Elves- also known as the Fairytale Elf. These are the elves that were born before the high elves and are seldom born nowadays. They are typically short and rather simple creatures and are most seen in whimsical realms far far away or at the beds of children, ready to entertain.
And last the Dark Elves. Dark Elves are creatures derived from the High Elves and look quite similar, but typically are not as grand, elegant or optimistic as the High Elves. They descend from the mind of George Martin and are based primarily off of his works. Famous Dark Fantasies are Game of Thrones, Dark Souls, and Elden Ring.
Now, I hope you now know the difference, even if you aren't a major fantasy enjoyer!
Is this a consistent throughout all of fiction/fantasy, or just some examples?
SoulHeart57 wrote:
Is this a consistent throughout all of fiction/fantasy, or just some examples?
This is the use of elves as a metaphor for the subgenres of fantasy, not an actual list of elves themself. Every work likely has a different definition for an elf or their subtypes, so no.
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