Swords in fiction
Swords appear frequently in speculative fiction, especially fantasy. Their outsize importance and often magical properties in these works are based on myths and legends such as the sword Excalibur. Heroes are often seen to wield swords over other weapons, and in sword and sorcery fantasy, embark on exciting adventures.
Context[edit]
A sword is a bladed weapon used for slashing or thrusting that is longer than a dagger. Many different sizes of swords were used in ancient combat for millennia. While the earliest swords were made of bronze, they became increasingly common in the Iron Age when their production became easier, and the weapon continued to be used as a side arm even into the 20th century. They were made obsolete in actual combat due to the development of firearms, and relegated to ceremonial use.
Motifs[edit]
Arthurian fantasy[edit]
The sword Excalibur is often mentioned in works set in the Arthurian mythos, such as The Once and Future King (1958), and its animated adaptation The Sword in the Stone (1963).[1]
Tolkienan fantasy[edit]
Magic swords feature in The Lord of the Rings, such as Gandalf's sword Glamdring ("Foe Hammer"), and Frodo's short sword Sting, which glows magically when orcs are nearby.[1]
Science fiction[edit]
While swords are more rarely seen in science fiction, their use is often justified by the existence of technology such as force fields, reactive armor, or in the case of hostile aliens, a durable exoskeleton, that make firearms or rayguns less effective. A well-known example is the lightsaber from the Star Wars franchise, in which the blade of the sword is made of magnetically contained plasma.[1]
Historical fiction[edit]
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Types of swords[edit]
Fictional swords can be classified into many types. Often, their capabilities are unrealistically exaggerated compared to the real-life weapons.
Japanese swords[edit]
The katana is often portrayed in fiction as a weapon that can cut through almost any material as long as it is wielded by a skilled swordsman, as well as being nearly unbreakable. Fictional katanas sometimes have mystical properties, and in works where they are wielded by the hero, are portrayed as superior to more western swords or even firearms.
Magic swords[edit]
In many works of fantasy, a sword possesses innate supernatural powers, ranging from minor enchantments to being a sentient weapon. The science fiction equivalent of such weapons are swords augmented with technology, such as energy blades.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Greenwood encyclopedia of science fiction and fantasy : themes, works, and wonders. Westfahl, Gary. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. 2005. p. 783. ISBN 0313329508. OCLC 60401685. Search this book on
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