“Winter is coming” - a phrase not only fervent readers of Fantasy know but also thousands of people throughout the world. The success of the book series A Song of Ice and Fire from George R.R. Martin transcends the literary cosmos as it has long been picturized in the form of an HBO series; hundreds of fan articles are produced each year. Not unlike the roaring popularity of the Harry Potter series a few years ago, the fictional worlds of Westeros and Essos in this Fantasy saga have captured the attention of the masses. [...]
The reader dives into the lives and struggles of the characters, feeling and fighting with them and sometimes even crying when they unexpectedly die (as can be seen in the uproar and comments on various blogs on internet communities when Eddard Stark was unexpectedly executed). Every reader of A Song of Ice and Fire has his or her own favorite characters. In the first novel it was no doubt the nobel and honorable Lord Eddard Stark for most of the literary community - the obvious hero of the masses. But since his shocking demise the preferences of the readers seem to have changed and found a new darling - Tyrion Lannister. As the most discussed and controversial of all characters nobody seems to fully comprehend him: dwarf, egoist, drunkard, nymphomaniac, nerd - the list is long and might be longer still. The only thing all readers, blog-writers and fans seem to agree on is that he is the true hero of the series. But can a hero be an egotistical, sex maniac dwarf?
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- A Song of Ice and Fire...
- Approach
- The Genre Fantasy
- Term
- Definition
- Heroes in Fantasy
- Characterization
- What is a Character?
- Characters in Fantasy
- Dwarfism
- Background on Dwarfism
- Dwarfs in Literature
- Dwarfs in Fantasy
- Tyrion Lannister - Defying Fantasy Clichés
- Mentality and Appearance
- History and Recent Events
- Relationships
- Defying Expectations
- Defying Family Character Traits
- Defying Dwarfism
- Defying Characterization
- Crossing Boundaries - Is that what makes him a Hero?
- Outlook
- Works Cited......
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the character of Tyrion Lannister in George R.R. Martin's fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, focusing on how he defies traditional tropes and expectations associated with the genre. The essay examines Tyrion's characterization in light of his dwarfism, his family's history, and his relationships with other characters. It also analyzes how his actions and experiences challenge conventional notions of heroism in fantasy literature.
- The role of the "antihero" in fantasy literature
- The depiction of dwarfism in literature and fantasy
- The challenges and complexities of characterization in fantasy
- The subversion of traditional fantasy tropes and clichés
- The exploration of moral ambiguity and complexity in characters
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introductory chapter discusses the author's personal preference for complex and ambiguous characters, arguing that such characters provide a more "productive" literary raw material and better reflect human nature. It then introduces the A Song of Ice and Fire series, highlighting its popularity and exploring its main story lines: the struggle for power in Westeros, the conflict with the wildlings and the Others, and Daenerys Targaryen's journey in Essos.
Chapter 2 delves into the genre of fantasy, defining its characteristics and exploring the portrayal of heroes in fantasy literature. It establishes a framework for understanding how Tyrion Lannister challenges typical heroic archetypes.
Chapter 3 examines the concept of characterization, particularly in fantasy literature. It discusses different aspects of character development and how characters are portrayed in the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
Chapter 4 provides background information on dwarfism and examines its representation in literature and fantasy. It analyzes the historical and cultural context of dwarfism and its impact on literary portrayals.
Chapter 5 focuses on Tyrion Lannister's characterization, exploring his mentality, appearance, history, relationships, and actions. It analyzes how he defies expectations associated with dwarfism, his family, and traditional heroic archetypes.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay explores the themes of antiheroism, dwarfism, fantasy genre, characterization, A Song of Ice and Fire, Tyrion Lannister, George R.R. Martin, and moral ambiguity.
- Quote paper
- Peggy Zawadil (Author), 2014, The "Antihero" Defying Clichés. A Study of a Character in George R.R. Martin´s "A Song of Ice and Fire", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/312200
