Shakespearean Linguistics for Building of a Fantasy
World
By Scott Ferrara
Language is the heart and soul
of the story. All stories should be written as if
told over a roaring fire under a starry sky. Fantasy
language conveys the language of myth. The first
rule of language is that names have power. To name
something gives one power over it. Naming gives the
power of definition. Unusual names are the spice of
the fantastic. John Carter upon reaching Mars would
have been less than threatened if he had been
attached by a vicious bloodthirsty horde of Cuddly
Chihuahuas. The purpose of fantastic language is to
inspire awe and define a race, object, or character.
The sound of the name should invoke a particular
image or feeling. Shakespeare created words that we
still use today. Fantasy stories should be metaphors
brandishing a lantern in the face of ignorance. We
are his decedents.
Poetry is the rhythm of the
story. The pace ebbs and flows with the speed of the
language. The beauty of fantastic stories is the
opportunities for characters to speak in true heroic
almost Shakespearean language. Heroes get their
power from saying the thing we wish we could say
without a sense of irony. Villains get to reveal
their evil plans. Villains get to revel in their
deeds. Characterizations in fantasy should pull out
all the stops. And this is exhibited in what the
character says. Now when I say that a character
should speak in a Shakespearean manner. I don’t mean
thee’s and thou’s, or blank verse. Use modern
language. But create the feeling of a high drama.
A fantasy world is a world and
a play. As in Shakespeare certain societal factors
collude to create the world of his plays. They
reveal all the same core elements of societal
intrigue: religion, race/family, politics, war, and
crime. A world without these institutions makes for
extremely dry literature.
In the process of world
building these factors are important.
Firstly make a list. Answer
these basic questions.
 | Religion–Is the world
a monotheistic or polytheistic society? If
polytheistic name the gods of that world's
pantheon. How influential are churches or places
of worship in the world? Are churches the source
of magic? In what rituals and practices do the
priesthoods engage? What beliefs in the available
Gods do they hold? |
| Race/Family–Fantastic
races are a staple of fantasy literature. How many
races are there? Are humans the predominant race
or the racial minority? Do humans exist at all? Is
there a history of racial strife between races?
What are the family structures? |
| Politics–What is the
cultural and political infrastructure of the
world? Is it class structure, tribal, clannish,
guild? Is it a theocracy? A monarchy? Many types
of governmental structures exist. When you design
these elements, build the organizational structure
using a historical model or a model of your own.
Name the various faction members. As in our world
many political factions vie for control. In
fantasy define who the enemies are. |
| War–War is a useful
backdrop for any fantasy story? The prospect of
war hangs like a thunderhead over the characters?
War is the darkest of times. It engenders tension.
People change in war. Nations change in war. War
is the major factor in the birth and death of
nations. |
| Crime–Is crime a
major factor of the fantasy world? Is crime
rampant, full of brigandage and piracy? Is crime
organized like a contemporary crime syndicate? Do
a handful of characters have nefarious backgrounds
or connections? Name the criminals and the
organizations. Is there a source of law
enforcement? Who are these brave beings? And what
are the predominant laws of the world or area in
which the characters adventure? |
